Ultrasonic attenuation of pure tetrahydrofuran hydrate

Improved estimates of the amount of subsurface gas hydrates are needed for natural resource, geohazard, and climate impact assessments. To evaluate gas hydrate saturation from seismic methods, the properties of pure gas hydrates need to be known. Whereas the properties of sediments, specifically sands, and hydrate‐bearing sediments are well studied, the properties of pure hydrates are largely unknown. Hence, we present laboratory ultrasonic P‐wave velocity and attenuation measurements on pure tetrahydrofuran hydrates as they form with reducing temperatures from 25°C to 1°C under atmospheric pressure conditions. Tetrahydrofuran hydrates, with structure II symmetry, are considered as proxies for the structure I methane hydrates because both have similar effects on elastic properties of hydrate‐bearing sediments. We find that although velocity increased, the waveform frequency content and amplitude decreased after the hydrate formation reaction was complete, indicating an increase in P‐wave attenuation after hydrate formation. When the tetrahydrofuran hydrate was cooled below the freezing point of water, velocity and quality factor increased. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance results indicate the presence of water in the “pure hydrate” samples above the water freezing point, but none below. The presence of liquid water between hydrate grains most likely causes heightened attenuation in tetrahydrofuran hydrates above the freezing point of water. In naturally occurring hydrates, a similarly high attenuation might relate to the presence of water.     

Application of AVO analysis to gas hydrates identification in the northern slope of the South China Sea

Amplitude versus offset (AVO) analysis is a conventional seismic exploration technique in geophysical and lithological interpretation and has been widely used in onshore and offshore exploration. Its use in marine gas hydrate research, however, is still in initial stages. In this study, AVO analysis is applied to seismic profiles at drilling sites where hydrate samples have been recovered. The AVO responses of free gas, bottom simulating reflector (BSRs), and gas hydrates are discussed, and the AVO attributes in relation to gas hydrates are summarized. The results show that changes in intercept, gradient, fluid factor and Poisson’s ratio clearly reflect: (i) location of free gas and the BSR, and (ii) spatial relations between blank zone, BSR, gas hydrate, and free gas.     

海底天然气水合物层界面反射AVO数值模拟

本文采用AVO数值模拟方法,共选取水合物系统分层结构6个模型,对水合物、游离气和饱水沉积物接触界面的反射特征进行了数值模拟,研究了BSR及双BSR的存在条件与水合物体系垂向分布的关系,对一些现象从理论上进行了阐明.主要结论是：（1）强的似海底反射界面BSR与游离气体的存在密不可分,实际地震剖面中的“BSR”可能不对应水合物而只对应气体,无明显BSR的地方可能有水合物.（2）水合物顶部有可能存在游离气体,它可以在正常BSR（BSR1）之上形成另一个具有正极性的似海底反射界面BSR2.（3）正常BSR之下的双BSR（BSR0）其弹性机理有两种可能,一是水合物之下游离气上升迁移遇到某种阻隔层或不同气体组分的自然分层所造成的气体垂向分布的梯度性差异;二是当水合物之下的游离气体中存在残存的水合物时,同样会形成一定强度的似海底反射,在这种情形下BSR0的极性比较难以判断,取决于残存水合物上下游离气的饱和度和残存水合物的厚度.     

Acoustic properties of sediments saturated with gas hydrate, free gas and water

We obtain the wave velocities and quality factors of gas‐hydrate‐bearing sediments as a function of pore pressure, temperature, frequency and partial saturation. The model is based on a Biot‐type three‐phase theory that considers the existence of two solids (grains and gas hydrate) and a fluid mixture. Attenuation is described with the constant‐Q model and viscodynamic functions to model the high‐frequency behaviour. We apply a uniform gas/water mixing law that satisfies Wood's and Voigt's averages at low and high frequencies, respectively. The acoustic model is calibrated to agree with the patchy‐saturation theory at high frequencies (White's model). Pressure effects are accounted by using an effective stress law for the dry‐rock moduli and permeabilities. The dry‐rock moduli of the sediment are calibrated with data from the Cascadia margin. Moreover, we calculate the depth of the bottom simulating reflector (BSR) below the sea floor as a function of sea‐floor depth, geothermal gradient below the sea floor, and temperature at the sea floor.     

