Controlled-source marine electromagnetic 2-D modeling gas hydrate studies

Research on gas hydrate has increased recently as an alternative to fossil fuel. This study of marine controlled source electromagnetics (CSEM) is motivated by this increase, particularly in deep waters, and examines representative models. We present 2D models and test their efficacy in detection and characterization of gas hydrates. Earlier modeling studies used a horizontal transmitter to study the CSEM response??two electrical and one magnetic component??for resistive subsurface layers. Here we use six components??three electrical and three magnetic??and show that the proposed method reduces ambiguity in interpretation. Additionally, we show results utilizing the transmitter dipole in a borehole and receivers at the sea bottom. We found that CSEM response from a vertical transmitter helps us characterize resistive layers more confidently than from a transmitter moving horizontally at sea bottom. We conclude that in a complex environment, combining horizontal and vertical movements of the transmitter with sea-bottom receivers helps us delineate the subsurface structure more clearly and may help reduce drilling costs. Our models closely match the gas hydrate region in the Gulf of Mexico??Walker Ridge Block-313. Although this study examines gas hydrate, the methodology is applicable to other areas??for example, in monitoring gas diffusion at subsurface depths, which may help in CO₂ sequestration.     

海洋天然气水合物三维地震与海底地震勘探中的震源技术研究

三维地震与海底地震勘探技术愈来愈广泛应用于海洋天然气水合物调查中.为了获取高品质的纵波、转换横波等地震信息,揭示天然气水合物地层的速度结构异常,地震震源是决定调查成功与否的关键技术之一.本文对激发频宽、输出、气泡效应等震源特性及组合技术进行了综合研究,设计了一种新型的GI枪点震源系统,并于2006-2009年期间在南海北部某海域进行一系列试验.试验效果的综合对比表明:震源优化技术的应用明显提高了地震纵波的地层穿透深度,并改善了海底地震仪(OBS)纵波及转换横波的接收效果.     

天然气水合物地球化学特征

天然气水合物是在低温、高压以及有足够气体供应条件下形成的一种天然气(主要为甲烷)与水组成的似冰状固态化合物。天然气水合物中包含的甲烷碳是全球甲烷资源的重要组成部分,是一种数量巨大的潜在能源[1]。而且由于甲烷的温室效应,天然气水合物分解释放的甲烷进入大气中会严重     

Numerical modeling of gas hydrate emplacements in oceanic sediments

We have implemented a 2-dimensional numerical model for simulating gas hydrate and free gas accumulation in marine sediments. The starting equations are those of the conservation of the transport of momentum, energy, and mass, as well as those of the thermodynamics of methane hydrate stability and methane solubility in the pore-fluid. These constitutive equations are then integrated into a finite element in space, finite-difference in time scheme. We are then able to examine the formation and distribution of methane hydrate and free gas in a simple geologic framework, with respect to the geothermal heat flow, fluid flow, the methane in-situ production and basal flux. Three simulations are performed, leading to the build up of hydrate emplacements largely linear through time. Models act primarily as free gas accumulators and are relatively inefficient with respect to hydrate emplacements: 26–33% of formed methane are converted to hydrate. Seepage of methane across the sea-floor is negligible for fluid flow below 2. 10⁻¹¹ kg/m²/s. At 5.625 10⁻¹¹ kg/m²/s however, 9.7% of the formed methane seeps out of the model. Moreover, along strike variation arising in the 2-dimensional model are outlined. In the absence of focused flow, the thermodynamics of hydrate accumulation are primarily one-dimensional. However, changes in free methane compressibility (density) and methane solubility (the intrinsic dissolved methane flux) subtlety impact on the formation of a free gas zone and the distribution of the hydrate emplacements in our 2-dimensional simulations.     

