Evolution of gas hydrates accumulation in zones of submarine mud volcanoes

Abstract

The article examines the processes of evolution of gas hydrate accumulations, related to submarine mud volcanoes. A mathematical model and the results of numerical modeling of the accumulation of gas hydrates in the seabed in the deep structures of underwater mud volcanoes are presented.
 Numerical analysis of the influence held feeder layer depth and pressure therein to the evolution of gas hydrate saturation confined to deep water mud volcanoes were performed. Modeling quantitatively showed that hydrate saturation in areas of underwater mud volcanoes is not constant and its evolution depends on the geophysical properties of the bottom medium (temperature gradient, porosity, permeability, physical properties of sediments) and the depth of the supply reservoir and pressure in it, and the rate of hydrate accumulation in tens and hundreds times the rate of hydrate accumulation in the sedimentary basins of passive continental margin.