TOP > Technology > Methane Hydrat
Methane hydrate is a sherbet-like solid formed by methane gas
captured inside water molecules, and is usually found embedded
in a shallow layer below the seabed at a water depth of over
500 meters or in permafrost layers. Offshore reserves in Japan’s
territorial waters could be as much as the equivalent of more
than 100 years of natural gas consumption in Japan. Hopes are
high that these reserves of methane hydrate could significantly
enhance Japan’s energy self-sufficiency.
Methane hydrate has physical properties that are fundamentally
different to those of conventional natural gas. The recovery
of methane hydrate, in particular, poses technical challenges
that have yet to be resolved. Recognizing the potential of methane
hydrate, JAPEX has been actively involved in the development
of technology designed to overcome these challenges, playing
a central role in joint research carried out between fiscal
1995 and fiscal 1999 with JNOC (JNOC changed its name to Japan
Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC)) and a number
of private-sector companies. In fiscal 1999, JAPEX became the
first company in Japan to successfully drill and core a methane
hydrate layer in domestic waters. In fiscal 2001, we began full-scale
joint research into possible uses for methane hydrate with a
number of public and private agencies. This research carried
out include the start of drilling and survey activities off
the east coast of Japan’s Tokai region in January 2004, with
JAPEX selected as the operator. Using our reservoir of technological
skills and our years of experience in the energy field, we plan
to form the nucleus of research and development into methane
hydrate in Japan.
