Numerical simulation of accumulation of gas hydrates during sedimentation and compaction of sediments under subaqueous conditions

The mutual influence of compaction of depositing sediments and formation of gas hydrates in a porous medium is examined. Within the framework of the general mathematical model developed in this study, these interrelated processes are described by a nonlinear system of eight partial differential equations and are analyzed using numerical simulation in terms of the model including compaction of depositing sediments, movement of pore fluids, and formation of gas hydrates from dissolved methane accumulated during sedimentation. On the basis of model examples calculated with the use of representative parameters of the system, it is shown that the hydrate formation rate depends on the sedimentation rate and thermal conditions. Gas hydrate formation is shown to influence the pore fluid velocity in the near-surface zone of sediments.     

Influence of the fluid-dynamic and rheological properties of sediments on the process of viscoelastic compaction at different rates of sedimentation

The problem of compaction of depositing sediments is studied for different geophysical characteristics of the process of sedimentation. A model is proposed for describing the compaction of sediments with growing thickness. The model is based on the modern concepts of the viscoelastic rheology of accumulating sediments; and, in terms of mathematics, it is a system of nonlinear differential equations in partial derivatives, which describe the processes of compaction and filtration with an increasing thickness of sediments. I have studied numerically the dependence of the regimes of compaction on the formulated characteristic criteria of similarity in the system of equations. Fluid-dynamic criterion, which characterizes the ratio of the rate of sedimentation to the rate of the filtration of a fluid (the rate of fluidization), and the rheological criterion of compaction, which characterizes the proportion between the viscous and elastic strains on the time scale of the process of compaction, i.e., the ratio of the two time scales—the time scale of the elastic strains’ relaxation and the time scale of the viscous compaction. The complex modeling of the mechanics and hydrodynamics of the interrelated processes of compaction and movement to the surface of the saturating fluids with an increase in the thickness of sediments reproduces the mechanism of the formation of different regimes of compaction, including those, which lead to an anomalously high pore pressure and to significant, in some circumstances step-like rise in the pressure of the saturating fluid, frequently observed at depths of 2–3 km.     

南海北部神狐海域天然气水合物成藏模式研究

南海北部陆坡神狐海域是我国海洋天然气水合物勘探开发研究的重点靶区,独特的水合物成藏特征,难以利用当前观测到的沉积速率和流体流动条件对其成藏机理进行解释和量化说明,对其形成演化模式和控制因素尚不明确.本文构建了海洋天然气水合物形成演化过程的动力学模型,模型的主控参量为海底沉积速率和水流速率,以此计算了神狐海域天然气水合物聚集演化过程,并与饱和度的盐度测试值进行对比.最后,在研究神狐海域地质构造活动和水合物成藏动力学基础上建立了神狐天然气水合物形成演化模式.认为神狐海域当前的天然气水合物是在上新世末—更新世早期断裂体系水合物基础上继承演化而来的,神狐海域天然气水合物形成演化具有典型的二元模式.第一阶段水合物形成发生在距今1.5 Ma之前构造活动形成的断裂体系中,高达50 m/ka的孔隙水流动携带了大量的甲烷进入水合物稳定带,导致了水合物的快速生成,在4万年内形成了饱和度达20%的甲烷水合物;第二阶段发生在1.5 Ma以来,泥质粉砂沉积使沉积体渗透率骤减,0.7 m/ka的低速率水流使甲烷供给不足,在海底浅层新沉积体中无法生成水合物,仅在水合物稳定带底部有缓慢的水合物继承增长,并因此形成了神狐海域当前观测到的水合物产出特征,而且水合物资源量仍在减少.     

天然气水合物体系动态演化研究(Ⅲ):水合物的产生、聚集和分解

从天然气水合物的产生、聚集和分解，分析天然气水合物的动态演化过程，沉积压实、地温梯度、构造运动以及深部流体对水合物产生的效率起决定作用，根据流体的运移和天然气水合物在水合物稳定带中的分布状况，天然气水合物的聚集可以分为构造聚集、地层聚集和混合聚集三种模式，当由于各种原因引起海底温压条件变化时，天然气水合物会发生分解，水合物也会在水体中上浮，在这个过程中，水合物的分解速率能高出其溶解速率二至三个数量级，海底泥火山、甲烷气柱、甲烷气裂缝、双似海底反射等大量的证据，都有助于揭示天然气水合物体系的动态演化的特征，弄清楚天然气水合物的动态演化过程对于我们未来对这种潜在能源的开发利用，并分析其在全球变化、碳循环以及海底滑坡中所起的作用有着相当重要的意义。     

Geomorphological-geological-geophysical signatures of high-flux fluid flows in the eastern Pearl River Mouth Basin and effects on gas hydrate accumulation

