Detection and Evaluation of Gas Hydrates in the Eastern Nankai Trough by Geochemical and Geophysical Methods

Abstract: Interstitial waters extracted from the sediment cores from the exploration wells, “BH‐1” and “MITI Nankai Trough”, drilled ～60 km off Omaezaki Peninsula in the eastern Nankai Trough, were analyzed for the chloride and sulfate concentrations to examine the depth profiles and occurrence of subsurface gas hydrates. Cored intervals from the seafloor to 310 mbsf were divided into Unit 1 (～70 mbsf, predominated by mud), Unit 2 (70–150 mbsf, mud with thin ash beds), Unit 3 (150–250+ mbsf, mud with thin ash and sand), and Unit 4 (275–310 mbsf, predominated by mud). The baseline level for Cl “concentrations was 540 mM, whereas low chloride anomalies (103 to 223 mM) were identified at around 207 mbsf (zone A), 234–240 mbsf (zone B), and 258–265 mbsf (zone C) in Unit 3. Gas hydrate saturation (Sh %) of sediment pores was calculated to be 60 % (zone A) to 80 % (zones B and C) in sands whereas only a few percent in clay and silt. The total amount of gas hydrates in hydrate‐bearing sands was estimated to be 8 to 10 m³ of solid gas hydrate per m², or 1.48 km³ CH₄ per 1 km². High saturation zones (A, B and C) were consistent with anomaly zones recognized in sonic and resistivity logs. 2D and high‐resolution seismic studies revealed two BSRs in the study area. Strong BSRs (BSR‐1) at ～263 mbsf were correlated to the boundary between gas hydrate‐bearing sands (zone C) and the shallower low velocity zone, while the lower BSRs (BSR‐2) at～289 mbsf corresponded to the top of the deeper low velocity zone of the sonic log. Tectonic uplift of the study area is thought to have caused the upward migration of BGHS. That is, BSR‐1 corresponds to the new BGHS and BSR‐2 to the old BGHS. Relic gas hydrates and free gas may survive in the interval between BSR‐1 and BSR‐2, and below BSR‐2, respectively. Direct measurements of the formation temperature for the top 170 m interval yield a geothermal gradient of ～4.3d?C/ 100 m. Extrapolation of this gradient down to the base of gas hydrate stability yields a theoretical BGHS at～230 mbsf, surprisingly ～35 m shallower than the base of gas hydrate‐bearing sands (zone C) and BSR‐1. As with the double BSRs, another tectonic uplift may explain the BGHS at unreasonably shallow depths. Alternatively, linear extrapolation of the geothermal gradient down to the hydrate‐bearing zones may not be appropriate if the gradient changes below the depths that were measured. Recognition of double BSRs (263 and 289 mbsf) and probable new BGHS (～230 mbsf) in the exploration wells implies that the BGHS has gradually migrated upward. Tectonically induced processes are thought to have enhanced dense and massive accumulation of gas hydrate deposits through effective methane recycling and condensation. To test the hypothetical models for the accumulation of gas hydrates in Nankai accretionary prism, we strongly propose to measure the equilibrium temperatures for the entire depth range down to the free gas zone below predicted BGHS and to reconstruct the water depths and uplift history of hydrate‐bearing area.     

Petrophysical Properties of Natural Gas Hydrates-Bearing Sands and Their Sedimentology in the Nankai Trough

