Evaluation of the geological relationships to gas hydrate formation and stability. Progress report, June 16--September 30, 1988

• Main Authors: Krason, J., Finley, P.
• Other Authors: United States. Department of Energy.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Geoexplorers International, Inc., Denver, CO (United States) 1988
• Subjects: Atlantic Ocean; Origin; Seismic Surveys; Continental Margin; Phase Stability; Reserves; Geology; And Exploration; 580000; Progress Report; 58 Geosciences; Ussr 030200; Gas Hydrates; Resource Assessment; Gulf Of Mexico; 03 Natural Gas; Sedimentary Basins; Geosciences; Newfoundland; Global Aspects
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2172/10162193; https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1390527/

The summaries of regional basin analyses document that potentially economic accumulations of gas hydrates can be formed in both active and passive margin settings. The principal requirement for gas hydrate formation in either setting is abundant methane. Passive margin sediments with high sedimentation rates and sufficient sedimentary organic carbon can generate large quantities of biogenic methane for hydrate formation. Similarly, active margin locations near a terrigenous sediment source can also have high methane generation potential due to rapid burial of adequate amounts of sedimentary organic matter. Many active margins with evidence of gas hydrate presence correspond to areas subject to upwelling. Upwelling currents can enhance methane generation by increasing primary productivity and thus sedimentary organic carbon. Structural deformation of the marginal sediments at both active and passive sites can enhance gas hydrate formation by providing pathways for migration of both biogenic and thermogenic gas to the shallow gas hydrate stability zone. Additionally, conventional hydrocarbon traps may initially concentrate sufficient amounts of hydrocarbons for subsequent gas hydrate formation.