Geophysical Exploration and Data Processing

In Work Package 1 the methods of electromagnetic and seismic data (joint inversion), which were developed at GEOMAR for a joint evaluation, are combined with the CRS tomography (TEEC), the full waveform inversion (KIT), and the gravity gradient inversion (Terrasys). Due to this innovative approach the quantification of the amounts of gas hydrate and their spatial distribution can be highly improved. By means of high-pressure laboratory experiments (i.a. in cooperation with WP3) the relations between methane hydrate saturation and rock parameters are collected (GFZ, GEOMAR), determined and geotechnical structures (GZG) are developed for a better quantification of the gas hydrate amounts in potential reservoirs. Thus, the already internationally competitive expertise of SUGAR-partner are expanded within the field of geophysical exploration of gas hydrate reservoirs and new utilization prospects are established for the involved companies TEEC, Terrasys and TEECware.

 

Work Package 1 is divided into 4 tasks:

Task 1 Subsoil models of geophysical properties using Joint Inversion and full waveform inversion (FWI): A 2-stage development of high-resolution geophysical parameter models should be edited.

Task 2 High-resolution reflection seismic image of gas hydrate structures:  A combination of the results of task 1 and the high-resolution structure figure which is developed within task serves as a basis for the quantification of hydrate saturation.

Task 3 Quantification of gas hydrate by means of joint inversion and laboratory calibration: The models developed in task 1 and 2 are the basis for the quantification of the hydrate saturation, which is the aim of task 3. Moreover, the existing Joint Inversion should be expanded through a direct parameterization of hydrate saturation in this task.

Task 4 Data collection, preparation and interpretation: This task covers the data preparation and evaluation of data measured which is needed as preparatory work for the Joint Inversion and as a comparative analysis for the calibration and control of the obtained inversion results.

 

Objectives

  • Structural, high-resolution imaging of gas hydrate structures within the subsoil,
  • Determination of the geophysical parameters of the subsoil by means of inversion methods, by using multi-parameter inversion strategies to stabilize the individual inversion steps / inversion procedures and to improve the resolution of the outcome models,
  • Investigation of the possibilities for quantifying the gas hydrate saturation by means of geophysical parameters and geotechnical models of the hydrate structure by direct inversion or derivations.