Japan consortium extracts 'fire ice' gas from seabed
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Burned gas separated from methane hydrate gas is seen on the deep-sea drilling vessel "Chikyu" in the Pacific, off Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, in this handout photo taken and released by Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (Jogmec) on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. Japan said Tuesday it had successfully extracted methane hydrate, known as "fire ice", from its seabed, possibly unlocking many years' worth of gas for the resource-starved country. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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An aerial view shows deep-sea drilling vessel, Chikyu, in the Pacific, off Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo on March 12, 2013. A Japanese energy explorer said on Tuesday it extracted gas from offshore methane hydrate deposits for the first time in the world, as part of an attempt to achieve commercial production within six years. Since 2001, Japan, which imports nearly all of its energy needs, has invested several hundred million dollars in developing technology to tap methane hydrate reserves off its coast that are estimated to be equal to about 11 years of gas consumption. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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This file picture, taken on March 19, 2005 shows the "burning ice," methane hydrate, a potential future source of energy during a press preview for the 2005 World Exposition in Nagakute, Aichi prefecture, central Japan. Japan said on March 12, 2013 that it had successfully extracted methane hydrate, known as "fire ice", from its seabed, possibly unlocking many years' worth of gas for the resource-starved country. -- FILE PHOTO: AFP
Burned gas separated from methane hydrate gas is seen on the deep-sea drilling vessel "Chikyu" in the Pacific, off Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, in this handout photo taken and released by Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (Jogmec) on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. Japan said Tuesday it had successfully extracted methane hydrate, known as "fire ice", from its seabed, possibly unlocking many years' worth of gas for the resource-starved country. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
An aerial view shows deep-sea drilling vessel, Chikyu, in the Pacific, off Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo on March 12, 2013. A Japanese energy explorer said on Tuesday it extracted gas from offshore methane hydrate deposits for the first time in the world, as part of an attempt to achieve commercial production within six years. Since 2001, Japan, which imports nearly all of its energy needs, has invested several hundred million dollars in developing technology to tap methane hydrate reserves off its coast that are estimated to be equal to about 11 years of gas consumption. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
This file picture, taken on March 19, 2005 shows the "burning ice," methane hydrate, a potential future source of energy during a press preview for the 2005 World Exposition in Nagakute, Aichi prefecture, central Japan. Japan said on March 12, 2013 that it had successfully extracted methane hydrate, known as "fire ice", from its seabed, possibly unlocking many years' worth of gas for the resource-starved country. -- FILE PHOTO: AFP
TOKYO (AFP) - Japan said Tuesday it had successfully extracted methane hydrate, known as "fire ice", from its seabed, possibly unlocking many years' worth of gas for the resource-starved country.
In what they are claiming as a world first, a consortium is drilling for the hydrate, a fossil fuel that looks like ice but consists of very densely-packed methane surrounded by water molecules, one kilometre below sea level.
The solid white substance burns with a pale flame, leaving nothing but water. One cubic m of it is estimated to contain many times the equivalent volume of methane in gas form.
The consortium, led by Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, began initial work in February last year and on Tuesday started a two-week experimental production, an economy, trade and industry ministry official said.