琼东南盆地天然气水合物及其成藏模式的海洋可控源电磁研究

南海琼东南盆地是天然气水合物重要远景区之一.由于盆地大部分地区海底地形平缓、地层近于水平,增加了利用地震反射剖面识别似海底反射（BSR,bottom simulating reflector）的难度,从而影响了对水合物的评价.为了进一步开展琼东南盆地水合物调查研究,本文在研究海域进行了海洋可控源电磁探测试验,将自主研发的10台接收机以500 m的间距,投放至水深约为1360 m的海底,完成了一条4.5 km剖面的电磁数据采集.通过对采集的数据进行处理与二维（2D）反演,获得了研究剖面海底的电阻率断面图.反演结果显示,研究区海底60~330 mbsf（meter bottom of seafloor）的地层中,存在多个横向不连续分布的高阻异常体,电阻率介于2~10 Ωm之间;在海底330 mbsf之下,横向上发育了电阻率为2~4 Ωm的3个高阻体.根据研究区热力学条件,本文估算了生物成因气与热成因天然气的水合物稳定带（GHSZ,gas hydrate stability zone）厚度,结合高阻体的分布特征推断了地震剖面上BSR的位置.在此基础上,对反演的电阻率断面进行解释,推断了研究区水合物的分布及游离气运移通道.研究表明,勘探区具有形成天然气水合物矿藏的地质与地球物理条件,其成藏模式可能属于"断层、裂隙输导的下生上储型",水合物的气源为生物成因气.     

尼日尔三角洲天然气水合物体系地震特征研究

天然气水合物体系一般由地震上的似海底反射层BSR和下伏强振幅带(解释为游离气FGZs)所指示,但并非所有BSR及下伏强振幅带都与水合物和游离气有关.本文通过提取多种属性剖面,优选出视极性属性来辅助判断与水合物有关的BSR和下伏FGZs.—般来说,BSR和FGZs的顶部反射层表现为负视极性、高振幅的强反射特征.研究发现,尼日尔三角洲南部的水合物主要分布在与重力作用有关的生长断层及伴生的滚动背斜地区,广泛发育的断层、气烟囱、不整合面,以及砂岩层都可作为流体运移通道.除为水合物体系提供气源,这些流体运移通道还在水合物分解或FGZs超压时发挥作用,使游离气沿通道在FGZs和含水合物地层间循环,部分游离气可运移至海底进入海水甚至大气中·总之,视极性是判断水合物相关地震指示标志的有效属性,流体运移通道对尼日尔三角洲的水合物成藏具有重要作用.     

波形曲线特征在天然气水合物资源量研究中的地质意义

地震反射波形特征对判断地层中是否存在天然气水合物及其下伏游离气层具有重要指示意义。BSR波形极性与海底反射相反,它大致代表含水合物层的底界;当地层中富含水合物及下伏游离气时,其波形特征亦有明显的反映,据此可推断水合物成矿带顶界和游离气层底界的大致位置。     

Modelling of viscoacoustic wave propagation in transversely isotropic media using decoupled fractional Laplacians

