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Progress of Gas Hydrate Research in Northern South China Sea

  • WU Neng-you ,
  • ZHANG Guang-xue ,
  • LIANG Jin-qiang ,
  • SU Zheng ,
  • WU Dai-dai ,
  • LU Hai-long ,
  • LU Jing-an3 ,
  • SHA Zhi-bing ,
  • FU Shao-ying ,
  • GONG Yue-hua ,
  • XU Hua-ning ,
  • LIU Li-hua ,
  • SU Ming
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  • 1.Guangzhou Center for Gas Hydrate Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; 2. Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; 3. Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey, Guangzhou 510075, China; 4. Division of Emerging Technologies, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada

Received date: 2013-07-07

  Revised date: 2013-08-19

  Online published: 2013-08-30

Abstract

Integrated investigation has revealed a number of geological, geophysical and geochemical indicators showing the presence of gas hydrate in the northern South China Sea (SCS). Both the distributed, low-flux gas hydrate system and the focused, high flux gas hydrate system coexist in the northern SCS, particularly in Dongsha Area and Shenhu Area. The available data collected in the drilling expeditions provide the basis for further understanding of the gas hydrate system in Shenhu Area and Dongsha Area. These drilling expeditions have documented that the strong bottom simulation reflectors (BSRs) always correspond to the low saturation of thin gas hydrate and highly saturated gas-hydrate deposits do not need to be linked to seismic identified BSRs. The geochemical data show that gas sources of hydrates are biogenic methane in Shenhu Area and Dongsha Area. Methane trapped in the drilling-confirmed Shenhu hydrate deposit is approximately 16 billion m3. However it is difficult to be produced by using the present technology. The Logging-While-Drilling data confirmed the presences of moderate-high saturations of gas hydrate in the shallow sediments and low saturations of gas hydrate in the deep sediments above the bottom of gas hydrate stabilization zone. States, concentration, characteristics and resource prospective of gas hydrate in the north slope of South China Sea should be further investigated.

Cite this article

WU Neng-you , ZHANG Guang-xue , LIANG Jin-qiang , SU Zheng , WU Dai-dai , LU Hai-long , LU Jing-an3 , SHA Zhi-bing , FU Shao-ying , GONG Yue-hua , XU Hua-ning , LIU Li-hua , SU Ming . Progress of Gas Hydrate Research in Northern South China Sea[J]. Advances in New and Renewable Energy, 2013 , 1(1) : 80 -94 . DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-560X.2013.01.008

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