An experiment demonstrating that marine slumping is a mechanism to transfer methane from seafloor gas-hydrate deposits into the upper ocean and atmosphere

The scientific community is engaged in a lively debate over whether and how venting from the gas-hydrate reservoir and the Earth’s climate is connected. The various scenarios which have been proposed are based on the following assumptions: the inventory of methane gas-hydrate deposits is locally enormous, the stability of marine gas-hydrate deposits can easily be perturbed by temperature and pressure changes, enough methane can be released from these deposits to contribute adequate volumes of this isotopically distinct greenhouse gas to alter the composition of oceanic or atmospheric methane reservoirs, and the mechanisms exist for the transfer of methane from deeper geologic reservoirs to the ocean and/or atmosphere. However, some potential transfer mechanisms have been difficult to evaluate. Here, we consider the possibility of marine slumping as a mechanism to transfer methane carbon from gas hydrates within the seafloor into the ocean and atmosphere. Our analyses and field experiments indicate that large slumps could release volumetrically significant quantities of solid gas hydrates which would float upwards in the water column. Large pieces of gas hydrate would reach the upper layers of the ocean before decomposing, and some of the methane would be directly injected into the atmosphere.     

State-of-the-Art of Gas Hydrates and Relative Permeability of Hydrate Bearing Sediments

The methane gas production potential from its hydrates, which are solid clathrates, with methane gas entrapped inside the water molecules, is primarily dependent on permeability characteristics of their bearing sediments. Moreover, the dissociation of gas hydrates, which results in a multi-phase fluid migration through these sediments, becomes mandatory to determine the relative permeability of both gaseous and aqueous fluids corresponding to different hydrate saturations. However, in this context, the major challenges are: (1) obtaining undisturbed in-situ samples bearing gas hydrates; and (2) maintenance of the thermodynamic conditions to counter hydrate dissociation. One of the ways to overcome this situation is synthesis of gas hydrates in laboratory conditions, followed by conducting permeability tests on them. In addition, empirical relationships that relate permeability of the gas hydrate bearing sediments to pore-structure characteristics (viz., pore size distribution and interconnectivity) can also be conceived. With this in view, a comprehensive review of the literature dealing with different techniques adopted by researchers for synthesis of gas hydrates, permeability tests conducted on the sediments bearing them, and analytical and empirical correlations employed for determination of permeability of these sediments was conducted and a brief account of the same is presented in this article.     

Raman spectroscopic measurements of synthetic gas hydrates in the ocean

A Raman spectrometer extensively modified for deep ocean use was used to measure synthetic hydrates formed in an ocean environment. This was the first time hydrates formed in the ocean have been measured in situ using Raman spectroscopy. Gas hydrates were formed in situ in the Monterey Bay by pressurizing a Pyrex cell with various gas mixtures. Raman spectra were obtained for sI methane hydrate and sII methane + ethane hydrate. Gas occlusion resulting from rapid gas growth of methane hydrate was measured immediately after formation. The Raman shift for methane free gas was coincident with that of methane in the small 5¹² hydrate cage. The methane Raman peak widths were used to discriminate between methane in the free gas and hydrate phase. Methane + ethane sII hydrate was formed for 43 days on the seafloor. In this case, gas occlusion was not measured when the gas hydrates were allowed to form over an extended time period. Equivalent Raman spectra were obtained for the in situ and laboratory-formed sII methane + ethane hydrates, under similar p, T, and x conditions. With the Raman spectrometer operating in the ocean, seawater contributes to the Raman spectra obtained. Both the Raman bands for the sulfate ion and water were used to qualitatively determine the distribution of water phases measured (hydrate, seawater) in the Raman spectra.     

沉积物中水合物含气量测定方法

建立了沉积物中水合物含气量的测定方法;测定了人工松散沉积物中甲烷水合物、南海神狐海域及祁连山冻土区天然气水合物样品的含气量;计算了样品的表观水合指数(水与气体的摩尔比);探讨了水合物含气量的影响因素.测试结果表明,人工甲烷水合物样品表观水合指数与晶体水合指数相近,样品中水合物的浓度大,含气量较高;南海神狐海域及祁连山冻...     

