Japan reports “flammable ice” success

Japan has reported success in producing gas from methane hydrate deposits off its central coast. The extraction of the frozen gas known as “flammable ice” opens up a potentially vast source of global energy

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METHANE HYDRATE DEPOSITS

Recovered gas hydrate samples

Other likely gas hydrate occurrences

Global methane hydrate reserves could hold more energy than all other known fossil fuels put together

Japan
Test well in Nankai Trough
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Methane hydrates exist under low temperature and high pressure

Methane molecule

Lattice of ice traps methane

When brought to Earth’s surface, one cubic metre of gas hydrate releases 164 cubic metres of gas

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Land deposits
Below Arctic permafrost

Ocean deposits
Embedded in sediment on continental margins at depths greater than 500m

Drilling rig

Drillship

Trapped methane

Gas seeps from below

Hydrate mounds on sea floor where gas escapes from fault conduits

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Sources: Geology.com, U.S. Department of Energy 

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