Gas from ice: Canada to export energy

Japan will begin test drilling and extracting methyl hydrate—natural gas trapped in frozen water—in March. If the technology to harvest and utilise this natural gas is successful, it could transform the face of the world.

In March, state-run Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp (JOGMEC) will begin test production of natural gas from methyl hydrates—natural gas trapped in frozen water—extracted from Canadian permafrost in conjunction with Canada's Department of Natural Resources.

Methyl hydrate is natural gas trapped in a solid matrix of frozen water. Once released, it becomes just like normal natural gas. It is found in and under permafrost, and on the ocean floor at depths greater than 500 metres or 1,600 feet.

An increase in temperature can trigger the release of the methyl hydrate as natural gas.

The most recoverable deposits of methyl hydrate are found in coarse, porous sandstone deposits, which primarily occur on land in permafrost conditions in the Arctic.

Traditional natural gas reserve estimates total about 370 trillion cubic metres (tcm) and are expected to last about 60 years; rough estimates of methyl hydrate deposits range from 2,800 tcm to 8.5 million tcm.

Deep-sea deposits are more liberally distributed around the globe but are found in thinly distributed deposits that are harder to recover.

Moreover, if ocean-floor deposits are disturbed by poorly implemented extraction attempts, or by earthquakes, it can cause the sea to "boil" as natural gas bubbles up from the bottom. The resultant high waves and lowered water density can sink both ships and drilling platforms.

JOGMEC plans to extract the methyl hydrate by reducing the pressure, allowing the hydrate to vaporise in the drill well, which then allows the harvesting of natural gas by more conventional means.

Developing these deposits is not however a short-term goal. Not