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Jacek A. Majorowicz1,
Kirk G. Osadetz2
(1) Northern Geothermal, Edmonton, AB
(2) Geological Survey of Canada - Calgary, Calgary, AB
Abstract: Canadian gas hydrate distribution and volume
Gas hydrates occur widely in Canadian polar and continental shelf regions. Conditions favorable for gas hydrate formation and stability cover vast areas in the upper 2 km of many basins. Analysis suggests that the continental shelves and Arctic permafrost regions of Canada constitute one of the largest potential storehouses for gas hydrates worldwide. Gas hydrates have been detected in the Mackenzie Delta-Beaufort Sea and Arctic Archipelago in the north, and Davis Strait, the Labrador Shelf, Scotian Shelf and Grand Banks of Newfoundland, along the Canadian Atlantic margin and by bottom simulating seismic reflections and Ocean Drilling Project activities along the Canadian Pacific margin. The potential is distributed: 9.3 X 1012-2.7 X 1013 m in the Mackenzie Delta-Beaufort Sea, 8.3 X 1013-2.6 X 1014 m3 in the Arctic Archipelago, 5.4 X 1013-1.6 X 1014 m3 on the Atlantic Margin and 3.0 X 1012-9.3 X 1012 m3 on the Pacific Margin. The total amount of methane in Canadian hydrates is estimated to be 1.5- 4.6 X 1014 m3, as compared to a conventional Canadian gas potential of ~2.68 X 1013 m3. This implies that gas hydrates represent a possible future assurance of North American energy supply. Most Canadian gas hydrates are stable currently and for the foreseeable future, even when potential destabilizing factors are considered.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90914©2000 AAPG Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana