DE-FC26-01NT41330

Goal:
The goal of this project is to develop technology and data to assist in the characterization of naturally occurring gas hydrates in the deep water Gulf of Mexico (GOM) with the intent to create a better understanding of the impact of hydrates on safety and seafloor stability, provide data that can be used by scientists in their study of climate change, and provide data to assess if and how gas hydrates act as a trapping mechanism for shallow oil or gas reservoirs.

The Semi-Submersible Helix Q4000 used on the 21 day JIP Leg II Drilling and Logging Expedition

Performers / Contributors / JIP Members:

• Chevron Energy Technology Company – JIP partner, overall project management, Drilling and Coring team leader
• Schlumberger Oilfield Services – JIP member
• Halliburton Energy Services – JIP member
• ConocoPhillips Inc. – JIP member
• Total – JIP member
• Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation – JIP member
• Reliance Industries Ltd. – JIP member
• StatoilHydro - JIP Member
• Korean National Oil Company (KNOC) - JIP Member
• Minerals Management Service – non-cost-share JIP member
• Naval Research Lab – pre-cruise site geochemical and thermal investigation
• US Geological Survey – variety of contributions to the overall science program
• Rice University - Geologic Modeling
• Aumann & Associates Inc. - pressure coring tool evaluation and design
• Scripps Institute of Oceanography – Science lead
• Georgia Institute of Technology – Pre-cruise laboratory studies; development of new ship-based sampling equipment
• AOA Geophysics - contribution to seismic evaluation and field site selection and characterization
• GeoTek Ltd – pressure core analysis and transfer device development

Location:
Prime Contractor - Houston, Texas 77082
Subcontracts - Throughout United States
Field Activity – Gulf of Mexico

Background:
This project is developing technology and data to assist in the characterization of gas hydrates in the deep water GOM. The efforts undertaken in Phase 1 and 2 of the project reflect industry’s desire to more fully understand the safety issues related to conventional oil and gas operations in areas prone to hydrate occurrence. These goals necessitate utilization of advanced seismic processing, collection of samples to improve the validity of the assumptions that drive seismic interpretations, the determination of impact on wellbore stability, and the development of field sampling methods capable of providing the needed data.

Activities under Phase 3 of the project have shifted emphasis to that of concentrated, reservoir relevant gas hydrate occurrence in coarse grained intervals. This work will help to quantify the seismic and geologic hydrate prediction methodologies developed as a part of the project while also providing valuable insight into the behavior of concentrated hydrate occurrence. This activity will help move the program toward major goals of assessing the marine hydrate reservoir and the technical recoverability of marine hydrates.

Potential Impact:
Over the past half-century, the oil and gas industry has steadily marched into deeper and deeper waters of the Gulf of Mexico in search of oil and gas. As these wells progress further out into the realm of hydrate, assurance of the safety of the men and women who work offshore is of paramount importance. In addition, inefficiently dealing with the safety issues posed by hydrates adds significant costs to deep-water operations. Success of this project promises to remove one of the most poorly-understood risks currently facing the full realization of the nation’s deepwater oil and gas potential. In addition, the activities undertaken in the project will significantly advance hydrate science and the technologies employed in studying hydrates in the field, providing valuable tools and insights to researchers on many fronts of the methane hydrate issue, including hydrate’s role in global climate and its long-term potential as a supply source for natural gas.

The SonicVision tool used on Leg II.

Accomplishments:
Phase 1 and 2

• Conducted two workshops to define industry and academic research needs
• In May 2005,completed the 35-day JIP Leg I expedition to analyze and sample (through logging and coring) hydrate-bearing sediments at two sites in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.
• Collected an outstanding suite of well-logs and borehole seismic through the hydrate stability zone, and collected over 200 m of core.
• Completed an extensive array of laboratory studies on the physical and mechanical properties of fine-grained, hydrate-bearing sediments.
• Produced and field tested an array of new tools designed to enable ship-based handling and analyses of field samples.
• Furthered the development of pressure core capabilities by supporting the analysis of pressure cores taken during the Indian government's Summer 2006 expedition.
• Conducted a series of workshops throughout 2006 to set the criteria for selection, and to recommend, possible sites for additional field expeditions.
• Published scientific results of the 2005 expedition as a dedicated volume of the Journal of Marine and Petroleum Geology (November 2008)

Phase 3 (to date)

