Introduction

  Methane hydrate structures are increasingly recognized as being a potential future energy resource and having a possible strong ``greenhouse'' effect on global climate Kvenvolden (1993). Under standard conditions, 1 $\rm m^3$ of methane hydrate can contain up to 164 $\rm m^3$ of methane gas Sloan (1990). Assessments have shown that worldwide there might be twice as much hydrocarbon available from hydrate resources than from all recoverable and non-recoverable coal, oil and gas deposits Kvenvolden (1993). In order to realistically evaluate the potential impacts of these hydrate structures, a thorough understanding of their properties and characteristics is essential

In this thesis, I analyze seismic data from the Blake Outer Ridge, offshore Florida and Georgia, to explore the reservoir potential of hydrate-bearing sediments. Recent drilling in this region has shown that alone in this area there might be as much as 4.7 x 10¹⁶ g $\rm CH_4$, or 35 $\rm GT$, of carbon available. This quantity would meet the 1996 US natural gas consumption needs for the next 105 years Dickens et al. (1997).