| Institution: | (1) Research & Development Division, Korea Gas Corporation, 973, Dongchun-dong, 406-130 Incheon, Yeonsu-gu, Korea;(2) Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, 30, Gajeong-dong, 305-350 Daejeon, Yuseong-gu, Korea;(3) Pacific Geoscience Centre, Geological Survey of Canada, 9860 W. Saanich Rd., P. O. Box 6000, V0S1M0 Sidney, B.C, Canada |
| Abstract: | Recently, several countries have conducted projects to explore and develop natural gas hydrate, which is one of the new alternative
energy resources for the future. In Korea, a five-year national research project was initiated in 2000. As part of this project,
a seismic survey was performed in the East Sea of Korea to quantify the potential magnitude and distribution of natural gas
hydrates. Multi-channel seismic data and core samples have been acquired and recovered in the survey area. Analysis of seismic
data show clear bottom simulating reflectors (BSRs), seismic blank zones (or wipe-out zones) with velocity pull-up structure,
and pock-marks. In this study, we present the results of seismic surveys which indicate the existence of natural gas hydrates
in Korean offshore areas. These results will be applied to select areas for coring (or drilling) and detailed exploration
such as 2D seismic survey with long offset or 3D seismic in the future. |
