Fusion of 3D seismic exploration and seafloor geochemical survey for methane hydrate explorationFN1

Sadao Nagakubo; Toshiaki Kobayashi; Tetsuya Fujii; Takao Inamori

doi:10.1071/EG07005

ISSN: 0812-3985
E-ISSN: 1834-7533

Fusion of 3D seismic exploration and seafloor geochemical survey for methane hydrate explorationFN1
Authors Sadao Nagakubo^a,b, Toshiaki Kobayashi^a, Tetsuya Fujii^a and Takao Inamori^a
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^a Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, 1-2-2, Hamada, Mihama-ku, Chiba city, Chiba 261-0025, Japan. ^b Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]
Publisher: Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists
Source: Exploration Geophysics, Volume 38, Issue 1, Mar 2007, p. 37 - 43
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/EG07005
- Received: 29 Nov 2006
- Accepted: 18 Dec 2006
- Published online: 01 Mar 2007

Abstract

The MH21 Research Consortium has conducted a high-resolution 3D seismic survey and a seafloor geochemical survey, to explore methane hydrate reservoirs in the eastern Nankai Trough, offshore Japan. Excellent geological information about shallow formations was obtained from the high-resolution 3D seismic survey, which was designed to image the shallow formations where methane hydrates exist. The information is useful in constructing a geological and geochemical model, and especially to understand the complex geology of seafloor, including geochemical manifestations and the structure of migration conduits for methane gas or methane-bearing fluid.

By comparing methane seep sites observed by submersibles with seismic sections, some significant relationships between methane hydrate reservoirs, free gas accumulations below the seafloor, and seafloor manifestations are recognised. Bathymetric charts and seafloor reflection amplitude maps, constructed from seismic reflections from the seafloor, are also useful in understanding the relationships over a vast area. A new geochemical seafloor survey targeted by these maps is required.

The relationships between methane hydrate reservoirs and seafloor manifestations are becoming clearer from interpretation of high-resolution 3D seismic data. The MH21 Research Consortium will continue to conduct seafloor geochemical surveys based on the geological and geochemical model constructed from high-resolution 3D seismic data analysis.

In this paper, we introduce a basis for exploration of methane hydrate reservoirs in Japan by fusion of 3D seismic exploration and seafloor geochemical surveys.

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References

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Fusion of 3D seismic exploration and seafloor geochemical survey for methane hydrate explorationFN1

Exploration Geophysics 38, 37 (2007); https://doi.org/10.1071/EG07005

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Article Type: Research Article

Keyword(s): BSR; high-resolution 3D seismic survey; methane hydrate; Nankai Trough; seafloor geochemical survey

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Fusion of 3D seismic exploration and seafloor geochemical survey for methane hydrate explorationFN1

Abstract

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