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Jennifer Johns - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • manchester s film and television Industry Project ecologies and network hierarchies
    Urban Studies, 2010
    Co-Authors: Jennifer Johns
    Abstract:

    This paper presents a film and television production system theoretically framed using a network approach. The organisation and geographies of production are examined using the notion of Project ecologies to incorporate non-firm actors including freelance individuals. Empirical findings from quantitative and qualitative data collection in Manchester are used to illustrate different hierarchical networks within and between production stages. The paper argues that inherent multiscalar network inequalities impact on the capacity for the film and television Industry in Manchester to secure financing and distribution, and on the organisational logics of production.

  • Manchester’s Film and Television Industry: Project Ecologies and Network Hierarchies:
    Urban Studies, 2010
    Co-Authors: Jennifer Johns
    Abstract:

    This paper presents a film and television production system theoretically framed using a network approach. The organisation and geographies of production are examined using the notion of Project ecologies to incorporate non-firm actors including freelance individuals. Empirical findings from quantitative and qualitative data collection in Manchester are used to illustrate different hierarchical networks within and between production stages. The paper argues that inherent multiscalar network inequalities impact on the capacity for the film and television Industry in Manchester to secure financing and distribution, and on the organisational logics of production.

Tom Sullivan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

Timothy S Collett - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • gulf of mexico gas hydrate joint Industry Project leg ii logging while drilling data acquisition and analysis
    Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2012
    Co-Authors: Timothy S Collett, Margarita V Zyrianova, Stefan Mrozewski, Gilles Guerin, Ann E Cook, Dave Goldberg
    Abstract:

    Abstract One of the objectives of the Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project Leg II (GOM JIP Leg II) was the collection of a comprehensive suite of logging-while-drilling (LWD) data within gas-hydrate-bearing sand reservoirs in order to make accurate estimates of the concentration of gas hydrates under various geologic conditions and to understand the geologic controls on the occurrence of gas hydrate at each of the sites drilled during this expedition. The LWD sensors just above the drill bit provided important information on the nature of the sediments and the occurrence of gas hydrate. There has been significant advancements in the use of downhole well-logging tools to acquire detailed information on the occurrence of gas hydrate in nature: From using electrical resistivity and acoustic logs to identify gas hydrate occurrences in wells to where wireline and advanced logging-while-drilling tools are routinely used to examine the petrophysical nature of gas hydrate reservoirs and the distribution and concentration of gas hydrates within various complex reservoir systems. Recent integrated sediment coring and well-log studies have confirmed that electrical resistivity and acoustic velocity data can yield accurate gas hydrate saturations in sediment grain supported (isotropic) systems such as sand reservoirs, but more advanced log analysis models are required to characterize gas hydrate in fractured (anisotropic) reservoir systems. In support of the GOM JIP Leg II effort, well-log data montages have been compiled and presented in this report which includes downhole logs obtained from all seven wells drilled during this expedition with a focus on identifying and characterizing the potential gas-hydrate-bearing sedimentary section in each of the wells. Also presented and reviewed in this report are the gas-hydrate saturation and sediment porosity logs for each of the wells as calculated from available downhole well logs.

  • Pore- and fracture-filling gas hydrate reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project Leg II Green Canyon 955 H well
    Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2012
    Co-Authors: Myung W. Lee, Timothy S Collett
    Abstract:

