Project Title: Innovation in Gas Hydrate Mineralization Theory and Application of Resource Assessment  Technology in China's Offshore Areas

Participating Enterprises: Sanya Institute of South China Sea Geology, Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey；Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology；Institute ofDeep-Sea Science and Fngineering. Chinese Academy of Sciences；Guangzhou Institute ofEnergy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences；Sun Yat-sen University

Award Received:Scientific and Technological Progress Award - Silver Award

Achievement Level: International Advanced Level

Project Number: ECF-2025-SET-1023

Main Participants: Su Pibo, Wang Feifei, Zhang Wei, Liang Jinqiang, Lin Lin, Sun Yunbao, Wang Jiliang, Guan Jin’an, Wan Zhifeng, Sun Jin, Lü Yaoyao, Liu Pengqi, Cheng Huai, Zhu Zuofei, Ji Chunsheng

Expert Review Comments:
International advanced level.This project focuses on key scientific issues concerning the formation mechanisms and resource assessment of natural gas hydrates in China's maritime areas. It systematically reveals the patterns of hydrate enrichment and accumulation across multiple types, innovatively proposes the new concept of “cooperative exploration and combined extraction of oil/gas and hydrates,” and establishes an integrated technical system for prospecting indicators alongside a tiered, zoned resource evaluation methodology. For the first time, the project completed a systematic evaluation of natural gas hydrate resources across China's maritime areas, established multiple representative evaluation blocks, drafted and released the industry's first hydrate-related standard, and provided systematic technical support for China's marine natural gas hydrate surveys, development, and management. The achievements have reached internationally advanced levels in theoretical innovation, technological integration, and standard-setting, holding significant implications for national energy security and the strategic development of marine resources. Experts unanimously agree that this project represents a milestone in fundamental theory and resource evaluation systems, making it a strong candidate for future top honors.

Main Innovations:

Firstly, the project systematically revealed the enrichment, accumulation mechanisms, and distribution  patterns of various types of natural gas hydrates in China's maritime areas, and innovatively proposed a new  exploration and development approach of "coordinated exploration and joint production of multiple gas  resources" for conventional oil and gas and natural gas hydrates. 

Secondly, it established a comprehensive  prospecting indicator technology system for natural gas hydrate surveys in maritime areas and a technical  methodology for graded and zonal resource assessment, creating for the first time three representative  "golden spike" blocks for resource evaluation. 

Thirdly, it conducted the first-ever assessment of natural gas hydrate resources across China's maritime areas, predicted resource distribution, drafted and released the  first industry standard in the field of natural gas hydrates, achieving a breakthrough in standardization from  ground zero.

Main Uses and Technical Principles:

The theoretical understanding achieved by the project is primarily applied to research on the genetic  mechanisms and accumulation-distribution patterns of natural gas hydrates. It provides guidance for hydrate  exploration activities and has played a critical role in the investigation and discovery of hydrates in China’s  maritime areas. At the technical level, the technological system developed through the project is widely  applied in regional prospect prediction and target delineation of marine natural gas hydrates, detailed  characterization of ore bodies, resource assessment, as well as optimization and verification of drilling  locations. On the methodological front, these outcomes have been systematically implemented in the survey  and resource evaluation of natural gas hydrates in China’s waters, supporting in-depth research on related  resource assessment theories and technical approaches. Furthermore, they have been integrated into the  development of relevant modules in professional software used by oil and gas companies, providing essential  theoretical and technical support.

Technical Applications:

The project outcomes have been extensively applied in China's natural gas hydrate research and marine economic development, effectively supporting the construction of the Shenhu and Qiongdongnan pilot demonstration zones. This has propelled the advancement of China's natural gas hydrate industry, fostered technological innovation, and promoted the coordinated development of marine industries. (Attachments 5, 6)

(1) Applied in practical gas hydrate surveys within China's maritime areas. During specialized gas hydrate exploration drilling, insights into hydrate accumulation mechanisms and distribution patterns provided crucial technical support and theoretical guidance, enabling multiple successful hydrate drillings in the South China Sea that recovered diverse hydrate types.

(2) Application by major domestic and international energy enterprises including Schlumberger, CNPC Exploration and Development Research Institute, Hainan International Resources Company, and Xi'an Shiwen Software Company. The project's outcomes—including hydrate accumulation mechanism and resource evaluation theories, three-dimensional exploration techniques, hydrate accumulation numerical simulation, and resource assessment technologies—provide theoretical and technical support for hydrate-related enterprises in scientific research, software development, and production applications.

(3) Applied in research institutions including the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, and Northeast Petroleum University.

The hydrate accumulation theory, numerical simulation, and resource evaluation technologies have been widely adopted across multiple research institutes, providing robust technical support for hydrate accumulation and resource evaluation studies and technological breakthroughs.

(4) Applied in government policy formulation for marine economy and industrial development. Project outcomes have been recognized by the Guangdong Provincial Department of Natural Resources, providing technical support for studies on the characteristics and evaluation techniques of coexisting oil/gas and hydrate systems in the Pearl River Mouth Basin of the South China Sea. The Hainan Provincial Government has incorporated cutting-edge technologies related to “coexisting oil/gas and hydrate systems, and simultaneous exploration and production” into the “Hainan Provincial Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through 2035.”