Analysis of Potential Methane Hydrate Accumulations in a Block 857 Alaminos Canyon Well Site, Gulf of Mexico
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Date
2013-05
Authors
Crock, Abigail
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
The Ohio State University
Abstract
The Gulf of Mexico has long been an area of extensive scientific study as a basin of geologic interest. The Gulf is in close proximity to the U.S. and the extensive gas hydrate that has been found during drilling operations there make it an attractive option for a potential continuous energy source long after gas and oil supplies have diminished. In this study, a well in the Alaminos Canyon Block 857 (API no. 608054002300), Gulf of Mexico, was examined using logging data, core records, and heatflow maps to determine if methane hydrate was potentially present in this area. Resistivity, API gravity, gamma ray, hydrocarbon fluorescence and bottom-simulating reflectors were all compared to seek markers that may suggest hydrate accumulations. This well, in an interval from 10240-10725 feet below the rig floor, shows the most promising indications of hydrate. Saturation values along this length averaged fifty-nine percent which was calculated using Archie’s equation. After further analysis, gas condensate presence seemed more likely than hydrate but the saturation values calculated are still applicable. Future work should focus on repeating this process across other wells in Alaminos Canyon to determine the volume of methane hydrate that may exist, remaining careful to distinguish between hydrate and condensate concentrations. Ultimately, a distinct consensus on the amount of gas hydrate in the Gulf of Mexico will clarify the economic practicality of hydrates as an energy source.
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Keywords
methane condensate, methane hydrate, well log, Gulf of Mexico, Archie's Equation, Alaminos Canyon