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Gas Hydrate Deposits of Krishna Godavari Basin, India: Issues and

Potentiality in Exploration and Commercial Production
Vinay K. Sahay, MEPL and Arthur H. Johnson, Hydrate Energy International

Copyright 2014, Offshore Technology Conference

This paper was prepared for presentation at the Offshore Technology Conference held in Houston, Texas, USA, 58 May 2014.
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Abstract
Gas hydrate, is an important energy resource, occurring in sediments on the continental margin of the India Ocean. Quite
significant scientific and commercial interest has been generated in India with a 130 m thick gas hydrate discovery in shale in
Krishna Godavari Basin. This paper presents the evaluation results of seismic, logging while drilling, and core data in the
context of exploring those issues which are relevant in the commercial production of gas hydrate deposits of Krishna Godavari
Basin. Apart from this, we discuss the scientific and technological issues and potentialities in commercial exploitation of
Krishna Godavari gas hydrate deposits.
Evaluation of logging-while-drilling (LWD) sonic log data of Krishna Godavari Basin shows an increase of relative velocity in
the gas hydrate bearing zone. Apart from this, the LWD density log data also shows a relative increase of density in gas
hydrate bearing zone in Krishna Godavari Basin. Increase in relative velocity and density of the zone under evaluation may be
ascribed due to presence of gas hydrate (as a solid mass, increasing overall cohesiveness of hosting lithology shale, present
within the depth boundary of gas hydrate stability zone). The sonic and density log validates their use as an important tool in
demarcation of gas hydrate bearing zones and gas hydrate reserve estimations, calibrating and integrating with core-based gas
hydrate saturation data. Evaluation of seismic sections, however, does not show the BSR (Bottom Simulating Reflector) as a
full proof and conclusive proxy for the presence/absence of gas hydrates as has been observed from the data of KG Basin.
Precaution should have to be exercised while utilizing BSR, in seismic data evaluation and interpretation, in the identification
of gas hydrate.
Investigation and evaluation of the data of the Krishna Godavari Basin gas hydrate deposits indicate the potential for
commercial production utilizing presently available knowledge of science and technology for finding viable accumulations of
gas hydrates. Apart from the above discussed aspects, the paper also provides some suggestions which can be utilized and
integrated with the National Gas Hydrate Program, India to resolve many issues.
Introduction
The Krishna Godavari (K-G) Basin is a peri-cratonic passive margin basin on the east coast of India (Fig. 1). The basins
characteristic feature is its en echelon horst and graben system which is filled with a thick pile of sediments of Permian-toRecent age. Large quantities of gas hydrate were discovered while drilling in the Krishna-Godavari Basin in May-August 2006
with the research drillship JOIDES Resolution. These drilling results also showed significant inhomogeneity in hydrate
distribution. The drilling at Site NGHP-01-10 discovered a 130 m thick gas hydrate accumulation (DGH Report 2007-2008;
Collett et al. 2008; Dewangan et al. 2009). Quite significant scientific and commercial interest has been generated in India
with this 130 m thick gas hydrate discovery in shale in Krishna Godavari Basin. This paper presents the evaluation results of
seismic, logging while drilling, and core data in the context of exploring those issues which are relevant in the commercial
production of gas hydrate deposits of Krishna Godavari Basin. Apart from this, we discuss the scientific and technological
issues and potentialities in commercial exploitation of Krishna Godavari gas hydrate deposits.

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Fig. 1. Location of Krishna Godavari (K-G) Basin.

Materials and Methods

In this study well log and seismic data generated by the National Gas Hydrate Program (NGHP) has been analyzed and
evaluated. The processed log and seismic data has been utilized & interpreted in this work. For this evaluation, many
references were investigated (Ramana et al. 2006; DGH 2007-2008; Collett et al. 2008; Dewangan et al. 2009; Ramana &
Ramprasad, 2010; Riedel et al. 2010; Sain et al. 2012). In this study some important aspects have been observed that were not
reported in earlier studies from data of the NGHP.
Log & seismic data analysis

Fig. 2. Logging-while-drilling (LWD) data of borehole NGHP-01-10A comprising sonic and density logs and reflection coefficients
based on sonic and density. Apart from this the button-deep average (BDAV) resistivity and synthetic trace is also shown. As blue
symbols shown are locations of pressure cores (average gas hydrate concentration from all five pressure-cores i.e. 25% of porespace). The depth of the base of gas hydrate stability and BSR is in green (Riedel et al., 2010).

