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Numerical Simulation of Coastal Sub-Permafrost Gas Hydrate Formation in the Mackenzie Delta, Canadian Arctic

Author

Listed:
  • Zhen Li

    (GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
    Institute of Geosciences, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany)

  • Erik Spangenberg

    (GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, 14473 Potsdam, Germany)

  • Judith M. Schicks

    (GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
    Institute of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany)

  • Thomas Kempka

    (GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
    Institute of Geosciences, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany)

Abstract

The Mackenzie Delta (MD) is a permafrost-bearing region along the coasts of the Canadian Arctic which exhibits high sub-permafrost gas hydrate (GH) reserves. The GH occurring at the Mallik site in the MD is dominated by thermogenic methane (CH 4 ), which migrated from deep conventional hydrocarbon reservoirs, very likely through the present fault systems. Therefore, it is assumed that fluid flow transports dissolved CH 4 upward and out of the deeper overpressurized reservoirs via the existing polygonal fault system and then forms the GH accumulations in the Kugmallit–Mackenzie Bay Sequences. We investigate the feasibility of this mechanism with a thermo–hydraulic–chemical numerical model, representing a cross section of the Mallik site. We present the first simulations that consider permafrost formation and thawing, as well as the formation of GH accumulations sourced from the upward migrating CH 4 -rich formation fluid. The simulation results show that temperature distribution, as well as the thickness and base of the ice-bearing permafrost are consistent with corresponding field observations. The primary driver for the spatial GH distribution is the permeability of the host sediments. Thus, the hypothesis on GH formation by dissolved CH 4 originating from deeper geological reservoirs is successfully validated. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that the permafrost has been substantially heated to 0.8–1.3 °C, triggered by the global temperature increase of about 0.44 °C and further enhanced by the Arctic Amplification effect at the Mallik site from the early 1970s to the mid-2000s.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhen Li & Erik Spangenberg & Judith M. Schicks & Thomas Kempka, 2022. "Numerical Simulation of Coastal Sub-Permafrost Gas Hydrate Formation in the Mackenzie Delta, Canadian Arctic," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-25, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:14:p:4986-:d:858055
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Miao Fang & Xin Li & Hans W. Chen & Deliang Chen, 2022. "Arctic amplification modulated by Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and greenhouse forcing on multidecadal to century scales," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Zhen Li & Erik Spangenberg & Judith M. Schicks & Thomas Kempka, 2022. "Numerical Simulation of Hydrate Formation in the LArge-Scale Reservoir Simulator (LARS)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-27, March.
    3. Katie Taladay & Brian Boston & Gregory F. Moore, 2017. "Gas-In-Place Estimate for Potential Gas Hydrate Concentrated Zone in the Kumano Basin, Nankai Trough Forearc, Japan," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-23, October.
    4. Judah Cohen & Karl Pfeiffer & Jennifer A. Francis, 2018. "Warm Arctic episodes linked with increased frequency of extreme winter weather in the United States," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-12, December.
    5. Jacek Majorowicz & Kirk Osadetz & Jan Safanda, 2015. "Models of Talik, Permafrost and Gas Hydrate Histories—Beaufort Mackenzie Basin, Canada," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(7), pages 1-27, June.
    6. C. R. Burn & S. V. Kokelj, 2009. "The environment and permafrost of the Mackenzie Delta area," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 20(2), pages 83-105, April.
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