Numerical modeling of gas hydrate emplacements in oceanic sediments

We have implemented a 2-dimensional numerical model for simulating gas hydrate and free gas accumulation in marine sediments. The starting equations are those of the conservation of the transport of momentum, energy, and mass, as well as those of the thermodynamics of methane hydrate stability and methane solubility in the pore-fluid. These constitutive equations are then integrated into a finite element in space, finite-difference in time scheme. We are then able to examine the formation and distribution of methane hydrate and free gas in a simple geologic framework, with respect to the geothermal heat flow, fluid flow, the methane in-situ production and basal flux. Three simulations are performed, leading to the build up of hydrate emplacements largely linear through time. Models act primarily as free gas accumulators and are relatively inefficient with respect to hydrate emplacements: 26–33% of formed methane are converted to hydrate. Seepage of methane across the sea-floor is negligible for fluid flow below 2. 10⁻¹¹ kg/m²/s. At 5.625 10⁻¹¹ kg/m²/s however, 9.7% of the formed methane seeps out of the model. Moreover, along strike variation arising in the 2-dimensional model are outlined. In the absence of focused flow, the thermodynamics of hydrate accumulation are primarily one-dimensional. However, changes in free methane compressibility (density) and methane solubility (the intrinsic dissolved methane flux) subtlety impact on the formation of a free gas zone and the distribution of the hydrate emplacements in our 2-dimensional simulations.     

Alaska North Slope regional gas hydrate production modeling forecasts

A series of gas hydrate development scenarios were created to assess the range of outcomes predicted for the possible development of the “Eileen” gas hydrate accumulation, North Slope, Alaska. Production forecasts for the “reference case” were built using the 2002 Mallik production tests, mechanistic simulation, and geologic studies conducted by the US Geological Survey. Three additional scenarios were considered: A “downside-scenario” which fails to identify viable production, an “upside-scenario” describes results that are better than expected. To capture the full range of possible outcomes and balance the downside case, an “extreme upside scenario” assumes each well is exceptionally productive.Starting with a representative type-well simulation forecasts, field development timing is applied and the sum of individual well forecasts creating the field-wide production forecast. This technique is commonly used to schedule large-scale resource plays where drilling schedules are complex and production forecasts must account for many changing parameters. The complementary forecasts of rig count, capital investment, and cash flow can be used in a pre-appraisal assessment of potential commercial viability.Since no significant gas sales are currently possible on the North Slope of Alaska, typical parameters were used to create downside, reference, and upside case forecasts that predict from 0 to 71 BM³ (2.5 tcf) of gas may be produced in 20 years and nearly 283 BM³ (10 tcf) ultimate recovery after 100 years.Outlining a range of possible outcomes enables decision makers to visualize the pace and milestones that will be required to evaluate gas hydrate resource development in the Eileen accumulation. Critical values of peak production rate, time to meaningful production volumes, and investments required to rule out a downside case are provided. Upside cases identify potential if both depressurization and thermal stimulation yield positive results. An “extreme upside” case captures the full potential of unconstrained development with widely spaced wells. The results of this study indicate that recoverable gas hydrate resources may exist in the Eileen accumulation and that it represents a good opportunity for continued research.     

海洋沉积物微量元素地球化学特征对天然气水合物勘探的指示意义

天然气水合物与资源和全球环境变化等重大科学问题密切相关。前期关于甲烷渗漏区地球化学特征的研究主要集中于浅表层沉积物（＜20 m）,而浅层沉积物（＞20 m）地球化学特征知之甚少。为探讨海洋浅层沉积物微量元素特征与天然气水合物勘探的相关关系,对南海神狐海域沉积物进行了4个站位的钻探取样,分析了样品主、微量元素和有机碳地球化学特征,并采用氧化还原状态以及Mo与TOC相关关系的分析方法进行探讨。结果显示,沉积物主量元素特征主要受到陆源碎屑物质输入的主导,与天然气水合物富集无明显关系。水合物赋存段及附近沉积物中Ba和Mo元素高度富集,存在明显的“Ba峰”和“Mo峰”,主要是由于天然气水合物分解释放大量甲烷产生的硫化环境所导致。因此,沉积物中的Ba和Mo富集特征可作为识别可能存在天然气水合物分布的重要地球化学指标。     