    Abstract High-quality logging-while-drilling (LWD) downhole logs were acquired in seven wells drilled during the Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project Leg II in the spring of 2009. Well logs obtained in one of the wells, the Green Canyon Block 955 H well (GC955-H), indicate that a 27.4-m thick zone at the depth of 428 m below sea floor (mbsf; 1404 feet below sea floor (fbsf)) contains gas hydrate within sand with average gas hydrate saturations estimated at 60% from the compressional-wave (P-wave) velocity and 65% (locally more than 80%) from resistivity logs if the gas hydrate is assumed to be uniformly distributed in this mostly sand-rich section. Similar analysis, however, of log data from a shallow clay-rich interval between 183 and 366 mbsf (600 and 1200 fbsf) yielded average gas hydrate saturations of about 20% from the resistivity log (locally 50−60%) and negligible amounts of gas hydrate from the P-wave velocity logs. Differences in saturations estimated between resistivity and P-wave velocities within the upper clay-rich interval are caused by the nature of the gas hydrate occurrences. In the case of the shallow clay-rich interval, gas hydrate fills vertical (or high angle) fractures in rather than filling pore space in sands. In this study, isotropic and anisotropic resistivity and velocity models are used to analyze the occurrence of gas hydrate within both the clay-rich and sand dominated gas-hydrate-bearing reservoirs in the GC955-H well.

  • Anisotropic models to account for large borehole washouts to estimate gas hydrate saturations in the Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project Leg II Alaminos Canyon 21 B well
    Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2012
    Co-Authors: Myung W. Lee, Timothy S Collett, Kristen A. Lewis
    Abstract:

    Abstract Through the use of 3-D seismic amplitude mapping, several gas hydrate prospects were identified in the Alaminos Canyon (AC) area of the Gulf of Mexico. Two locations were drilled as part of the Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project Leg II (JIP Leg II) in May of 2009 and a comprehensive set of logging-while-drilling (LWD) logs were acquired at each well site. LWD logs indicated that resistivity in the range of ∼2 ohm-m and P-wave velocity in the range of ∼1.9 km/s were measured in the target sand interval between 515 and 645 feet below sea floor. These values were slightly elevated relative to those measured in the sediment above and below the target sand. However, the initial well log analysis was inconclusive regarding the presence of gas hydrate in the logged sand interval, mainly because large washouts caused by drilling in the target interval degraded confidence in the well log measurements. To assess gas hydrate saturations in the sedimentary section drilled in the Alaminos Canyon 21 B (AC21-B) well, a method of compensating for the effect of washouts on the resistivity and acoustic velocities was developed. The proposed method models the washed-out portion of the borehole as a vertical layer filled with sea water (drilling fluid) and the apparent anisotropic resistivity and velocities caused by a vertical layer are used to correct the measured log values. By incorporating the conventional marine seismic data into the well log analysis, the average gas hydrate saturation in the target sand section in the AC21-B well can be constrained to the range of 8–28%, with 20% being our best estimate.

  • Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project Leg II: LWD Logging Program Design, Data Acquisition and Evaluation
    All Days, 2010
    Co-Authors: Stefan Mrozewski, Gilles Guerin, Ann E Cook, Timothy S Collett, Ray Boswell, Emrys Jones, Dave Goldberg
    Abstract:

    Abstract The Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project (JIP) Leg II conducted logging-while-drilling (LWD) operations in seven wells at three deepwater sites in the Gulf of Mexico during April and May of 2009. The LWD logging program, optimized based on the results of earlier gas hydrate expeditions, featured a research-level dataset that included gamma ray, laterolog and propagation resistivity, resistivity imaging, acoustic velocity, density, neutron porosity, spectroscopy and sigma. The program also provided an opportunity to evaluate new LWD tools that had not previously been available to gas hydrate drilling programs: a quadrupole acoustic tool and an azimuthal propagation resistivity tool. JIP Leg II was successful in determining the occurrence of gas hydrate within sand reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico, assessing current approaches for interpreting gas hydrate occurrence from geologic and geophysical data, and determining suitable sites for additional drilling and coring in future phases of the JIP program. Basic formation evaluation determined varying gas hydrate saturations in sand reservoirs at each site, and characterized laterally-continuous sections of gas hydrate-filled fractures in clays. The collection of a comprehensive LWD dataset through expected hydrate-bearing reservoirs validated both the site selection process and the logging program, providing new information on the nature of sediments and the occurrence of gas hydrate in the Gulf of Mexico. Lessons from JIP Leg II will help to refine future LWD logging programs in gas hydrate research. Introduction The Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project (JIP) is a cooperative research program between the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Minerals Management Service, and an Industry consortium led by Chevron. Since 2001, the JIP has been committed to achieving a better understanding of the safety hazards involved in drilling through hydrate-bearing sediments. Following a drilling, logging and coring expedition in 2005 (JIP Leg I) that centered on evaluating the fine-grained, clay-dominated sediments that typify the shallow sub-seafloor in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, the JIP focused a second drilling expedition on the occurrence of gas hydrates in sand-dominated reservoirs in order to assess geohazards as well as investigate gas hydrate resource potential (Boswell et al., 2009). Using a petroleum systems approach, the JIP identified three Leg II sites with the potential for gas hydrate-saturated sand reservoirs (Hutchinson et al., 2008). A logging-only strategy was taken in order to assess the greatest number of sites and test the effectiveness of the program's geological/geophysical site selection approach. The results of JIP Leg II would then be used to plan subsequent JIP field programs that would collect conventional and pressure-core samples from the most promising sites. This report describes the design of the logging program aboard the semi-submersible Helix Q4000, documents the acquisition of data and its initial processing, and discusses preliminary formation evaluation results in the Walker Ridge 313 (WR313), Green Canyon 955 (GC955), and Alaminos Canyon 21 (AC21) lease blocks.

  • Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project Leg II: Results From the Alaminos Canyon 21 Site
    All Days, 2010
    Co-Authors: Matthew Frye, Timothy S Collett, Ray Boswell, Emrys Jones, William Shedd, Paul Doucette Godfriaux, Rebecca Surcouf Dufrene, Myung W. Lee, Daniel R. Mcconnell, Stefan Mrozewski
    Abstract:

    Abstract The primary goal of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of Mexico) Joint Industry Project (JIP) Leg II drilling program was to locate and record the occurrence of gas hydrate in high-quality deepwater sand reservoirs. In the first week of May, 2009, the JIP utilized the Helix Q-4000 semi-submersible to drill and log two wells in the Diana sub-basin in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico at the Alaminos Canyon (AC) 21 Site. The AC 21-A and AC 21-B wells confirmed the presence of an areally extensive, sand-rich deepwater fan system that was predicted from Industry 3-D seismic data and existing Industry well penetrations. The primary targets were encountered within 600 ft of the seafloor, well above the predicted base of gas hydrate stability depth of approximately 1,500 feet below sea floor (fbsf). The target sand reservoirs as seen in the A and B wells measured 62 ft and 125 ft, respectively, and contained elevated formation resistivity consistent with low to moderate saturations of gas hydrate (20% to 40%). The interface between the overlying shales and the hydrate-bearing sands is one of high acoustic impedance, thus providing an anomalous response on the 3-D seismic data with a strong peak-leading top. Introduction In April, 2009, the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of Mexico) Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project (the " JIP??) conducted its Leg II operations at three Sites in the northern Gulf of Mexico (Figure F1) using the semi-submersible Helix Q-4000 (see Boswell et al., 2009a). These locations were selected to test geological and geophysical analyses conducted with the intent of locating gas hydrate-bearing sand reservoirs (see Hutchinson et al., 2009a, 2009b; Shedd et al., 2009b) and conducting comprehensive logging while drilling (LWD) operations (see Collett et al., 2009b) in advance of planned Leg III coring and pressure coring. This report presents the geologic setting and initial scientific results of LWD operations conducted at the Alaminos Canyon block 21 site (Site AC21). Detailed descriptions of the LWD operations and data acquisition for this site are provided in Mrozewski et al. (2009) and Guerin et al. (2009). The AC 21 site lies within the northwestern Gulf of Mexico along the boundary between the Alaminos Canyon and East Breaks (EB) protraction areas (Figure F2). It is one of two drill sites evaluated by the JIP for possible Leg II operations within the Diana intra-slope basin (Shedd et al., 2009b). Three well locations were permitted at Site AC 21 to test gas hydrate targets, including two wells in block AC 21 and a third in block AC 65. An additional drill site, including four permitted wells, was in EB block 992 (Site EB 992). Both sites featured very similar geologic targets. Site EB 992 is approximately nine miles to the east/northeast of Site AC 21 and located in the central part of the Diana basin (Figure F2). At all of the target locations, thick sandstone reservoirs (50 ft to 200 ft) were predicted based on the integration of existing Industry well data and seismic attribute analysis from 3-D seismic data. Low to moderate saturations of gas hydrate were predicted in these reservoirs based on the slightly elevated formation resistivity measured in the EB 992 #001 Industry well and the high impedance leading peak event associated with the seismically-defined top of the sandy facies. A primary scientific objective of the drilling was to collect high-quality LWD data through this sand facies to further refine estimates of gas hydrate saturations.