Abstract. The Nankai Trough parallels the Japanese Island, where extensive BSRs have been interpreted from seismic reflection records. High resolution seismic surveys and drilling site-survey wells conducted by the MTI in 1997, 2001 and 2002 have revealed subsurface gas hydrate at a depth of about 290 mbsf (1235 mbsl) in the easternmost part of Nankai Trough. The MITI Nankai Trough wells were drilled in late 1999 and early 2000 to provide physical evidence for the existence of gas hydrate. During field operations, continuous LWD and wire-line well log data were obtained and numerous gas hydrate-bearing cores were recovered. Subsequence sedimentologic and geochemical analyses performed on the cores revealed important geologic controls on the formation and preservation of natural gas hydrate. This knowledge is crucial to predicting the location of other hydrate deposits and their eventual energy resource. Pore-space gas hydrates reside in sandy sediments from 205 to 268 mbsf mostly filling intergranular porosity. Pore waters chloride anomalies, core temperature depression and core observations on visible gas hydrates confirm the presence of pore-space hydrates within moderate to thick sand layers. Gas hydrate-bearing sandy strata typically were 10 cm to a meter thick. Gas hydrate saturations are typically between 60 and 90 % throughout most of the hydrate-dominant sand layers, which are estimated by well log analyses as well as pore water chloride anomalies.
It is necessary for evaluating subfurface fluid dlow behavious to know both porosity and permeability of gas hydrate-bearing sand to evaluate subsurface fluid flow behaviors. Sediment porosities and pore-size distributions were obtained by mercury porosimetry, which indicate that porosities of gas hydrate-bearing sandy strata are approximately 40 %. According to grain size distribution curves, gas hydrate is dominant in fine- to very fine-grained sandy strata.     

东太平洋水合物海岭BSR以上沉积物粒度变化与气体水合物分布

文中对国际大洋钻探204航次在太平洋水合物海岭8 个站位BSR深度以上气体水合物稳定带的沉积物进行了粒度分析和对比研究。结果表明,该稳定带内沉积物总体粒径变化特征为:粉砂质量分数在60%~75%之间,为气体水合物稳定带内沉积组分的主体组分。粘土质量分数一般小于35%,砂质量分数小于5%。该结果获得的粒径变化范围,与204 航次中沉积学研究所确定的粘土质粉砂、粉砂质粘土夹含砂质粉砂、含砂质粘土岩性特征一致。各站位沉积粒径变化和代表气体水合物存在的岩心红外照相IR异常低温记录之间的初步对比说明,气体水合物主要富集在沉积组分较粗,相当于粉砂或者砂级质量分数较高的粒度层。统计学的相关性研究结果定量地揭示了各个站位沉积物粒径变粗与气体水合物的存在有不同的相关关系。归纳起来发现,不同构造部位沉积物中气体水合物赋存层段的粒径范围不同。坡后盆地由于当地总体沉积物颗粒细,气体水合物赋存在极细粉砂粒级(8~26μm)的沉积物中。水合物海岭南峰顶部附近站位气体水合物主要赋存在粗粉砂和细砂(50~148μm)之间。     

Geochemical Process of Gas Hydrate Formation in the Nankai Trough Based on Chloride and Isotopic Anomalies in Interstitial Water

Abstract: Interstitial water expelled from gas hydrate-bearing and -free sediments in the Nankai Trough are analyzed in terms of Cl-, SO₄²-, δ¹⁸O and δD. The baselines for the Cl- concentration and δ¹⁸O value are close to seawater values (530 mM and 0%), indicating that the interstitial water is of seawater origin. The δD values decrease with depth, implying isotopic exchange of hydrogen between upwelling biogenic methane depleted in D and interstitial water. The Cl- concentrations in gas hydrate-bearing sediments are anomalously low, while the δ¹⁸O and δD values are both high, suggesting that the water forming these gas hydrates was poor in Cl- and enriched in ¹⁸O and D during gas hydrate formation. Calculation of the gas hydrate saturations using Cl "and δ¹⁸O anomalies gives results of up to 80 % in sand, and shows that the δ¹⁸O baseline is not consistent with the Cl" baseline. The δ¹⁸O baseline increases by +1% in gas hydrate-free clay and silt. This is considered to be caused by clustering of water molecules after gas hydrate dissociation in response to the upward migration of the base of gas hydrate stability, as indicated by the presence of a double bottom-simulating reflector at this site. The water clusters enriched in ¹⁸O are responsible for the increase in the δ¹⁸O baseline with normal Cl". The abrupt shallowing of the base of gas hydrate stability may induce the dissociation of gas hydrates and the accumulation of gases in the new stability zone, representing a geological process that increases gas hydrate saturation.     

