Japan Plans to Drill for Methane Offshore Aichi Prefecture

Japan plans to conduct test drilling for methane hydrate off the coast of Aichi Prefecture, in the world's first attempt to exploit this energy resource, media reports said.

The drilling site is located about 80 kilometres off the prefecture's Atsumi Peninsula. Full-scale underwater test drilling will start in mid-February.

The government plans to conduct actual drilling next year and conduct experiments in methane gas production.

The proposed area is estimated to hold 1 trillion cubic meters of methane hydrate.

Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC), will be responsible for the project.