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Detection and evaluation of the in-situ natural gas hydrates in the North Slope Region, Alaska

Conference · · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5630716

The purpose of this study is to develop techniques for the detection and evaluation of gas hydrates from well log data and determine possible geologic controls on the occurrence of hydrates. The high density of oil and gas drilling in Prudhoe Bay provides a broad data base with over five-hundred completed wells. Logs used include the dual induction laterolog, borehole compensated sonic, self potential, gamma ray, caliper, neutron-activation, mud and temperature log. For this study, several new methods of evaluation were developed and incorporated with existing techniques. One-hundred and twenty-five wells were examined for potential hydrate occurrence, with 102 definite occurrences in 32 different wells. The resistivity of the hydrate ranged from 50 ohm meters to 1,000 ohm meters and the sonic logs indicated acoustic velocities ranging from 3.1 km/s to 4.4 km/s. For each well examined, the geothermal gradient was determined and the theoretical stability zone for methane hydrate was calculated.

Research Organization:
University of Alaska
OSTI ID:
5630716
Report Number(s):
CONF-830312-
Journal Information:
Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Vol. SPE 11673; ISSN SEAPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English