• Completed detailed site evaluation and selection for Phase 3A drilling and logging expedition (geophysical, geologic and hazard analyses as well as MMS permitting of potential drilling and logging sites). Sites selected as targets included Walker Ridge 313, Green Canyon 955, Alaminos Canyon 21/65, East Breaks 990 / 992 and Green Canyon 781/825.
• Developed scientific, operational, logistical and equipment plans for Phase 3A drilling and logging expedition.
• Identified and secured contracts for drill ship, tools, support and operational services for drilling / logging expedition
• Completed engineering level design for new pressure coring tool and pressure core transfer device (for use in Phase 3B coring leg)

  	Shown above are Leg II expedition scientists Ann Cook (LDEO), Dan McConnell (AOA Geophysics), Matt Frye (MMS), and Ray Boswell(NETL)

• Successfully completed the 21 day JIP Leg II Drilling and Logging Expedition
  • Seven wells drilled and logged at 3 different locations (WR313, GC 955 and AC21)
  • Demonstration of the occurrence of gas hydrates at high saturations in reservoir quality sands in the Gulf of Mexico (highly saturated hydrate bearing sands in 2 of of 3 locations)
  • Deposits found in close accordance with pre-drill predictions, demonstrating the validity of the gas hydrate exploration and appraisal tools and techniques used in finding, delineating and characterizing targeted accumulations
  • Logging featured the use of an advanced suite of logging-while-drilling tools that provided unprecedented 3-D images of the hydrate bearing sediments.
  • Wells drilled at WR313 represent the deepest gas hydrate research wells in the world to date
  • Discovery of some of the most promising marine hydrate accumulations in the world
  • Success sets the stage for further marine hydrate studies that will enable significant advances in the understanding of hydrate systems and their potential as a viable component of the world energy portfolio
• Presented preliminary Leg II scientific results and held discussions of future GoM hydrate research plans in a public JIP meeting held in August 2009.
• Initiated Phase 3B activity under the project (August 2009) and associated Leg III planning and support activities.
• Initiated the building of a new pressure coring tool and pressure core transfer devices.

Current Status (January 2010)
Activities under Phases 1 and 2 have been completed. Cruise reports, semi-annual project reports, as well as a special volume of peer-reviewed publications (Journal of Marine and Petroleum Geology – November 2008) which document the activity and findings from Phase 1 and 2 are currently available. Project Phase 3 was initiated October 1, 2007. Activities under Phase 3 are divided into two major field deployments (3A – drilling / logging, 3B – coring) and associated supporting activities.

Phase 3A has primarily been completed, with some post Leg II analyses and planning for publication of Leg II scientific results ongoing. Site selection and detailed scientific and operational planning for the drilling/logging expedition were completed in March 2009. The 21 day drilling and logging expedition was successfully completed on May 21, 2009, coming in on time, below budget and with zero safety incidents. The expedition completed drilling and logging of seven wells at three locations (WR313, GC955 and AC21) in the Gulf of Mexico. At least 2 of the 3 locations found highly saturated gas hydrate accumulations in reservoir quality sands and all deposits were found to be in close accordance with pre-drill predictions.

Results of the expedition represent a landmark in marine hydrate research by proving the existence of reservoir relevant occurrence of gas hydrate in the Gulf of Mexico and validating the tools and techniques used under the project to find and characterize gas hydrate accumulations. Full analysis of the vast volume of data collected during the expedition is underway and will be ongoing for some time. Preliminary Leg II results were presented and a discussion of future GoM hydrate research plans held during a public JIP meeting held in August 2009. The meeting was attended by approximately 55 persons representing industry, academia, foreign and domestic government agencies with an interest in hydrate research.

The project was given permission to begin activity under project Phase 3B in late August 2009. This project phase will involve the planning and carrying out of a separate hydrate expedition (JIP Leg III) involving additional logging and testing of new pressure core and core transfer tools, as well as limited coring activity. Phase 3B will also include Leg III follow on analyses, interpretation and dissemination of information generated from all project activities.

Planning of Leg III scientific and operational activities is underway within the project team and the manufacture of planned pressure coring and pressure core transfer tools for use in Leg III coring activity have been initiated. The timing of Leg III field activities will be dependent upon several variables including completion and readiness testing of the new pressure coring and core transfer equipment, schedule and availability of an appropriate drill ship, drill pipe, other necessary tools, and weather issues (working around hurricane season). It currently appears that the most likely timing of Leg III will be November – December 2010.

