gas hydrate - CCOP

In this paper, an overview of the MH21 Research Consortium and activities of the production
method and modeling research group will be presented.
JAPAN’S METHANE HYDRATE EXPLOITATION PROGRAM
This program is intended to promote technical development for economical drilling,
production and recovery of methane hydrate, to facilitate its utilization and to contribute a to
long-term stable energy supply system. Six goals have been identified for the program in
order to develop technologies for the commercial production of methane hydrate offshore
around Japan. Also, international cooperation will be promoted to aid efficient technology
development. The research results should be incorporated in to Japan’s national energy
policies. The six goals are listed below;
1. To clarify the conditions and features of the methane hydrate existing offshore around
Japan.
2. To estimate the amount of methane gas in the hydrated area.
3. To select methane potential hydrate resource fields from the sea areas and study their
economic feasibility.
4. To implement methane hydrate production tests in the selected resource fields.
5. To develop technologies for commercial production.
6. To establish the exploitation system considering environmental preservation.
The above program comprises three phases and the suggested schedule for achieving the
program’s goals, including on-shore/off-shore production tests and precise seismic and
geological surveys, is as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Brief Schedule of METI’s Program.
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New Energy Resources in the CCOP Region - Gas Hydrates and Coalbed Methane