Gas hydrate systems at Hydrate Ridge offshore Oregon inferred from molecular and isotopic properties of hydrate-bound and void gases

We report and discuss molecular and isotopic properties of hydrate-bound gases from 55 samples and void gases from 494 samples collected during Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 204 at Hydrate Ridge offshore Oregon. Gas hydrates appear to crystallize in sediments from two end-member gas sources (deep allochthonous and in situ) as mixtures of different proportions. In an area of high gas flux at the Southern Summit of the ridge (Sites 1248-1250), shallow (0-40 m below the seafloor [mbsf]) gas hydrates are composed of mainly allochthonous mixed microbial and thermogenic methane and a small portion of thermogenic C₂₊ gases, which migrated vertically and laterally from as deep as 2- to 2.5-km depths. In contrast, deep (50-105 mbsf) gas hydrates at the Southern Summit (Sites 1248 and 1250) and on the flanks of the ridge (Sites 1244-1247) crystallize mainly from microbial methane and ethane generated dominantly in situ. A small contribution of allochthonous gas may also be present at sites where geologic and tectonic settings favor focused vertical gas migration from greater depth (e.g., Sites 1244 and 1245). Non-hydrocarbon gases such as CO₂ and H₂S are not abundant in sampled hydrates. The new gas geochemical data are inconsistent with earlier models suggesting that seafloor gas hydrates at Hydrate Ridge formed from gas derived from decomposition of deeper and older gas hydrates. Gas hydrate formation at the Southern Summit is explained by a model in which gas migrated from deep sediments, and perhaps was trapped by a gas hydrate seal at the base of the gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ). Free gas migrated into the GHSZ when the overpressure in gas column exceeded sealing capacity of overlaying sediments, and precipitated as gas hydrate mainly within shallow sediments. The mushroom-like 3D shape of gas hydrate accumulation at the summit is possibly defined by the gas diffusion aureole surrounding the main migration conduit, the decrease of gas solubility in shallow sediment, and refocusing of gas by carbonate and gas hydrate seals near the seafloor to the crest of the local anticline structure.     

Coexistence of natural gas hydrate,free gas and water in the gas hydrate system in the Shenhu Area,South China Sea

Shenhu Area is located in the Baiyun Sag of Pearl River Mouth Basin, which is on the northern continental slope of the South China Sea. Gas hydrates in this area have been intensively investigated, achieving a wide coverage of the three-dimensional seismic survey, a large number of boreholes, and detailed data of the seismic survey, logging, and core analysis. In the beginning of 2020, China has successfully conducted the second offshore production test of gas hydrates in this area. In this paper, studies were made on the structure of the hydrate system for the production test, based on detailed logging data and core analysis of this area. As to the results of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging and sonic logging of Well GMGS6-SH02 drilled during the GMGS6 Expedition, the hydrate system on which the production well located can be divided into three layers: (1) 207.8–253.4 mbsf, 45.6 m thick, gas hydrate layer, with gas hydrate saturation of 0–54.5% (31% av.); (2) 253.4–278 mbsf, 24.6 m thick, mixing layer consisting of gas hydrates, free gas, and water, with gas hydrate saturation of 0–22% (10% av.) and free gas saturation of 0–32% (13% av.); (3) 278–297 mbsf, 19 m thick, with free gas saturation of less than 7%. Moreover, the pore water freshening identified in the sediment cores, taken from the depth below the theoretically calculated base of methane hydrate stability zone, indicates the occurrence of gas hydrate. All these data reveal that gas hydrates, free gas, and water coexist in the mixing layer from different aspects.     

鄂西高坪龙骨洞地层形成环境的研究

鄂西龙骨洞保存有早更新世早期的地层,并产早期人类化石和巨猿化石以及石器。通过对这套地层的形成环境的研究表明:沉积物形成于水动力条件较弱的暗河环境,期间发生过几次水体干涸事件,形成钙板层。根据沉积环境的特点,龙骨洞的地层可划分为4部分:第一部分是剖面的底部,在洞穴沉积物的形成初期,沉积物粒度较粗,形成水动力较强的暗河环境;第二部分是钙板层或强钙质胶结层的形成,表明洞穴处于干涸或水很少的环境;第三部分是地层的主体部分,以粘土和亚粘土为主,形成于弱水流的暗河环境,化石主要产自这部分;第四部分是剖面的顶部,为钙板层,洞穴干涸。洞中的化石和石器部分是被水流带入洞中沉积形成的,部分为人类和巨猿在洞中生存时留下的。     