Project Start: September 30, 2001
Project End: September 30, 2010 (Pending likely extension to September 2011)

Project Cost Information:
Phase 1: DOE Contribution:$1,504,855, Recipient Contribution: $3,260,772
Phase 2: DOE Contribution:$10,992,620 , Recipient Contribution: $5,613,664
Planned Phase 3: DOE Contribution:$27,718,408 , Recipient Contribution: $5,878,557 (To Date, DOE Phase 3 obligation = $19,254,489)

Planned Total Funding (if project continues through all project phases):
DOE Contribution: $40,215,883, Performer Contribution: $14,752,993

Contact Information:
NETL – Rick Baker (richard.baker@netl.doe.gov or 304-285-4714)
Chevron Energy Technology Company   - Emrys Jones (ejones@chevron.com or 858-534-4212)

Additional Information:
In addition to the information provided here, a full listing of project related publications and presentations as well as a listing of funded students can be found in the Methane Hydrate Program Bibliography [PDF].

Semi-Annual Report April 2009 - September 2009  [PDF-1.08MB]

Semi-Annual Report October 2008 - March 2009  [PDF-1.55MB]

Semi-Annual Report April 2008 - September 2008  [PDF-265KB]

Semi-Annual Report October 2007 - March 2008  [PDF-933KB]

2008 ICGH Paper - Designing a Reservoir Flow Rate Experiment for the GOM Hydrate JIP Leg II LWD Drilling [PDF]

2008 ICGH Paper - Site Selection for DOE/JIP Gas Hydrates Drilling in the Northern Gulf of Mexico [PDF]

2008 ICGH Paper - Subsurface Characterization of the Hydrate Bearing Sediments Near Alaminos Canyon 818 [PDF]

2008 ICGH Paper - Observed Gas Hydrate Morphologies in Marine Sediment [PDF]

2008 ICGH Paper - Constraining Gas Hydrate Occurrence in the Northern Gulf of Mexico Continental Slope: Fine Scale Analysis of Grain-Size in Hydrate-Bearing Sediments [PDF]

2008 ICGH Paper - The Impact of Hydrate Saturation on the Mechanical, Electrical, and Thermal Properties of Hydrate-Bearing Sand, Silts, and Clay [PDF]

2005 GOM Final Cruise Report  [PDF-6.13MB]

Chevron JIP website - [external site] JIP information, cruise reports, and photos

Well Logs from the 2005 GOM Cruise [external site - Chevron JIP]

Results of Core Sample Analysis - Fugro Operations and Geotechnical Investigations [PDF-7.13MB]

Semi-Annual Report April 2007 - September 2007  [PDF-6.83MB]

Semi-Annual Report October 2006 - March 2007  [PDF-829KB]

Semi-Annual Report April 2006 - September 2006  [PDF-428KB]

Semi-Annual Report October 2005 - March 2006  [PDF-6.39MB]

Semi-Annual Report April 2005 - September 2005  [PDF-2.16MB]

Semi-Annual Report October 2004 - March 2005  [PDF-1.68MB]

Cruise Logging Report [PDF-1.12MB]

Spring 2005 GOM expedition website - includes science reports and a photo gallery

Measurements for Assessment of Hydrate Related Geohazards [PDF-151KB] DOE Topical Report for DOE Award Number DE-FC26-01NT41330. September 2004.

Measurements for Assessment of Hydrate Related Geohazards [PDF-194KB] - September, 2004

Protocols for Seismic Data Acquisition and Processing to Characterize Natural Gas Hydrate Deposits in Deepwater [PDF-137KB] DOE Topical Report for DOE Award Number DE-FC26-01NT41330. March 2004.

Theoretical Modeling and Analysis fro Gas Hydrate Quantification from Prestack Seismic Data in the Northern Deepwater Gulf of Mexico [PDF-15.5MB] - November, 2003

Gulf of Mexico Joint Industry Project [PDF-3063KB] - October, 2003

Results from the DOE Methane Hydrate R&D Conference and the Chevron JIP Workshop
[PDF-183KB] - November, 2003

Characterizing Natural Gas Hydrates in the Deep Water GOM [PDF-1295KB] - semiannual report - March, 2003

Fossil Energy techline: New Projects to Explore Energy Potential, Safety Issues of Methane Hydrates

Peer-Reviewed Publications:
Cooper, A., and P. Hart, 2003, High-resolution seismic-reflection investigation of the northern Gulf of Mexico gas-hydrate-stability zone, Marine and Petroleum Geology, Volume 19, p. 1275-1293.

