MVP ARCHIVE HISTORY｜Energy : Oil Age EX : Methane Hydrate

Methane Hydrate

Methane Hydrate is a naturally occurring solid substance in which water molecules form a cage-like crystal structure that traps methane gas inside.

Because it forms in low-temperature, high-pressure environments, it is primarily found deep on the seafloor or beneath permafrost, and it is also known as "burning ice" because the methane inside burns when exposed to a flame.

Formation

Methane Hydrate is formed when methane gas, generated by the decomposition of organic matter, combines with water in the low-temperature, high-pressure environments of the seafloor or underground.

The primary environments for its formation are deep seas at depths of several hundred meters or more, and permafrost regions.
In nature, it takes a long time, ranging from millions to tens of millions of years, to form.

Distribution

It is believed that Methane Hydrate exists widely around continental shelves and deep seafloors across the world.

It has also been confirmed in permafrost regions such as Siberia and Alaska.
In Japan, the presence of these resources has been confirmed, primarily around the Nankai Trough, and surveys and research have been ongoing for many years.

Burning Ice

Although it looks similar to ice, it contains a large amount of trapped methane gas; at room temperature and normal pressure, the crystals collapse and decompose into methane gas and water.

For this reason, it became widely known by the name "burning ice" due to the characteristic that when a flame is brought near it, the released methane burns, making it appear as if the ice itself is burning.

Energy Resources

Methane is the main component of natural gas and is used for a wide range of purposes, including power generation, industry, and city gas.
Therefore, if methane can be efficiently recovered from Methane Hydrate it could potentially be utilized as a new natural gas resource.
This is also the reason why countries around the world continue to conduct research on it as a next-generation energy resource.

Research in Japan

Japan imports most of its energy resources from overseas.
Consequently, expectations for Methane Hydrate have risen as a resource that could potentially be utilized domestically.

Since the 2000s, exploration and test extraction have been conducted in the Nankai Trough sea area, and demonstration tests to actually extract methane gas from the seafloor have also been carried out.
Research and development toward commercialization are still ongoing today.

Challenges in Extraction

Methane Hydrate differs from conventional natural gas in that it exists as a solid on the seafloor, so to extract it, one must recover the methane while decomposing the crystals.

However, the technology to stably extract it in the high-pressure environment of the deep seafloor is highly difficult, and the technology and equipment required for mass production are still in the development stage, with profitability also being a significant challenge.

Environmental Impact

Methane is a gas with a stronger greenhouse effect than carbon dioxide.
If large amounts of methane leak during extraction, there are concerns about the impact on the climate.
Research is also ongoing regarding the possibility of seafloor instability.
Therefore, the establishment of extraction technology that balances safety and environmental conservation is required.

Energy Security

For resource-importing countries like Japan, the existence of domestically available energy resources is highly significant.
If methane hydrate can be stably utilized for commercial purposes, it could reduce dependence on natural gas imports and lead to an improvement in energy security.

On the other hand, it is not currently a major energy supply source, and technical and economic challenges must be resolved to realize its use.

Methane Hydrate

Methane hydrate holds great potential as a natural gas resource, but many challenges remain for its commercial use.
The resource itself has been confirmed in various parts of the world, and it is known to exist in the waters near Japan.

If extraction technology and environmental measures progress in the future, it may be utilized as a new energy resource.
Because of its future potential, methane hydrate has become one of the important research subjects when considering energy security.