Fluid flow pathways study from the 3D seismic data offshore southwestern Taiwan

Abstract:

3D seismic reflection data provide detailed information on the physical properties of the crust, which can be used for hydrocarbon exploration. Recently, scientists from Taiwan and Germany are collaborating on a project to use a portable 3D seismic system, called P-Cable, to study gas hydrates offshore southwest Taiwan. We have collected 3 cubes, covering the active and passive margins. At these three sites, there is a wide-spread bottom-simulating reflector (BSR). We use the BSR to study the shallow thermal structures of these prospect sites, and use the temperature field information to study fluid migration patterns. We have also done in-situ heat flow measurements, and found similar results, showing focused fluid flow migrations in some pathways. Some of the high temperature fields also correlate with gas chimneys found through seismic attribute analyses. Preliminary results show that there might be active fluid migration above the BSR in the gas hydrate stability zone. In September and October of 2014, we will collect additional P-Cable datasets to be incorporated into this study. Such results will be used to evaluate some proposed sites for future drilling programs.