Abstract

In this paper methane produced from gas hydrates as unconventional energy source is considered as future reserve in energy requirement. Unlike conventional traps, which are a prerequisite for the accumulation of oil and natural gas, gas hydrates can form their own trap within the pore space and expand themselves against the sediment load in the form of massive gas hydrates. This gas hydrates energy resource is estimated as 7, 00,000 x 1012 Scft. In India the total reserve is estimated at 80,210km2. If solar energy is also utilized along with gas hydrates energy the future will be secured for some more decades. Solar energy and gas hydrates will cumulatively solve energy related problems.

Methane (CH4), the most common form of natural gas associated with petroleum reservoirs, is in gaseous state at standard temperature and pressure conditions. But under high pressure and low temperature, it combines with water molecules to form an icy-white compound called methane hydrate. Thus it contains huge volumes of gas e.g., 1m3 of solid hydrate (theoretically) contains up to 164m3 of methane gas at standard pressure and temperature. Methane produced from gas hydrates is truly unconventional because of its origin, trapping mechanism and production technologies. Unlike conventional traps, which are a prerequisite for the accumulation of oil and natural gas, gas hydrates can form their own trap within the pore space and expand themselves against the sediment load in the form of massive hydrates.