Gas hydrate stability zone of the Barents Sea and Kara Sea region

Abstract

In this study we assess the present-day gas hydrate stability zone for the Barents Sea and Kara Sea region. Thereby, we make use of a data-based 3D lithosphere-scale pressure and thermal model. The resulting gas hydrate stability zone varies within >1km across the study area and strongly correlates with the local geological settings and the corresponding geothermal gradient. Gas hydrates containing hydrocarbons from a thermogenic source (CH4+C2H3+C3H8) are potentially more widespread than previously assumed. The corresponding thermogenic feed gas may have derived from leaking petroleum systems during late Cenozoic basin inversion.