Potential map of gas hydrate formation in Caspian Sea based on physicochemical stability evaluation of methane hydrate

Preliminary studies of Caspian Sea have shown the possibility of gas hydrate accumulations, because of suitable physicochemical conditions, existence of clayey deposits, and high concentrations of organic matter. Studies have indicated that gas hydrates are mainly composed of methane. Therefore, based on physicochemical equations for methane hydrate stability in different pressure, temperature, and salinity, this study was designed to calculate the potential of gas hydrate formation in the Caspian Sea basin. For this, data of more than 600 locations were analyzed and in each location, upper and lower limits of methane hydrate formation zone were calculated. Then, the zoning maps of upper and lower limits were prepared which can be useful for exploring the gas hydrate as an energy source or predicting gas hydrate hazards. According to the calculations and maps, methane hydrate formation in Caspian Sea, theoretically, can take place from near the seabed to 4000 and 2500 m beneath the sea surface when low and high geothermal gradient are supposed, respectively. By comparing the results with gas hydrate zones revealed in geophysical profiles, it has been shown that, in Caspian Sea, gas hydrates probably accumulate near the lower limit when a high geothermal gradient is assumed.     

Occurrence and exploration of gas hydrate in the marginal seas and continental margin of the Asia and Oceania region

Supplies of conventional natural gas and oil are declining fast worldwide, and therefore new, unconventional forms of energy resources are needed to meet the ever-increasing demand. Amongst the many different unconventional natural resources are gas hydrates, a solid, ice-like crystalline compound of methane and water formed under specific low temperature and high pressure conditions. Gas hydrates are believed to exist in large quantities worldwide in oceanic regions of continental margins, as well as associated with permafrost regions in the Arctic. Some studies to estimate the global abundance of gas hydrate suggest that the total volume of natural gas locked up in form of gas hydrates may exceed all known conventional natural gas reserves, although large uncertainties exist in these assessments. Gas hydrates have been intensively studied in the last two decades also due to connections between climate forcing (natural and/or anthropogenic) and the potential large volumes of methane trapped in gas hydrate accumulations. The presence of gas hydrate within unconsolidated sediments of the upper few hundred meters below seafloor may also pose a geo-hazard to conventional oil and gas production. Additionally, climate variability and associated changes in pressure-temperature regimes and thus shifts in the gas hydrate stability zone may cause the occurrence of submarine slope failures.Several large-scale national gas hydrate programs exist especially in countries such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, India, and New Zealand, where large demands of energy cannot be met by domestic supplies from natural resources. The past five years have seen several dedicated deep drilling expeditions and other scientific studies conducted throughout Asia and Oceania to understand gas hydrates off India, China, and Korea. This thematic set of publications is dedicated to summarize the most recent findings and results of geo-scientific studies of gas hydrates in the marginal seas and continental margin of the Asia, and Oceania region.     

Occurrence and exploration of gas hydrate in the marginal seas and continental margin of the Asia and Oceania region

Supplies of conventional natural gas and oil are declining fast worldwide, and therefore new, unconventional forms of energy resources are needed to meet the ever-increasing demand. Amongst the many different unconventional natural resources are gas hydrates, a solid, ice-like crystalline compound of methane and water formed under specific low temperature and high pressure conditions. Gas hydrates are believed to exist in large quantities worldwide in oceanic regions of continental margins, as well as associated with permafrost regions in the Arctic. Some studies to estimate the global abundance of gas hydrate suggest that the total volume of natural gas locked up in form of gas hydrates may exceed all known conventional natural gas reserves, although large uncertainties exist in these assessments. Gas hydrates have been intensively studied in the last two decades also due to connections between climate forcing (natural and/or anthropogenic) and the potential large volumes of methane trapped in gas hydrate accumulations. The presence of gas hydrate within unconsolidated sediments of the upper few hundred meters below seafloor may also pose a geo-hazard to conventional oil and gas production. Additionally, climate variability and associated changes in pressure-temperature regimes and thus shifts in the gas hydrate stability zone may cause the occurrence of submarine slope failures.Several large-scale national gas hydrate programs exist especially in countries such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, India, and New Zealand, where large demands of energy cannot be met by domestic supplies from natural resources. The past five years have seen several dedicated deep drilling expeditions and other scientific studies conducted throughout Asia and Oceania to understand gas hydrates off India, China, and Korea. This thematic set of publications is dedicated to summarize the most recent findings and results of geo-scientific studies of gas hydrates in the marginal seas and continental margin of the Asia, and Oceania region.     

