Analyzing the Potential of Gas Hydrates

A. Executive Summary

B. Introduction to Natural Gas

• B.1 Introduction
• B.2 Chemical Composition of Natural Gas
• B.3 Natural Gas Prices
• B.4 Natural Gas Processing
• B.5 Storage and Transporting of Natural Gas
• B.6 Sources of Natural Gas

C. What are Hydrocarbons?

• C.1 Introduction to Hydrocarbons
• C.2 Compact Structure of a Basic Hydrate Unit
• C.3 Finding Hydrates at Sea
• C.4 Present-day Hydrate Exploration
• C.5 Novel Methods of Monitoring Hydrate Creation
• C.6 Converting to Hydrates

D. Introduction to Gas Hydrates

• D.1 What are Gas Hydrates?
• D.2 Historical Background
• D.3 Structure of Gas Hydrates
• D.4 Hydrates Found in the Universe
• D.5 Where are Gas Hydrates Found
• D.6 The Hydrate Stability Zone
• D.7 Importance of Gas Hydrates
• D.8 How to Detect Gas Hydrates?
• D.9 Role of Gas Hydrates in Continental Margin Sediment Instability
• D.10 Environmental Impact of Gas Hydrates
• D.11 Energy Source from Gas Hydrates
• D.12 Hazards Associated with Hydrates
• D.13 Hydrate Challenges
• D.14 Research on Natural Gas Hydrates
• D.15 Looking at US Efforts
• D.16 Looking at International Efforts
• D.17 Future of Gas Hydrate Research

E. Methane Hydrates - A Resource

• E.1 Exploiting the Resource of Methane Hydrates
• E.2 Methane Hydrate & Global Warming
• E.3 Role of Natural Gas

F. Understanding the Rock Physics Model

G. How to Produce Methane from Gas Hydrates

H. Production of Natural Gas Hydrates

• H.1 Possible Production Processes
• H.2 Identifying Possible Deposits for Production
• H.3 Looking at Transportation Methods
• H.4 Safety & Environmental Concerns
• H.5 Hazard to Drilling Operations
• H.6 Hazard to Sea Floor Structure
• H.7 Hazard to Vehicles & Other Floating Structures

I. Analyzing the Global Carbon Cycle Role of Natural Gas Hydrates

J. Current Programs & Budgets Involving Methane Hydrate

• J.1 Introduction
• J.2 US Department of Energy
• J.3 US Geological Survey
• J.4 Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)
• J.5 Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
• J.6 JOIDES Ocean Drilling Program (ODP)
• J.7 National Science Foundation (NSF)
• J.8 Colorado School of Mines Hydrate Consortium (CSMHC)
• J.9 Deep Star Consortium
• J.10 International Gas Hydrate Research, Partnerships, and INTERMAR

K. Case Studies

• K.1 The Messoyakha Gas Field
• K.2 Prudhoe Bay
• K.3 Alaska North Slope Gas Hydrate Reservoir

L. Appendix

M. Glossary of Terms