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gas hydrate - CCOP

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These phenomena are now the subjects of considerable scientific research using high<br />

resolution acoustic surveys, sediment and <strong>hydrate</strong> sampling, and analysis – for example by the<br />

Ocean Drilling Program. Much is being learned about the geochemical and sedimentological<br />

characteristics that promote <strong>hydrate</strong> formation and stability. Conversely <strong>gas</strong> <strong>hydrate</strong> instability<br />

is believed to be associated with other distinctive sea floor features such as large blowouts or<br />

large-scale submarine mass sediment movement.<br />

Yet another instability effect appears to be related to global warming where increased<br />

temperatures are melting permafrost and causing <strong>gas</strong> <strong>hydrate</strong>s on land to become unstable – in<br />

turn contributing greenhouse <strong>gas</strong>es to the atmosphere.<br />

Gas <strong>hydrate</strong>s are thus intriguing natural phenomena that have both important resource and<br />

environmental implications. In this special <strong>CCOP</strong> Thematic Session we will no doubt learn<br />

more about them as we listen to presentations by some of the world’s experts, and particularly<br />

hear about the potential importance of <strong>gas</strong> <strong>hydrate</strong>s as economic resources in the <strong>CCOP</strong><br />

region. Our thanks and congratulations again to the Organizers for arranging what will<br />

undoubtedly be an exciting and informative meeting – in yet another of the Thematic Sessions<br />

which are now becoming a traditional strength of the <strong>CCOP</strong> Annual Meeting.<br />

8<br />

New Energy Resources in the <strong>CCOP</strong> Region – Gas Hydrates and Coalbed Metthane

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