Seismic Attribute Analysis of the

indicator for Gas Hydrate

Presented by, Guided by,

Mehul Raj Dr. Rajesh R. Nair
PE20M007 Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT MADRAS IIT MADRAS
Seismic attribute analysis of indicator for gas
hydrate occurrence in the northwest Ulleung
basin, East Sea

Kyoung Jin Kim, Bo Yeon Yi, Nyeon Keon Kang, Dong Geun Yoo
 Content
 GAS HYDRATE
 INDICATORS OF GAS HYDRATE
 ULLEUNG BASIN
 SEISMIC DATA ANALYSIS
 PRESENCE OF GAS HYDRATE IN ULLEUNG BASIN
 SEISMIC ATTRIBUTE ANALYSIS
 MODEL DESCRIPTION FOR IDENTIFICATION OF GAS HYDRATE
 CONCLUSION
 REFERENCES
 GAS HYDRATE
 Ice-like compounds of natural gas (mainly methane)
and water.
 Low temperature and high pressure condition.
 Host molecule: water,
Guest molecule : Methane, CO2 , H2S
 Three Structure: I, II, H
 Why study on Gas Hydrate are important?
 Major Energy Resource
 Alters sea floor sediment stability
 Strong influence on the environment and climate

[5]
Stability curve for Gas Hydrate [5]
INDICATORS OF GAS HYDRATE
 Indicators :
 Bottom simulation reflectors (BSRs),
 acoustic blanking,
 seismic chimneys and
 enhanced reflectors in seismic section.
 In Ulleung basin, BSRs and acoustic blanking are indication of gas
hydrate.
 BSR:
 High reflection amplitude.
 Generates high acoustic impedance contrast.
 Parallel to the seafloor topography surface.
 Acoustic Blanking:
 Decrease in seismic reflectivity above a BSR.
 Cementation effect of gas hydrate Pictorial Depiction of Seismic
Chimneys [2]
Various Indicators of Gas Hydrate [2]
 ULLEUNG BASIN

 The east sea is a semi enclosed marginal sea

bounded by the coast of north eastern Asia
and the islands of japan.
 Ulleung basin is a bowl-shaped back arc
basin.
 Located in south western east Sea and
gradually deepens north eastward.
 Basin floor depth at 2000-2300m
 steep gradient of up to 10°.
 Sedimentary sequence including the GHSZ,
is dominated by turbidites and hemipelazites
deposited under low energy conditions.
Ulleung Basin [1]
 SEISMIC DATA ANALYSIS

 The shallow sedimentary sequence

including the GHSZ, consists of
five seismic units.
 Units 1 to 4 show low amplitude
because they are dominated by
homogeneous hemipelagic muds.
 Units 5 is characterized by high
amplitude due to the hemipelagic
muds intercalated with turbidite
sands.

Sediment Categorized into 5 Seismic Unit [1]

PRESENCE OF GAS
HYDRATE

 Unit 5: Indicate the presence of Gas

Hydrate.
 BSR cuts through the strata.
 BSR have high amplitude and reverse
polarity with respect to seafloor.
 High velocity and resistivity in GHSZ.

Log Showing High Velocity and Resistivity in GHSZ [2]

 SEISMIC ATTRIBUTE ANALYSIS

[1]

 Reflection strength :
 High reflection strength at the BSR (HRS –2).
 acoustic blanking zone with low reflection strength is identified at GHSZ.
 Instantaneous frequency: instantaneous frequency decrease sharply below the BSR from 120 Hz to 40
Hz.
 MODEL DESCRIPTION FOR
IDENTIFICATION OF GAS
HYDRATE
 Four models are suggested based on the slope of sedimentary layers and presence
of seismic indicators.
 Dipping strata with strong BSR
 Parallel strata with acoustic blanking and wear BSR
 Parallel strata with acoustic blanking
 Dipping strata with no seismic indicators
A schematic diagram showing (B) to (E) the four models for the occurrence of gas hydrate and free gas [1]
Results of seismic attribute analysis for the four models and their interpretation [1]
Results of seismic attribute analysis for the four models and their interpretation [1]
 CONCLUSION
 Seismic Indicators in the Ulleung Basin:
1. BSRs,
2. Seismic chimney,
3. Acoustic blanking,
4. Enhanced reflections below the BSR, and
5. Seafloor gas-escape features.
 High resistivity and velocity logs, are located in the GHSZ.
 If gas hydrate overlying free gas occurs:
1. Reflection strength is high and
2. Instantaneous frequency decrease sharply.
 If gas hydrate occurs without free gas,
1. Reflection strength is low and
2. Instantaneous frequency is high continuously below the gas hydrate zone.
 REFERENCES
1. Seismic attribute analysis of indicator for gas hydrate occurrence in the
northwest Ulleung basin, East Sea by Kyoung Jin Kim, Bo Yeon Yi, Nyeon Keon
Kang, Dong Geun Yoo
2. Occurrence and seismic characteristics of gas hydrate in the Ulleung Basin East
sea by Kyoung Jin Kim, Bo Yeon Yi, Nyeon Keon Kang, Dong Geun Yoo
3. Geophysical Prospecting of Gas Hydrate by S. Sunjay
4. Amplitude blanking related to the pore-filling of gas hydrate in sediments by
Myung W. Lee & William P. Dillon
5. http://large.stanford.edu/courses/2010/ph240/harrison1/
THANK YOU