Myung W. Lee - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Anisotropic models to account for large borehole washouts to estimate gas hydrate saturations in the Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project Leg II Alaminos Canyon 21 B well
    Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2012
    Co-Authors: Myung W. Lee, Timothy S Collett, Kristen A. Lewis
    Abstract:

    Abstract Through the use of 3-D seismic amplitude mapping, several gas hydrate prospects were identified in the Alaminos Canyon (AC) area of the Gulf of Mexico. Two locations were drilled as part of the Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project Leg II (JIP Leg II) in May of 2009 and a comprehensive set of logging-while-drilling (LWD) logs were acquired at each well site. LWD logs indicated that resistivity in the range of ∼2 ohm-m and P-wave velocity in the range of ∼1.9 km/s were measured in the target sand interval between 515 and 645 feet below sea floor. These values were slightly elevated relative to those measured in the sediment above and below the target sand. However, the initial well log analysis was inconclusive regarding the presence of gas hydrate in the logged sand interval, mainly because large washouts caused by drilling in the target interval degraded confidence in the well log measurements. To assess gas hydrate saturations in the sedimentary section drilled in the Alaminos Canyon 21 B (AC21-B) well, a method of compensating for the effect of washouts on the resistivity and acoustic velocities was developed. The proposed method models the washed-out portion of the borehole as a vertical layer filled with sea water (drilling fluid) and the apparent anisotropic resistivity and velocities caused by a vertical layer are used to correct the measured log values. By incorporating the conventional marine seismic data into the well log analysis, the average gas hydrate saturation in the target sand section in the AC21-B well can be constrained to the range of 8–28%, with 20% being our best estimate.

  • Pore- and fracture-filling gas hydrate reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project Leg II Green Canyon 955 H well
    Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2012
    Co-Authors: Myung W. Lee, Timothy S Collett
    Abstract:

    Abstract High-quality logging-while-drilling (LWD) downhole logs were acquired in seven wells drilled during the Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project Leg II in the spring of 2009. Well logs obtained in one of the wells, the Green Canyon Block 955 H well (GC955-H), indicate that a 27.4-m thick zone at the depth of 428 m below sea floor (mbsf; 1404 feet below sea floor (fbsf)) contains gas hydrate within sand with average gas hydrate saturations estimated at 60% from the compressional-wave (P-wave) velocity and 65% (locally more than 80%) from resistivity logs if the gas hydrate is assumed to be uniformly distributed in this mostly sand-rich section. Similar analysis, however, of log data from a shallow clay-rich interval between 183 and 366 mbsf (600 and 1200 fbsf) yielded average gas hydrate saturations of about 20% from the resistivity log (locally 50−60%) and negligible amounts of gas hydrate from the P-wave velocity logs. Differences in saturations estimated between resistivity and P-wave velocities within the upper clay-rich interval are caused by the nature of the gas hydrate occurrences. In the case of the shallow clay-rich interval, gas hydrate fills vertical (or high angle) fractures in rather than filling pore space in sands. In this study, isotropic and anisotropic resistivity and velocity models are used to analyze the occurrence of gas hydrate within both the clay-rich and sand dominated gas-hydrate-bearing reservoirs in the GC955-H well.

  • Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project Leg II: Results From the Alaminos Canyon 21 Site
    All Days, 2010
    Co-Authors: Matthew Frye, Timothy S Collett, Ray Boswell, Emrys Jones, William Shedd, Paul Doucette Godfriaux, Rebecca Surcouf Dufrene, Myung W. Lee, Daniel R. Mcconnell, Stefan Mrozewski
    Abstract:

    Abstract The primary goal of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of Mexico) Joint Industry Project (JIP) Leg II drilling program was to locate and record the occurrence of gas hydrate in high-quality deepwater sand reservoirs. In the first week of May, 2009, the JIP utilized the Helix Q-4000 semi-submersible to drill and log two wells in the Diana sub-basin in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico at the Alaminos Canyon (AC) 21 Site. The AC 21-A and AC 21-B wells confirmed the presence of an areally extensive, sand-rich deepwater fan system that was predicted from Industry 3-D seismic data and existing Industry well penetrations. The primary targets were encountered within 600 ft of the seafloor, well above the predicted base of gas hydrate stability depth of approximately 1,500 feet below sea floor (fbsf). The target sand reservoirs as seen in the A and B wells measured 62 ft and 125 ft, respectively, and contained elevated formation resistivity consistent with low to moderate saturations of gas hydrate (20% to 40%). The interface between the overlying shales and the hydrate-bearing sands is one of high acoustic impedance, thus providing an anomalous response on the 3-D seismic data with a strong peak-leading top. Introduction In April, 2009, the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of Mexico) Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project (the " JIP??) conducted its Leg II operations at three Sites in the northern Gulf of Mexico (Figure F1) using the semi-submersible Helix Q-4000 (see Boswell et al., 2009a). These locations were selected to test geological and geophysical analyses conducted with the intent of locating gas hydrate-bearing sand reservoirs (see Hutchinson et al., 2009a, 2009b; Shedd et al., 2009b) and conducting comprehensive logging while drilling (LWD) operations (see Collett et al., 2009b) in advance of planned Leg III coring and pressure coring. This report presents the geologic setting and initial scientific results of LWD operations conducted at the Alaminos Canyon block 21 site (Site AC21). Detailed descriptions of the LWD operations and data acquisition for this site are provided in Mrozewski et al. (2009) and Guerin et al. (2009). The AC 21 site lies within the northwestern Gulf of Mexico along the boundary between the Alaminos Canyon and East Breaks (EB) protraction areas (Figure F2). It is one of two drill sites evaluated by the JIP for possible Leg II operations within the Diana intra-slope basin (Shedd et al., 2009b). Three well locations were permitted at Site AC 21 to test gas hydrate targets, including two wells in block AC 21 and a third in block AC 65. An additional drill site, including four permitted wells, was in EB block 992 (Site EB 992). Both sites featured very similar geologic targets. Site EB 992 is approximately nine miles to the east/northeast of Site AC 21 and located in the central part of the Diana basin (Figure F2). At all of the target locations, thick sandstone reservoirs (50 ft to 200 ft) were predicted based on the integration of existing Industry well data and seismic attribute analysis from 3-D seismic data. Low to moderate saturations of gas hydrate were predicted in these reservoirs based on the slightly elevated formation resistivity measured in the EB 992 #001 Industry well and the high impedance leading peak event associated with the seismically-defined top of the sandy facies. A primary scientific objective of the drilling was to collect high-quality LWD data through this sand facies to further refine estimates of gas hydrate saturations.

