Effective medium modeling to assess gas hydrate and free-gas evident from the velocity structure in the Makran accretionary prism, offshore Pakistan

Seismic properties of sediments are strongly influenced by pore fluids. Stiffness of unconsolidated marine sediment increases with the presence of gas hydrate and decreases with the presence of gas. A strong bottom-simulating reflector (BSR) observed on a seismic profile in the Makran accretionary prism, offshore Pakistan, indicates the presence of gas hydrate and free-gas across the BSR. Elastic properties of gas depend largely on pressure and temperature. We, therefore, first determine the elastic modulus of gas at pressure and temperature calculated at the BSR depth in the study region. The interval velocities derived from the seismic data are interpreted by the effective medium theory, which is a combination of self-consistent approximation and differential effective medium theories, together with a smoothing approximation, for assessment of gas hydrate and free-gas. The results show the saturations of gas hydrate and free-gas as 22 and 2.4% of pore space, respectively, across the BSR.     

天然气水合物的声学探测模拟实验

在人工岩心中进行天然气水合物的生成和分解实验,同时获取了体系的温度、压力、声学特性(Vp和Vs、幅度和频率)及含水量等参数。经研究发现,温压法、超声探测法和TDR探测法都能灵敏探测沉积物中天然气水合物的形成和分解过程。分析认为,本次实验中水合物形成速率过快,只能宏观研究水合物对沉积物声学特性的影响,建议采用长岩心进一步研究沉积物中水合物的声学特性。     

南海东沙东北部甲烷缺氧氧化作用的生物标志化合物及其碳同位素组成

南海东沙东北部碳酸盐岩和泥质沉积物中的生物标志化合物组合及其碳同位素组成分析表明,研究区内甲烷缺氧氧化作用(anaerobic oxidation of methane-AOM)发育.研究区内碳酸盐岩中含丰富的AOM标志化合物,2,6,11,15-四甲基十六烷(Crocetane-Cr.)、2,6,10,15,19-五甲基番茄烷(Pentamethylicosane-PMI)和2,6,10,15,19,23-六甲基二十四烷(Squalane-Sq角鲨烷)的13C亏损强烈(δ13C值介于-74.2‰~-119.0‰PDB之间),表明碳酸盐岩形成于AOM,同时反映该研究区曾发生过强烈、持续的富CH₄流体释放活动.柱状泥质沉积物中,AOM生物标志化合物在硫酸岩-甲烷过渡带(SMI-Sulfate-Methane Interface)边界附近相对丰度高,SMI之上样品中含量低,或未检出,表明现代环境在SMI附近有大量嗜甲烷微生物生长,使得深部上升的甲烷被大量消耗,很少有甲烷逸出海底.AOM生物标志化合物可用来指示SMI边界.不同站位、不同岩性AOM生物标志化合物组成(包括碳同位素组成)的差异反映了嗜甲烷古细菌组成的不同.     

Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and its carbon isotopic composition in sediment pore waters from the Shenhu area,northern South China Sea

The Shenhu area is one of the most favorable places for the occurrence of gas hydrates in the northern continental slope of the South China Sea. Pore water samples were collected in two piston cores (SH-A and SH-B) from this area, and the concentrations of sulfate and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and its carbon isotopic composition were measured. The data revealed large DIC variations and very negative δ ¹³C-DIC values. Two reaction zones, 0–3 mbsf and below 3 mbsf, are identified in the sediment system. At site SH-A, the upper zone (0–3 mbsf) shows relatively constant sulfate and DIC concentrations and δ ¹³C-DIC values, possibly due to bioturbation and fluid advection. The lower zone (below 3 mbsf) displays good linear gradients for sulfate and DIC concentrations, and δ ¹³C-DIC values. At site SH-B, both zones show linear gradients, but the decreasing gradients for δ ¹³C-DIC and SO₄ ²⁻ in the lower zone below 3 mbsf are greater than those from the upper zone, 0–3 mbsf. The calculated sulfate-methane interface (SMI) depths of the two cores are 10.0 m and 11.1 m, respectively. The depth profiles of both DIC and δ ¹³C-DIC showed similar characteristics as those in other gas hydrate locations in the world oceans, such as the Blake Ridge. Overall, our results indicate an anaerobic methane oxidation (AMO) process in the sediments with large methane flux from depth in the studied area, which might be linked to the formation of gas hydrates in this area.     

Geochemistry of pore waters from the Xisha Trough, northern South China Sea and their implications for gas hydrates

This paper reports all available geochemical data on sediments and pore waters from the Xisha Trough on the northern continental margin of the South China Sea. The methane concentrations in marine sediments display a downhole increasing trend and their carbon isotopic compositions (δ ¹³C = −25 to −51‰) indicate a thermogenic origin. Pore water Cl⁻ concentrations show a range from 537 to 730 mM, and the high Cl⁻ samples also have higher concentrations of Br⁻, Na⁺, K⁺, and Mg²⁺, implying mixing between normal seawater and brine in the basin. The SO₄ ²⁻ concentrations of pore waters vary from 19.9 to 36.8 mM, and show a downhole decreasing trend. Calculated SMI (sulfate-methane interfaces) depths and sulfate gradients are between 21 and 47 mbsf, and between −0.7 and −1.7 mM/m, respectively, which are similar to values in gas hydrate locations worldwide and suggest a high methane flux in the basin. Overall, the geochemical data, together with geological and geophysical evidence, such as the high sedimentation rates, high organic carbon contents, thick sediment piles, salt and mud diapirs, active faulting, abundant thermogenic gases, and occurrence of huge bottom simulating reflector (BSR), are suggestive of a favorable condition for occurrence of gas hydrates in this region.     