南海北部DSH-1C柱状样晚更新世以来沉积物磁性特征及其环境意义

对取自南海北部陆坡“海洋四号沉积体”的DSH-1C柱状样,进行了沉积学和磁学分析,结合相关资料探讨了该柱状样沉积物磁性特征的纵向变化及其与该区沉积环境变化的关系。结果表明：DSH-1C柱状样自上而下共划分为3个岩性单元,表层沉积物为全新世氧同位素1期(MIS1)以粘土质粉砂为主的深海-半深海沉积;中部含数层重力流沉积夹层为晚更新世氧同位素2期(MIS2)沉积;底部为晚更新世氧同位素3期(MIS3)粘土质粉砂。该柱状样磁化率(χ)平均值为1.72×10-7 m3/kg。所有样品的等温剩磁(IRM)均已达到饱和等温剩磁(SIRM)的80%以上,S300的最小值为0.605。该柱状样沉积物中的磁性矿物极少,以低矫顽力矿物为主;在陆源物质输入较多的间冰期(MIS1和MIS3期),其磁性参数值较高;反之,在MIS2其磁性参数值较低,可能与冰期该区陆源物质减少有关。此外,该岩心柱中富含有孔虫壳体或双壳碎屑的重力流层沉积物的磁性参数值低,与这些逆磁性碳酸盐组分的增加有关。     

晚期泥底辟控制作用导致神狐海域SH5钻位未获水合物的分析

海底泥底辟构造与天然气水合物成藏关系密切,泥底辟既能为水合物提供充分的气源物质,同时又能促使地层温度场改变进而影响水合物成藏稳定性。南海北部神狐海域SH5站位虽然BSR明显,但钻探证实不存在天然气水合物。该钻位温度剖面异常高,温度场上移,同时在其下伏地层中发现泥底辟构造和裂隙通道。根据上述事实并结合泥底辟发育各个阶段中的特点,认为泥底辟构造对天然气水合物成藏具有控制作用。泥底辟发育早期和中期阶段,低热导率和低热量有机气体有利于天然气水合物生成;而在晚期阶段,高热量液体上侵稳定带底界,导致水合物分解迁移。SH5站位很可能由于受到处于晚期阶段的泥底辟上侵而未能获取天然气水合物。     

Subsurface Occurrence of Natural Gas Hydrate in the Nankai Trough Area: Implication for Gas Hydrate Concentration

Abstract. The Nankai Trough runs along the Japanese Islands, where extensive BSRs have been recognized in its forearc basins. High resolution seismic surveys and site-survey wells undertaken by the MITI have revealed the gas hydrate distribution at a depth of about 290 mbsf. The MITI Nankai Trough wells were drilled in late 1999 and early 2000. The highlights were successful retrievals of abundant gas hydrate-bearing cores in a variety of sediments from the main hole and the post survey well-2, keeping the cored gas hydrate stable, and the obtaining of continuous well log data in the gas hydrate-dominant intervals from the main hole, the post survey well-1 and the post survey well-3. Gas-hydrate dominant layers were identified at the depth interval from 205 to 268 mbsf. Pore-space hydrate, very small in size, was recognized mostly filling intergranular pores of sandy sediments. Anomalous chloride contents in extracted pore water, core temperature depression, core observations as well as visible gas hydrates confirmed the presence of pore-space hydrates within moderate to thick sand layers. Gas hydrate-bearing sandy strata typically were 10 cm to a meter thick with porosities of about 40 %. Gas hydrate saturations in most hydrate-dominant layers were quite high, up to 90 % pore saturation.
All the gas hydrate-bearing cores were subjected to X-ray CT imagery measurements for observation of undisturbed sedimentary textures and gas-hydrate occurrences before being subjected to other analyses, such as (1) petrophysical properties, (2) biostratigraphy, (3) geochemistry, (4) microbiology and (5) gas hydrate characteristics.     

