Open AccessNatural gas hydrates
Author(s) -
S L Smith
Publication year - 2001
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.4095/212230
Subject(s) - permafrost , clathrate hydrate , natural gas , methane , drilling , submarine pipeline , hydrate , petroleum engineering , fossil fuel , scientific drilling , greenhouse gas , geology , hydrocarbon , earth science , hazard , environmental science , chemistry , oceanography , materials science , organic chemistry , metallurgy
Temperature and pressure conditions required for the stability of natural gas hydrates are found in sediments of Canada's permafrost and offshore regions. Geophysical evidence suggests that a significant amount of methane is stored as gas hydrate in theseregions. Gas hydrates may be an important contributor to future energy supplies and a source of atmospheric greenhouse gas. They may pose a hazard during exploration drilling or hydrocarbon production. Knowledge of their distribution is therefore required to evaluate their importance as an energyresource or drilling hazard. Stability conditions for the existence of gas hydrate in the Canadian permafrost and offshore regions have been analyzed. The distribution of gas hydrate, inferred from geophysical evidence, is described. Examples are presented to illustrate the role climatic andgeological history, gas chemistry, and existing temperature and pressure conditions play in determining the stability and distribution of gas hydrate.