Advances in Testing of Natural Hydrate-Bearing Sediments: PCATS Triaxial

The lack of correlation between test data on laboratory synthesised hydrate-bearing sediments has raised questions as to the interaction between the hydrate and the host sediment. The development of the Pressure Core Analysis and Transfer System (PCATS) has enabled the recovery of pressurised cores in liners and their subsequent transfer into other pressure vessels. Building on this development,, an advanced geotechnical testing apparatus has been developed to provide data on the behaviour of natural, intact, hydrate bearing sediments under in situ pressure and temperature conditions. This presentation describes the capabilities of this apparatus and presents some initial test results on pressurised cores.