南海神狐海域有孔虫与高饱和度水合物的储存关系

通过对神狐海域沉积物组分与水合物成藏关系的研究, 得到SH7B孔含水合物层(155~177 m)有孔虫丰度以及有孔虫壳体微结构与水合物饱和度的关系.结果表明, 有孔虫丰度与水合物饱和度有良好的对应关系, 有孔虫丰度高, 水合物饱和度也高; 反之亦然.有孔虫丰度与水合物饱和度二者的相关系数为0.72, 说明有孔虫与水合物的分布和富集有关.扫描电镜研究表明, 有孔虫成岩作用不明显, 有孔虫为有效孔隙, 有孔虫独特的壳体结构增加了沉积物的孔隙空间, 有利于水合物的储存和富集.大部分有孔虫壳体大小相当于砂粒级, 它的存在一方面增加沉积物粗组分砂的含量, 另一方面增加沉积物的孔隙度.沉积物中生物组分——有孔虫, 是南海神狐海域水合物富集的重要因素之一.      

The Geochemical Context of Gas Hydrate in the Eastern Nankai Trough

Abstract. Geochemical studies for gas hydrate, gas and organic matter collected from gas hydrate research wells drilled at the landward side of the eastern Nankai Trough, offshore Tokai, Japan, are reported. Organic matter in the 2355 m marine sediments drilled to Eocene is mainly composed of Type III kerogen with both marine and terrigenous organic input. The gas hydrate-bearing shallow sediments are immature for hydrocarbon generation, whereas the sediments below 2100 mbsf are thermally mature. The origins of gases change from microbial to thermogenic at around 1500 mbsf.
Carbon isotope compositions of CH₄ and CO₂, and hydrocarbon compositions consistently suggest that the CH₄ in the gas hydrate-bearing sediments is generated by microbial reduction of CO₂. The δ¹³C depth-profiles of CH₄ and CO₂ suggest that the microbial methanogenesis is less active in the Nankai Trough sediments compared with other gas hydrate-bearing sediments where solid gas hydrate samples of microbial origin were recovered. Since in situ generative-potential of microbial methane in the Nankai Trough sediments is interpreted to be low due to the low total organic carbon content (0.5 % on the average) in the gas hydrate-bearing shallow sediments, upward migration of microbial methane and selective accumulation into permeable sands should be necessary for the high concentration of gas hydrate in discrete sand layers.     

Paleoclimatical significance of the paleosol levels occurring in the Miocene-Pleistocene stratigraphy of the Manonga-Wembere Valley inCentral Tanzania

Micromorphological characteristics of four paleosol levels of the Manonga - Wembere deposits in Central Tanzania indicate periods of wetter climate in the Pliocene than at present. The stratigraphy of the studied section shows a series of lacustrine calcareous clay sediments alternating with gravel, sand and silt. The sediments are believed to have been deposited in the Manonga - Wembere paleolake environment. Paleosols intercalate these sediments and were formed when stable landscapes developed on former lake beds during regression periods. Micromorphological features of the paleosols indicate strong clay illuviation of red to yellow typic clay coating and some Fe-Mn hydoxide hypocoatings in voids and channels. The groundmass consists of either an accumulation of bioturbated yellow to red clay coating fragments or an argillic red to yellow groundmass of clay mass. Such an illuviation and its associated groundmass is comparable to intense clay illuviation fronts that are found in present-day calcareous sediments of warm and wet climates. The paleosol levels therefore represent wetter climatic conditions than today in the area during the Lower Pliocene.     

沉积物粒度对水合物形成的制约：来自IODP 311航次证据

对取自IODP 311航次（东北太平洋Cascadia大陆边缘）所有5个站位、采样间距约为1.5 m的614件沉积物样品，利用Beckman Coulter LS 230激光粒度仪进行了沉积物粒度分析，获得了沉积物粒度随深度变化特征，进而与水合物层位的替代指标进行了位置对比，这些指标包括特殊沉积构造（soupy和mousse like构造）、测井数据（LWD）推算出来的水合物饱和度（Sh）、岩芯红外图像和实际钻取的含水合物沉积物等。发现沉积物粒度分别为31~63 μm和63~125 μm的2组较粗粒径的沉积物数量变化增多的位置与水合物出现层位之间存在较好的位置对应关系。如在U1326站位海底以下5~8 m、21~26 m、50~123 m、132~140 m、167~180 m、195~206 m、220~240 m深度位置出现了沉积物粒度明显偏向粗粒的趋势，而这些位置正好对应于大多数特殊沉积构造出现的深度，也对应于水合物饱和度（Sh）值相对较高的深度，并与一些实际钻取的赋含水合物的浊积沙层观察结果一致。因此，初步研究后认为，沉积物粒度在水合物形成过程中扮演了重要角色，天然气水合物可能偏向形成于粒度大于31 μm的粗粒沉积物中。       

