Japan Confirms Presence of Methane Hydrate Offshore Niigata

Japan’s Natural Resources and Energy Agency has visually confirmed the presence of methane hydrate under the Sea of Japan off Niigata Prefecture, reports Japan Times.

The discovery, announced Friday, raises hope that more methane hydrate deposits may be found in other areas of the seabed with similar geological features off Niigata and Ishikawa prefectures, an official of the agency was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

According to Japan Times, the official said the agency cannot determine yet whether there is enough methane hydrate for commercialization.

Through a series of surveys conducted in June and July, 225 locations in the Sea of Japan off Niigata and Ishikawa were found to have geological structures with possible reserves of methane hydrate near the top layer, the newspaper adds.

Plans are to further check the thickness of the methane hydrate layer and the density of the substance to estimate the amount, says Japan Times. At the same time, it will also investigate other parts of the Sea of Japan seabed, including areas off the coast of Akita and Yamagata prefectures.

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