Gas Hydrate Quantification Services
Hydrate Quantification: Multiple Lines of Evidence
The best assessment of gas hydrate concentration and distribution takes place when multiple lines of evidence converge. Thermal infrared core scans, direct measurements on samples of gas, liquid, and sediment from cores, and downhole measurements are pieces of evidence that can be assembled to solve the gas hydrate puzzle.
Integrated Field Service
The complete gas hydrate quantification service encompasses core collection, both non-pressure and pressure cores, and core analysis specifically designed to measure hydrate. Quantitative degassing and subsequent methane mass balance calculations from pressure cores is considered the “gold standard” and forms the heart of the quantification service. Targeted pore fluid sampling based on infrared imaging provides a complementary data set especially when combined with grain size analysis. Additional sedimentary analysis is also available to characterize the formation.
Quantitative, Comprehensive Report
The data collected in the field during the coring operation is combined with laboratory analyses, if requested, along with any downhole log data provided by the client into one report that details the gas hydrate distribution, quantity, and morphology within the sedimentary structure. It is interesting to note that pressure core degassing is the only method that can definitively show when there is NO gas hydrate present within the sediment.
Infrared image of gas-hydrate-bearing core showing location of gas hydrate (blue).