南海东北部陆坡与恒春海脊天然气水合物分布的地震反射对比

经过对"探宝号"调查船在2001年8月在南海东北部陆坡及台湾南部恒春海脊海域采集的多道地震剖面资料进行的地震反射波数据分析、研究和解释,结果表明:(1)南海东北部陆坡段区域和台湾南部恒春海脊海域地震剖面上均显示有被作为天然气水合物存在标志的BSR,但两区域构造成因、形式和相关地质环境的不同造成了此两处的天然气水合物成因及过程的不同.(2)南海东北部陆坡区域的水合物形成与该区广泛发育的断裂带、滑塌构造体及其所形成的压力场屏蔽环境有关,而台湾南部恒春海脊海域的天然气水合物的形成则与马尼拉海沟俯冲带相关的逆冲推覆构造、增生楔等及其所对应的海底流体疏导体系有关.(3)南海陆缘区域广泛发育有各种断裂带、滑塌构造体、泥底辟、俯冲带、增生楔等,且温压环境合适,是天然气水合物矿藏极有可能广泛分布的区域.     

海底孔内水合物观测系统与钻井实施

通过耦合布设海底表面和孔内水合物观测系统获取物理、化学、微生物等数据是了解掌握海洋水合物环境动态变化、碳循环规律和资源开发技术的有效手段,据此初步提出了一套海底孔内水合物观测系统,并指出了系统的关键技术难点。而在钻井布设该孔内观测系统时,要注意防止井内安全事故的发生,充分评估安放位置处含水合物地层的地质力学稳定性并采取适当的钻井和完井方式稳定或强化含水合物地层以支撑孔内观察仪器,实现孔内长期监测。最后讨论了在我国南海实施孔内水合物观测系统的必要性,并提出了初步想法。     

腰英台气田天然气水合物防治

松辽盆地南部长岭断陷腰英台深层构造腰深1井井筒及输气管线发生水合物堵塞现象,分析认为天然气水合物是导致堵塞的原因。天然气水合物是在一定温度和压力条件下由天然气中烃分子与游离水结合而形成。计算出腰深1井水合物添加甲醇的合理量,通过从油管和套管添加甲醇,使该井恢复了正常生产,日产气量（6～12）×10^4m^3。防堵的关键是注入甲醇和连续平稳生产。     

南海北部水合物富集区水道特征对比与成因分析

天然气水合物作为现今乃至未来的重要清洁能源之一,其沉积环境和成矿条件的研究一直是国内外地质学家关注的热点问题,我国2007年、2013年及2015年已先后在神狐、和东沙海域多次成功钻获了天然气水合物实物样品。由此南海北部陆坡成为探讨天然气水合物沉积成因与成矿条件的重要试验区。然而,南海北部陆坡区的神狐、东沙及琼东南三个海域均有不同程度的天然气水合物发现,其各自的水深、沉积特征、气源成因及水合物成矿条件各有特点。本文利用地震沉积学原理,结合不同沉积相和沉积演化和古地貌、海平面变化和构造运动等因素,识别出不同类型的地震相。通过对比南海北部陆坡区域的水道系统的MTDs,认为其发育位置、展布和控制因素的不同影响了沉积展布。其中东沙区域位于近物源的上陆坡,神狐区域位于正常的缓陆坡区域,琼东南区域位于远离物源的海底平原区域。并且,水道系统可以分成侵蚀型,侵蚀-加积型和加积型,MTDs也可以分成头部拉张型,中部过渡型和趾部挤压型。     

天然气水合物赋存区甲烷渗漏活动的地球化学响应特征

综述了天然气水合物赋存区甲烷渗漏活动的地球化学响应指标的研究进展,分析了应用单一指标识别甲烷渗漏活动各自所存在的问题,包括浅表层沉积物孔隙水中CH_4、SO_4~(2–)、Cl~–等离子浓度随深度的变化;浅层沉积物全岩W_(TOC)(W表示质量分数,TOC表示总有机碳)和W_(TS)(TS表示总硫)之间的相关性及比值;自生碳酸盐岩δ~(13)C和δ~(18)O;自生矿物重晶石、黄铁矿、自生石膏的δ~(34)S;有孔虫壳体和生物标志化合物的δ~(13)C等。结果表明孔隙水中的CH_4、SO4_~(2–)浓度及溶解无机碳的碳同位素组成可以用来识别目前正在发生的甲烷渗漏活动;而沉积物中的WTS、自生矿物的δ~(34)S、钡含量及其异常峰值和生物标志化合物的δ~(13)C等指标的联合使用可以更真实准确地反映地质历史时期天然气水合物赋存区的甲烷渗漏活动。因此,在实际研究过程中,可将孔隙水和沉积物两种介质的多种指标相结合。随着非传统稳定同位素(Fe、Ca、Mg等)和沉积物氧化还原敏感元素(Mo、V、U等)等研究的发展,甲烷渗漏活动地球化学响应指标的研究也将得到拓展,而多种地球化学指标的联合使用将为天然气水合物勘探及其形成分解过程识别研究提供重要的科学依据。