Methane Hydrates

Methane HydratesEnvironmental Science PresentationChriste MarbbnMarch 11th, 2009

1Table of ContentsOverviewFactors Required to Form DepositsNatural DepositsReservoir SizeExtraction Techniques (Present, Future Prospects)How Methane Hydrates can be Harvested intoEnergy Proposed MethodEROI of Methane HydratesIssues Surrounding Methane HydratesEnvironmentalTechnologicalEconomical

2IntroductionOverviewMethane hydrate, also called methane clathrate or methane iceMethane hydrates and the Solar System Methane hydrates have been found under sediments on the ocean floors of Earth (Hoffmann, 2006).

3IntroductionOverview (cont.)Methane hydrates can be found in water bodies or even land massesThey are formed via gas rising and precipitating/crystallization when in contact with cold seat water

Vs.4IntroductionOverview (cont.)Stability of methane hydrates Methane hydrate = 1 mole of methane for every 5.75 moles of waterThe observed density is around 0.9 g/cm

5

(Above) Methane Hydrates are relatively abundant in sea-floor mounds on the Gulf of Mexico. Here methane is actively dissociating from a hydrate mound.

(Above) Methane hydrate undergoing combustion at room temperature. It looks like pieces of Ice are burning. Interestingly, as it releases heat, water drips.

(Left) A studentcarelessly handling a large deposit of methane hydrate crystal.It is important to note that hydrates can cause an explosive hazard for exploration rigs, production platforms and pipelines, especially in deep water conditions due to these chemical properties.

6A molecular dynamics simulation illustrating dissociation of methane from its water cage.

7Factors Required to Form HydratesFirst, a gas must be presentTwo major sources for gas production:Gas is produced thermocatalytically as a result of breakdown of organic carbon to oil and gas Gas is produced bacteriologically by relatively shallow decomposition of organic matter

Vs.Lerche & Bagirov, 20048Factors Required to Form HydratesOnce gas is made it must migrate in order for precipitation to occur

Gases near the surface dont have to migrate as much as gasses found deeper in the ocean

Lerche & Bagirov, 20049Factors Required to Form Hydrates

Formation conditions of methane hydratesTeledyne ISCO, 200810Natural DepositsMethane hydrates are restricted to the shallow lithosphere (i.e.