用地球化学方法勘查中国南海的天然气水合物

天然气水合物是一种未来新型能源,赋存于低温高压环境下的海洋沉积物中,但也可形成于大陆永久冻土带中。天然气水合物资源量巨大,具有经济和环境上的研究意义。近年来,国际上己对天然气水合物的产况、分布和形成机理开展了大量研究,但国内这方面的工作还刚刚开展。对中国南海的调查表明该区存在天然气水合物赋存的有利地质条件、温压条件和富含有机质的沉积条件。在南海的许多海区还发现了指示天然气水合物存在的地震标志(BSR)。介绍了在南海天然气水合物勘查中的地球化学异常标志。这些地球化学异常的产生可能与天然气水合物的形成或分解过程有关。研究内容包括沉积物中气体含量(主要为甲烷和乙烷),甲烷的碳同位素,孔隙水中阴离子(Cl^-、SO4^2-等)、阳离子(Ca^2 、Mg^2 、Ba^2 、Sr^2 ,B^3 和NH4^ 等)浓度和δ^18,δD,δ^11B,及^87Sr／^86Sr等同位素组成,此外还对海底沉积物的热释光特征和紫外、可见、近红外反射光谱特征开展了探索性研究。通过进一步加强理论和实验研究,结合地球物理和地球化学资料,在不远的将来将会在南海发现和圈定天然气水合物矿藏。     

The enigma of double BSRs: indicators for changes in the hydrate stability field?

 A classical bottom simulating reflector (BSR) and a presently unknown double BSR pattern are detectable in reflection seismic profiles from the Storegga Slide area west of Norway. Pressure and temperature modeling schemes lead to the assumption that the strong BSR marks the base of a hydrate stability zone with a typical methane gas composition of 99%. The upper double BSR may mark the top of gas hydrates and the lower double BSR may represent a relict of former changes of the hydrate stability field from glacial to interglacial times or the base of gas hydrates with a gas composition including heavier hydrocarbons.     

Gas hydrate decomposition recorded by authigenic barite at pockmark sites of the northern Congo Fan

The geochemical cycling of barium was investigated in sediments of pockmarks of the northern Congo Fan, characterized by surface and subsurface gas hydrates, chemosynthetic fauna, and authigenic carbonates. Two gravity cores retrieved from the so-called Hydrate Hole and Worm Hole pockmarks were examined using high-resolution pore-water and solid-phase analyses. The results indicate that, although gas hydrates in the study area are stable with respect to pressure and temperature, they are and have been subject to dissolution due to methane-undersaturated pore waters. The process significantly driving dissolution is the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) above the shallowest hydrate-bearing sediment layer. It is suggested that episodic seep events temporarily increase the upward flux of methane, and induce hydrate formation close to the sediment surface. AOM establishes at a sediment depth where the upward flux of methane from the uppermost hydrate layer counterbalances the downward flux of seawater sulfate. After seepage ceases, AOM continues to consume methane at the sulfate/methane transition (SMT) above the hydrates, thereby driving the progressive dissolution of the hydrates “from above”. As a result the SMT migrates downward, leaving behind enrichments of authigenic barite and carbonates that typically precipitate at this biogeochemical reaction front. Calculation of the time needed to produce the observed solid-phase barium enrichments above the present-day depths of the SMT served to track the net downward migration of the SMT and to estimate the total time of hydrate dissolution in the recovered sediments. Methane fluxes were higher, and the SMT was located closer to the sediment surface in the past at both sites. Active seepage and hydrate formation are inferred to have occurred only a few thousands of years ago at the Hydrate Hole site. By contrast, AOM-driven hydrate dissolution as a consequence of an overall net decrease in upward methane flux seems to have persisted for a considerably longer time at the Worm Hole site, amounting to a few tens of thousands of years.     

