WASHINGTON, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–August 31, 2012. The Energy Department today announced the selection of 14 new research projects across 11 states that will be a part of an expanding portfolio of projects designed to increase our understanding of methane hydratesâ potential as a future energy supply. Methane hydrates are 3D ice-lattice structures with natural gas locked inside, and are found both onshore and offshore â including under the Arctic permafrost and in ocean sediments along nearly every continental shelf in the world. Todayâs projects build on the completion of a successful, unprecedented test earlier this year that was able to safely extract a steady flow of natural gas from methane hydrates on the North Slope of Alaska. Find more information on methane hydrates HERE.
