Report of the Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee on Methane Hydrate Issues and Opportunities. Including Assessment of Uncertainty of the Impact of Methane Hydrate on Global Climate Change

摘要

The Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee was established by the Secretary of Energy in November 2000 in compliance with the requirements of the Methane Hydrate Research and Development Act of 2000, Public Law 106-193. The Advisory Committee advises the Secretary on potential applications of methane hydrate and assists in developing recommendations and priorities for the methane hydrate research program. Consistent with the legislation, one of the tasks assumed by the Committee was the preparation of a report assessing the potential impact on global climate change from methane hydrate formation, methane hydrate degassing, and consumption of natural gas produced from methane hydrates. As noted in this report, the possible impact on global climate is one of several key issues related to methane hydrate currently being studied. Other issues include the emerging resource potential of methane hydrates, and the implications of methane hydrate on the safety of offshore facilities and on seafloor stability.