Introduction to Key Laboratory of Gas Hydrate, Ministry of Natural Resources

The Key Laboratory of Gas Hydrate, Ministry of Natural Resources, established in 2012 belongs to Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, China Geological Survey. Prof. Neng-you Wu is the Director of Laboratory and Prof. Yu-guang Ye is the Director of Academic Committee (Fig. 1). Now, the laboratory has been recognized as one of the leading laboratories in the world in terms of gas hydrate experimental technology.

Fig. 1. Group photo of the second academic committee.

1. The research orientation and major research areas

1.1. Research orientation

The research orientation of the laboratory is the frontier and the application basic research of gas hydrate. Based on its advantages and features in disciplinary development, the laboratory continuously integrates the advantageous resources to improve its research level. It persists in combining testing technology, simulating experiment and theoretical research related to hydrates and carries out comprehensive research on accumulation mechanism, distribution law, exploration and evaluation, development and utilization as well as environmental effect of hydrates to surmount relevant theoretical and technical problems, which can provide better service to the exploration and the development of gas hydrate of China.

1.2. Major research areas

(i) Gas hydrate simulation experiments and testing technologies.

(ii) Gas hydrate reservoir formation and evolution.

(iii) Gas hydrate resources exploration and evaluation technologies.

(iv) Gas hydrate development and utilization and environment effect.

A comprehensive study of the combination of microscopic, mesoscopic and macroscopic multi-scale numerical and experimental simulation, experimental testing and geological, geophysical and geochemical interpretation has been carried out to form the laboratory’s own characteristics and advantages (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2. Laboratory research contents and multi-scale integration.

2. Equipments

2.1. Modern analytical instruments

The modern analytical instruments include the laser raman spectrometer (Raman), solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR), magnetic resonance image (MRI), X-ray dffractometer (XRD), X-ray computed tomography (X-CT),high pressure differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), gas chromatography isotope ratio mass spectrometer (GC-ISMS)and cryogenic scanning electron microscope (SEM).

2.2. The self-developed equipments

In recent years, we have developed more than 20 sets of experimental facilities dedicated to gas hydrate, and have got over 90 patents granted for gas hydrate experimental techniques. These facilities include hydrate exploitation experimental equipments (e.g. Fig. 6 in Li YL, 2019),geophysical equipments, geochemical equipments, and the physical property measuring equipments. They are qualified to carry out experimental researches on hydrates, especially on testing physical parameters of hydrates such as elastic velocities, resistance, saturation, permeability and thermal conductivity.

3. Highlights of the scientific research

(i) The simulation experimental technologies of gas hydrate are developed. The physical parameters of hydratebearing sediments (including acoustic, mechanical, electrical parameters) and their relationship with hydrate saturation are systematically studied, relevant mathematical models established.

(ii) The experimental testing system of gas hydrate is established, including Raman spectroscopy, XRD, NMR,MRI, X-CT and SEM micro-analysis, which have been successfully applied to gas hydrate sample analysis.

(iii) A set of accurate and efficient exploration technology system has been formed independently, such as the multichannel seismic optimal selection zone with small track spacing, 3D stereoscopic detection locking target, drilling sampling and verification of target area.

(iv) A major breakthrough was made in the exploration of gas hydrate resources in special sea areas, gas hydrate samples were obtained for the first time in areas with high heat flow background in China. It is proved for the first time that gas hydrate can form in the shallow surface layer of the area. A theory of hydrate mineralization in back-arc basin with high heat flow background is proposed and preliminarily established.

(v) The theory of gas hydrate formation and migration and accumulation system is proposed and applied to study the mechanism of hydrate formation in the northern South China Sea, which guides the selection of hydrate drilling targets in 2013.

(vi) The idea of moderate sand control is put forward, and the sand production management system of hydrate exploitation reservoir with stable hydrate reservoir as the core is established.

4. International exchange and cooperation

4.1. International academic exchange

Prof. Neng-you Wu served as the President of the 8thInternational Conference on Natural Gas Hydrate (ICGH) and a member of the International Scientific Committee of the 9thand 10thICGH. Five members made special invitation report on international congresses. There are about 10 international academic exchange events annually in the laboratory.

The laboratory research team has conducted shot-term or one year visiting scholar exchanges with more than 20 laboratories or groups of famous scientists from abroad,including Prof. Werner F. Kuhs from University of Goettingen of Germany, Dr. Angus Best from National Oceanography Centre of UK, Prof. Bahman Tohidi from Heriot-Watt University, UK, Dr. Louis Geli from French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer), Dr.Ingo Pecher from University of Auckland, New Zealand, Dr.Praveen Linga from National University of Singapore, Prof.Amos Nur from American Academy of Engineering, Prof. E.Dendy Sloan from Colorado School of Mines, Prof. John Ripmeester from National Research Council, Canada.

4.2. International cooperation research

From November 2017 to January 2018, Dr. Gao-wei Hu participated in the IODP-372, carrying out logging and coring operations in the Hikarrani continental margin in New Zealand to explore the relationship between the gas hydrate and the submarine landslide.

As one of the organizers, the laboratory organized Sino-Korean gas hydrate workshop in 2016 and 2018, respectively(Fig. 3). Next, the workshop will be held every two years and China-South Korea plan to jointly apply for international cooperation via various scientific support projects.

Fig. 3. The first Korea-China Workshop on Gas Hydrate held in Jeju, Korea.

At present, laboratory combined with China University of Geosciences applied for the Sino-Japanese Intergovernmental Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation in the study of reservoir seepage response behavior and evolution mechanism in the process of exploitation.

5. Contact

Prof. Chang-ling Liu

The Key Laboratory of Gas Hydrate, Ministry of Natural Resources

No. 62 Fuzhou Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 266071, P.R.China

Tel: +86-532-85755855

E-mail: lchangling＠m(xù)ail.cgs.gov.cn

Website: http://www.qimg.cgs.gov.cn/