Abstract

Methane Hydrates form when water and methane are brought in contact within a specific temperature-pressure regime. The discovery of Hydrate Methane reservoir has generated considerable excitement since it is estimated to contain twice the energy in all known reserves of fossil fuels. In addition to their age, it appears that hydrates in nature are ubiquitous, with some probability of occurrence wherever methane and water are in close proximity at low temperature and elevated pressures. Because hydrates concentrate methane (at STP) by as much as factor of 164 and because less than 15% of the recovered energy is required for dissociation, hydrate reservoirs have been considered as a substantial future energy resource.