Publication Date:
2016-01-19
Description:
Recent years have seen a steady increase in gas hydrate-related research in New Zealand, driven by several large-scale projects and strong international collaboration. The Hikurangi Margin, east of New Zealand’s North Island, is the country’s premier gas hydrate province. Here, much of the research has been focused on processes surrounding methane seepage out of the sea floor and on geological conditions that are likely to promote the deposition of concentrated hydrate deposits. Studies into submarine erosion and landslides related to gas hydrate systems have also been a major focus in this province. In particular, flattened ridge tops and submarine mass wasting deposits have been investigated that appear to be related to the up-slope termination of gas hydrate stability. Research is also being carried out to characterise animal communities of the seabed where methane seepage occurs, in order to provide ecological risk assessments for drilling activities. Elsewhere on New Zealand’s continental margins research is also accelerating. Several “frontier” basins around New Zealand are currently being explored with respect to their potential for hosting attractive gas hydrate deposits. A primary focus is to identify and characterise key elements of favourable depositional environments, with a longer-term aim of gas hydrate exploration drilling.
Type:
Conference or Workshop Item
,
NonPeerReviewed
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