Dai, J., H. Xu, F. Snyder, and N. Dutta, 2004, Detection and estimation of gas hydrates using rock physics and seismic inversion: Examples from the northern deepwater Gulf of Mexico, in Taylor, C., and J. Kwan, eds., Advances in the study of gas hydrates, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, p.117-139.

Francisca, F., T. Yun, C. Ruppel, and J. Santamarina, 2005, Geophysical and geotechnical properties of near-surface sediments in the Northern Gulf of Mexico gas hydrate province, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Volume 237, p. 924-939.

Francisca, F., J. Santamarina, and C. Ruppel, 2003, Gas hydrate in porous sediments, Experimental evidence for interparticle cementation, Geophysical Research Letters.

Hutchinson, D., P. Hart, C. Ruppel, F. Snyder, and B. Dugan, in review, Seismic and thermal characterization of a bottom simulating reflection in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, in Collett, T., A. Johnson, C. Knapp and R. Boswell, eds., Natural Gas Hydrates, Energy Resource and Associated Geologic Hazards, The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Hedberg Special Publication.

Hutchinson, D., C. Ruppel, H. Roberts, R. Carney, and M. Smith, 2005, in press, Gas hydrates in the Gulf of Mexico, in Holmes, C., ed., Gulf of Mexico—Its Origin (History, Archaeology, and Geology), Volume 1, Texas A&M University Press.

Lee, J., T. Yun, C. Santamarina, and C. Ruppel, Observations related to tetrahydrofuran and methane hydrates for laboratory studies of hydrate-bearing sediments [PDF-449KB], Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems Journal, Volume 8, Number 6, June, 2007.

Ruppel, C., N. Driscoll, E. Jones, and T. Collett, in preparation, Initial Science Results of the March 2005 Gas Hydrate Field Program, U.S. DOE/Chevron Gulf of Mexico Joint Industry Projects, Marine and Petroleum Geology.

Waite, W., C. Ruppel, and S. Kirby, 2006, Comment on “Thermal and visual time-series at a seafloor gas hydrate deposit on the Gulf of Mexico slope,” by I. MacDonald, L. Bender, M. Vardaro, B. Bernard, and J.M. Brooks [Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 233 (2005) 49_59], Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 245, 481- 482.

Yun, T., F. Francisca, J. Santamarina, and C. Ruppel, 2005, Compressional and shear wave velocities of uncemented sediment containing gas hydrate, Geophysical Research Letters 32, L10609, 2005. (DOI: 10.1029/2005GL022607).

Yun, T., G. Narsilio, and J. Santamarina, in review, Physical characterization of Gulf of Mexico sediments, Marine and Petroleum Geology.

Yun, T., G. Narsilio, J. Santamarina, and C. Ruppel, in press, Instrumented pressure testing chamber for characterizing sediment cores recovered at in situ hydrostatic pressure, Marine Geology.

Yun, T., J. Santamarina, and C. Ruppel, in review, Mechanical properties of sand, silt, and clay containing synthetic hydrate, submitted to Journal of Geophysical Research.

Government Reports:
Coffin, R., J. Gardner, J. Pohlman, R. Downer, and W. Wood, 2004, Methane hydrate exploration, Atwater Valley, Texas-Louisiana shelf: geophysical and geochemical profiles, Naval Research Laboratory Report.

Coffin, R., J. Pohlman, K. Grabowski, D. Knies, and R. Downer, 2004, Keathley Canyon, August 2003 Gulf of Mexico piston coring tested for prediction of hydrate exploration: Naval Research Laboratory Report.

Collett, T., 2005, Cruise Report: ChevronTexaco Gulf of Mexico JIP drilling program: downhole logging program, DOE-NETL Topical Report.

Evans, J., D. Fornari, L. Gilbert, M. Boyle, and J. Dougherty, 2005, Archive of raw bottom photographs collected during cruise P1-04-GM, northern Gulf of Mexico, June 21-24, U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2004-1285, available online (click here - external site).

Hart, P., D. Hutchinson, and M. Lee, 2005, High-resolution seismic-reflection data acquired in the northern Gulf of Mexico, 2003, U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1411, available online (click here - external site).