Emrys Jones - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project Leg II: LWD Logging Program Design, Data Acquisition and Evaluation
    All Days, 2010
    Co-Authors: Stefan Mrozewski, Gilles Guerin, Ann E Cook, Timothy S Collett, Ray Boswell, Emrys Jones, Dave Goldberg
    Abstract:

    Abstract The Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project (JIP) Leg II conducted logging-while-drilling (LWD) operations in seven wells at three deepwater sites in the Gulf of Mexico during April and May of 2009. The LWD logging program, optimized based on the results of earlier gas hydrate expeditions, featured a research-level dataset that included gamma ray, laterolog and propagation resistivity, resistivity imaging, acoustic velocity, density, neutron porosity, spectroscopy and sigma. The program also provided an opportunity to evaluate new LWD tools that had not previously been available to gas hydrate drilling programs: a quadrupole acoustic tool and an azimuthal propagation resistivity tool. JIP Leg II was successful in determining the occurrence of gas hydrate within sand reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico, assessing current approaches for interpreting gas hydrate occurrence from geologic and geophysical data, and determining suitable sites for additional drilling and coring in future phases of the JIP program. Basic formation evaluation determined varying gas hydrate saturations in sand reservoirs at each site, and characterized laterally-continuous sections of gas hydrate-filled fractures in clays. The collection of a comprehensive LWD dataset through expected hydrate-bearing reservoirs validated both the site selection process and the logging program, providing new information on the nature of sediments and the occurrence of gas hydrate in the Gulf of Mexico. Lessons from JIP Leg II will help to refine future LWD logging programs in gas hydrate research. Introduction The Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project (JIP) is a cooperative research program between the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Minerals Management Service, and an Industry consortium led by Chevron. Since 2001, the JIP has been committed to achieving a better understanding of the safety hazards involved in drilling through hydrate-bearing sediments. Following a drilling, logging and coring expedition in 2005 (JIP Leg I) that centered on evaluating the fine-grained, clay-dominated sediments that typify the shallow sub-seafloor in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, the JIP focused a second drilling expedition on the occurrence of gas hydrates in sand-dominated reservoirs in order to assess geohazards as well as investigate gas hydrate resource potential (Boswell et al., 2009). Using a petroleum systems approach, the JIP identified three Leg II sites with the potential for gas hydrate-saturated sand reservoirs (Hutchinson et al., 2008). A logging-only strategy was taken in order to assess the greatest number of sites and test the effectiveness of the program's geological/geophysical site selection approach. The results of JIP Leg II would then be used to plan subsequent JIP field programs that would collect conventional and pressure-core samples from the most promising sites. This report describes the design of the logging program aboard the semi-submersible Helix Q4000, documents the acquisition of data and its initial processing, and discusses preliminary formation evaluation results in the Walker Ridge 313 (WR313), Green Canyon 955 (GC955), and Alaminos Canyon 21 (AC21) lease blocks.

  • Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project Leg II: Results From the Alaminos Canyon 21 Site
    All Days, 2010
    Co-Authors: Matthew Frye, Timothy S Collett, Ray Boswell, Emrys Jones, William Shedd, Paul Doucette Godfriaux, Rebecca Surcouf Dufrene, Myung W. Lee, Daniel R. Mcconnell, Stefan Mrozewski
    Abstract:

