Formation mechanism, experimental method, and property characterization of grain-displacing methane hydrates in marine sediment: A review

Abstract

Grain-displacing hydrate deposits exist at many marine sites, which constitute an important part of methane hydrate resources worldwide. Attributed to the difficulties in acquiring field data and synthesizing experimental samples, the formation and property characterization of grain-displacing hydrate remains less understood and characterized than the pore-filling hydrate in current literature. This study reviews the formation mechanisms of grain-displacing hydrate from the perspective of geological accumulation and microscale sedimentary property. The experimental methods of synthesizing grain-displacing hydrate in the laboratory and the current knowledge on the property of grain-displacing hydrate sediment are also introduced. Shortcomings in current theories and suggestions for future study are proposed. The work is hoped to provide valuable insights for the research into the hydrate accumulation, geophysics, and hydrate exploitation targeted at the grain-displacing hydrate in the marine sediments. ©2022 China Geology Editorial Office.