A new wave equation is derived for modelling viscoacoustic wave propagation in transversely isotropic media under acoustic transverse isotropy approximation. The formulas expressed by fractional Laplacian operators can well model the constant-Q (i.e. frequency-independent quality factor) attenuation, anisotropic attenuation, decoupled amplitude loss and velocity dispersion behaviours. The proposed viscoacoustic anisotropic equation can keep consistent velocity and attenuation anisotropy effects with that of qP-wave in the constant-Q viscoelastic anisotropic theory. For numerical simulations, the staggered-grid pseudo-spectral method is implemented to solve the velocity–stress formulation of wave equation in the time domain. The constant fractional-order Laplacian approximation method is used to cope with spatial variable-order fractional Laplacians for efficient modelling in heterogeneous velocity and Q media. Simulation results for a homogeneous model show the decoupling of velocity dispersion and amplitude loss effects of the constant-Q equation, and illustrate the influence of anisotropic attenuation on seismic wavefields. The modelling example of a layered model illustrates the accuracy of the constant fractional-order Laplacian approximation method. Finally, the Hess vertical transversely isotropic model is used to validate the applicability of the formulation and algorithm for heterogeneous media.     

含天然气水合物沉积物的岩石物性模型与似海底反射层的AVA特征

研究含天然气水合物沉积物的岩石物性模型与似海底反射层的振幅随入射角变化(AVA)特征. 基于时间平均-Wood加权方程、三相介质波传播理论模型和弹性模量模型,计算并阐述含天然气水合物岩石弹性参数与水合物饱和度、含游离气岩石弹性参数与游离气饱和度的关系;给出不同模型AVA特征. 结果表明,不同天然气水合物饱和度、不同游离气饱和度的各种组合呈现形态相似但反射系数值不同的AVA特征.     

Seismic attenuation,normal moveout stretch,and low‐frequency shadows underlying bottom simulating reflector events

In many cases, the seismic response of bottom‐simulating reflectors is characterised by low frequencies called “low‐frequency shadow”. Generally, this phenomenon is interpreted as attenuation due to partial saturation with free gas. Actually, this frequency loss may have multiple causes, with a normal moveout stretch as a possible candidate. To analyse this phenomenon, we compute synthetic seismograms by assuming a lossy bottom‐simulating layer, with varying quality factor and thickness, bounded by the upper hydrate‐brine/gas‐brine and lower gas‐brine/brine interfaces. First, we estimate the shift of the centroid frequency of the power spectrum as a function of the travelled distance of the seismic pulse. Then, we perform one‐dimensional numerical experiments to quantify the loss of frequency of the seismic event below the bottom‐simulating reflector as a function of the quality factor of the bottom‐simulating layer and its thickness (due to wave interference). Then, we compute shot gathers to obtain the stacked section, with and without the normal moveout stretch correction and with and without the presence of wave attenuation in the bottom‐simulating layer. The results indicate that the low‐frequency shadow due to the normal moveout stretch is stronger than that due to attenuation and may constitute a false indicator of the presence of gas. In fact, often, the low‐frequency shadow overlies events with higher frequencies, in contradiction with the physics of wave propagation. This is particularly evident when the low‐frequency shadow is so extensive that the presence of high frequencies below cannot be justified by the acquisition geometry.     

Borehole study of compressional and shear attenuation of basalt flows penetrated by the Brugdan and William wells on the Faroes shelf

We investigated the seismic attenuation of compressional (P‐) and converted shear (S‐) waves through stacked basalt flows using short‐offset vertical seismic profile (VSP) recordings from the Brugdan (6104/21–1) and William (6005/13–1A) wells in the Faroe‐Shetland Trough. The seismic quality factors (Q) were evaluated with the classical spectral ratio method and a root‐mean‐square time‐domain amplitude technique. We found the latter method showed more robust results when analysing signals within the basalt sequence. For the Brugdan well we calculated effective Q estimates of 22–26 and 13–17 for P‐ and S‐waves, respectively, and 25–33 for P‐waves in the William well. An effective Q_S/Q_P ratio of 0.50–0.77 was found from a depth interval in the basalt flow sequence where we expect fully saturated rocks. P‐wave quality factor estimates are consistent with results from other VSP experiments in the North Atlantic Margin, while the S‐wave quality factor is one of the first estimates from a stacked basalt formation using VSP data. Synthetic modelling demonstrates that seismic attenuation for P‐ and S‐waves in the stacked basalt flow sequence is mainly caused by one‐dimensional scattering, while intrinsic absorption is small.     

