Dynamic simulation of gas hydrate reservoirs in the Shenhu area, the northern South China Sea

The north slope of the South China Sea is structurally characterized by a passive continental margin and has various Cenozoic oil- and gas-bearing depositional basins, where hydrocarbon resources are abundant, and the geological and tectonic settings, the temperature and pressure regimes as well as the methane-generative potential of thick organic-rich sediments are all favorable for the formation of gas hydrate. As a result, this region is also an ideal area for studying gas hydrate accumulations. In order to understand natural conditions of the gas hydrate formation, based on the typical 2-dimensional seismic image of the Shenhu area, a geological model of gas hydrate reservoirs was established and a dynamic simulation of gas hydrate accumulations was carried out as well. The results indicated that the temperature and pressure of the Shenhu area are appropriate for gas hydrate accumulations, source rocks there have a huge gas-generative potential and hydrocarbon migration conditions are favorable, providing an abundant gas source and good pathways for the gas hydrate formation. A forecasting model of the gas hydrate formation was given based on basin analysis, indicating that the Shenhu area is a better prospect area of gas hydrate because of its huge potential of gas hydrate resources.