南海神狐海域含水合物地层测井响应特征

分析了南海北部神狐海域含天然气水合物沉积层声波速度及密度的分布特征和变化规律,并通过对比DSDP 84航次570号钻孔含天然气水合物层段测井资料,总结出神狐海域含水合物地层的测井响应规律特征:神狐海域含水合物地层存在着明显的高声波速度、低密度特征,地层密度随声波速度的变化并不是单一的反比例关系,总体趋势上随声波速度的升高而降低;含水合物地层高声波速度值主要集中在197~220 m段,饱和度值在15%~47%之间,低密度值集中在200~212 m段,分布在水合物饱和度大于20%的地层内;含水合物地层声波速度平均值为2 076 m/s,其上覆和下伏地层的声波速度平均值为1 903 m/s和1 892 m/s,所对应的地层密度值分别为1.89 g/cm3、1.98 g/cm3和2.03 g/cm3,声波速度受孔隙度和饱和度的共同影响,地层密度受水合物饱和度影响较大;从水合物上覆地层到声波速度最高值段,声波速度值增加了9.1%,相对应的地层密度值减少了4.55%,从水合物声波速度最高值段到下伏地层,声波速度值减少了8.86%,相对应的地层密度值增加了7.41%。这些测井响应特征,可用来识别地层中天然气水合物,并可以用来计算水合物的饱和度,同时结合其他地质和地球物理资料,确定水合物层的厚度、分布范围,计算天然气水合物的资源量。     

Halogen concentrations in pore waters and sediments of the Nankai Trough,Japan: Implications for the origin of gas hydrates

Presented here are halogen concentrations (Cl, Br and I) in pore waters and sediments from three deep cores in gas hydrate fields of the Nankai Trough area. The three cores were drilled between 1999 and 2004 in different geologic regions of the northeastern Nankai Trough hydrate zone. Iodine concentrations in all three cores increase rapidly with depth from seawater concentrations (0.00043 mmol/L) to values of up to 0.45 mmol/L. The chemical form of I was identified as I⁻, in accordance with the anaerobic conditions in marine sediments below the SO₄ reduction depth. The increase in I is accompanied by a parallel, although lesser increase in Br concentrations, while Cl concentrations are close to seawater values throughout most of the profiles. Large concentration fluctuations of the three halogens in pore waters were found close to the lower boundary of the hydrate stability zone, related to processes of formation and dissociation of hydrates in this zone. Generally low concentrations of I and Br in sediments and the lack of correlation between sediment and pore water profiles speak against derivation of I and Br from local sediments and suggest transport of halogen rich fluids into the gas hydrate fields. Differences in the concentration profiles between the three cores indicate that modes of transportation shifted from an essentially vertical pattern in a sedimentary basin location to more horizontal patterns in accretionary ridge settings. Because of the close association between organic material and I and the similarity of transport behavior for I⁻ and CH₄, the results suggest that the CH₄ in the gas hydrates also was transported by aqueous fluids from older sediments into the present layers.     

Distribution of grain size, clay mineralogy and organic matter of surface sediments from Tirumalairajanar Estuary, Tamilnadu, east coast of India

The aim of this study is to understand the various sources and factors controlling the abundance and distribution of clay minerals, sand, silt, clay and organic matter of the surface sediments of Tirumalairajanar Estuary in two different seasons. The study was undertaken for two seasons, based on ten selected stations all along the estuary, mouth and freshwater zone. Furthermore, along the estuary region, clay and silt were observed and also at few stations in the upstream end. Organic matters in the sediments appeared to be the main mechanisms for the distribution of clay minerals in estuary indicated that the distributions of clay minerals were comparatively higher during postmonsoon than in premonsoon season. The clay mineral assemblage consists mainly of chlorite, kaolinite, montmorillonite, illite and very scarce gibbsite. The clay from the sediments has been separated and studied for mineral identification using X-ray diffraction analysis. The present study also reveals that sediment texture is one of the main controlling factors for the distribution of organic matter.     