Seismic expression of gas and gas hydrates across the western Black Sea

This study is a synthesis of gas-related features in recent sediments across the western Black Sea basin. The investigation is based on an extensive seismic dataset, and integrates published information from previous local studies. Our data reveal widespread occurrences of seismic facies indicating free gas in sediments and gas escape in the water column. The presence of gas hydrates is inferred from bottom-simulating reflections (BSRs). The distribution of the gas facies shows (1) major gas accumulations close to the seafloor in the coastal area and along the shelfbreak, (2) ubiquitous gas migration from the deeper subsurface on the shelf and (3) gas hydrate occurrences on the lower slope (below 750 m water depth). The coastal and shelfbreak shallow gas areas correspond to the highstand and lowstand depocentres, respectively. Gas in these areas most likely results from in situ degradation of biogenic methane, probably with a contribution of deep gas in the shelfbreak accumulation. On the western shelf, vertical gas migration appears to originate from a source of Eocene age or older and, in some cases, it is clearly related to known deep oil and gas fields. Gas release at the seafloor is abundant at water depths shallower than 725 m, which corresponds to the minimum theoretical depth for methane hydrate stability, but occurs only exceptionally at water depths where hydrates can form. As such, gas entering the hydrate stability field appears to form hydrates, acting as a buffer for gas migration towards the seafloor and subsequent escape.     

Modeling of rising methane bubbles during production leaks from the gas hydrate sites of India

Natural gas hydrates is considered as a strategic unconventional clean hydrocarbon resource in the energy sector. Understanding the behavior of the rising methane gas bubbles during production leaks from the deep marine gas hydrate reservoirs well head is essential for environmental impact studies and to design environmental monitoring systems. Numerical model for quantitatively characterizing the vertical dissolution pattern of the wellhead released methane gas bubbles is analyzed for three potential gas hydrate locations in India. Simulation results indicate that the methane bubbles with diameter of 10?mm can transport methane gas till 650, 800, and 750?m from the seabed in the Krishna–Godavari(KG), Mahanadi and Andaman basins respectively. Results brought out that potential well head damage during methane hydrate production at 1050?m water depth could release up to 28?m³ of methane gas, in which 50% of the molar mass shall get dissolved within 40?m of water column from the seafloor.     

Comparison of marine gas hydrates in sediments of an active and passive continental margin

Two sites of the Deep Sea Drilling Project in contrasting geologic settings provide a basis for comparison of the geochemical conditions associated with marine gas hydrates in continental margin sediments. Site 533 is located at 3191 m water depth on a spit-like extension of the continental rise on a passive margin in the Atlantic Ocean. Site 568, at 2031 m water depth, is in upper slope sediment of an active accretionary margin in the Pacific Ocean. Both sites are characterized by high rates of sedimentation, and the organic carbon contents of these sediments generally exceed 0.5%. Anomalous seismic reflections that transgress sedimentary structures and parallel the seafloor, suggested the presence of gas hydrates at both sites, and, during coring, small samples of gas hydrate were recovered at subbottom depths of 238m (Site 533) and 404 m (Site 568). The principal gaseous components of the gas hydrates wer methane, ethane, and CO₂. Residual methane in sediments at both sites usually exceeded 10 mll^?1 of wet sediment. Carbon isotopic compositions of methane, CO₂, and ΣCO₂ followed parallel trends with depth, suggesting that methane formed mainly as a result of biological reduction of oxidized carbon. Salinity of pore waters decreased with depth, a likely result of gas hydrate formation. These geochemical characteristics define some of the conditions associated with the occurrence of gas hydrates formed by in situ processes in continental margin sediments.     

