Methane hydrate formation in partially water-saturated Ottawa sand
Methane hydrate formation in partially water-saturated Ottawa sand
Date
2004-08
Authors
Waite, William F.
Winters, William J.
Mason, D. H.
Winters, William J.
Mason, D. H.
Linked Authors
Alternative Title
Citable URI
Date Created
Location
DOI
Related Materials
Replaces
Replaced By
Keywords
Abstract
Bulk properties of gas hydrate-bearing sediment strongly depend on whether hydrate forms primarily
in the pore fluid, becomes a load-bearing member of the sediment matrix, or cements sediment
grains. Our compressional wave speed measurements through partially water-saturated, methane
hydrate-bearing Ottawa sands suggest hydrate surrounds and cements sediment grains. The three
Ottawa sand packs tested in the Gas Hydrate And Sediment Test Laboratory Instrument (GHASTLI)
contain 38(1)% porosity, initially with distilled water saturating 58, 31, and 16% of that pore space,
respectively. From the volume of methane gas produced during hydrate dissociation, we calculated
the hydrate concentration in the pore space to be 70, 37, and 20% respectively. Based on these hydrate
concentrations and our measured compressional wave speeds, we used a rock physics model to differentiate
between potential pore-space hydrate distributions. Model results suggest methane hydrate
cements unconsolidated sediment when forming in systems containing an abundant gas phase.
Description
This paper is not subject to U.S. copyright. The definitive version was published in American Mineralogist 89 (2004): 1202-1207.
Embargo Date
Citation
American Mineralogist 89 (2004): 1202-1207