Shallow gas, regional

Definition: The dataset is a collection of landforms and phenomena in and on the seabed caused by natural gas in the seabed sediments. Shallow gas can originate from both sedimentary rocks and overlying sediments. Typical landforms are pockmarks and diapirs, but shallow gas are also displayed as strong reflectors (bright spots) or gas blanking on seismic profiles. Gas leakage from the seabed has great ecological significance for plant and animal life in the sea, e.g. it is typical with bacterial mats occur around such places. Gas and gas hydrates in the sub-seabed sediments also have an impact on seabed stability and climate change.

Updated: 11.02.2025
Owner: Geological Survey of Norway

Usage

Gas hydrates and shallow gas have an impact on seabed stability, climate change and ecological diversity on the seabed, at the same time when it is considered as a geological resource due to its high methane content. The knowledge on these can be used by the oil industry in hydrocarbon exploration.

Explanation of assessment of FAIR principles:

There have made various tests to evaluate datasets in relation to the FAIR criteria. These are our interpretations, which then assess the criteria in relation to standards and protocols used for spatial data in Norway and Europe. For more information on which calculations we use for each indicator, look at the details of FAIR assessments for each specific dataset.

FAIR-status: 93%

Mareano status