Holditch, S., and E. Jones, 2004, Protocols for seismic data acquisition and processing to characterize natural gas hydrate deposits in deepwater, U.S. DOE Topical Report, Award Number DE-FC26-01NT41330, available online (click here - [PDF-137KB]).

Holditch, S., and E. Jones, 2002, Results from the Data Collection Workshop, Modeling Workshop, and Drilling and Coring Methods Workshop as a part of the Joint Industry Participation (JIP) Project to characterize natural gas hydrates in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, U.S. DOE Topical Report, Award Number DE-FC26-01NT41330.

Jones, E., 2007, Characterizing Natural Gas Hydrates in the Deep Water Gulf of Mexico: Applications for Safe Exploration and Production Activities, U.S. DOE Semi-Annual Report, October 2006–March 2007, available online (click here - [PDF]).

Jones, E., 2006, Characterizing Natural Gas Hydrates in the Deep Water Gulf of Mexico: Applications for Safe Exploration and Production Activities, U.S. DOE Semi-Annual Report, April 2006–September 2006, available online (click here - [PDF]).

Jones, E., 2006, Characterizing Natural Gas Hydrates in the Deep Water Gulf of Mexico: Applications for Safe Exploration and Production Activities, U.S. DOE Semi-Annual Report, October 2005–March 2006, available online (click here - [PDF]).

Jones, E., 2006, Characterizing Natural Gas Hydrates in the Deep Water Gulf of Mexico: Applications for Safe Exploration and Production Activities, U.S. DOE Semi-Annual Report, April 2005–September 2005, available online (click here - [PDF]).

Jones, E., 2006, Characterizing Natural Gas Hydrates in the Deep Water Gulf of Mexico, Applications for Safe Exploration and Production Activities, U.S. DOE Semi-Annual Report, October 2004–March 2005, available online (click here - [PDF]).

Kleinberg, R., and E. Jones, 2004, Measurements for assessment of hydrate related geohazards, U.S. DOE Topical Report, Award Number DE-FC26-01NT41330, Chevron Energy Technology Company, 30 pp., available online (click here - [PDF]).

Schlumberger, 2003, Theoretical modeling and analysis for gas hydrate quantification from pre-stack seismic data in the northern deepwater Gulf of Mexico, U.S. DOE Topical Report, Award Number DE-FC26-01NT41330, Chevron Energy Technology Company, 130 pp., available online (click here - [PDF]).

Shipboard Science Party, 2006, Cruise Report for the Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project: Covering the cruise of the drilling vessel Uncle John Mobile, Alabama to Galveston, Texas Atwater Valley Blocks 13/14 and Keathley Canyon Block 151, 17 April to 22 May, available online (click here - [PDF]). Individual sections listed below alphabetically by author.

Collett, T., Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate JIP Drilling Program Downhole Logging Program.

Conte, A., and B. Bloys, Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrates Joint Industry Project Operational Summary of 2005 Drilling and Coring Program.

Dugan, B., Geomechanical Characteristics of Sediments from Atwater Valley and Keathley Canyon, Northern Gulf of Mexico.

Hippe, F., Geotechnical Investigation, Chevron Gulf of Mexico Hydrates JIP, Results of Core Sample Analysis Standard and Advanced Laboratory Testing, Report No. 0201-5081, prepared by Fugro-McClelland Marine Sciences for Chevron Energy Technology Company.

Kastner, M., G. Claypool, and G. Robertson, Pore Water Geochemistry--2005 Gulf of Mexico JIP Cruise.

Lorenson, T., J. Dougherty, and G. Claypool, Natural Gas Geochemistry—2005 Gulf of Mexico JIP Cruise.

Ruppel, C., and J. Santamarina, Preliminary Results: Georgia Tech Instrumented Pressure Testing Chamber Deployed on JIP Gas Hydrate Drilling Program in Gulf of Mexico, April to May 2005.

Schultheiss, P., M. Holland, and J. Roberts, Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrates Joint Industry Project Pressure Coring and Core Logging.

Snyder, G., L. Hubbard, B. Dugan, and G. Dickens, Total iodine, bromine, and barium concentrations in pore waters from the Atwater Valley area, Gulf of Mexico: Preliminary results from the Gas Hydrates JIP Cruise.

Other Publications:
Claypool, G., 2005, Joint industry project (JIP) Gulf of Mexico gas hydrate coring update, U.S. DOE-NETL Fire in the Ice Newsletter, Summer.

