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Tapping Methane Hydrates for Unconventional Natural Gas

^* School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Georgia Institute of Technology
Now at: U.S. Geological Survey, 384 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
E-mail: cruppel{at}usgs.gov

Methane hydrate is an icelike form of concentrated methane and water found in the sediments of permafrost regions and marine continental margins at depths far shallower than conventional oil and gas. Despite their relative accessibility and widespread occurrence, methane hydrates have never been tapped to meet increasing global energy demands. With rising natural gas prices, production from these unconventional gas deposits is becoming economically viable, particularly in permafrost areas already being exploited for conventional oil and gas. This article provides an overview of gas hydrate occurrence, resource assessment, exploration, production technologies, renewability, and future challenges.

KEYWORDS: methane hydrate, energy, natural gas

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