海洋天然气水合物与深水油气共生关系探讨

海洋天然气水合物与深水油气共生关系研究对深水油气藏的勘探与开采、海底滑坡诱因评价以及全球气候变化和碳循环的重新认识具有重要的理论和实际意义。文章梳理了气源、封盖和遮盖侧储3种共生关系的主要研究进展,概述了南海北部深水区水合物与油气共生研究现状,结果表明,深部烃源岩或热解油气藏对浅部水合物成藏的气源供给多未充分评价;除极少部分地区外,下伏气藏的资源潜力不乐观;多数情况下,水合物层不是高质量的封盖层,难以形成有效圈闭,当其联合构造圈闭、地层圈闭、岩性圈闭或冻土层圈闭等时,可能形成相对有效的复合圈闭。今后的共生关系研究中可关注亚生物气和原油降解气对水合物气源的贡献,以水合物层中的断裂区为切入点来揭示水合物层的封盖机理。     

海域天然气水合物吸力筒式开采装置及方法

天然气水合物具有很高的资源价值,众多国家正在开展相关研究与勘探,试采设备和技术取得了一定的发展,但离商业化开采还有很多关键技术问题需要解决。提出一种新型海域天然气水合物开采装置——吸力筒式开采装置及方法,主要包括开采筒、沉贯水泵和气液举升系统等,其整体由钢结构组合而成,依靠吸力和重力作用进入储层,然后进行降压开采,待作业结束后可回收重复使用。参照我国南海神狐海域地质,从理论上分析了新装置两个不同形态的贯入原理,并通过CMG STARS模拟研究新型开采方法的产能提升情况,由于吸力筒式开采装置能实现更大降压幅度并且扩大水合物分解面积,故产气效率相对于传统方法提高约2.46~11.69倍。吸力筒式开采装置具有结构强度高、开采半径大和施工简便等特点,有望做到“提产降本”,为实现海域天然气水合物商业化开采提供一条新思路。     

天然气水合物BSR的识别与地震勘探频率

地震勘探是调查天然气水合物广泛使用而有效的方法,而BSR是水合物赋存的主要标志.通过对实际调查资料的分析对比,结合国外的调查研究成果,探讨了地震勘探频率在BSR识别中的影响和作用,提出了在我国海洋天然气水合物的地震调查中有利于BSR识别的合适的频率范围.     

南海神狐海域天然气水合物饱和度的数值模拟分析

珠江口盆地神狐海域是天然气水合物钻探和试验开采的重点区域,大量钻探取心、测井与地震等综合分析表明不同站位水合物的饱和度、厚度与气源条件存在差异。本文利用天然气水合物调查及深水油气勘探所采集的测井和地震资料建立地质模型,利用PetroMod软件模拟地层的温度场、有机质成熟度、烃源岩生烃量、流体运移路径以及不同烃源岩影响下的水合物饱和度,结果表明：生物成因气分布在海底以下1 500 m范围内的有机质未成熟地层,而热成因气分布在深度超过2 300 m的成熟、过成熟地层。水合物稳定带内生烃量难以形成水合物,形成水合物气源主要来自于稳定带下方向上运移的生物与热成因气。模拟结果与测井结果对比分析表明,稳定带下部生物成因气能形成的水合物饱和度约为10%,在峡谷脊部的局部区域饱和度较高;相对高饱和度（＞40%）水合物形成与文昌组、恩平组的热成因气沿断裂、气烟囱等流体运移通道幕式释放密切相关,W19井形成较高饱和度水合物的甲烷气体中热成因气占比达80%,W17井热成因气占比为73%,而SH2井主要以生物成因为主,因此,不同站位甲烷气体来源占比不同。     

采用射线追踪法的天然气水合物海底地震观测系统设计

射线追踪法是以建立的地下地质模型为基础,研究不同的激发点发出的射线经地下地质界面反射后可以被接收到的信息,从而了解不同的观测系统对于特定地质条件地震资料采集的效果,对于海上地震采集相关参数的确定十分关键.在天然气水合物地震勘探中,丰富的多波勘探信息对于查清水合物内部速度结构、提高地层的分辨率具有重要意义.本文在分析国外天然气水合物海底地震仪(OBS,ocean bottom seismometer)勘探的应用成果基础上,采用射线追踪法理论计算和海上实验,实现了针对天然气水合物的海底地震观测系统设计,试验获得了转换横波记录,取得了良好的应用效果.     

