Energy Atlas

How The World Is Powered
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme
Open Question

Will methane hydrates ever become a commercially extracted energy source?

Facts
Why It Is Open
NOAA estimates hydrate deposits hold roughly twice the carbon of all proven coal, oil and conventional gas reserves combined, but no country has moved past experimental test extraction. Whether stable, economic extraction is achievable at all is unresolved, not merely undocumented: disturbing a deposit risks a large methane release and submarine landslides, so the open question is as much about whether pursuing it is prudent as whether it is possible. 1
What Would Resolve This
A sustained, government- or industry-confirmed commercial production project, or an authoritative engineering assessment (USGS, IEA, or a national hydrate research program such as Japan's MH21) concluding commercial extraction is or is not achievable within a stated timeframe. 1
Discipline Needed
Petroleum and marine geology engineering 1
Question Kind
Mechanism 1
Question Status
Open 1
Reader Facing
Yes 1
Open Question

NOAA estimates hydrate deposits hold roughly twice the carbon of all proven coal, oil and conventional gas reserves combined, but no country has moved past experimental test extraction. Whether stable, economic extraction is achievable at all is unresolved, not merely undocumented: disturbing a deposit risks a large methane release and submarine landslides, so the open question is as much about whether pursuing it is prudent as whether it is possible.

What would resolve this A sustained, government- or industry-confirmed commercial production project, or an authoritative engineering assessment (USGS, IEA, or a national hydrate research program such as Japan's MH21) concluding commercial extraction is or is not achievable within a stated timeframe.
OpenPetroleum and marine geology engineeringNOAA Ocean Exploration
Connections

Question On

Source NOAA Ocean Exploration
Sources
1. NOAA Ocean Exploration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationOcean Facts, What are gas hydrates?View the Source
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.