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The logging-while-drilling (LWD) sonic log data of Krishna Godavari Basin shows an increase of relative velocity in the gas
hydrate bearing zone (Fig. 2). Apart from this, the LWD density log data also shows a relative increase of density in gas
hydrate bearing zone in Krishna Godavari Basin (Fig. 2).
The increase in relative velocity and density of the zone under evaluation may be ascribed due to presence of gas hydrate (as a
solid mass, increasing overall cohesiveness of hosting lithology shale, present within the depth boundary of gas hydrate
stability zone). The sonic and density log validates their use as an important tool in demarcation of gas hydrate bearing zones
and gas hydrate reserve estimations, calibrating and integrating with core-based gas hydrate saturation data. This aspect is not
reported in any earlier studies and references mentioned in this study.
A resistivity log curve indicates variation between zone 1 (50-90 mbsf) and zone 2 (90-125 mbsf) bearing gas hydrates (Fig.
2). The zone 1 resistivity has comparatively higher resistivity values. The comparatively lower resistivity is found in zone 2 in
depth range of about 90-125 mbsf. The density log curve through zone 1 shows increasing density values. Zone 2 shows
relatively higher and more uniform density values in comparison to zone 1 (Fig. 2).
Zone 1 and zone 2 both have similar gas hydrate concentrations as has shown in core data analysis (Collette et al., 2008), so
relatively lower resistivity in zone 2 (90-125 mbsf) needs careful evaluation. Earlier studies (ex. Ramana & Ramprasad, 2010)
have shown that gas hydrate bearing sediments comprise of clay minerals, quartz, feldspar, mica, pyrite, authigenic carbonates,
and heavy minerals. However, earlier works do not show any relationship between pyrite content, low resistivity and higher
density values of zone 2. Pyrite is conductive and has higher density too, so its presence may influence the resistivity of zone
2, which needs careful investigation in future studies.

Fig. 3. Section of 2D seismic line AD-94-17 crossing Site NGHP-01-03. The inferred BSR is shown here in the section (Riedel et al.,
2010). In this study one fault towards SE part of the section is deciphered and marked in the section with blue line. Apart from this
seismic lines reflection amplitude configuration shows a mound/diapir/fold type of geometry which has been displaced, due to
faulting, towards lower portion of the SE part of the seismic section.

Based on an inferred BSR (Bottom Simulating Reflector), it was expected that there could be large amounts of gas hydrate
present (Fig. 3). Along line AD-94-17, Site NGHP-01-03 was drilled and only small amounts of gas hydrate was encountered
in the cores near the base of the gas hydrate stability zone (Collett et al., 2008). Degassing of pressure cores yielded less than
1% of gas hydrate in the pore space in two of the cores taken (Fig. 3) (Riedel et al., 2010).
These results indicate that the BSR in a seismic section is not a full proof and conclusive proxy for the presence/absence of gas
hydrate. Precaution should be exercised while utilizing a BSR, in seismic data evaluation and interpretation, in the
identification of gas hydrate. Also, one fault has been inferred towards the SE side of the seismic section in this present study
(Fig. 3). The seismic line reflection amplitude is terminating abruptly. Apart from this the seismic line reflection amplitude, of
inferred BSR, is dimming towards right left side of the seismic section.

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All of the above evaluations have led us to decipher and pinpoint important issues on detailed characterization and commercial
aspects of gas hydrate deposits of the Krishna Godavari Basin as discussed below.
Detailed characterization issues of gas hydrate reservoir of Krishna Godavari Basin
As detailed and accurate characterization is fundamental in any type of hydrocarbon reservoir for successful and efficient
commercial exploitation, the gas hydrate deposits of the Krishna Godavari Basin needs attention in this regard. This will serve
the following technical purposes:
Detailed understanding of the nature, type, spatial distribution, and saturation of gas hydrates, with demarcation of the
overall potential of gas hydrate area in the region.

Provide information on in-situ gas hydrate deposits and ultimate recoverable gas from the deposit.

Demarcation of locations and depth of occurrence of gas hydrates which is massive, disseminated, fracture filled or
pore-filled type to devise the exploitation strategy accordingly.

This will help in accurate recoverable reserve estimations, total cost, as well as efficient production well planning and
design.

