Oceanic methane hydrates: A ''frontier'' gas resource

Methane hydrates are ice-like compounds consisting of natural gas (mainly methane) and water, whose crystal structure effectively compresses the methane: each cubic metre of hydrate can yield over 150 cu.m of methane. Hydrates ''cement'' sediments and impart considerable mechanical strength; they fill porosity and restrict permeability. Both biogenic and thermogenic methane have been recovered from hydrates. Hydrates occur in permafrost regions (including continental shelves), and are stable in ocean-floor sediments below water depths of about 400 m in the ''Hydrate Stability Zone '' (HSZ). This is a surface-parallel zone of thermodynamic equilibrium that extends down from the sediment surface to a depth determined by temperature, pressure and local heat flow. Methane and water are stable below the HSZ. Although the economic recovery of hydrates has taken place in Arctic regions,oceanic hydrates offer far greater potential as an energy resource. A variety of traps for methane gas can be formed by oceanic hydrates. In addition to the gas within the hydrates themselves, simple gas traps in closures beneath the HSZ in the vicinity of bathymetric highs, and complex traps involving both hydrate and structural/stratigraphic components, have been observed. It has been estimated that at least twice as much combustible carbon occurs associated with methane hydrates as in all other fossil fuels on Earth. The evaluation of methane in, and associated with, oceanic hydrates therefore constitutes a major energy exploration frontier.