Japan Confirms Successful Gas Hydrate Test

Japan’s trade ministry (Meti) May 8 confirmed that gas had been produced from methane hydrate during the country's second ever test.

Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (Jogmec) May 4 said gas has been flared from its second test to extract gas from methane hydrates offshore Atsumi and Shima peninsulas. Three video clips of the flaring were released on the company's website.

The work on the second test was carried out by deep-sea exploration ship Chikyu starting early April, the trade ministry stated. The ministry informed that continuous production of gas will carried out for about three to four weeks in the first well.

Gas flare during the second test, conducted in May 2017 (Credit: Methane Hydrate Resource Development Research Consortium)

Methane hydrate is a methane/water substance crystallised in a state of low temperature and high pressure; it is expected to be a future domestic natural gas resource as it is expected to have a substantial amount in the surrounding seas around Japan.

Jogmec in March 2013 started a flow test and confirmed production of methane gas estimated from methane hydrate layers. The first test ended abruptly in six days due to sedimentation problems.

Shardul Sharma