DE-FC26-06NT42961

Goal
The overall objective of this project is to develop a new method to assess methane hydrate distribution using 3-D seismic data calibrated to wellbore data. The method will be capable of detecting hydrates in multiple thin beds as well as in thick, massive beds.

Performer
Rock Solid Images, Houston, TX 77063

Background
Reliable gas hydrate characterization from seismic data is a key step to understanding and ultimately exploiting the Nation’s hydrate resource. It is the hydrate-rich areas that will be the first targets for commercial development. If even 1% of this gas could be produced, it would be more than double current U.S. proven natural gas reserves, thus benefiting gas customers, creating jobs in the United States, and reducing our dependence on imported energy. Accurate characterization of worldwide hydrate accumulations also will benefit environmental researchers by providing data for climate models and helping to guide public policy with regard to climate change.

This project will provide a new seismic-based technology for detecting and appraising hydrate distribution and the nature of the associated geologic sediments and structures. By integrating geology, 3-D seismic, well logs, and rock physics, we can accurately assess the volume of gas hydrate over broad regions. The major advantage of this method is that it uses conventional 3-D seismic and well log data as inputs. No special tools or acquisition methods are needed; hence, the method will be economical and practical to apply.

The method the researchers propose is based on the computation of cumulative seismic attributes (CATTs) and their calibration to in-situ data from well logs and/or core measurements. CATTs are fundamentally different from other seismic reservoir characterization methods, such as amplitude-versus-offset and acoustic impedance inversion. They are designed to respond to multiple stacked layers of hydrocarbon-filled zones, and unlike most seismic attributes, they are well-suited to calibration with well log data. The unique advantage of CATTs is their ability to be used in areas where the thickness of the hydrocarbon-bearing intervals is below standard seismic resolution.

Potential Impact
Accurate characterization of subsurface hydrate accumulations using 3-D seismic would result in: (1) better estimates of the Nation’s gas resource in hydrates, (2) improved characterization of hydrate-rich target areas for development, and (3) improved mapping of worldwide hydrate accumulations to aid in modeling the climatic impact of gas hydrates.

The success of this project will contribute to an overall NETL objective of assessing the extent and potential commercial viability of the domestic methane hydrate resource base by 2010.

While this technology will be developed and tested with methane hydrates in mind, it also will have potential applications to a broader spectrum of oil and gas exploration targets, particularly those in areas of scarce well control, such as the U.S. Gulf of Mexico Deep Shelf.

Summary
The performer has completed the Research Management Plan and Technology Status Assessment, participated in the 2007 DOE Hydrate Program Kick-Off Meeting, and participated in the September 2007 DOE Hydrate Program Peer Review held in Golden, Colorado. The project plan is currently being modified to allow testing of the CATTs methodology on two seismic datasets rather than one dataset, as originally planned. The first dataset is from the Milne Point area of the northern Alaska and was obtained from Dr. Tim Collett of the U.S. Geological Survey. A second dataset from a marine setting is also being selected for testing. It is likely that this second data set will be from ODP Leg 204 on Hydrate Ridge, offshore Oregon. RSI is currently applying their CATTs methodology to the Milne Point dataset, and they are working on obtaining the Hydrate Ridge data for additional testing.

Current Status
The project team has completed the tasks for the first phase of the project. The project team selected and obtained seismic and well log datasets from the U.S. Geological Survey, and they have focused their efforts on seismic and well log data from a known hydrate occurrence beneath the permafrost in the Milne Point area of northern Alaska. The project team has developed hydrate type logs and synthetic seismograms, using the Milne Point data set. They have begun to develop CATTs for hydrates, based on the seismic attributes modeled from the hydrate type logs. Phase 2 will include up-scaling of well bore data and the calibration of CATTs for hydrate quantification. Phase 2 will be conducted in two parts, Phase 2A, will focus on the Milne Pt. data set, and Phase 2B will focus on a marine data set, likely from Hydrate Ridge. The start of Phase 2 has been delayed due to funding availability and the need to allow additional time to evaluate the suitability of data sets being considered for Phase 2.

Project Start: October 1, 2006
Project End: September 30, 2008

Project Cost Information:
Phase 1: DOE Contribution: $349,088, Performer Contribution: $87,272
Phase 2: DOE Contribution: $300,000, Performer Contribution: $60,000
Planned Total Funding (if project continues through all project phases):
DOE Contribution: $649,088, Performer Contribution: $147,272

Contact Information
NETL – Traci Rodosta (traci.rodosta@netl.doe.gov or 304-285-1345)
RSI – Dr. Joel Walls (j.walls@rocksolidimages.com or 713-783-5593)

Additional Information
In addition to the information provided here, a full listing of project related publications and presentations as well as a listing of funded students can be found in the Methane Hydrate Program Bibliography [PDF].

Quarterly Report [PDF-878KB] April - June, 2007

Technology Status Assessment [PDF-246KB]

Kick-off meeting presentation [PDF-1.09MB] - January 9, 2007