Natural gas-hydrates - A potential energy source for the 21st Century

Natural gas-hydrates are an unconventional source of energy. Potential reserves of hydrated gas are over 1.5x10(16) m(3) and are distributed all over the earth both on the land and offshore. Presently, in many countries national programs exist for the research and production of natural gas from gas-hydrate deposits. As a result over 220 gas hydrate deposits have been discovered, more than a hundred wells drilled, and kilometers of hydrated cores studied. Properties of the hydrated cores have been investigated, effective tools for the recovery of gas from the hydrate deposits prepared and new technology for the exploration of gas-hydrate fields developed. The commercial production of natural gas from gas-hydrates exist for many years now with good results. Still, many complex problems have to be studied. More high-level studies on the properties of the gas-hydrates are needed and new technology for the production of natural gas from gas-hydrates has to be developed. Note, it is not the amount of potential reserves of hydrated gas that is important, but the volume of gas that can be commercially produced (17-20% from potential). (C) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.