地球物理技术在天然气水合物预测中的应用

Based on the sensitivity of geophysical response to gas hydrates contained in sediments, we studied the prediction of gas hydrates with seismic techniques, including seismic attributes analysis, AVO, inverted velocity field construction for dipping formations, and pseudo-well constrained impedance inversion. We used an optimal integration of geophysical techniques results in a set of reliable and effective workflows to predict gas hydrates. The results show that the integrated analysis of the combination of reflectivity amplitude, instantaneous phase, interval velocity, relative impedance, absolute impedance, and AVO intercept is a valid combination of techniques for identifying the BSR （Bottom Simulated Reflector） from the lower boundary of the gas hydrates. Integration of seismic sections, relative and absolute impedance sections, and interval velocity sections can improve the validity of gas hydrates determination. The combination of instantaneous frequency, energy half attenuation time, interval velocity, AVO intercept, AVO product, and AVO fluid factor accurately locates the escaped gas beneath the BSR. With these conclusions, the combined techniques have been used to successfully predict the gas hydrates in the Dongsha Sea area.     

Empirical analysis of path effects on prediction equations of pseudo‐velocity response spectra in northern Japan

We study path effects on prediction equations of pseudo‐velocity response spectra (natural period of 0.1–5.0 s) in northern Japan, where heterogeneous attenuation structure exists. The path effects have been examined by comparing the regression analysis results for two different prediction equations. The first equation consists of a single term of anelastic attenuation conventionally. The second equation consists of two terms of anelastic attenuation in consideration of the heterogeneous attenuation structure. In the second equation, we divide a source‐to‐site distance into two distances at the attenuation boundary beneath the volcanic front. The boundary is considered to separate the relatively high Q fore‐arc side mantle wedge (FAMW) from the low Q back‐arc side mantle wedge (BAMW). Strong motion records (hypocentral distances less than 300 km) from interplate and intraslab events with Mw 5.1–7.3 are used. Regression analysis results show that the standard errors are significantly reduced by the second prediction equation at short periods (0.1–0.5 s), whereas the difference in standard errors from both prediction equations is negligible at intermediate and long periods. The Qs values (quality factor for S‐wave) converted from two anelastic attenuation coefficients for the second prediction equation are remarkably similar to the path‐averaged Qs values for the FAMW and BAMW by other studies using spectral inversion method. From these findings, we conclude that the path effects on the prediction equation of pseudo‐velocity response spectra are satisfactorily accomplished by the second prediction equation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

AVO investigations of shallow marine sediments

Amplitude‐variation‐with‐offset (AVO) analysis is based on the Zoeppritz equations, which enable the computation of reflection and transmission coefficients as a function of offset or angle of incidence. High‐frequency (up to 700 Hz) AVO studies, presented here, have been used to determine the physical properties of sediments in a shallow marine environment (20 m water depth). The properties that can be constrained are P‐ and S‐wave velocities, bulk density and acoustic attenuation. The use of higher frequencies requires special analysis including careful geometry and source and receiver directivity corrections. In the past, marine sediments have been modelled as elastic materials. However, viscoelastic models which include absorption are more realistic. At angles of incidence greater than 40°, AVO functions derived from viscoelastic models differ from those with purely elastic properties in the absence of a critical angle of incidence. The influence of S‐wave velocity on the reflection coefficient is small (especially for low S‐wave velocities encountered at the sea‐floor). Thus, it is difficult to extract the S‐wave parameter from AVO trends. On the other hand, P‐wave velocity and density show a considerably stronger effect. Attenuation (described by the quality factor Q) influences the reflection coefficient but could not be determined uniquely from the AVO functions. In order to measure the reflection coefficient in a seismogram, the amplitudes of the direct wave and the sea‐floor reflection in a common‐midpoint (CMP) gather are determined and corrected for spherical divergence as well as source and streamer directivity. At CMP locations showing the different AVO characteristics of a mud and a boulder clay, the sediment physical properties are determined by using a sequential‐quadratic‐programming (SQP) inversion technique. The inverted sediment physical properties for the mud are: P‐wave velocity α=1450±25 m/s, S‐wave velocity β=90±35 m/s, density ρ=1220±45 kg/m³, quality factor for P‐wave Q_P=15±200, quality factor for S‐wave Q_S=10±30. The inverted sediment physical properties for the boulder clay are: α=1620±45 m/s,β=360±200 m/s,ρ=1380±85 kg/m³,Q_P=790±660,Q_S=25±10.     