Halogen systematics in the Mallik 5L-38 gas hydrate production research well,Northwest Territories,Canada: Implications for the origin of gas hydrates under terrestrial permafrost conditions

The authors report here halogen concentrations in pore waters and sediments collected from the Mallik 5L-38 gas hydrate production research well, a permafrost location in the Mackenzie Delta, Northwest Territories, Canada. Iodine and Br are commonly enriched in waters associated with CH₄, reflecting the close association between these halogens and source organic materials. Pore waters collected from the Mallik well show I enrichment, by one order of magnitude above that of seawater, particularly in sandy layers below the gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ). Although Cl and Br concentrations increase with depth similar to the I profile, they remain below seawater values. The increase in I concentrations observed below the GHSZ suggests that I-rich fluids responsible for the accumulation of CH₄ in gas hydrates are preferentially transported through the sandy permeable layers below the GHSZ. The Br and I concentrations and I/Br ratios in Mallik are considerably lower than those in marine gas hydrate locations, demonstrating a terrestrial nature for the organic materials responsible for the CH₄ at the Mallik site. Halogen systematics in Mallik suggest that they are the result of mixing between seawater, freshwater and an I-rich source fluid. The comparison between I/Br ratios in pore waters and sediments speaks against the origin of the source fluids within the host formations of gas hydrates, a finding compatible with the results from a limited set of ¹²⁹I/I ratios determined in pore waters, which gives a minimum age of 29 Ma for the source material, i.e. at the lower end of the age range of the host formations. The likely scenario for the gas hydrate formation in Mallik is the derivation of CH₄ together with I from the terrestrial source materials in formations other than the host layers through sandy permeable layers into the present gas hydrate zones.     

南海神狐海域水合物钻探区钙质超微化石生物地层与沉积速率

2007年我国首次在南海北部陆坡神狐海域实施了天然气水合物钻探, 并钻取水合物实物样品.为了解钻区地层、水合物产出带(the zone of gas hydrate occurrence)或水合物储层的地层时代以及沉积速率特征, 对其中4口钻孔(SH1B、SH2B、SH5C和SH7B)岩心沉积物进行钙质超微化石年代地层学和沉积速率变化的研究.本次工作识别出17个新近纪钙质超微化石事件, 确定了神狐钻探所钻达最老地层为新近系上中新统; 水合物产出带的地层为上中新统-上新统.这4个钻井地层沉积速率的变化特征因站位和时期而异.中新世以来各地质时期沉积速率差异较大, 全新世最高(20~34.16 cm/ka之间), 其次为更新世和晚中新世(3.14~5.74 cm/ka), 上新世最低(1.88~3.27 cm/ka).此外, 水合物产出带地层的沉积速率在各钻孔也有差异, SH2B孔为4.18 cm/ka, SH7B孔为1.88 m/ka.表明南海水合物产出层位沉积速率差异较大, 沉积速率与水合物成藏的关系可能比前期的认识更为复杂.      

Seismic attenuation for characterization of gas hydrate reservoir in Krishna-Godavari basin,eastern Indian margin

Gas hydrates have received global attention as a possible alternative non-conventional energy resource. Hence, the detection, characterization and quantification of gas hydrates are very important for evaluating the resource potential. Presence of gas hydrates in sediments above the bottom simulating reflector or BSR is associated with low attenuation or high quality factor (Q), whereas, free gas bearing sediments below the BSR exhibit high attenuation or low seismic Q. Here the logarithm spectral ratio (LSR) method is applied to marine seismic reflection data along two cross lines (18 and 46) in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin in eastern Indian margin, where gas hydrates have already been established by drilling/coring. The interval Qs is calculated for three sedimentary layers (A, B, and C) bounded by the seafloor, BSR, one reflector above and another reflector below the BSR at some common depth points (CDPs) to study the attenuation characteristics of sediments across the BSR. The estimated average interval Q (160) for the hydrate bearing sediments (layer B) is much higher than the average interval Q (80) for both the loose clayey sediments (Layer A) and underlying free gas saturated sediments (layer C). This demonstrates that estimation of seismic quality factor Q can be used for characterization of gas hydrate reservoir.