Potential impact on climate of the exploitation of methane hydrate deposits offshore

Considerable attention has focussed on methane hydrates as a potential energy resource but much less on the potential environmental problems of exploiting these deposits. In fact, methane hydrate deposits represent a dynamic system formed as a result of the continuous migration of methane gas along fracture systems. Any exploitation of methane hydrates offshore will perforce take place in these unstable systems and could lead to the large-scale release of CH₄ under unfavourable circumstances. However, most of this CH₄ would be oxidized to CO₂ within the water column under steady-state conditions. Only under exceptional circumstances would large-scale release of CH₄ into the atmosphere take place. The impact of exploiting these deposits offshore on global climate may therefore be limited provided serious efforts are made to minimize environmental impacts. At present, prospects for the commercial exploitation of methane hydrates are in their infancy. Considerable ingenuity will be required to satisfy the requirements of safe operating conditions, mitigation of environmental hazards and commercial viability. The need to exercise caution before attempting to exploit these deposits is emphasized.     

Gas hydrates in the western deep-water Ulleung Basin, East Sea of Korea

Geophysical surveys and geological studies of gas hydrates in the western deep-water Ulleung Basin of the East Sea off the east coast of Korea have been carried out by the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) since 2000. The work included a grid of 4782 km of 2D multi-channel seismic reflection lines and 11 piston cores 5–8 m long. In the piston cores, cracks generally parallel to bedding suggest significant in-situ gas. The cores showed high amounts of total organic carbon (TOC), and from the southern study area showed high residual hydrocarbon gas concentrations. The lack of higher hydrocarbons and the carbon isotope ratios indicate that the methane is primarily biogenic. The seismic data show areas of bottom-simulating reflectors (BSRs) that are associated with gas hydrates and underlying free gas. An important observation is the numerous seismic blanking zones up to 2 km across that probably reflect widespread fluid and gas venting and that are inferred to contain substantial gas hydrate. Some of the important results are: (1) BSRs are widespread, although most have low amplitudes; (2) increased P-wave velocities above some BSRs suggest distributed low to moderate concentration gas hydrate whereas a velocity decrease below the BSR suggests free gas; (3) the blanking zones are often associated with upbowing of sedimentary bedding reflectors in time sections that has been interpreted at least in part due to velocity pull-up produced by high-velocity gas hydrate. High gas hydrate concentrations are also inferred in several examples where high interval velocities are resolved within the blanking zones. Recently, gas hydrate recoveries by the piston coring and deep-drilling in 2007 support the interpretation of substantial gas hydrate in many of these structures.     

天然气水合物的重要特征与评价及其在中国海域的勘探前景

从勘探技术和资源评价的角度综述了甲烷水合物生成和聚集的重要特征, 如地震反射剖面、测井曲线资料、地球化学特点等以及对未知区的地质勘探和选区评价 .甲烷水合物在地震剖面上主要表现为BSR(似海底反射)、振幅变形(空白反射)、速度倒置、速度-振幅结构(VAMPS)等,大规模的甲烷水合物聚集可以通过高电阻率(＞100欧姆.米)声波速度、低体积密度等号数进行直接判读.此项研究实例表明,沉积物中典型甲烷水合物具有低渗透性和高毛细管孔隙压力特点,地层孔隙水矿化度也呈异常值,并具有各自独特的地质特征.现场计算巨型甲烷水合物储层中甲烷资源量的方法可分为:测井资料计算法公式为:SW＝(abRw/φm.Rt)1/n;地震资料计算法公式为:ρp＝(1-φ)ρm+(1-s)φρw+sφρh、VH＝λ.φ.S.对全球甲烷水合物总资源量预测的统计达20×1015m3以上.甲烷水合物形成需满足高压、低温条件,要求海水深度＞300 m.因此,甲烷水合物的分布严格地局限于两极地区和陆坡以下的深水地区,并具有3种聚集类型:1.永久性冻土带;2.浅水环境;3.深水环境.深海钻探计划(DSDP)和大洋钻探计划(ODP)已在下述10个地区发现大规模的甲烷水合物聚集,他们是:秘鲁、哥斯达黎加、危地马拉、墨西哥、美国东南大西洋海域、美国西部太平洋海域、日本海域的两个地区、阿拉斯加和墨西哥湾地区.在较浅水沉积物岩心样中发现甲烷水合物的地区,包括黑海、里海、加拿大北部、美国加里福尼亚岸外、墨西哥湾北部、鄂霍茨克海的两个地区.在垂向上,甲烷水合物主要分布于海底以下2 000 m以浅的沉积层中.最新统计表明又主要分布于二个深度区间:200～450 m和700～920 m,前者是由ODP995～997站位发现的;后者在加拿大麦肯齐河三角洲马立克2L-38号井中897～922 m处发现.中国海域已发现多处甲烷水合物可能赋存地区,包括东沙群岛南部、西沙海槽北部、西沙群岛南部以及东海海域地区.姚伯初报道了南海地区9处地震剖面速度异常值的发现,海水深度为420～3 920 m,海洋地质研究所则在东海海域解释了典型BSR反射的剖面,具有速度异常、弱振幅、空白反射、与下伏反射波组具不整合接触关系(VAMPS)等,大致圈定了它们的分布范围,表明在中国海域寻找甲烷水合物具有光明的前景.     

