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Japan extracts gas from methane hydrate in world first | Japan extracts gas from methane hydrate in world first |
(35 minutes later) | |
Japan says it has successfully extracted natural gas from frozen methane hydrate off its central coast, in a world first. | Japan says it has successfully extracted natural gas from frozen methane hydrate off its central coast, in a world first. |
Methane hydrates, or clathrates, are a type of frozen "cage" of molecules of methane and water. | Methane hydrates, or clathrates, are a type of frozen "cage" of molecules of methane and water. |
The gas field is about 50km away from Japan's main island, in the Nankai Trough. | The gas field is about 50km away from Japan's main island, in the Nankai Trough. |
Researchers say it could provide an alternative energy source for Japan which imports all its energy needs. | Researchers say it could provide an alternative energy source for Japan which imports all its energy needs. |
Other countries including Canada, the US and China have been looking into ways of exploiting methane hydrate deposits as well. | Other countries including Canada, the US and China have been looking into ways of exploiting methane hydrate deposits as well. |
Pilot experiments in recent years, using methane hydrates found under land ice, have shown that methane can be extracted from the deposits. | Pilot experiments in recent years, using methane hydrates found under land ice, have shown that methane can be extracted from the deposits. |
Offshore deposits present a potentially enormous source of methane but also some environmental concern, because the underwater geology containing them is unstable in many places. | Offshore deposits present a potentially enormous source of methane but also some environmental concern, because the underwater geology containing them is unstable in many places. |
"It is the world's first offshore experiment producing gas from methane hydrate," an official from the economy, trade and industry ministry told the AFP news agency. | "It is the world's first offshore experiment producing gas from methane hydrate," an official from the economy, trade and industry ministry told the AFP news agency. |
A survey of the gas field is being run by state-owned Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC). | A survey of the gas field is being run by state-owned Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC). |
Engineers used a depressurisation method that turns methane hydrate into methane gas. | |
Production tests are expected to continue for about two weeks. | |
Government officials have said that they aim to establish methane hydrate production technologies for practical use within five years. | Government officials have said that they aim to establish methane hydrate production technologies for practical use within five years. |
A Japanese study estimated that at least 1.1tn cubic metres of methane hydrate exist in offshore deposits. | |
This is the equivalent of more than a decade of Japan's gas consumption. | |
Japan has few natural resources and the cost of importing fuel has increased after a backlash against nuclear power following the Fukushima nuclear disaster two years ago. | Japan has few natural resources and the cost of importing fuel has increased after a backlash against nuclear power following the Fukushima nuclear disaster two years ago. |
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