collected from the bottom of the ocean. vast amounts. Why can’t drill for it like we do for oil?
Those were the questions I had about the large amount of natural gas trapped mostly on the bottom of the ocean by the pressure and cold temperatures. One obsticle with drilling is the extreme depths…not like offshore oil drilling which is done in relatively shallow waters.
Gas hydrates are crystalline solids consisting of gas molecules, usually methane, each surrounded by a cage of water molecules. Gas hydrate looks and acts like ice, but it contains vast amounts of methane.
The real problem with considering this as a fuel source is the fuel would be Methane. Methane is a Greenhouse gas and when it is burned for fuel it produces Carbon Dioxide. Taking the Hydrate out would also destabilize the sea floor and cause giant Tsunamis. So let’s not spend a lot of time and money on this kind of pipe dream.
Filed under: Environment, Global Warming | Tagged: Global Warming, greenhouse effect, Methane, Nateral Gas, Oceans |
GROG: green tech blog 
Your blog is quite impressive. Cool layout, high pagerank and all. What is your secret sauce? There are definitely much to learn from you.
I saw something about this ont he show naked science the other day. seemed REALLY promising as a short term solution to the energy crisis until we consider the consequences you mentioned. Oh wells…
[…] while back I wrote a post HERE and HERE on collecting natural gas hydrates from the sea floor. I was not really in favor of the […]