Dai, J., H. Xu, F. Snyder, and N. Dutta, 2004, Detection and estimation of gas hydrates using rock physics and seismic inversion; e examples from the northern deepwater Gulf of Mexico, The Leading Edge, Volume 23, p. 60-66.

Hart, P., D. Hutchinson, and B. Dugan, 2003, USGS conducts deepwater gas hydrate research cruise in the northern Gulf of Mexico, U.S. DOE-NETL Fire in the Ice Newsletter, Fall.

Jones, E., and S. Holditch, 2004, Characterizing natural gas hydrates in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, Yokohama, Japan, Proceedings, Fourth International Symposium on Methane Hydrates.

Presentations:
Birchwood, R., 2005, Wellbore Stability Model for Marine Sediments Containing Gas Hydrates, Houston, TX, American Association of Drilling Engineers National Drilling Technology Conference, April 5-7.

Boswell, R., 2006, U.S. DOE/Chevron Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrates Joint Industry Project, Washington, DC, Meeting of the Methane Hydrates Federal Advisory Committee, November 8.

Boswell, R., 2006, U.S. DOE/Chevron Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrates Joint Industry Project, Washington, DC, Meeting of the Methane Hydrates Federal Advisory Committee, April 24.

Coffin, R., J. Gardner, J. Pohlman, R. Downer, and W. Wood, 2005, Methane Hydrate Exploration, Atwater Valley, Texas-Louisiana Shelf: Geophysical and Geochemical Profiles, Victoria, BC, Canada, Fourth International Methane Hydrate Research and Development Workshop, May.

Coffin, R., J. Pohlman, W. Wood, J. Gardner, R. Plummer, and J. Gettrust, 2005, Geochemical Evaluation of Piston Core Porewater on Atwater Valley, Gulf of Mexico, Variation in Vertical Methane Gradients, San Francisco, CA, EOS, American Geophysical Union, December 5-9.

Collett, T., A. Conte, L. Loh, H. Hoong, D. Goldberg, 2005, Preliminary analysis of the downhole of Mexico Gas Hydrate JIP cruise, American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2005, paper OS31D-02, San Francisco, CA, December 5-9.

Cook, A., D. Goldberg, and R. Kleinberg, 2006, Cohesive strength of gas hydrate-bearing marine sediments, The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Annual Meeting, April 9-12.

Dai, J., N. Dutta, and H. Xu, 2006, Gas hydrate estimation using rock physics modeling and seismic inversion, Baltimore, MD, American Geophysical Union Joint Assembly, May 23-26.

Dai, J., R. Kleinberg, H. Xu, and N. Dutta, 2005, Rock physics models of gas hydrates and their implications in seismic detection, Houston, TX, Offshore Technology Conference, May 2-5.

Dai, J., H. Xu, F. Snyder, and N. Dutta, 2004, Detection and quantification of gas hydrates in the Gulf of Mexico: An integrated five-step workflow, 66th European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers, Paris, France, June 7-10.

Dai, J., H. Xu, F. Snyder, L. Muller, A. Koesoemadinata, D. Gillespie, G. Wool, and N. Dutta, 2004, Physical Rock Properties of Gas Hydrate Bearing Sediments, Geophysical Modeling, Inversion and Quantitative Volumetric Estimation in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico, Dallas, TX, The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Annual Meeting, April 18-21.

Dai, J., R. Kleinberg, H. Xu, and N. Dutta, 2004, Seismic Detection and Quantification of Gas Hydrates, Vancouver, BC, Canada, The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Hedberg Conference, September 12-16.

Dutta, N., J. Dai, and X. Haibin, 2004, Seismic detection and quantification of gas hydrates in the Gulf of Mexico, Florence, Italy, Second International Geological Conference, August 23-27.

Dutta, N., R. Kleinberg, J. Dai, and H. Xu, 2005, Natural gas hydrates estimation using seismic inversion and rock physics, New Orleans, LA, American Geophysical Union Spring Meeting 2005, May 23-27.

Dutta, N., H. Xu, and J. Dai, 2005, Seismic detection and quantification of gas hydrate using rock physics and inversion, New Delhi, India, PetroTech, January 15-19.

Dutta, N., 2005, Emerging technology application aimed at characterization of gas hydrates and free gas underneath BSR, Second International Congress on Geosciences in Petroleum Industry, AMGE, September 4-7.

