Abstract

The Gas Hydrate stability thickness (GHST) map along the margins of India was prepared from available bathymetry, sea bottom temperature and geothermal gradient. Since the bottom simulating reflector (BSR) is often associated with the base of the gas hydrate stability zone, the map helps to identify BSR, more accurately. The map is also useful to the explorationist to set a depth window within which proxies for gas hydrates can be looked into. The BSR represents the boundary between the hydratesbearing sediments above and gas-bearing sediments below. Several parameters like sedimentary thicknesses, rate of sedimentation, total organic carbon content and seabed temperature in the deep water regions indicate good prospects of gas hydrates in the vast Indian offshore. Most of the deep water regions in India are yet to be covered by acquiring seismic data sets. So, it is essential to prepare the GHST map along the Indian margins, which will provide a useful guidance for identifying the BSR, the prime marker for gas hydrates.