|
 METHANE
HYDRATES
Research on methane hydrates has focused on
discovering the potential of a vast energy resource
unknown until the 1980s. Methane hydrates represent
an untapped natural gas resource, which has been
estimated to hold more than twice the global
reserves of conventional oil, gas and coal deposits
combined. Methane hydrate is found in crystal form
in Arctic permafrost areas and deep continental
margin deposits. The U. S. Department of Energy
began a research and development plan in 2000, and
has joined in offshore and arctic research with
Canada and Japan. Methane hydrate compounds are
crystalline solids containing methane molecules
trapped in water molecules. Methane hydrates are
stable in offshore sediments greater than 300
meters, and surface permafrost sediments several
hundreds of meters thick. Early research
concentrated on locating potential methane hydrate
resources. The current research target is
development of drilling and engineering technologies
to efficiently extract methane hydrate and produce
this valuable resource.
Let
PTTC
know if there is additional information that needs
to be part of this Tech Center |
|
|
 White Paper – Issues,
Current Work and Future Direction
|
 Upcoming
Workshops & Webinars
No Tech Center
events
scheduled at this time
Tech
Center Archives |
|
Technology
Tidbit of the MonthJapan looks to Methane Hydrates to Save the Country from Energy Dependency
With limited natural resources and a stalled nuclear power industry, Japan sees offshore methane hydrates as a major source of energy in the future. "Japanese calculations suggests the resources-poor country has enough supply just off its coasts to meet the economic superpower's energy needs for the next 100 years." Japanese government sources say the study area in the Sea of Japan off of Honshu Island holds sufficient methane hydrates to supply all of Japan's natural gas needs for 14 years. State-owned Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) is currently conducting successful methane hydrate drilling. However, it is planned that "private companies will take over once test drilling finishes sometime between 2016 and 2018." |
|
Research
References/Seminal
Literature
|
Field
Applications/Case Studies
Technologies
Did we miss
your technology or product? Let
us know.
Technical Information
Databases
|
|
DOE's Alaska Effort
|
COMPANY
#1
LOGO |
COMPANY
#2
LOGO |
COMPANY
#3
LOGO |
|
|
