Completed Study
Characterizing Marine Gas-Hydrate Reservoirs and Determining Mechanical Properties of Marine Gas-Hydrate Strata with Four-Component Ocean-Bottom-Sensor Seismic Data
Bob A. Hardage, principal investigator; Milo M. Backus, Michael V. De Angelo, Robert J. Graebner, Paul E. Murray, and Lesli J. Wood
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This U.S. Department of Energy study demonstrated how elastic constraints and unique petrophysical parameters can be estimated for shallow seafloor strata using four-component, ocean-bottom-sensor (4-C OBS) seismic data. Maps of shear moduli, bulk moduli, and facies-sensitive Vp/ Vs velocity ratios were created across a large, 400-mi2 area of the Gulf of Mexico to illustrate how seafloor strength and facies distributions can be determined across gas-hydrate trends. This study documented the important principle that P waves and C waves often image different stratal surfaces and provide two independent, complimentary views of sequence stratigraphy.

Publications

M. De Angelo, et al.,
Depth Registration of P-Wave and C-Wave Seismic Data for Shallow Marine Sediment Characterization, Gulf of Mexico: The Leading Edge, February 2003 [PDF]

2001 DOE Annual Progress Report [PDF]

 A large number of 4-C OBS data were provided by Seitel Data to support this research. Shallow subsurface geologic and engineering data across the study site were collected by Devon Energy and Rice University.
For more information, please contact Bob Hardage, principal investigator.
512-471-0300; e-mail bob.hardage@beg.utexas.edu.