| Qingdao Institute of marine geology, China Geological Survey | Host |
| Citation: |
LI Shixing, SUN Yunbao, CAO Hong, GENG Wei, CHEN Wei, ZHANG Xilin, ZHANG Dong, XU Cuiling, CHEN Ye, ZHOU Yucheng, Lyu Taiheng, SUN Zhilei. Research progress on natural gas hydrate accumulation in shallow marine layers[J]. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 2025, 45(3): 120-131. doi: 10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.2024111502
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Research progress on natural gas hydrate accumulation in shallow marine layers
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Abstract
In the process of accelerating the global transition towards a low-carbon energy framework, natural gas hydrates, as a clean energy source with enormous energy potential, have become a core research area in the energy field. In the accelerated global move towards a low-carbon energy framework, natural gas hydrates, as a clean energy source with enormous energy potential, have become a core research area in the energy field. In particular, shallow marine natural gas hydrates have garnered significant interest due to their shallow depth, easy mining, sensitive to environmental conditions, and other attributes. In this study, we reviewed the latest research findings on the characteristics of shallow marine natural gas hydrate systems and examined the critical factors that influence their formation, including geological processes, gas sources, migration pathways, and reservoir properties. We also clarified the distribution characteristics of typical shallow natural gas hydrate deposits in the world and explored their critical roles of play in the oceanic carbon cycling and the shaping of deep-sea ecosystems. Furthermore, we discussed the promising prospects for the commercial development of shallow natural gas hydrates, and looked ahead the future research ideas and plans, to highlight this special potential energy resource and enhance the societal awareness and interest in the industrial exploitation of natural gas hydrates.
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References
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LI Shixing, SUN Yunbao, CAO Hong, GENG Wei, CHEN Wei, ZHANG Xilin, ZHANG Dong, XU Cuiling, CHEN Ye, ZHOU Yucheng, Lyu Taiheng, SUN Zhilei. Research progress on natural gas hydrate accumulation in shallow marine layers[J]. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 2025, 45(3): 120-131. doi: 10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.2024111502
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Figure 1.
The proven shallow hydrate formation mechanisms and fluid migration pathways in the Manila Trench region[11]
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Figure 2.
Synthesis of the relationship between oceanic shallow hydrates and shallow tectonics[31]
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Figure 3.
Spatial and temporal variability of shallow marine natural gas hydrates as the units of the ocean carbon cycle
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Figure 4.
Organisms in the Haima cold seep
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Figure 5.
Schematic of the formation and decomposition of gas hydrate “capacitors” in a cold seep chemosynthetic ecosystem[59]
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Figure 6.
Technical model of in-situ hydrate cultivation in the cold seep[70]