海洋天然气水合物的地球物理研究(III):似海底反射

对天然气水合物研究中与似海底反射有关的一些观点进行讨论 ,以推动天然气水合物地震研究的认识 .30年的似海底反射研究表明 ,似海底反射仍然是指示天然气水合物沉积存在的最好手段之一 .有似海底反射 ,是可以认为存在天然气水合物的 .虽然存在“游离气带速度模型”与“水合物楔速度模型” ,但似海底反射主要由天然气水合物稳定带底界下方的游离气引起 .BSR上方的天然气水合物、下方的游离气与天然气再循环和含甲烷的流体流有关 .由于天然气水合物稳定带计算控制因素难以准确确定等因素 ,似海底反射与天然气水合物稳定带底界只是近似的对应关系 .需从动态的观点考虑天然气水合物 天然气体系及其与似海底反射的关系 .     

AVO study of a gas-hydrate deposit, offshore Costa Rica

Amplitude variation with offset (AVO) analysis and waveform inversion are techniques used to determine qualitative or quantitative information on gas hydrates and free gas in sediments. However, the quantitative contribution of gas hydrates to the acoustic impedance contrast observed at the bottom‐simulating reflector and the reliability of quantitative AVO analyses are still topics of discussion. In this study, common‐midpoint gathers from multichannel wide‐angle reflection seismic data, acquired offshore Costa Rica, have been processed to preserve true amplitude information at the bottom‐simulating reflector for a quantitative AVO analysis incorporating angles of incidence of up to 60°. Corrections were applied for effects that significantly alter the observed amplitudes, such as the source directivity. AVO and rock‐physics modelling indicate that free gas immediately beneath the gas‐hydrate stability zone can be detected and low concentrations can be quantified from AVO analysis, whereas the offset‐dependent reflectivity is not sensitive to gas‐hydrate concentrations of less than about 10% at the base of the gas‐hydrate stability zone. Bulk free‐gas saturations up to 5% have been determined from the reflection seismic data assuming a homogeneous distribution of free gas in the sediment. Assuming a patchy distribution of free gas increases the estimated concentrations up to 14%. There is a patchy occurrence of bottom‐simulating reflectors south‐east of the Nicoya Peninsula on the continental margin, offshore Costa Rica. AVO analysis indicates that this phenomenon is related to the local presence of free gas beneath the gas‐hydrate stability zone, probably related to a focused vertical fluid flow. In areas without bottom‐simulating reflectors, the results indicate that no free gas is present.     

Foldback reflectors near methane hydrate bottom‐simulating reflectors: Indicators of gas distribution from 3D seismic images in the eastern Nankai Trough