Dutta, N., J. Dai, and H. Xu, 2004, Seismic detection and quantification of gas hydrates in the Gulf of Mexico, Florence, Italy, 32nd International Geological Conference, August 23-27.

Dutta, N., L. Muller, J. Dai, and R. Utech, 2003, Seismic detection of gas hydrates, The American Association of Petroleum Geologists International Conference, Barcelona, Spain, September 21-24.

Dutta, N., 2004, Gas hydrates – detection and quantification for resource assessment and risk mitigation, Houston, TX, Global Energy Forum, Rice University, October 12.

Hagen, R., J. Gardner, and W. Wood, 2004, Thermal Measurements Over Hydrate Mounds in Atwater Valley, Gulf of Mexico, San Francisco, CA, American Geophysical Union Annual Fall Meeting, December 13-17.

Hart, P., D. Hutchinson, G. Dugan, M. Fowler, W. Wood, F. Snyder, N. Dutta, R. Coffin, J. Gardner, R. Hagen, R. Evans, and D. Fornari, 2005, A multidisciplinary investigation of a deepwater gas hydrate mound, Atwater Valley, northern Gulf of Mexico, Victoria, BC, Canada, Fourth International Workshop on Methane Hydrate R&D, May 9-11.

Hutchinson, D., P. Hart, F. Snyder, M. Lee, N. Dutta, L. Muller, B. Dugan, C. Ruppel, W. Wood, R. Coffin, R. Evans, and E. Jones, 2003, Evidence of subsurface gas hydrate in the northern Gulf of Mexico, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 8-12.

Hutchinson, D., C. Ruppel, J. Pohlman, P. Hart, B. Dugan, F. Snyder, and R. Coffin, 2004, An integrated geological, geophysical, and geochemical analyses of subsurface gas hydrates in the northern Gulf of Mexico, Vancouver, BC, Canada, The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Hedberg Research Conference, September 12-16.

Hutchinson, D., F. Snyder, P. Hart, C. Ruppel, J. Pohlman, W. Wood, R. Coffin, and M. Edwards, 2005, Geologic and site survey setting for JIP Gulf of Mexico gas hydrate drilling, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 5-9.

Hutchinson, D., C. Ruppel, J. Pohlman, P. Hart, F. Snyder, N. Dutta, B. Dugan, and R. Coffin, 2005, Geophysical and geochemical characterization of the hydrate stability zone in a region of active salt tectonics, Keathley Canyon, Northern Gulf of Mexico, Victoria, AB, Canada, Fourth International Hydrates Conference, May 2005.

Hutchinson, D., P. Hart, C. Ruppel, F. Snyder, N. Dutta, W. Wood, J. Pohlman, B. Dugan, M. Fowler, R. Evans, D. Fornari, and R. Coffin, 2005, Multidisciplinary studies contrasting gas hydrate occurrence at two sites in the northern Gulf of Mexico, Offshore Technology Conference, May 2-5.

Hutchinson, D., T. Collett, C. Ruppel, and H. Roberts, 2006, invited, Heterogenetigy and dynamics in gas hydrate occurrence: lessons learned from the northern Gulf of Mexico, Kauai, HI, Science and Technology Issues in Methane Hydrates Research and Development, March 5-9.

Hutchinson, D., C. Ruppel, T. Collett, J. Pohlman, P. Hart, and F. Snyder, 2006, Minibasins and subsurface gas hydrate in the Gulf of Mexico, Fukuoka, Japan, 17th International Sedimentological Congress, August 27-September 1.

Jones, E., 2006, Overview of GOM JIP Leg 1 Drilling, Kauai, HI, ECI Science and Technology Issues in Methane Hydrate R&D, March 5-9.

Jones, E., 2005, Pre-cruise Estimates of Sediment Properties for the 2005 Chevron et al Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Research Coring Project, Vancouver, BC, Canada, The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Hedberg Research Conference, September 12-16.

Jones, E., and S. Holditch, 2005, Pre-cruise Estimates of Sediment Properties for the 2005 Chevron Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Research Coring Project, Houston, TX, Offshore Technology Conference, May 2-5.

Lorenson, T., J. Dougherty, J., G. Claypool, 2005, Preliminary results from the Chevron Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrates JIP: Hydrocarbon Gases in Sediments, paper OS42A-04, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2005, December 5-9.

