RELATION BETWEEN SEDIMENTATION AND GAS HYDRATE RESERVOIRS IN THE NORTHERN SLOPE OF SOUTH CHINA SEA

Until the end of 2007, 132 gas hydrate sites have been directly found or inferred worldwide with many locations showing biological markers and carbonate mass. In the gas hydrates bearing sediments,formation and distribution of gas hydrates are mainly controlled by specified pressure and temperature,and they are also often associated with sedimentary conditions. In May 2007, gas hydrate cores were successfully recovered in the northern slope of South China Sea, conforming the existence of vast gas hydrate resources. Through the studies of distribution characteristics of seismic facies and sedimentary facies,together with data of sequence stratigraphy and sedimentary system in the sediments of central northern slope of South China Sea, we identify features of sedimentary sequences and further analyze and discuss relation between sedimentary conditions and accumulation of gas hydrate reservoirs in this region.