Presence of seabed methane, along offshore Makran

Methane clathrate (CH4•5.75H2O), also called methane hydrate, is a solid clathrate compound in which a large amount of methane is trapped within a crystal structure of water, forming a solid similar to ice. Latest research has confirmed, significant deposits of methane clathrate have been found under the sea bed.

The biggest hindrance in the exploitation of gas hydrates had been the expansion factor. One cubic foot of gas hydrates in subsurface yields 160 cubic feet of gas at the surface. So while drilling, as the well enters the hydrate bed, the overlying rock pressure is removed. The ice immediately liquefies to release methane which is extremely difficult to control because of the expansion factor, an operational hazard. Exploitation of the hydrates has been a hazardous and expensive venture.

During the near past Japan’s rising energy bill by a sharp increase in the country’s fossil fuel imports has weighed heavily on its economy after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear crisis, which has all but halted Japan’s nuclear energy program. Japan started work on the project of exploration of seabed methane and his researchers have succeeded to overcome all the problems and told on 12^th March, 2013 (Tuesday) that they have extracted methane gas from offshore deposits of methane hydrate. Japan’s experiment proves to be a real breakthrough, and then the energy problem would be solved for a long time to come. They have estimated 5 years for its commercial utilization.

It is added here that presence of seabed methane along offshore Makran in Pakistan has been discovered, having enormous potential, much larger than the gas Pakistan have found onshore. These deposits can be explored and utilized for the energy requirements of Pakistan for the benefit of its people.