Understanding of fluid behavior and gas distribution in the shallow subsurface are important considerations in gas hydrate formation and the global carbon cycle. Estimation of gas distribution based on reflection seismic surveys, however, is difficult because the boundary of a gas‐bearing zone is indistinct and not systematically defined. This study reports distinctive features related to gas‐hydrate distribution and possible fluid migration in high‐resolution 3D seismic‐reflection data from sediments of the eastern Nankai Trough. These features, here termed foldback reflectors (FBRs), descend in accordion shaped reflectors near the edges of bottom‐simulating reflectors (BSRs). FBRs generally correspond to lateral boundaries between two seismic facies, a ‘dimmed’ facies with relatively low amplitude and subdued high‐frequency components beneath the BSR and the contrasting facies around the BSR. The dimmed facies corresponds to areas of anomalously low velocity consistent with a small amount of free gas. FBR is mostly developed in well‐stratified formations in uplifted regions. Dip directions of the FBR appear to be restricted by orientation of the host formations. Edges of the FBR often correspond to high‐amplitude layers. Such occurrences of FBR suggest that regional uplift and layer‐parallel fluid migration are related to the formation of FBR as well as BSR.     

The impact of faulting on the stability conditions of gas hydrates in Lake Baikal sediments

The phase transition problem of methane hydrate in porous sediments is solved. Based on the obtained solution, the impact of faulting on the stability conditions of gas hydrates is investigated by the numerical modeling of the filtration and thermal regimes in the sedimentary cover of the Central Basin of Lake Baikal within the segment of the anomalous behavior of the bottom simulating reflector (BSR). It is assumed that such behavior is caused by the tectonic action. The calculations testify to the plausibility of the proposed model of formation of the anomalous area with total decomposition of the contained hydrates. It is shown that dissociation of gas hydrates in sediments due to faulting and the subsequent uplift of the products of these transformations along the incipient channel toward the bottom of the lake can result in the extensive accumulation of gas hydrates on this surface. It is also shown that if the total amount of the free gas, which left the hydrate dissociation zone, reached the level of the lake surface at normal pressure and temperature, its volume could be equivalent to the resources of a medium-size gas field. The results of numerical modeling the violation of the gas-hydrate stability conditions in Lake Baikal sediments can also be valid for the other regions with hydrate-bearing sediments if the case specific conditions and regional tectonic activity are taken into account.     

A laboratory study of seismic velocity and attenuation anisotropy in near-surface sedimentary rocks

The laboratory ultrasonic pulse‐echo method was used to collect accurate P‐ and S‐wave velocity (±0.3%) and attenuation (±10%) data at differential pressures of 5–50 MPa on water‐saturated core samples of sandstone, limestone and siltstone that were cut parallel and perpendicular to the vertical borehole axis. The results, when expressed in terms of the P‐ and S‐wave velocity and attenuation anisotropy parameters for weakly transversely isotropic media (ɛ, γ, ɛ_Q, γ_Q) show complex variations with pressure and lithology. In general, attenuation anisotropy is stronger and more sensitive to pressure changes than velocity anisotropy, regardless of lithology. Anisotropy is greatest (over 20% for velocity, over 70% for attenuation) in rocks with visible clay/organic matter laminations in hand specimens. Pressure sensitivities are attributed to the opening of microcracks with decreasing pressure. Changes in magnitude of velocity and attenuation anisotropy with effective pressure show similar trends, although they can show different signs (positive or negative values of ɛ, ɛ_Q, γ, γ_Q). We conclude that attenuation anisotropy in particular could prove useful to seismic monitoring of reservoir pressure changes if frequency‐dependent effects can be quantified and modelled.     

Intrinsic Qp seismic attenuation from the rise time of microearthquakes: a local scale application at Rio‐Antirrio,Western Greece

We determine the attenuation structure of a three‐dimensional medium based on first pulse‐width measurements from microearthquake data. Ninety‐five microearthquakes from a seventy stations local network were considered in this study. Measurements of the first half cycle of the wave, the so‐called rise time τ were carried out on high quality velocity seismograms and inverted to estimate the P‐waves intrinsic quality factor Q_p. The results of this investigation indicate that first pulse width data from a local microearthquake network permit retrieval with sufficient accuracy of the heterogeneous Q_p structure. The inferred attenuation variability corresponds to the known geological formations in the region.