    Abstract The primary goal of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of Mexico) Joint Industry Project (JIP) Leg II drilling program was to locate and record the occurrence of gas hydrate in high-quality deepwater sand reservoirs. In the first week of May, 2009, the JIP utilized the Helix Q-4000 semi-submersible to drill and log two wells in the Diana sub-basin in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico at the Alaminos Canyon (AC) 21 Site. The AC 21-A and AC 21-B wells confirmed the presence of an areally extensive, sand-rich deepwater fan system that was predicted from Industry 3-D seismic data and existing Industry well penetrations. The primary targets were encountered within 600 ft of the seafloor, well above the predicted base of gas hydrate stability depth of approximately 1,500 feet below sea floor (fbsf). The target sand reservoirs as seen in the A and B wells measured 62 ft and 125 ft, respectively, and contained elevated formation resistivity consistent with low to moderate saturations of gas hydrate (20% to 40%). The interface between the overlying shales and the hydrate-bearing sands is one of high acoustic impedance, thus providing an anomalous response on the 3-D seismic data with a strong peak-leading top. Introduction In April, 2009, the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of Mexico) Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project (the " JIP??) conducted its Leg II operations at three Sites in the northern Gulf of Mexico (Figure F1) using the semi-submersible Helix Q-4000 (see Boswell et al., 2009a). These locations were selected to test geological and geophysical analyses conducted with the intent of locating gas hydrate-bearing sand reservoirs (see Hutchinson et al., 2009a, 2009b; Shedd et al., 2009b) and conducting comprehensive logging while drilling (LWD) operations (see Collett et al., 2009b) in advance of planned Leg III coring and pressure coring. This report presents the geologic setting and initial scientific results of LWD operations conducted at the Alaminos Canyon block 21 site (Site AC21). Detailed descriptions of the LWD operations and data acquisition for this site are provided in Mrozewski et al. (2009) and Guerin et al. (2009). The AC 21 site lies within the northwestern Gulf of Mexico along the boundary between the Alaminos Canyon and East Breaks (EB) protraction areas (Figure F2). It is one of two drill sites evaluated by the JIP for possible Leg II operations within the Diana intra-slope basin (Shedd et al., 2009b). Three well locations were permitted at Site AC 21 to test gas hydrate targets, including two wells in block AC 21 and a third in block AC 65. An additional drill site, including four permitted wells, was in EB block 992 (Site EB 992). Both sites featured very similar geologic targets. Site EB 992 is approximately nine miles to the east/northeast of Site AC 21 and located in the central part of the Diana basin (Figure F2). At all of the target locations, thick sandstone reservoirs (50 ft to 200 ft) were predicted based on the integration of existing Industry well data and seismic attribute analysis from 3-D seismic data. Low to moderate saturations of gas hydrate were predicted in these reservoirs based on the slightly elevated formation resistivity measured in the EB 992 #001 Industry well and the high impedance leading peak event associated with the seismically-defined top of the sandy facies. A primary scientific objective of the drilling was to collect high-quality LWD data through this sand facies to further refine estimates of gas hydrate saturations.

  • scientific results from gulf of mexico gas hydrates joint Industry Project leg 1 drilling introduction and overview
    Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2008
    Co-Authors: Carolyn D Ruppel, Ray Boswell, Emrys Jones
    Abstract:

    The Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrates Joint Industry Project (JIP) is a consortium of production and service companies and some government agencies formed to address the challenges that gas hydrates pose for deepwater exploration and production. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and with scientific assistance from the U.S. Geological Survey and academic partners, the JIP has focused on studies to assess hazards associated with drilling the fine-grained, hydrate-bearing sediments that dominate much of the shallow subseafloor in the deepwater (>500 m) Gulf of Mexico. In preparation for an initial drilling, logging, and coring program, the JIP sponsored a multi-year research effort that included: (a) the development of borehole stability models for hydrate-bearing sediments; (b) exhaustive laboratory measurements of the physical properties of hydrate-bearing sediments; (c) refinement of new techniques for processing Industry-standard 3-D seismic data to constrain gas hydrate saturations; and (d) construction of instrumentation to measure the physical properties of sediment cores that had never been removed from in situ hydrostatic pressure conditions. Following review of potential drilling sites, the JIP launched a 35-day expedition in Spring 2005 to acquire well logs and sediment cores at sites in Atwater Valley lease blocks 13/14 and Keathley Canyon lease block 151 in the northern Gulf of Mexico minibasin province. The Keathley Canyon site has a bottom simulating reflection at ∼392 m below the seafloor, while the Atwater Valley location is characterized by seafloor mounds with an underlying upwarped seismic reflection consistent with upward fluid migration and possible shoaling of the base of the gas hydrate stability (BGHS). No gas hydrate was recovered at the drill sites, but logging data, and to some extent cores, suggest the occurrence of gas hydrate in inferred coarser-grained beds and fractures, particularly between 220 and 330 m below the seafloor at the Keathley Canyon site. This paper provides an overview of the results of the initial phases of the JIP work and introduces the 15 papers that make up this special volume on the scientific results related to the 2005 logging and drilling expedition.

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