Hydrocarbon Gas Hydrates In Sediments Of The Mississippi Canyon Area, Northern Gulf Of Mexico

The Gulf of Mexico Hydrates Research Consortium has begun installing a seafloor observatory to monitor gas hydrate outcrops and the hydrate stability zone in Mississippi Canyon Area Lease Block 118. Relevant background information concerning the Mississippi Canyon Area and gas hydrate occurrences in the northern Gulf of Mexico is presented. Microbial influences and possible scenarios of hydrate accumulation are considered. The design of the observatory was based on field data recorded in the Mississippi Canyon Area, principally lease block 118 (MC118) and the vicinity of lease block 798 (MC798). Swath bathymetry by autonomous underwater vehicle played a large part, as did seismic imaging within the hydrate stability zone and core sampling. These data and the results of their analyses are discussed in detail. Discussion and interim conclusions are presented.