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.     

The continent-ocean transition at the southeastern margin of the South China Sea

The South China Sea formed by magma-poor, or intermediate volcanic rifting in the Paleogene. We investigate the structure of the continent-ocean transition (COT) at its southern margin, off NW Palawan between the continental blocks of Reed Bank and the islands of Palawan and Calamian. Several surveys, recorded by the BGR from 1979 to 2008, established a comprehensive database of regional seismic lines, accompanied with magnetic and gravity profiles.We interpret two major rifted basins, extending in the NE direction across the shelf and slope, separated by a structural high of non volcanic origin.The continent-ocean transition is interpreted at the seaward limit of the continental crust, when magnetic spreading anomalies terminate some 80-100 km farther north. The area in between displays extensive volcanism - as manifest by extrusions that occasionally reach and cut the seafloor, by dykes, and by presumed basaltic lava flows - occurring after break-up.The COT is highly variable along the NW Palawan slope: One type shows a distinct outer ridge at the COT with a steep modern seafloor relief. The other type is characterised by rotated fault blocks, bounded by listric normal faults ramping down to a common detachment surface. Half-grabens developed above a strongly eroded pre-rift basement. The seafloor relief is smooth across this other type of COT.We suggest the pre-rift lithospheric configuration had major influence on the formation of the COT, besides transfer zones. Volcanic domains, confined to the north of competent crustal blocks correlate with the style of the COT.Gravity modelling revealed an extremely thinned crust across the shelf. We propose a depth-dependent extension model with crust being decoupled from mantle lithosphere, explaining the discrepancy of subsidence observed across the South China Sea region.     

A margin-wide BSR gas hydrate assessment: Canada’s Atlantic margin

It is the intent of this paper to explore a significant extent of an entire passive continental margin for hydrate occurrence to understand hydrate modes of occurrence, preferred geologic settings and estimate potential volumes of methane. The presence of gas hydrates offshore of eastern Canada has long been inferred from estimated stability zone calculations, but little physical evidence has been offered. An extensive set of 2-D and 3-D, single and multi-channel seismic reflection data comprising in excess of 140,000 line-km was analyzed. Bottom simulating reflections (BSR) were unequivocally identified at seven sites, ranging between 250 and 445 m below the seafloor and in water depths of 620-2850 m. The combined area of the BSRs is 9311 km², which comprises a small proportion of the entire theoretical stability zone along the Canadian Atlantic margin (∼715,165 km²). The BSR within at least six of these sites lies in a sedimentary drift deposit or sediment wave field, indicating the likelihood of grain sorting and potential porosity and permeability (reservoir) development. Although there are a variety of conditions required to generate and recognize a BSR, one might assume that these sites offer the most potential for highest hydrate concentration and exploitation. Total hydrate in formation at the sites of recognized BSR’s is estimated at 17 to 190 × 10⁹ m³ or 0.28 to 3.12 × 10¹³ m³ of methane gas at STP. Although it has been shown that hydrate can exist without a BSR, the results from this regional study argue that conservative estimates of the global reserve of hydrate along continental margins are necessary.     

我国潮流能资源开发评述

潮流能无污染,可预测性高,环境影响小,是一种非常有发展潜力的可再生能源.近年来,潮流能开发技术发展迅速,日趋成熟.我国潮流能资源丰富,合理有效的开发潮流能资源对保障我国的能源安全意义重大.文中总结我国潮流能开发利用中存在的主要问题,提出我国潮流能开发工作的几点建议.     

基于OSCAR需求指标对遵义市地面气象观测站网现状分析研究

基于观测系统能力分析和审查工具（OSCAR）选取各气象应用领域对地面观测要素的需求指标,对遵义市地面自动气象观测站网现状进行评估分析,提出相应规划思路,旨在提高地面自动气象站网优化布局,推进气地面象观测业务的高质量发展。     

Seismic response of flexible cantilever retaining walls with dry backfill

Failure of retaining walls during earthquakes has occurred many times in the past. Although significant progress has been made in analysing the seismic response of rigid gravity type retaining walls, considerable difficulties still exist in the seismic-resistant design of the flexible cantilever type of retaining walls because of the complex nature of the dynamic soil–structure interaction. In this paper the seismic response of cantilever retaining walls with dry backfill is simulated using centrifuge modelling and numerical modelling. It is found that bending moments on the wall increased significantly during an earthquake. After the end of base shaking, the residual moment on the wall was significantly higher than the moment under static loading. The numerical simulation is able to model quite accurately the main characteristics of acceleration, bending moment, and displacement recorded in the centrifuge test.     

2000年汛期河南持续暴雨的天气形势和水汽分析

通过对2000年6月23日－7月15日河南省出现的3次连续3天以上的暴雨，大暴雨过程的降水特征－背景形势，影响系统和水汽条件等方面的分析，揭示了有利于连续性暴雨产生的水汽条件和两种环流背景场。     

门源6.4级、共和7.0级地震前后波速比变化特征

通过来用门源台、湟源台所记录的地震资料，对1986年门源6．4级地震、1990年共和7．0级地震前后进行波速比-时空分析，发现两次地震前后其时间分布形态为持续低值-恢复-发震的现象，空间分布为圆形、椭圆形的异常区，震后异常区消失。     

准噶尔盆地陆东-五彩湾地区石炭系火山岩电性与地震响应特征

勘探实践证实,准噶尔盆地石炭系已成为一套现实勘探层系;陆东-五彩湾地区石炭系火山岩体规模大、分布广,是重要的天然气储集体;火山岩储层有效性主要受不整合、岩性、岩相控制,识别火山结构、火山岩岩性、岩相成为判别储层有效性的关键.由于主要目的层巴塔玛依内山组特殊的三段式火山岩组合层序结构,为通过测井、地震物探手段识别火山岩岩...