• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.200-202
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• 2008

동해 울릉분지에서는 시추선 RemEtive를 사용하여 UBGH-X-01 가스하이드레이트 탐사가 2007년에 실시되었다. 본 연구에서는 천부 가스하이드레이트가 확인된 UBGH1-10 정점에서 무인잠수정(Quantam WROV)을 사용하여 획득된 푸쉬코어와 해저지형 분석을 수행되었다.UBGH1-10 정점은 seismic chimneys의 탄성파 특성이 발달된 지역이다. 이곳에서는 해저표면으로부터 수 m 하부에서 가스하이드레이트가 발견되었다. 이 정점은 수 m 높이의 얕은 둔덕들이 무인잠수정에 부착된 비디오 카메라에 의해서 관찰되었다.이곳에서 채취된 길이 약40 cm의 푸쉬코어는 생물교란된 뻘질 퇴적물로 구성되어 있으며, 가스하이드레이트와 chemosynthetic community는 관찰되지 않았다. 푸쉬코어는 X-ray fluorescence scanner를 사용하여 퇴적물의 26가지 원소 조성을 분석하였다. UBGH1-10 정점의 산화환원환경은 Mo/Al과 Mn/Ti 원소비를 이용하여 천부 가스하이드레이트가 발견되지 않은 UBGH1-9와 UBGH1-1 정점과 대비하였다. 이 정점의 일차생산력은 Ba/Al 원소비를 이용하여 다른 정점과 대비하였다. 천부 가스하이드레이트가 발견된 UBGH1-10 정점은 활발한 가스방출과 관련된 생물집단 서식 또는 자생광물 형성의 흔적이 발견되지 않으며, 퇴적물에서도 산화환원환경과 일차생산력의 큰 차이가 관찰되지 않는다.

• The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
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• v.10 no.1_2 s.11
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• pp.18-22
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• 2004

To identify and interpret the distribution and the characteristics of the gas hydrate layers in the Ulleung Basin, we have surveyed and gathered the multi-channel seismic data, Chirp sub-bottom profiler, SeaBeam and 12 m piston core samples since 1996. In previous works, high-resolution seismic profiles showed acoustic anomalies such as acoustic void, acoustic turbidity and pock mark which indicate the presence of gas-charged sediments. The patterns of horizontal degassing cracks originated from free methane expansion is the strong indicator of shallow gas-charged sediments in the core samples. The observation of submarine slides and slumps from destabilizing the sediments in the southern part of the Ulleung Basin may also point out that the gas had been released from gas hydrate dissociation during lowstand of sea level. The multi-channel seismic data show BSR, blanking and phase reversal. The gas hydrate layers above which large-scale shallow gases are distributed exist at the depth of about 200 m from the sea-floor with water depth of 2,100 m. From the interpretation of seismic sections in the southern Ulleung Basin, gas hydrate layers occur in the Pleistocene-Holocene sediments. These gas-charged sediments, acoustic anomalies and BSR may be all related to the existence of gas hydrate layers in the study area.

• Proceedings of the KSEEG Conference
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• 2007.04a
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• pp.260-263
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• 2007

• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.207-215
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• 2004

As the sea connecting with the East Sea, the Sea of Okhotsk is the most potential area of gas hydrates in the world. In other to examine geophysical structures of gas hydrate-bearing sediments in the Sea of Okhotsk, the CHAOS (hydro-Carbon Hydrate Accumulation in the Okhotsk) international research expedition was carried out in August 2003. In the expedition, high-resolution seismic and geochemical survey was also conducted. Sparker seismic profiles show only diffusive high-amplitude reflections without BSRs at BSR depth. It means that BSR appears to be completely different images on seismic profiles obtained using different frequencies. Many gas chimneys rise up from BSR depth to seafloor. The chimneys can be divided into two groups with different seismic characteristics; wipe-out (WO) and enhanced reflection (ER) chimneys. Different seismic responses in the chimneys would be caused by amount of gas and gas hydrates filling in the chimneys. In hydroacoustic data, a lot of gas flares rise up several hundreds meters from seafloor to the water column. All flares took placed at the depths within gas hydrate stability zone. It is interpreted that gas hydrate-bearing sediments with low porosity and permeability due to gas hydrate filling in the pore space make good pipe around gas chimneys in which gas is migrating up without loss of amount. Therefore, large-scale gas flare at the site on gas chimney releases into the water column.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.2 s.171
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• pp.165-176
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• 2005

