Geological background and accumulation models of gas hydrate reservoir in northern South China Sea

Exploration results reveal that the northern slope of South China Sea (SCS) is a favorable area for gas hydrate accumulation and hence has huge energy resources potential. Based on the results of gas hydrate exploration conducted in northern SCS and geological background of gas hydrate reservoir in the study area, the authors analyzed the conditions of temperaturepressure stability, gas source supply, migration conduction system and reservoir for gas hydrate accumulation in northern SCS. Moreover, the accumulation models of gas hydrate reservoir in Shenhu, the western slope of South China Sea areas and the northeastern slope of South China Sea areas were discussed as well. The results show that the diffusion gas hydrate reservoir is mainly accumulated in Shenhu area, while the western slope of South China Sea area is dominated by the leakage type of reservoir. On the northeastern slope of South China Sea area, gas hydrate accumulation is complex and is characterized by both diffusion and leakage types.