Methane Hydrates
The bottom of the ocean collects the detritus of all that swim above. The resultant septic field produces methane like
a normal septic field would, but when the ocean depth is over a few hundred feet, the pressure is so great that
methane forms hydrate crystals and remains as a solid at the bottom of the ocean.
Ray Boswell, who heads the hydrate programme at the US department of energy's national energy technology
laboratory, said the US was determined to be the first to mine the resource.
"Commercially viable production is definitely realistic within a decade. The world is investing in hydrates, and one
reason for us to do this is to maintain our leadership position in this emerging technology."
Its new project will see the drilling vessel Uncle John spend about a month in the Gulf of Mexico, where it will bore
down to two of the largest expected methane hydrate deposits in the region. Scientists on the ship will collect
samples for experiments to see how the methane might be freed and transported to the surface.
http://www.truthout.org/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi/34/10121
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The bottom of the ocean collects the detritus of all that swim above. The resultant septic field produces methane like
a normal septic field would, but when the ocean depth is over a few hundred feet, the pressure is so great that
methane forms hydrate crystals and remains as a solid at the bottom of the ocean.
Ray Boswell, who heads the hydrate programme at the US department of energy's national energy technology
laboratory, said the US was determined to be the first to mine the resource.
"Commercially viable production is definitely realistic within a decade. The world is investing in hydrates, and one
reason for us to do this is to maintain our leadership position in this emerging technology."
Its new project will see the drilling vessel Uncle John spend about a month in the Gulf of Mexico, where it will bore
down to two of the largest expected methane hydrate deposits in the region. Scientists on the ship will collect
samples for experiments to see how the methane might be freed and transported to the surface.
http://www.truthout.org/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi/34/10121
Next
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