Fluid flow and methane occurrences in the Disko Bugt area offshore West Greenland: indications for gas hydrates?

The present study is the first to directly address the issue of gas hydrates offshore West Greenland, where numerous occurrences of shallow hydrocarbons have been documented in the vicinity of Disko Bugt (Bay). Furthermore, decomposing gas hydrate has been implied to explain seabed features in this climate-sensitive area. The study is based on archive data and new (2011, 2012) shallow seismic and sediment core data. Archive seismic records crossing an elongated depression (20×35 km large, 575 m deep) on the inner shelf west of Disko Bugt (Bay) show a bottom simulating reflector (BSR) within faulted Mesozoic strata, consistent with the occurrence of gas hydrates. Moreover, the more recently acquired shallow seismic data reveal gas/fluid-related features in the overlying sediments, and geochemical data point to methane migration from a deeper-lying petroleum system. By contrast, hydrocarbon signatures within faulted Mesozoic strata below the strait known as the Vaigat can be inferred on archive seismics, but no BSR was visible. New seismic data provide evidence of various gas/fluid-releasing features in the overlying sediments. Flares were detected by the echo-sounder in July 2012, and cores contained ikaite and showed gas-releasing cracks and bubbles, all pointing to ongoing methane seepage in the strait. Observed seabed mounds also sustain gas seepages. For areas where crystalline bedrock is covered only by Pleistocene–Holocene deposits, methane was found only in the Egedesminde Dyb (Trough). There was a strong increase in methane concentration with depth, but no free gas. This is likely due to the formation of gas hydrate and the limited thickness of the sediment infill. Seabed depressions off Ilulissat Isfjord (Icefjord) previously inferred to express ongoing gas release from decomposing gas hydrate show no evidence of gas seepage, and are more likely a result of neo-tectonism.     

Contribution of thermogenic organic matter to the formation of biogenic gas hydrate: Evidence from geochemical and microbial characteristics of hydrate-containing sediments in the Taixinan Basin,South China Sea