Pohlman, J., C. Ruppel, D. Hutchinson, P. Hart, R. Plummer, D. Kniew, K. Grabowski, and R. Coffin, 2005, The effects of mass deposition, gas flux and salt diapirs on surface sediment geochemistry in Keathley Canyon (northern Gulf of Mexico), American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, December 5-9.

Pohlman, J., W. Wood, T. Boyd, R. Coffin, C. Ruppel, D. Hutchinson, P. Hart, and B. Dugan, 2004, Interstitial sulfate gradients as indicators of gas hydrates: How reliable are they?, Florence, Italy, International Geological Conference, August 20-28.

Ruppel, C., D. Hutchinson, B. Dugan, and P. Hart, 2004, Predicting the subsurface distribution of gas hydrate in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, The American Association of Petroleum Geologists, AAPG Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, April 18-21.

Santamarina, J., T. Yun, J. Lee, A. Martin, F. Francisca, and C. Ruppel, 2005, Mechanical, thermal and electromagnetic properties of hydrate-bearing clay, silt, and sand at various confining pressures, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, December 5-9.

Santamarina, J., F. Francisca, T. Yun, J. Lee, A. Martin, and C. Ruppel, 2004, Mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of hydrate-bearing sediments, The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Hedberg Research Conference, Vancouver, BC, Canada, September 12-16.

Santamarina, J., C. Ruppel, J. Lee, T. Yun, F. Francisca, and A. Martin, 2005, Physical Properties of Hydrate Bearing Porous Sediments, Trondheim, Norway, Fifth International Conference on Gas Hydrates, June 13-16.

Smith, M., 2004, Seismic Prediction and Operational Results for Gulf of Mexico Wells in Gas-Hydrate Areas, Vancouver, BC, Canada, The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Hedberg Research Conference, September 12-16.

Smith, M., and W. Shedd, 2004, Effects of Gas Hydrate on Seafloor and Borehole Stability in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico – Seismic Prediction and Drilling Results, Dallas, TX, The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Annual Meeting, April 16-21. Smith, M., W. Shedd, and J. Hunt, 2003, Identification of Deepwater Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrates – From Seismic Prediction to Joint Industry Project Drilling and Coring, Barcelona, Spain, The American Association of Petroleum Geologists International Conference, September 21-24.

Smith, M., W. Kou, A. Ahmed, and R. Kuzela, 2005, The Significance of Gas Hydrate as a Geohazard in Gulf of Mexico Exploration and Production, Houston, TX, Offshore Technology Conference, May 3.

Snyder, F., L. Muller, N. Dutta, D. Hutchinson, P. Hart, M. Lee, B. Dugan, C. Ruppel, W. Wood, R. Coffin, R. Evans, and E. Jones, 2004, Seismic analysis and characterization of gas hydrates in the northern deepwater Gulf of Mexico, Dallas, TX, The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Annual Meeting, April 16-21.

Snyder, F., 2005, Seismic analysis and characterization of gas hydrates in the northern deepwater Gulf of Mexico, Dallas, TX, The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Annual Meeting, April 16-21.

Winters, W., W. Waite, I. Pecher, D. Mason, D. Hutchinson, L. Gilbert, R. Birchwood, S. Noeth, and E. Jones, 2004, Comparison of methane gas hydrate formation on physical properties of fine- and coarse-grained sediments, Vancouver, BC, Canada, The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Hedberg Research Conference, September 12-16.

Wood, W., P. Hart, R. Coffin, J. Gardner, and J. Gettrust, J., 2005, High Resolution Seismic Images of the Gulf of Mexico Joint Industry Program Drilling Transect, San Francisco, CA, American Geophysical Union, December 5-9.

Wood, W., D. Hutchinson, P. Hart, F. Snyder, C. Voss, N. Dutta, L. Muller, M. Lee, J. Gardner, B. Dugan, C. Ruppel, R. Coffin, R. Evans, and E. Jones, 2003, Constraints on Subsurface gas and gas Hydrate Distribution in a Gulf of Mexico Mound, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 8-12.

Wood, W., J. Gardner, R. Hagen, R. Coffin, J. Pohlmann, P. Hart, and D. Hutchinson, 2004, Modeling heat and fluid flux of seafloor mounds in the Gulf of Mexico, Transactions, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 13-17.

Yun, T., G. Narsilio, J. Lee, J. Santamarina, and C. Ruppel, 2005, Physical properties of a Keathley Canyon pressure core maintained at in situ pressure and measured in a new instrumented pressure testing chamber, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 5-9.