Marine hydrate reservoirs can be divided into focused high-flux and distributed low-flux gas hydrate systems according to free gas migration control mechanisms. In focused high-flux hydrate reservoirs, fluids easily break through the pressure of overlying sediments and reach the shallows, creating a series of geomorphological-geological-geophysical anomalies at and near the seafloor. Based on detailed interpretation of pre-drilling data in the eastern Pearl River Mouth Basin (PRMB), many anomalies related to the high-flux fluid flow are found, including seafloor mounds with intrusive characteristics, bright spot reflections above the bottom-stimulating reflector (BSR), phase reversals in the superficial layer, and an efficient fluid migration and accumulation system composed of fractures and uplifts. The second hydrate drilling expedition was carried out in the eastern PRMB in 2013 to study these anomalies. The acquired data show that high-flux fluid flow occurred in these sites. Gas hydrate pingoes, bright spot reflection above the BSR, and an efficient fluid migration and accumulation system can be used as identification signatures for high-flux fluid migration. The modes of high flux fluid flow are different in deep and shallow sediments during upward migration of fluid. Gas dissolved within migrating water dominates deep fluid migration and upward migration of a separate gas phase dominates the shallow process. This difference in migration models leads to formation of upper and lower concentrated hydrate reservoirs in the drilling area. The discovery of signatures of high-flux fluid flow and their migration modes will help with site selection and reduce risk in gas hydrate drilling.     

南海北部神狐海域天然气水合物形成聚集的数值模拟研究

利用2D数值方法对南海北部陆坡神狐海域水合物形成聚集过程进行了模拟,对气烟囱、泥底辟与水合物成藏间的关系进行研究.模拟结果表明,来自深部的甲烷热解气在向上运移过程中以垂向运动为主,且局限在某一狭窄的范围内,故在地震剖面上显示为气烟囱及顶部BSR.只有当其越过水合物稳定带底界,才能形成水合物,此时BSR等于水合物稳定带底...     

模拟天然气水合物的岩石物理特性模型实验

针对水合物沉积的悬浮、颗粒接触和胶结三种微观模式,制作一组微弱胶结非固结高孔隙度人造样品和颗粒填充渐变的三维物理模型. 通过物理模型实验研究天然气水合物物性参数的敏感性. 实验结果表明：在弱颗粒间胶结物和低有效应力的固结差的沉积物中,声波对孔隙流体性质较敏感. 随着温度的降低颗粒胶结,改变原有沉积物的岩石物理特性,速度、弹性模量和频率升高,声波衰减和Vp/VS减小,沉积层内的反射波消隐.     

水合物脊ODP1247站位天然气水合物藏的甲烷来源和成藏过程模拟

海洋天然气水合物体系天然气水合物成藏受甲烷供给及埋藏的控制.根据海洋天然气水合物体系甲烷的质量守恒,建立了海洋环境沉积物孔隙水溶解甲烷对流和扩散作用及微生物原位产甲烷作用供给甲烷形成天然气水合物的数值模型,对水合物脊ODP1247站位天然气水合物成藏过程进行了模拟研究,结果表明该站位孔隙水溶解甲烷的对流和扩散作用是天然气水合物成藏过程中最主要的甲烷供给方式,微生物原位生成甲烷供给的比例很小,并且在1.67 Ma以来天然气水合物藏受沉积速率变化而动态变化,但幅度不大,至今形成的水合物饱和度约0~3%,与钻探确定的饱和度接近.     

南海北部陆坡细粒沉积物天然气水合物系统的形成模式初探

我国在南海北部陆坡的细粒沉积物中首次钻获水合物样品,为深入了解这一特殊成藏体系的形成机制,本研究以钻探区域高精度的二维和三维多道地震资料为基础,通过精细的地球物理解释和地质分析,探讨了该天然气水合物系统的成藏控制因素.细粒沉积物天然气水合物系统中水合物的富集过程存在着三个特殊的控制因素：（1）大面积丰富的含甲烷流体的参与.南海北部深水盆地广泛存在的异常热流体活动促使深部的热解成因天然气或浅层的生物成因气运移到水合物稳定带,有利于水合物的发育.热流体活动表现为底辟和气烟囱构造,在地震剖面上,表现为地震声学模糊带、同相轴下拉或中断、顶部出现反射亮点,这些构造直抵水合物稳定带.在气烟囱或底辟构造顶部通常有BSR伴生,说明热流体活动与水合物成藏具有密切关系;（2）断裂构造的发育在水合物稳定带中细粒沉积物的成核和生长过程中具有重要的作用,一方面促进稳定带流体的垂向和侧向运移,另一方面,构造裂缝可能成为成核和生长过程的空间;（3)大型海底滑坡导致了地层中超压流体活动和构造裂缝的发育,从而促进了水合物富集.在上述研究基础上,提出了南海北部水合物钻探区高饱和度水合物成藏模式.     