High-saturation (40–100%), microbial gas hydrates have been acquired by expedition GMGS2 from the Taixinan Basin. In this study, geochemical and microbial features of hydrate-containing sediments from the drilling cores (GMGS2-09 and GMGS2-16) were characterized to explore their relationships with gas hydrate formation. Results showed that the average TOC content of GMGS2-09 and GMGS2-16 were 0.45% and 0.63%, respectively. They could meet the threshold for in situ gas hydrate formation, but were not available for the formation of high-saturation gas hydrates. The dominant members of Bacteria at the class taxonomic level were Alphaproteobacteria, Bacilli, Bacteroidia, Epsilonproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria, and those in Archaea were Marine_Benthic_Group_B (MBGB), Miscellaneous_Crenarchaeotic_Group (MCG), Group C3, Methanomicrobia and Methanobacteria. Indicators of microbes associated with thermogenic organic matter were measured. These include: (1) most of the dominant microbes had been found dominant in other gas hydrates bearing sediments, mud volcanos as well as oil/coal deposits; (2) hydrogenotrophic methanogens and an oilfield-origin thermophilic, methylotrophic methanogen were found dominant the methanogen community; (3) hydrocarbon-assimilating bacteria and other hyperthermophiles were frequently detected. Therefore, thermogenic signatures were inferred existed in the sediments. This deduction is consistent with the interpretation from the seismic reflection profiles. Owing to the inconsistency between low TOC content and gas hydrates with high saturation, secondary microbial methane generated from the bioconversion of thermogenic organic matters (oil or coal) was speculated to serve as enhanced gas flux for the formation of high-saturation gas hydrates. A preliminary formation model of high-saturation biogenic gas hydrates was proposed, in which diagenesis processes, tectonic movements and microbial activities were all emphasized regarding to their contribution to gas hydrates formation. In short, this research helps explain how microbial act and what kind of organic matter they use in forming biogenic gas hydrates with high saturations.     

The characteristics of gas hydrates recovered from the Mount Elbert Gas Hydrate Stratigraphic Test Well, Alaska North Slope

Systematic analyses have been carried out on two gas hydrate-bearing sediment core samples, HYPV4, which was preserved by CH₄ gas pressurization, and HYLN7, which was preserved in liquid-nitrogen, recovered from the BPXA-DOE-USGS Mount Elbert Stratigraphic Test Well. Gas hydrate in the studied core samples was found by observation to have developed in sediment pores, and the distribution of hydrate saturation in the cores imply that gas hydrate had experienced stepwise dissociation before it was stabilized by either liquid nitrogen or pressurizing gas. The gas hydrates were determined to be structure Type I hydrate with hydration numbers of approximately 6.1 by instrumentation methods such as powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and solid state ¹³C NMR. The hydrate gas composition was predominantly methane, and isotopic analysis showed that the methane was of thermogenic origin (mean δ¹³C = −48.6‰ and δ_D = −248‰ for sample HYLN7). Isotopic analysis of methane from sample HYPV4 revealed secondary hydrate formation from the pressurizing methane gas during storage.     

Potential for gas hydrate formation at the northwest New Zealand shelf margin - New insights from seismic reflection data and petroleum systems modelling

In this study we provide evidence for methane hydrates in the Taranaki Basin, occurring a considerable distance from New Zealand's convergent margins, where they are well documented. We describe and reconstruct a unique example of gas migration and leakage at the edge of the continental shelf, linking shallow gas hydrate occurrence to a deeper petroleum system. The Taranaki Basin is a well investigated petroleum province with numerous fields producing oil and gas. Industry standard seismic reflection data show amplitude anomalies that are here interpreted as discontinuous BSRs, locally mimicking the channelized sea-floor and pinching out up-slope. Strong reverse polarity anomalies indicate the presence of gas pockets and gas-charged sediments. PetroMod™ petroleum systems modelling predicts that the gas is sourced from elevated microbial gas generation in the thick slope sediment succession with additional migration of thermogenic gas from buried Cretaceous petroleum source rocks. Cretaceous–Paleogene extensional faults underneath the present-day slope are interpreted to provide pathways for focussed gas migration and leakage, which may explain two dry petroleum wells drilled at the Taranaki shelf margin. PetroMod™ modelling predicts concentrated gas hydrate formation on the Taranaki continental slope consistent with the anomalies observed in the seismic data. We propose that a semi-continuous hydrate layer is present in the down-dip wall of incised canyons. Canyon incision is interpreted to cause the base of gas hydrate stability to bulge downward and thereby trap gas migrating up-slope in permeable beds due to the permeability decrease caused by hydrate formation in the pore space. Elsewhere, hydrate occurrence is likely patchy and may be controlled by focussed leakage of thermogenic gas. The proposed presence of hydrates in slope sediments in Taranaki Basin likely affects the stability of the Taranaki shelf margin. While hydrate presence can be a drilling hazard for oil and gas exploration, the proposed presence of gas hydrates opens up a new frontier for exploration of hydrates as an energy source.