Correcting MIS5e and 5a sea-level estimates for tectonic uplift, an example from southern California
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
Authors: Simms, Alexander R.; Rood, Dylan H.; Rockwell, Thomas K.
Abstract
Along tectonically active margins, the difference in elevations between global sea levels during high-stands and uplifted marine terraces is a function of both tectonics and glacial-isostatic adjustment (GIA). However, disentangling the relative influence of these two processes remains a challenge for those trying to gain insights into either process. In this study, we outline a strategy for isolating the tectonic contribution to marine isotope stage (MIS) 5e and 5a marine terrace elevations for the southern California coast by determining the cosmogenic radionuclide burial age and elevation of the early Pleistocene (1.48 +/- 0.17 Ma) Clairemont Terrace in San Diego. Using this older terrace as a datum for calculating tectonic uplift rate provides a much longer time period to average out uncertainties in past local or relative sea levels (RSL) that arise from ambiguities in GIA parameters and global meltwater volumes. The assumption of constant uplift rates is warranted for this portion of the California coast given its relatively simple tectonic setting on the rift flank of the Salton Trough. From this approach, we determine an average uplift rate of 0.066 +/- 0.020 mm/yr or 0.055 +/- 0.013 mm/yr, depending on the RSL model used for the time of the Clairemont Terrace formation, for much of the San Diego coastline. Correcting for this tectonic uplift rate leaves an estimate of 15.1 + 2.6/-3.1 m (16.4 + 1.9/-2.6 m) and 4.8 +/- 1.9 m (5.6 +/- 1.5 m) for RSL during MIS5e and MIS5a, respectively. These new estimates of MIS5e and MIS5a sea levels along the southern California coast provide important constraints on GIA parameters and former ocean and ice volumes. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Unlocking the deepwater natural gas hydrate's commercial potential with extended reach wells from shallow water: Review and an innovative method
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
Authors: Chen, Xuyue; Yang, Jin; Gao, Deli; Hong, Yuqun; Zou, Yiqi; Du, Xu
Abstract
Deepwater natural gas hydrate (NGH) is generally accepted as a promising energy source for humanity in the coming future due to its huge amount of available reserves on earth. However, as deepwater NGH reservoirs always have restricted accessibility, harsh engineering conditions and high operation risk, their development has been considered technically and economically less viable. Worldwide field production tests have indicated that the current techniques are not able to commercially develop deepwater NGH independently. Therefore, technological revolutions for deepwater NGH development is pressing to unlock deepwater NGH's commercial potential. The purpose of this work is twofold. First, the state-of-art research on the NGH reservoirs development and extended reach wells (ERWs) technology are comprehensively reviewed. In addition to summarize the previous research achievements, the limitations and insightful suggestions are put forward for future deepwater NGH development. Second, inspired by the development of ERWs technology and its great success in maximum depletion of the offshore unconventional oil & gas reservoirs, an innovative method for unlocking the deepwater NGH's commercial potential with ERWs from shallow water is proposed. With the benefits of improving the deepwater NGH reservoirs drainage, taking full advantage of the formation geothermal heat beneath shallow water, combining depressurization with the thermal simulation technique though linking the deepwater NGH reservoirs with multiple free gas deposits in shallower water with a single wellbore, getting free of engineering and geological risks in deepwater, minimizing the cost and environmental footprint, the innovative method may promote the commercial viability of deepwater NGH development and trigger the next boom in the unconventional oil & gas development after shale gas.