Microbial geochemical (MGCE) detection test of natural gas hydrate in permafrost of Muli area, Tianjun County, Qinghai Province

The gas hydrate-discovering well in the Muli coalfield was chosen as the analog model in this test to study the applicability and reliability of the microbial geochemical (MGCE) detection method in exploring onshore natural gas deposits. A positive correlation was detected between the surface soil microbial anomaly of the permafrost zone and the abundance of the subsurface gas hydrate deposit. Therefore, this method could sensitively and effectively predict the distribution of gas hydrate accumulations. In the exploration block, a mixed gas source was detected. The gas is dominantly thermogenic and subordinately of biogas source. The result of the test proves that the microbial geochemical exploration method is a sensitive, fast and cost-effective technique for exploring gas hydrate and petroleum reservoirs in Tibetan Plateau permafrost region and therefore could be widely employed in this region.