Drilling program investigates permafrost gas hydrates

Ocean Drilling Program Leg 204 Scientific Prospectus Drilling Gas Hydrates on Hydrate Ridge, Cascadia

During Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 204, we will drill a transect of sites through the gas hydrate stability zone on the southern part of Hydrate Ridge on the Cascadia accretionary margin offshore Oregon. Massive hydrates are present at the seafloor there, and high-resolution threedimensional seismic data indicate a complicated subsurface plumbing system. The transect will cover two distinc...

Validation of Seismic Methods to Detect Natural Gas Hydrates in Permafrost

The physical samples of natural gas hydrate were obtained first by drilling in permafrost region of Qilian Mountain of China in 2008. Permafrost area in Qilian Mt. is located in lower latitudes at high altitude, and the samples form in the Jurassic stratum under hard rock environment, rather than in unconsolidated soil layer. The environment of the Gas hydrate discovered is different from in th...

7 Natural Gas Hydrates

Prevention of Formation of Hydrates of Gas during Wells Drilling Operations

Formation of hydrates is observed during drilling and construction of wells, more frequently in gas wells located offshore (deep sea water). Hydrates of natural gas can clog chokes and kill lines, and obstruct the opening or closure of blow out preventer (BOP), seal well override valve and immobilize well string. Because of that, this work was mainly focused in the selection and adaptation of a...

Natural Gas Hydrates

Sir Humphry Davy witnessed the first chlorine hydrate crystallizing in 1811. Couple of century later his discovery, natural gas hydrates has begun to play an important role in energy business. From being a mere chemical curiosity, they have proven to be a nuisance for the natural gas industry. The problem of hydrate induced blockage in “wet gas” flow systems has been widely reported and became ...