Geochemical and geologic factors effecting the formulation of gas hydrate: Task No. 5, Final report

• Main Authors: Kvenvolden, K.A., Claypool, G.E.
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: 03 NATURAL GAS; NATURAL GAS HYDRATE DEPOSITS; GAS HYDRATES; METHANE; METHANOGENIC BACTERIA; ORIGIN; PROGRESS REPORT; SEA BED; SEAS; SEDIMENTS; ALKANES; BACTERIA; DOCUMENT TYPES; GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS; HYDRATES; HYDROCARBONS; MICROORGANISMS; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; SURFACE WATERS; Arctic; Pacific
• Online Access: http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6123682; https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6123682; https://doi.org/10.2172/6123682

The main objective of our work has been to determine the primary geochemical and geological factors controlling gas hydrate information and occurrence and particularly in the factors responsible for the generation and accumulation of methane in oceanic gas hydrates. In order to understand the interrelation of geochemical/geological factors controlling gas hydrate occurrence, we have undertaken a multicomponent program which has included (1) comparison of available information at sites where gas hydrates have been observed through drilling by the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) on the Blake Outer Ridge and Middle America Trench; (2) regional synthesis of information related to gas hydrate occurrences of the Middle America Trench; (3) development of a model for the occurrence of a massive gas hydrate as DSDP Site 570; (4) a global synthesis of gas hydrate occurrences; and (5) development of a predictive model for gas hydrate occurrence in oceanic sediment. The first three components of this program were treated as part of a 1985 Department of Energy Peer Review. The present report considers the last two components and presents information on the worldwide occurrence of gas hydrates with particular emphasis on the Circum-Pacific and Arctic basins. A model is developed to account for the occurrence of oceanic gas hydrates in which the source of the methane is from microbial processes. 101 refs., 17 figs., 6 tabs.