scholarly journals Seismic Attribute Analyses and Attenuation Applications for Detecting Gas Hydrate Presence

Geosciences ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 450
Author(s):  
Roberto Clairmont ◽  
Heather Bedle ◽  
Kurt Marfurt ◽  
Yichuan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Gas Hydrates ◽  
Gas Hydrate ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
Attenuation Measurement ◽  
Free Gas ◽  
Gas Accumulation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Effective Seal ◽  
Migration Pathways ◽  
Attribute Analyses

Identifying gas hydrates in the oceanic subsurface using seismic reflection data supported by the presence of a bottom simulating reflector (BSR) is not an easy task, given the wide range of geophysical methods that have been applied to do so. Though the presence of the BSR is attributed to the attenuation response, as seismic waves transition from hydrate-filled sediment within the gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ) to free gas-bearing sediment below, few studies have applied a direct attenuation measurement. To improve the detection of gas hydrates and associated features, including the BSR and free gas accumulation beneath the gas hydrates, we apply a recently developed method known as Sparse-Spike Decomposition (SSD) that directly measures attenuation from estimating the quality factor (Q) parameter. In addition to performing attribute analyses using frequency attributes and a spectral decomposition method to improve BSR imaging, using a comprehensive analysis of the three methods, we make several key observations. These include the following: (1) low-frequency shadow zones seem to correlate with large values of attenuation; (2) there is a strong relationship between the amplitude strength of the BSR and the increase of the attenuation response; (3) the resulting interpretation of migration pathways of the free gas using the direct attenuation measurement method; and (4) for the data analyzed, the gas hydrates themselves do not give rise to either impedance or attenuation anomalies that fully differentiate them from nearby non-hydrate zones. From this last observation, we find that, although the SSD method may not directly detect in situ gas hydrates, the same gas hydrates often form an effective seal trapping and deeper free gas accumulation, which can exhibit a large attenuation response, allowing us to infer the likely presence of the overlying hydrates themselves.

Characterising Gas Hydrate Deposits on New Zealand's Southern Hikurangi Margin using Seismic Reflection Data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Hanyan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Gas Hydrates ◽  
Gas Hydrate ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
Free Gas ◽  
Reflection Data ◽  
Geological Conditions ◽  
Gas Hydrate Deposits ◽  
Seismic Lines

<p>Reprocessed Bruin 2D seismic data (recorded in 2006) from New Zealand Hikurangi Margin are presented and analyzed to show the presence of gas hydrates. We choose six seismic lines that each showed bottom-simulating reflections (BSRs) that are important indicators for the presence of gas hydrate. The aim is to obtain a higher resolution image of the shallow subsurface structures and determine the nature of the gas hydrate system in this area.  To further investigate the presence of Gas Hydrates was undertaken. There is a strong correlation between anomalous velocities and the depths of BSRs, which supports the presence of gas hydrates in the research area and is useful for detecting areas of both free gas and gas hydrate along the seismic lines.  The combination of high-resolution seismic imaging and velocity analysis is the key method for showing the distribution of gas hydrates and gas pockets in our research area. The results indicate that the distribution of both free gas and gas hydrate is strongly localized. The Discussion Chapter gives several concentrated gas hydrate deposits in the research area. Idealized scenarios for the formation of the gas hydrates are proposed. In terms of identifying concentrated gas hydrate deposits we propose the identification of the following key seismic attributes: 1) existence of BSRs, 2) strong reflections above BSRs in the gas hydrate stability zone, 3) enhanced reflections related to free gas below BSRs, 4) appropriate velocity anomalies (i.e. low velocity zones beneath BSRs and localized high-velocity zones above BSRs).  This study contributes to the understanding of the geological conditions and processes that drives the deposition of concentrated gas hydrate deposits on this part of the Hikurangi Margin.</p>

Characterising Gas Hydrate Deposits on New Zealand's Southern Hikurangi Margin using Seismic Reflection Data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Hanyan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Gas Hydrates ◽  
Gas Hydrate ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
Free Gas ◽  
Reflection Data ◽  
Geological Conditions ◽  
Gas Hydrate Deposits ◽  
Seismic Lines

