One of the complicating factors in trying to assess how much hydrocarbon is
left out there waiting to be dug up is the likely abundance of methane
hydrates on the sea floor. Resource size estimates vary widely, I've seen
them range from 2.5 times all known natural gas reserve equivalent to 100
times, with the figure of ten times most often cited. Methane is a potent
greenhouse gas - could large scale commercial exploitation inadvertently
release large quantities into the atmosphere? Japan is certainly keen to
exploit these resources (see, for example
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/print/business/nb01-2005/nb20050119a5.htm) as
are other nations with limited alternative energy supplies.
If it is possible to exploit the resource in a safe, clean manner, I suppose
that the methane could form feedstock for a hydrogen economy, with excess
CO2 piped back into saline aquifers?
Here are some links -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane_clathrate
http://marine.usgs.gov/fact-sheets/gas-hydrates/title.html
http://www7430.nrlssc.navy.mil/7432/hydrates/
Regards
Steve
Stephen Hall
Room 256/27
Ocean Circulation & Climate Division
National Oceanography Centre,
Southampton SO14 3ZH
+44 (0)23 80 596435 (office)
07813 071312 (mobile) Skype = 'stifyn'
www.noc.soton.ac.uk
|