Govt to drill for methane off Aichi Pref. / Test may lead to new major energy source
22th of January, 2012
The government plans to conduct test drilling for methane hydrate off the coast of Aichi Prefecture, in the world's first attempt to exploit this energy resource, which is expected to become a major source of next-generation power, it has been learned.
The government said Wednesday the test drilling will be done 70 to 80 kilometers off the prefecture's Atsumi Peninsula, which is inside Japan's exclusive economic zone.
Full-scale underwater test drilling will start in mid-February.
The government plans to conduct actual drilling next year and conduct experiments in methane gas production.
Methane hydrate is an ice-like substance consisting of crystallized methane gas molecules trapped in water. It is found mainly under deep seabed and permafrost layers, where temperatures are low and pressure is high. The substance contains 160 to 170 cubic...READ MORE
