Probabilistic assessment of spatial distribution of hydrate methane resources within the economic zone of the Russian Federation of the Black Sea

The results of gas hydrate resources assessment within the Black Sea exclusive economic zone of the Russian Federation by probabilistic-statistical method using the original OHRA (“Oceanic gas Hydrate Resource Assessment”) software are presented. The results of gas hydrate resources assessment in the Black Sea exclusive economic zone of the Russian Federation by probabilistic-statistical method using the original OHRA software are presented. The quantitative assessment performed with data binding to the calculated grid; the specific density of methane resources in gas hydrates is estimated. For the geothermal data account a map of the geothermal gradient of the Black Sea has been compiled. The amount of methane in hydrates is estimated as much as 361.9 trillion with a probability of 5%, 120.5 trillion with a probability of 50%, 36.7 trillion m 3 with a probability of 95%. It has been established that temperature and pressure are the parameters that have the greatest impact on the resource assessment of gas hydrates in the study area. At the sea depths of more than 1,500 m, the resources of P95 are influenced by the mass of methane produced and migrated to the gas hydrate stability zone. The average specific density values of hydrated methane are estimated to be (probability 50%) 1.2 billion, probability 95% – 0.36 billion, probability 5% – 3.59 billion m 3 /km 2 . The most promising in relation to gas hydrates areas within the Russian exclusive economic zone are the West Black Sea Depression, Sorokin Trough, Tuapse Trough, the Andrusov Ridge, the northern part of the East Black Sea Depression, the northern and the southern parts of the Shatsky Ridge.