MORI Cruise: NSDoEM/OERA Offshore Hydrocarbon Seep Investigation

Since 2013, the OERA, (Offshore Energy Research Association), in partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Mines, has been researching and coring hydrocarbon seeps offshore in the North Atlantic.  In conjunction with Natural Resources Canada, University of Calgary, Saint Mary’s University, and APT Canada Ltd., these cores have undergone geochemistry and microbial genomic analysis that allowed for the differentiation of gas and oil, and furthermore, implied a working petroleum system in the subsurface. Sample sites have been de-risked in detail via seismic interpretation and AUV work (2018-2020), which has allowed for high-resolution mapping of pock marks, seafloor irregularities, and gas washout in shallow seismic profiles.

From August 15-29, 2021, OERA et al. successfully completed the first MORI cruise on the PSV Atlantic Condor.  A deep water ROV (certified to 3000m) was utilized to sample targeted in-situ sites that were identified through the previous research. Direct core sampling of hydrocarbon seep sites showed evidence of thermogenic hydrocarbons (i.e. pockmarks, gas vents, bacterial mats, gas hydrates). Genomic bioassay strategies were validated through the collection of sediment push cores along transect lines across hydrocarbon seeps. Samples were preserved at +4 C°, -20 C° and -80 C° for subsequent analyses by scientific researchers, such as Dr. Casey Hubert at the University of Calgary and Dr. Todd Ventura at Saint Mary’s University.  Preliminary data and analytical results were obtained through onboard geochemical and microbiological analysis of collected samples. Furthermore, procedures for conducting onboard genetic sequencing to improve sampling accuracy, speed processing time and generate useful analytical results were tested and deemed highly successful.

Participating Organizations

• OERA, (Offshore Energy Research Association)
• Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Mines
• Natural Resources Canada
• University of Calgary
• Saint Mary’s University
• APT Canada Ltd.