Above information will serve as a basis for analysis and design of commercial production wells; either vertical or
horizontal, or an integrated horizontal branched well.

The NGHP must include these components in their coming programs for a commercial concept for the gas hydrate
program in India. Otherwise, NGHP will remain a merely academic type of project.

Issues and potentiality in commercial gas hydrate production in Krishna Godavari Basin
At present there is no proven technology to produce methane from gas hydrate on a commercial scale, although production
technology is rapidly developing with the MH21 Research Consortium in Japan. Much of the gas hydrate resource potential
worldwide occurs filling the pore space of sandstone reservoirs, and most of the research being done on the extraction of gas
from hydrates is focused on deposits concentrated in sands. However, the Indian scenario is different. The reservoir rock with
gas hydrate in the Krishna Godavari Basin is fractured shale. By comparison, the reservoir rock containing gas hydrate in the
Mackenzie Delta, Canada is medium grained sand in which gas hydrates most commonly occurs as pore fillings (MH21
Research Consortium, Japan). At the Mallik site in the Mackenzie Delta in the Northwest Territories of Canada the production
test using a depressurization method was executed by removing water in the well using a pump to decrease the pressure within
the gas hydrate layers. The amount of methane gas produced during the test was approximately 13,000 m3 (MH21 Research
Consortium, Japan). This test demonstrated that the depressurization method is effective for producing methane hydrate in
sandy gas hydrate reservoirs. The effectiveness of the depressurization method to produce economically from shaly gas
hydrate of Krishna Godavari Basin will depend on the following aspects:
1. Continuous and complete dissociation of gas hydrates from shaly sediments for adequate flow of methane to recover all
exploration, production, and transportation & processing-related investment as well as appropriate return, for a sustained
business profit, and for a certain time period. As fracture -hosted gas hydrate is not predominantly present in the Krishna
Godavari region, as shown by evaluated data, additional technological approaches may need to be adopted to produce methane
economically.
2. Gas hydrate-hosting shaly sediment is fine grained so dissociation by only depressurization through water pumping may not
be sufficient and efficient. As shaly sediments are fine grained, methane may encounter smooth flow problems on dissociation
due to the fine-grained nature of the shaly host rock and capillary pressure influence. As a result, fracturing may be required
for stimulating the methane hydrate reservoir. Fracturing will help to enhance the reach of the pump to extract water and
decrease the pressure, resulting in the dissociation of the hydrates and the release of methane. The dissociation of gas hydrate
may cause increased fluid and gas pressure, along with dilation of the shaly sediments which may weaken the strength of the
gas hydrate bearing shale reservoirs. In addition, some shale reservoirs may not be sufficiently brittle to allow for effective
fracturing as core data indicates that gas hydrate bearing sediments are mostly silty clay. As a result, detailed mineral
composition characterization (ratio of non-brittle to brittle minerals) and petrophysical analysis of gas hydrate bearing
sediments on overall reservoir scale will be quite useful and helpful to make planning accordingly.
Apart from fracturing, sand can also be injected during the fracturing to maintain:
a. pores open for flowing of methane.

b. the extension of the depressurization influence/well to much larger area.

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c. the geomechanical stability of shaly gas hydrate reservoirs as injected sand may bear the load of the upper strata,
due to dissociation of solid gas hydrate into gas (methane) and liquid (water).

3. Another option is to select a location for a production borehole, which is relatively stable from geomechanical properties,
from where a well can be oriented directionally towards the reservoir zone.
Conclusions
The sonic and density log data indicates their potentiality as an important tool in the demarcation of gas hydrate bearing-zones
and gas hydrate reserve estimations, calibrating and integrating with core-based gas hydrate saturation data. Evaluation of
seismic sections, however, does not show the BSR as a full proof and conclusive proxy for the presence/absence of gas
hydrates as has been observed from the data of KG Basin. The inferred BSR region has showed very much lower
concentrations of gas hydrates in pore spaces in core analysis, so precautions have to be exercised while utilizing BSRs, in
seismic data evaluation and interpretation, in the identification of gas hydrate. Evaluation of the data of the Krishna Godavari
Basin gas hydrate deposits indicates potentiality utilizing present available knowledge of science and technology. Discussed
factors must be utilized and integrated with the NGHP and will help to resolve many issues. These aspects can be worked out
so that a sustained economic business based on gas hydrate can be tested out in the future phase of the NGHP of the India.
References
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