<p>Reprocessed Bruin 2D seismic data (recorded in 2006) from New Zealand Hikurangi Margin are presented and analyzed to show the presence of gas hydrates. We choose six seismic lines that each showed bottom-simulating reflections (BSRs) that are important indicators for the presence of gas hydrate. The aim is to obtain a higher resolution image of the shallow subsurface structures and determine the nature of the gas hydrate system in this area.  To further investigate the presence of Gas Hydrates was undertaken. There is a strong correlation between anomalous velocities and the depths of BSRs, which supports the presence of gas hydrates in the research area and is useful for detecting areas of both free gas and gas hydrate along the seismic lines.  The combination of high-resolution seismic imaging and velocity analysis is the key method for showing the distribution of gas hydrates and gas pockets in our research area. The results indicate that the distribution of both free gas and gas hydrate is strongly localized. The Discussion Chapter gives several concentrated gas hydrate deposits in the research area. Idealized scenarios for the formation of the gas hydrates are proposed. In terms of identifying concentrated gas hydrate deposits we propose the identification of the following key seismic attributes: 1) existence of BSRs, 2) strong reflections above BSRs in the gas hydrate stability zone, 3) enhanced reflections related to free gas below BSRs, 4) appropriate velocity anomalies (i.e. low velocity zones beneath BSRs and localized high-velocity zones above BSRs).  This study contributes to the understanding of the geological conditions and processes that drives the deposition of concentrated gas hydrate deposits on this part of the Hikurangi Margin.</p>

Characterization of gas accumulation at a venting gas hydrate system in Shenhu area, south china sea

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-45
Author(s):  
JInqiang Liang ◽  
Zijian Zhang ◽  
Jingan Lu ◽  
Guo Yiqun ◽  
Zhibin Sha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South China Sea ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
South China ◽  
Gas Hydrates ◽  
Gas Hydrate ◽  
Stability Zone ◽  
Shenhu Area ◽  
Free Gas ◽  
Seismic Amplitude ◽  
Hydrate Stability

Bottom-simulating reflections (BSR) in seismic data have been widely accepted to indicate the base of methane gas hydrate stability zone (MGHSZ) and free gas was thought to exist only below it. However, real geologic systems are far more complex. Here, we presented the results of three-dimensional seismic, logging while drilling (LWD), in situ and coring measurements at a venting gas hydrate system in the Shenhu area of the South China Sea. Our studies reveal that free gas has migrated upward through the thermogenic gas hydrate stability zone (TGHSZ) into the MGHSZ and become a part of the gas hydrate system. Seismic amplitude anomalies and core results suggest the presence of free gas above the base of MHSZ at 165 mbsf and the presence of thermogenic gas hydrates below it in the well SC-W01. Analyses of P-wave velocity, S-wave velocity, density, and porosity logs reveal free gas occurs above and below the MGHSZ as well. Integrating log and core analysis with seismic interpretation suggests that the variation in seismic amplitude within chaotic zone is associated with variable gas saturations, and a large amount of methane and thermogenic gases accumulate near the complex BSRs. We propose that relative permeability likely plays a significant role in the free gas distribution and formation of gas hydrates within a venting gas hydrate system, while the effect of dissolved-gas short migration is not ignored. Our results have important implications for understanding the accumulation and distribution of gas hydrates and free gas in the venting gas hydrate system and seeps at the seafloor.

scholarly journals Gas hydrate and free gas detection using seismic quality factor estimates from high-resolution P-cable 3D seismic data

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. SA39-SA54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunny Singhroha ◽  
Stefan Bünz ◽  
Andreia Plaza-Faverola ◽  
Shyam Chand
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Frequency Shift ◽  
Gas Hydrates ◽  
Gas Hydrate ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Seismic Attenuation ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Free Gas ◽  
Centroid Frequency ◽  
3D Seismic Data

We have estimated the seismic attenuation in gas hydrate and free-gas-bearing sediments from high-resolution P-cable 3D seismic data from the Vestnesa Ridge on the Arctic continental margin of Svalbard. P-cable data have a broad bandwidth (20–300 Hz), which is extremely advantageous in estimating seismic attenuation in a medium. The seismic quality factor (Q), the inverse of seismic attenuation, is estimated from the seismic data set using the centroid frequency shift and spectral ratio (SR) methods. The centroid frequency shift method establishes a relationship between the change in the centroid frequency of an amplitude spectrum and the Q value of a medium. The SR method estimates the Q value of a medium by studying the differential decay of different frequencies. The broad bandwidth and short offset characteristics of the P-cable data set are useful to continuously map the Q for different layers throughout the 3D seismic volume. The centroid frequency shift method is found to be relatively more stable than the SR method. Q values estimated using these two methods are in concordance with each other. The Q data document attenuation anomalies in the layers in the gas hydrate stability zone above the bottom-simulating reflection (BSR) and in the free gas zone below. Changes in the attenuation anomalies correlate with small-scale fault systems in the Vestnesa Ridge suggesting a strong structural control on the distribution of free gas and gas hydrates in the region. We argued that high and spatially limited Q anomalies in the layer above the BSR indicate the presence of gas hydrates in marine sediments in this setting. Hence, our workflow to analyze Q using high-resolution P-cable 3D seismic data with a large bandwidth could be a potential technique to detect and directly map the distribution of gas hydrates in marine sediments.

Gas hydrates at the Storegga Slide: Constraints from an analysis of multicomponent, wide-angle seismic data

Geophysics ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. B19-B34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Bünz ◽  
Jürgen Mienert ◽  
Maarten Vanneste ◽  
Karin Andreassen
Keyword(s):  
Gas Hydrates ◽  
Gas Hydrate ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Wide Angle ◽  
Stability Zone ◽  
Gas Distribution ◽  
Free Gas ◽  
Storegga Slide ◽  
Gas Bearing ◽  
Hydrate Stability

Geophysical evidence for gas hydrates is widespread along the northern flank of the Storegga Slide on the mid-Norwegian margin. Bottom-simulating reflectors (BSR) at the base of the gas hydrate stability zone cover an area of approximately 4000 km[Formula: see text], outside but also inside the Storegga Slide scar area. Traveltime inversion and forward modeling of multicomponent wide-angle seismic data result in detailed P- and S-wave velocities of hydrate- and gas-bearing sediment layers. The relationship between the velocities constrains the background velocity model for a hydrate-free, gas-free case. The seismic velocities indicate that hydrate concentrations in the pore space of sediments range between 3% and 6% in a zone that is as much as 50 m thick overlying the BSR. Hydrates are most likely disseminated, neither cementing the sediment matrix nor affecting the stiffness of the matrix noticeably. Average free-gas concentrations beneath the hydrate stability zone are approximately 0.4% to 0.8% of the pore volume, assuming a homogeneous gas distribution. The free-gas zone underneath the BSR is about 80 m thick. Amplitude and reflectivity analyses suggest a rather complex distribution of gas along specific sedimentary strata rather than along the base of the gas hydrate stability zone (BGHS). This gives rise to enhanced reflections that terminate at the BGHS. The stratigraphic control on gas distribution forces the gas concentration to increase slightly with depth at certain locations. Gas-bearing layers can be as thin as 2 m.

Thermodynamic Modelling of Gas Hydrate Formation in the Presence of Inhibitors and the Consideration of their Effect

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Peyman Sabzi ◽  
Saheb Noroozi
Keyword(s):  
Gas Hydrates ◽  
Gas Hydrate ◽  
Low Temperatures ◽  
Hydrate Formation ◽  
Transportation Systems ◽  
Flow Lines ◽  
Main Approach ◽  
Efficient Inhibitor ◽  
System A ◽  
Gas Hydrate Formation

Gas hydrates formation is considered as one the greatest obstacles in gas transportation systems. Problems related to gas hydrate formation is more severe when dealing with transportation at low temperatures of deep water. In order to avoid formation of Gas hydrates, different inhibitors are used. Methanol is one of the most common and economically efficient inhibitor. Adding methanol to the flow lines, changes the thermodynamic equilibrium situation of the system. In order to predict these changes in thermodynamic behavior of the system, a series of modelings are performed using Matlab software in this paper. The main approach in this modeling is on the basis of Van der Waals and Plateau's thermodynamic approach. The obtained results of a system containing water, Methane and Methanol showed that hydrate formation pressure increases due to the increase of inhibitor amount in constant temperature and this increase is more in higher temperatures. Furthermore, these results were in harmony with the available empirical data.Keywords: Gas hydrates, thermodynamic inhibitor, modelling, pipeline blockage

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