海洋中天然气水合物的成矿机理与资源评价概述

本文综述了近年来国内外关于天然气水合物成矿机理研究的新进展，阐明了作为一种非常规的天然气矿藏，其形成和稳定存在除了需要特定的温、压条件外，更需要合适的成矿地质条件，包括沉积构造环境、充足的气源、有效的运移通道、有效的储集层和保存条件等．文中还介绍了天然气水合物资源评价方法及国外研究者对全球气体水合物中甲烷量的估算值，由于其结果相差几个数量级，表明目前还没有成熟的天然气水合物资源定量评价方法．     

Multiple seismic attribute analyses for determination of bottom simulating reflector of gas hydrate seismic data in the Ulleung Basin of Korea

The bottom simulating reflector (BSR), the boundary between the gas hydrate and the free gas zone, is considered to be the most common evidence in seismic data analysis for gas hydrate exploration. Multiple seismic attribute analyses of reflectivity and acoustic impedance from the post-stack deconvolution and complex analysis of instantaneous attribute properties including the amplitude envelope, instantaneous frequency, phase, and first derivative of the amplitude of seismic data have been used to effectively confirm the existence of a BSR as the base of gas hydrate stability zone. In this paper, we consider individual seismic attribute analysis and integrate the results of those attributes to locate the position of the BSR. The outputs from conventional seismic data processing of the gas hydrate data set in the Ulleung Basin were used as inputs for multiple analyses. Applying multiple attribute analyses to the individual seismic traces showed that the identical anomalies found in two-way travel time (TWT) between 3.1 and 3.2 s from the results of complex analyses and l ₁ norm deconvolution indicated the location of the BSR.     

Anomalous seismic reflections related to gas/gas hydrate occurrences along the western continental margin of India

Gas hydrates along continental margins are commonly inferred from the presence of bottom simulating reflectors (BSRs) on reflection seismic records. Shale and mud diapirs are often observed in the proximity of BSR-inferred gas hydrates. Analysis of data from documented gas-hydrate occurrences suggests that the areas where mud volcanoes exist on the seafloor are promising locations for sediments with high gas-hydrate concentration. Along the western continental margin of India (WCMI), we have identified several anomalous reflections on single-channel, analogue seismic records in the proximity of BSRs, from which the presence of gas-charged sediments and gas seepages was inferred. These features characterize both the shelf-slope region of the WCMI and the adjoining deep-sea areas. The seismic records also reveal mud/shale diapiric activity and pockmarks near the gas hydrates.     

A seismic survey to detect natural gas hydrate in the East Sea of Korea

Recently, several countries have conducted projects to explore and develop natural gas hydrate, which is one of the new alternative energy resources for the future. In Korea, a five-year national research project was initiated in 2000. As part of this project, a seismic survey was performed in the East Sea of Korea to quantify the potential magnitude and distribution of natural gas hydrates. Multi-channel seismic data and core samples have been acquired and recovered in the survey area. Analysis of seismic data show clear bottom simulating reflectors (BSRs), seismic blank zones (or wipe-out zones) with velocity pull-up structure, and pock-marks. In this study, we present the results of seismic surveys which indicate the existence of natural gas hydrates in Korean offshore areas. These results will be applied to select areas for coring (or drilling) and detailed exploration such as 2D seismic survey with long offset or 3D seismic in the future.     

Rock physics modeling for assessing gas hydrate and free gas: a case study in the Cascadia accretionary prism

We investigate the estimation of gas hydrate and free gas concentration using various rock physics models in the Cascadia accretionary prism, which is one of the most intensively studied regions of natural gas hydrate occurrences. Surface seismic reflection data is the most useful and cost-effective in deriving seismic velocity, and hence estimating gas hydrate and free gas across a BSR with depth, if a proper background (without gas hydrate and free gas) velocity is chosen. We have used effective medium theory of Helgerud et al. (EMTH) and, a combination of self-consistent approximation and differential effective medium (SCA-DEM) theory coupled with smoothing approximation for crystalline aggregate. Using the SCA-DEM (non-load-bearing) and EMTH (load-bearing) modeling, we calculate the average saturations of gas hydrate as 17 and 19%, respectively within ~100 m thick sedimentary column using velocity, derived from the surface seismic data. The saturations of gas hydrate are estimated as 15 and 18% using the SCA-DEM, and 20 and 25% using EMTH from the logging-while-drilling and wire-line sonic velocities, respectively. Estimations of gas hydrate from Poisson’s ratio are in average 50% for EMTH and 10% for SCA-DEM theory. We obtain the maximum saturation of free gas as 1–2% by employing the SCA-DEM theory either to seismic or sonic velocities, whereas the free-gas saturation varies between 0.1 and 0.4% for EMTH model. The gas hydrate saturation estimated from the sonic velocity and the free gas saturation derived from both the seismic and sonic velocities using the SCA-DEM modeling match quite well with those determined from the pressure core data in the study region.     

