China Successfully Completes Gas Hydrate Trial
A natural gas hydrate test project in the South China Sea has been successfully completed, which is a first for the country, China's ministry of land and resources said July 29.
During the 60-day trial period, that commenced in the middle of May, a total of 309,000 metres3 of natural gas was produced, with 99.5% being methane, the ministry informed.
China first publicised its successful production of natural gas hydrates May 18.
Gas hydrates are a crystalline form of methane and water, and exist in shallow sediments of outer continental margins. They are envisaged as a viable major energy resource for the future but so far their low energy density has made them uneconomic.
Recently, Japan confirmed that gas had been produced from methane hydrates during the country's second test. Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation said May 4 that gas has been flared from its second test to extract gas from methane hydrates offshore Atsumi and Shima peninsulas.
Shardul Sharma