--> Identifying Surface Expressions of Shallow Gas Hydrates Using Remote Sensing – GIS in the Alaska North Slope, by Kristin Dean; #90035 (2004)
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IDENTIFYING SURFACE EXPRESSIONS OF SHALLOW GAS HYDRATES USING REMOTE SENSING – GIS IN THE ALASKA NORTH SLOPE

Kristin Dean
University of Alaska Fairbanks, Geophysical Institute, P.O. Box 757320

As conventional oil and gas reservoirs deplete, the demand for Previous HitunconventionalNext Hit Previous HitresourcesNext Hit grows stronger. The North Slope of Alaska has enormous potential for Previous HitunconventionalNext Hit oil and gas in the form of viscous oil, gas hydrates and coalbed methane. Trapping and utilizing these Previous HitresourcesNext Hit will help to meet the growing national energy needs and also generate more jobs, boosting Alaska’s economy. This study uses remote sensing and field based observation to identify surface features associated with migrating or trapped hydrocarbons in parts of the Alaska North Slope (ANS). Surface features such as ice core pingos are identified in the field as one of the promising gas hydrate traps.

Digital image processing of remotely sensed data carried out in this study has shown great potential to identify pingos based on the associated vegetation anomalies and characteristic elevated morphology. An Previous HitintegratedTop analysis of local structural trends and pingo distribution in the study area reveals a higher concentration of pingos along the Eileen Fault Zone. This correlation is very significant as the 8,000 ft. deep Eileen Fault may serve as a conduit for migrating gases, which may get trapped and concentrated in the ice cores of pingos.