Methane hydrates – essentially, natural gas molecules trapped in ice – were once considered a hindrance to natural gas extraction. But thanks to emerging technologies, untapped deposits of methane hydrates around the world now have the potential to alter the global energy landscape and bolster the energy security of traditionally resource-poor countries.
Japan is leading the way. The island nation has been heavily involved in methane hydrate research and testing, in hopes of starting commercial production as soon as 2018.
