Gas hydrate estimation error associated with uncertainties of measurements and parameters

Downhole log measurements such as acoustic or electrical resistivity logs are often used to estimate in situ gas hydrate concentrations in sediment pore space. Estimation errors owing to uncertainties associated with downhole measurements and the parameters for estimation equations (weight in the acoustic method and Archie?s parameters in the resistivity method) are analyzed in order to assess the accuracy of estimation of gas hydrate concentration. Accurate downhole measurements are essential for accurate estimation of the gas hydrate concentrations in sediments, particularly at low gas hydrate concentrations and when using acoustic data. Estimation errors owing to measurement errors, except the slowness error, decrease as the gas hydrate concentration increases and as porosity increases. Estimation errors owing to uncertainty in the input parameters are small in the acoustic method and may be signifi cant in the resistivity method at low gas hydrate concentrations.