Geothermal modeling of the gas hydrate stability zone along the Krishna Godavari Basin

A wide-spread bottom simulating reflector (BSR), interpreted to mark the thermally controlled base of the gas hydrate stability zone, is observed over a close grid of multichannel seismic profiles in the Krishna Godavari Basin of the eastern continental margin of India. The seismic data reveal that gas hydrate occurs in the Krishna Godavari Basin at places where water depths exceed 850 m. The thickness of the gas hydrate stability zone inferred from the BSR ranges up to 250 m. A conductive model was used to determine geothermal gradients and heat flow. Ground truth for the assessment and constraints on the model were provided by downhole measurements obtained during the National Gas Hydrate Program Expedition 01 of India at various sites in the Krishna Godavari Basin. Measured downhole temperature gradients and seafloor-temperatures, sediment thermal conductivities, and seismic velocity are utilized to generate regression functions for these parameters as function of overall water depth. In the first approach the base of gas hydrate stability is predicted from seafloor bathymetry using these regression functions and heat flow and geothermal gradient are calculated. In a second approach the observed BSR depth from the seismic profiles (measured in two-way travel time) is converted into heat flow and geothermal gradient using the same ground-truth data. The geothermal gradient estimated from the BSR varies from 27 to 67°C/km. Corresponding heat flow values range from 24 to 60 mW/m². The geothermal modeling shows a close match of the predicted base of the gas hydrate stability zone with the observed BSR depths.     

海洋浅表层天然气水合物地质取样技术及样品现场处置方法

天然气水合物地质调查中通常采用地质、地球物理、地球化学等多种调查方法获得各类地质资料,而海洋地质取样可直接获得海底实物样品,是海洋地质调查中的重要手段。浅表层天然气水合物赋存于近海底沉积物中,利用合适的地质取样方法,在勘探目标区可以直接获得水合物样品及其存在的标志。基于浅表层水合物的存在指示标志和赋存特征,结合前期调查的成功经验,总结了适用于浅表层水合物的地质取样技术方法,主要有海底表层取样、重力柱状取样、海底钻探和保温保压取芯等,不同的取样方法所取的样品类型也有差异,应根据实际地质特征做出优选。针对浅表层天然气水合物的赋存特征,建立了一套海洋天然气水合物取芯样品现场处理和分析方法。水合物采集样品回收到甲板后快速处置分析是水合物调查的重要环节,而正确的现场处理方法是保证样品测试准确的关键。     

A fixed receiver for recording multichannel wide-angle seismic data on the seabed

Previous experiments to record seismic data at wide angle on the continental shelf have generally been unsuccessful in determining velocity structure in the lower crust; either the lines were too short or shot-receiver density too sparse to identify lower crustal arrivals. In contrast, deep normal incidence profiles show good structural resolution in the crust and uppermost mantle. A sea-bottom multichannel instrument has been developed to record datasets containing closely spaced traces, in order to improve the resolution of reversed wide-angle experiments on the continental shelf.The Pull-up Multichannel Array (PUMA) is a 1200 m, 12-channel hydrophone array for remotely recording seismic data on the seabed. It consists of 12 short hydrophone sections linked by 100 m-long passive sections. A pressure case is attached to the array at one end, in which recording electronics, cassette tape recorders and a battery power supply are housed. The PUMA is designed for deployment in water depths less than 200 m from a research ship and is moored to buoys for recovery.The instrument, which was successfully used in an experiment west of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, UK (Powell and Sinha, 1987) was specifically designed to provide a reliable determination of the velocity structure of the crust and uppermost mantle over part of the BIRPS WINCH deep normal incidence profile. Because the traces are closely spaced it is easy to correlate phases across the record section and to monitor changes in amplitude. A velocity structure for the continental crust and uppermost mantle has been devised from these data, using amplitude modelling.