Methane Hydrate - The Future Energy Resource.

Methane hydrate accumulations (deposits) are known to exist in the ocean sediment around Japan. It is estimated that the deposits, at today's natural gas consumption, would serve for the next 100 years if successfully extracted.Methane hydrate is a solid material composed of methane and water molecules. At low temperature and high pressure, deep ocean conditions, water molecules form a “cage” which entrap the methane molecule. The methane hydrate can be dissociated by increasing the temperature and/or releasing the pressure.This paper explains about researches and developments on the methane hydrate, molecular structures and properties of the hydrate, today's techniques on exploration, drilling and production of gas hydrates and the future research targets to realize the gas extraction from gas hydrates.