Evaluation of the stability of gas hydrates in Northern Alaska

Cold Regions Science and Technology
By: , and 

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Abstract

The factors which control the distribution of in situ gas hydrate deposits in colder regions such as Northern Alaska include; mean annual surface temperatures (MAST), geothermal gradients above and below the base of permafrost, subsurface pressures, gas composition, pore-fluid salinity and the soil condition. Currently existing data on the above parameters for the forty-six wells located in Northern Alaska were critically examined and used in calculations of depths and thicknesses of gas hydrate stability zones. To illustrate the effect of gas hydrate stability zones, calculations were done for a variable gas composition using the thermodynamic model of Holder and John (1982). The hydrostatic pressure gradient of 9.84 kPa/m (0.435 lbf/in2ft), the salinity of 10 parts per thousand (ppt) and the coarse-grained soil conditions were assumed. An error analysis was performed for the above parameters and the effect of these parameters on hydrate stability zone calculations were determined.

After projecting the hydrate stability zones for the forty-six wells, well logs were used to identify and to obtain values for the depth and thickness of hydrate zones. Of the forty-six wells, only ten wells showed definite evidence of the presence of gas hydrates.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Evaluation of the stability of gas hydrates in Northern Alaska
Series title Cold Regions Science and Technology
DOI 10.1016/0165-232X(87)90026-7
Volume 14
Issue 2
Year Published 1987
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Description 13 p.
First page 107
Last page 119
Country United States
State Alaska
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