Abstract
Gas hydrates have been found in the western continental margin of South China Sea, which are revealed by widespread bottom simulating reflectors (BSRs) imaged from a three-dimensional (3D) seismic volume near the Guangle carbonate platform in the western South China Sea. Fluid-escape structures (faults and gas chimneys) are originated below BSR were distinguished. A comprehensive model in three-level structure was proposed to depict the gas hydrate accumulation in the study area. In Level 1, regional major faults and gas chimneys provide the first pathways of upward migration of gas near basement. In Level 2, pervasive polygonal faults in carbonate layer promote the migration of gas. In Level 3, gases sourced from near-basement accumulate within shallow sediment layers and form gas hydrate above the unit with faults once appropriate temperature and pressure occur. The gas hydrates in the study area are mainly in microbial origin, and their accumulation occurs only when fluid-escape structures align in all the three levels. The proposed model of the gas hydrate accumulation in western SCS margin provides new insights for further studies in this poorly studied area.
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Data Availability Statement
The datasets used during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Acknowledgment
We are grateful to PetroChina Hangzhou Research Institute of Geology for the reprocess of 3D seismic data. We deeply appreciate the constructive and helpful comments from Dr. M. Filomena Loreto from National Research Council-Institute of Marine Sciences and two anonymous reviewers, which significantly improved this manuscript in all aspects. We also greatly appreciate the editorial support from the editors of this journal.
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Supported by the China Academy of Petroleum Exploration and Development (Nos. 2019B-4909, 2021DJ2401). Dr. Wei LI is specially funded by the CAS Pioneer Hundred Talents Program (No. Y8SL011001)
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Yang, T., Li, L., Lu, Y. et al. Gas hydrate accumulation associated with fluid escape structure in the western margin of South China Sea. J. Ocean. Limnol. 41, 947–958 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00343-022-1338-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00343-022-1338-4