高渗水合物储层的孔隙可压缩性反演

孔隙可压缩性与水合物储层物性相关.由于海域天然气水合物埋藏较浅,沉积物尚未成岩,海底水合物储层处于固结和完全未固结之间的状态,通过岩石物理推导证明,这两种状态下体积模量之差仅与孔隙可压缩性相关,因此孔隙可压缩性反应了岩石颗粒从悬浮态到正常压实的成岩进程,它可能与储层束缚水饱和度及渗透率密切相关.本文利用多口典型井数据分析了孔隙可压缩性与渗透率的关系,结果表明在海底浅层沉积物中渗透率越高,孔隙可压缩性越小,孔隙可压缩性对高渗储层的判识能力明显强于其他参数.然后,本文建立了两种状态下叠前地震反射特征的差异与岩石孔隙可压缩性的联系,提出双状态叠前反演方法,综合利用叠前地震数据以及测井资料反演得到了岩石孔隙可压缩性.实际应用效果表明,孔隙可压缩性较好的预测了高渗透率地层,气烟囱、粗粒的高含砂层等含气流体疏导通道渗透率较高,同时为水合物形成提供有利条件.     

南海北部神狐海域天然气水合物成藏演化分析研究

南海北部陆坡具备天然气水合物成藏的基本地质条件,神狐海域天然气水合物是当前我国海洋天然气水合物勘探开发研究的重点靶区.然而,神狐海域水合物集中分布在水合物稳定带的底部薄层中,饱和度高,其水合物特征与典型的低甲烷通量控制的水合物分布有很大差异,对其成藏机理和控制因素尚不明确.本文构建了针对神狐水合物成藏过程的一维动力学模型,模型包括沉积压实作用、甲烷溶解度、以及水合物生成和沉积体渗透率,模拟计算的主控参量为海底沉积速率和水流通量,在孔隙水中甲烷浓度一定的情况下,水流速率决定了溶解甲烷的迁移速率和稳定带中甲烷的供给速率,并以此模型计算了神狐海域水合物聚集成藏的动力学过程.模型讨论了特定沉积速率和水流通量条件下水合物成藏与分布特征,并与实际观测数据进行比较研究.研究发现,基于当前沉积速率和水流通量条件模拟的水合物形成演化过程,与神狐海域实际水合物分布特征存在很大差异,但在假定系统中水合物饱和度初值达16~20%时,模拟的水合物饱和度分布特征与观测数据吻合,并因此推测在早期地质历史上,神狐海域存在更加丰富的甲烷水合物,当前的水合物分布特征是在对早期水合物继承基础上发展而成的,而且神狐海域水合物含量正逐渐减少.     

天然气水合物体系的相平衡及甲烷溶解度计算

海洋环境中天然气水合物的形成除了合适的温压条件外,还必须有充分的甲烷供给.本文介绍了甲烷-水体系的甲烷饱和溶解度、水合物体系中甲烷水合物溶解度计算方法.在气-液二相平衡甲烷饱和溶解度计算中,关键在于状态方程的选择和合适的混合规则的运用,Duan的计算模型在温度、压力和盐度变化上都具有很大的适用性,且易于应用.在含水合物的相平衡体系中,在已知组分和假定可能存在相的前提下,可利用模拟退火算法优化总吉布斯自由能,确定是二相还是三相体系,并求解甲烷水合物溶解度.在海水环境下盐的存在使平衡发生移动,利用德拜—休克尔理论或Pitzer电解质溶液理论校正盐度对于海水活度的影响,求解海水环境中甲烷水合物溶解度.基于气-液二相平衡理论的K-K方程,在临近水合物生成条件下实验或计算确定亨利常数等参数后,可计算三相平衡甲烷水合物溶解度,且简单易用.     

天然气水合物体系动态演化研究(Ⅱ):海底滑坡

天然气水合物被认为是大陆边缘沉积物强度变弱的一个因子，从而能解释大陆边缘海底滑坡的一些观测现象。天然气水合物的形成使沉积物强度增加，而其分解则使沉积物强度变弱。虽然无法直接观测沉积物中天然气水合物的活动过程与相应的海底滑坡，大量的背景资料表明，天然气水合物崩解常常有助于触发海底沉积物块体的运动。此外，大型滑塌可以释放大量的固态天然气水合物，水合物在水柱中上浮。大块天然气水合物可以在分解前到达海洋的上部层，一些甲烷可以直接进入大气中。本文综述与天然气水合物体系演化有关的海底滑坡的研究现状。     

