U. S. Department of Energy Gas Hydrate Research Impacting Offshore Development

摘要

Gas hydrates are frozen cage-like solids in which water molecules enclose gas molecules. Hydrates form under high pressure at temperatures near freezing in ocean sediments and arctic permafrost. Gas Hydrates, althoguh not likely to become an economic natural gas resource for many years, have the potential to radically alter the balance of world energy. This paper will summarize the status and expected future directions for research to: 1) quantify the characterize the resource, 2) assess the producibility of hydrate deposits, 3) understand the potential impact of hydrates on safety and seafloor stability for structures in areras underlain by hydrates, 4) define the potential impacts of hydrates on global climate change, and 5) use hydrates to transport gas.