Natural gas in deep sediment may occur in three phases based on the physical and chemical conditions. If the concentration of gas in pore water is less than the solubility, gas is dissolved. If the concentration of gas is greater than its solubility (water is saturated or supersaturated with gas), gas occurs as a fee gas below the gas hydrate stability Lone (GHSZ) and is present as solid hydrate within the GHSZ. The knowledge of gas concentration in deep sediment appears critical to determine the phase of natural gases and to understand the formation and distribution of gas hydrate. However, reliable data on gas concentration are usually available only from the upper section of marine sediment by the headspace gas technique, which is widely used for sampling of gases from the sediments. The headspace gas technique represents only a fraction of gases present in situ because sediments release most of the gases during recovery and sampling. The PCS (Pressure Core Sampler) is a downhole tool developed to recover a nominal $1{\cal}m$ long, $4.32{\cal}cm$ diameter core containing $1,465cm^3$ of sediment, pore water and gas at in situ pressure up to 68.9 MPa. During Leg 204, the PCS was deployed at 6 Sites. In situ methane gas concentration and distribution of gas hydrate was measured by using PCS tool. Characteristics of methane concentration and distribution is different from site to site. Distribution of gas hydrate in the study area is closely related to characteristics of in situ gas concentration measured by PCS.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.216-230
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• 2014

Based on the interpretation of 3D seismic profiles acquired in the northwestern area of the Ulleung Basin, East Sea, the shallow sediments consist of five seismic units separated by regional reflectors. An anticline is present in the study area that documents activity of many faults. Bottom simulating reflectors are characterized by high RMS amplitude. Acoustic blanking with low RMS amplitude is distinctively recognized in the gas hydrate stability zone. Seismic attribute analysis shows that if gas hydrates are underlain by free gas, the high reflection strength and the low instantaneous frequency are displayed below the boundary between them. Whereas, if not, the reflection strength is low and instantaneous frequency is high continuously below the gas hydrate zone. Based on the spectral decomposition of the bottom simulating reflector, the high envelope at the specific high frequency range indicates the generation of the tuning effect due to the lower free gas content. Four models for the occurrence of the gas hydrate are suggested considering the slope of sedimentary layers as well as the presence of gas hydrate or free gas.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.71-85
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• 2014

To study biogeochemical characteristics and origin organic matter, sediment samples were taken from Site of 1249C and Stie 1251B of ODP Leg 204. Data of Rock-Eval, isotope, and element analysis generally indicate dominance of marine organic matter in sediments deposited under marine sedimentary environment. Only Rock-Eval data are somewhat different from those of others owing to under-maturation of organic matter. Samples of Site 1249C show high content of gas hydrate, whereas Site 1251B low content of gas hydrate in some intervals of the core. This result may be accounted to different location of two cores and presence of transportation passage (Horizon A, BSR 2) of thermogenic gas in the core, 1249 C. However, Site 1251B Located in the basin of low accumulation of gas hydrate is presumed to be limited in the gas hydrate production. Because not only transportation passage is limited to move thermogenic gas from the core, but also gas supply was not enough. Therefore, the biogenic gas that resulted from diagenesis of there sediment is superior.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.149-157
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• 2003

Deep sea core samples were taken in the southwestern part of the Ulleung Basin in order to characterize the properties of shallow gases in the sediment. Amount of shallow gases in the sediments were calculated by head space techniques, and chemical and isotopic compositions of hydrocarbon gases were analyzed. Geochemical analyses were carried out on the gas bearing sediments to find out relationship between natural gas contents and organic characteristics of the sediments. Seismic characteristics of shallow gases in the sediments were also examined in this study. The amount of the hydrocarbon gases in the sediments range from 0.01% to 11.25%. Calculation of volume of gas per volume of wet sediment varies from 0.1 to 82.0 ml HC/L wet sediment. Methane consists 98% of the total hydrocarbon gases except for two samples. Based on the methane content and isotopic composition$(\delta^{13}c)$: -94.31$\textperthousand$~-55.5$\textperthousand$), the hydrocarbon gases from the sediments are generated from bacterial activities of methanogenic microbes. Contents of hydrocarbon gases are variable from site to site. Volume of shallow gases in the sediments shows no apparent trends vs. either characteristics of organic matter or particle sizes of the sediments. Gas concentration is high in the area of seismic anomalies such as blanking zone or chimney structures in the section. Physicochemically the pore water and the formation water systems are saturated with gases in these areas. Concentration of hydrocarbon gases in the sediments in these area shows favorable condition for generation of gas hydrate, as far as the other conditions are satisfied.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2007

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.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.06a
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• pp.419-423
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• 2006

Basic studies on natural gas hydrates in the East Sea were been carried out by the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) from 2000 to 2004 involving 2D multichannel seismic lines and piston coring. 27 piston cores recovered from the deed-water Ulleung Basin of the East Sea were analyzed in this study. In piston cores cracks generally developed parallel to bedding suggest significant gas content. The core analyses showed high total organic carbon (TOC) content, sedimentation rate and heat flow of sediments. The cores recovered from the southern study area show also high residual hydrocarbon gas concentrations for the formation of natural gas hydrates. This study indicates that there is the potential for the generation of biogenic gas and the formation of natural gas hydrates in the near seafloor sediments of the study area.