南海北部琼东南海域活动冷泉特征及形成模式

近年来,活动冷泉的研究越来越受到关注.本文利用多波束数据、多道地震数据以及底质取样结果研究琼东南海域活动冷泉系统,分析活动冷泉的羽状流特征、海底地貌与底质特征以及流体活动构造特征.多波束水体数据上,观测到多个延伸高度超过750 m的气泡羽状流,海底流体活动非常强烈;多道地震上识别出麻坑、流体运移通道、气烟囱等流体渗漏相关的构造,与其他海域观测到的反射特征不同,羽状流的下方流体运移通道呈强振幅"串珠"反射;重力活塞取样在两个站位上获得浅表层块状天然气水合物.其中一个站位位于活动冷泉附近,天然气水合物赋存于海底以下8 m左右.基于以上三方面的数据,笔者提出了一个用于描述活动冷泉系统的形成模式,游离气通过气烟囱向上运移到达浅层,一部分在天然气水合物稳定带内形成天然气水合物,另一部分穿透天然气水合物稳定带到达海底,形成活动冷泉的羽状流.     

海域天然气水合物的地震研究进展

海域天然气水合物的地震研究是在岩石物性分析成果的指导下,用地震技术进行真假BSR的识别和含水合物沉积层物性预测.海域天然气水合物地震研究的进展主要表现在：物性分析理论模型由简单模型发展到最大程度模拟实际情况的复杂模型;地震勘探方法已由常规的单道、多道地震发展到多频地震、高分辨率二维、三维地震和海底多分量地震;地震资料处理由常规处理发展到突出BSR特征的“三高”和叠前时间偏移处理;从利用速度、振幅结构研究识别天然气水合物发展到AVO、多属性判别、多弹性参数和多物性参数反演识别天然气水合物、预测其物性参数.这些新技术、新方法的应用,加快了海域天然气水合物调查进度,提高了天然气水合物地球物理识别的可靠性.     

天然气水合物似海底反射层(BSR)AVA特征:双相介质模型

The bottom simulating reflector （BSR） in gas hydrate-bearing sediments is a physical interface which is composed of solid, gas, and liquid and is influenced by temperature and pressure. Deep sea floor sediment is a porous, unconsolidated, fluid saturated media. Therefore, the reflection and transmission coefficients computed by the Zoeppritz equation based on elastic media do not match reality. In this paper, a two-phase media model is applied to study the reflection and transmission at the bottom simulating reflector in order to find an accurate wave propagation energy distribution and the relationship between reflection and transmission and fluid saturation on the BSR. The numerical experiments show that the type I compressional （fast） and shear waves are not sensitive to frequency variation and the velocities change slowly over the whole frequency range. However, type II compressional （slow） waves are more sensitive to frequency variation and the velocities change over a large range. We find that reflection and transmission coefficients change with the amount of hydrate and free gas. Frequency, pore fluid saturation, and incident angle have different impacts on the reflection and transmission coefficients. We can use these characteristics to estimate gas hydrate saturation or detect lithological variations in the gas hydrate-bearing sediments.     

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 .     

海洋天然气水合物的地球物理研究(Ⅰ)：岩石物性

本文综述了含水合物沉积物的岩石物性模型，讨论水合物饱和度与岩石物性的关系，关于纵波速度与水合物饱和度的关系，有一些简单模型，如孔隙度降低模型，时间平均方程、时间平均－Wood加权方程，也有复杂模型，如根据弹性模量计算的模型、根据等效介质中地震波传播理论的模型，本文还介绍了含水合物沉积物的电阻率、电导率模型与含注重气沉积物的岩石物性。     

Influence of foraminifera on formation and occurrence characteristics of natural gas hydrates in fine-grained sediments from Shenhu area,South China Sea

Marine gas hydrates accumulate primarily in coarse-grained, high-permeability layers; however, highly saturated natural gas hydrates have been discovered in the fine-grained sediments of Shenhu area, South China Sea (SCS). This may be explained by key factors, such as the great abundance of foraminifera shells. In this paper, by analyzing the SCS foraminifera structure and performing hydrate formation experiments in the foraminifera shells, the contribution of foraminifera to hydrate accumulation in the SCS was investigated from a microscopic point of view. Simulations of hydrate formation were carried out in both pure SCS foraminifera shells and the host sediments. Pore structures in typical foraminifera were studied by use of micro-focus X-ray computed tomography (CT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Hydrate growth and occurrence characteristics in the foraminifera shells were observed in-situ. The results showed that the presence of foraminifera significantly enhanced the effective porosity of the SCS sediments. Moreover, while the hydrates grew preferentially in the chambers of the coarse-grained foraminifera by adhering to the inner walls of the foraminifera shells, no apparent hydrate accumulation was observed in the fine-grained or argillaceous matrix. These findings provide a basis for further studies on the accumulation mechanism of hydrates and physical properties of hydrate reservoir in the South China Sea.