Estimate of gas hydrate resource, northwestern Gulf of Mexico continental slope

Estimates of gas hydrate sequestered on the northwestern Gulf of Mexico (NW GOM) continental slope are presented. The volume of gas hydrate reservoir i s estimated based on the relationship between geologic setting, water depth and the gas hydrate stability zone. A conceptual model of gas hydrate occu rrence defines two types of gas hydrate accumulations in the NW GOM: (1) st ructurally focused thermogenic and bacterial gas hydrate on the rims of min ibasins, and (2) disseminated bacterial methane hydrate that resides within minibasins. Structurally focused gas hydrate is estimated to contain simil ar to8-11x10(12) m(3) of C-1-C-5 hydrocarbon gas at standard temperature an d pressure (STP), representing an important target for future economic expl oitation. The estimated volume of bacterial methane hydrate in minibasins i s similar to2-3 x 10(12) m(3) of methane at STP, but appears to be too wide ly disseminated to represent a viable exploration target. Gas hydrate resou rce density estimated in this study is at least 15 times less than that cal culated from previous gas hydrate resource estimates in the GOM. Furthermor e, total gas hydrate resource in the GOM is not likely to significantly exc eed gas hydrate resource in the NWGOM estimated in this study. (C) 2001 Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.