Methane Hydrate Research & Development
Methane hydrate, found below the deep-ocean floor off the coast of Japan, has the potential to meet the nation’s natural-gas demand. The Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) is closely involved in the planning and ensuring the resource available for practical use for exploring its potential use as an alternative energy source.
The Research Consortium for Methane Hydrate Resources in Japan (also known as MH21, which was formed by JOGMEC and other organizations) completed the Phase 1 - 3 (FY2001-2018) studies of Japan’s Methane Hydrate R&D Program, which was designed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) at the end of March 2019.
The program has beneficial outcomes, for example, 1) the discovery of methane hydrate concentrated zones (MHCZs), which are highly concentrated methane hydrate deposits in sandy layers of the eastern Nankai Trough, and 2) verification of the depressurization method, which does not require an artificial thermal energy input, as an efficient methane-hydrate dissociation technique (through the conduction of onshore and offshore production tests).
However, there was still a long way to achieve the project’s goal of introducing marine methane hydrates into the Japanese domestic resource portfolio.
Phase 4 of the research and development project to investigate the pore-filling type of methane hydrate started in FY2019 and was funded by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Hence, to execute the project, JOGMEC, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), and Japan Methane Hydrate Operating Co., Ltd. (JMH) jointly formed the new consortium, MH21-S R&D consortium (MH21-S).
After a review of the Phase 1–3 accomplishments, the Phase 4 R&D Plan is focused on the identification and verification of the best solutions to the remaining challenges. The Phase 4 approach has two key items, 1) development of improved production technologies, including improved reservoir modeling; and 2) execution of a marine survey, to identify appropriate future test sites.
As a global pioneering project, JOGMEC is determined to promote the development of technologies that can enhance the future commercial production of methane hydrate.
The Research Consortium for Methane Hydrate Resources in Japan (also known as MH21, which was formed by JOGMEC and other organizations) completed the Phase 1 - 3 (FY2001-2018) studies of Japan’s Methane Hydrate R&D Program, which was designed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) at the end of March 2019.
The program has beneficial outcomes, for example, 1) the discovery of methane hydrate concentrated zones (MHCZs), which are highly concentrated methane hydrate deposits in sandy layers of the eastern Nankai Trough, and 2) verification of the depressurization method, which does not require an artificial thermal energy input, as an efficient methane-hydrate dissociation technique (through the conduction of onshore and offshore production tests).
However, there was still a long way to achieve the project’s goal of introducing marine methane hydrates into the Japanese domestic resource portfolio.
Phase 4 of the research and development project to investigate the pore-filling type of methane hydrate started in FY2019 and was funded by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Hence, to execute the project, JOGMEC, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), and Japan Methane Hydrate Operating Co., Ltd. (JMH) jointly formed the new consortium, MH21-S R&D consortium (MH21-S).
After a review of the Phase 1–3 accomplishments, the Phase 4 R&D Plan is focused on the identification and verification of the best solutions to the remaining challenges. The Phase 4 approach has two key items, 1) development of improved production technologies, including improved reservoir modeling; and 2) execution of a marine survey, to identify appropriate future test sites.
As a global pioneering project, JOGMEC is determined to promote the development of technologies that can enhance the future commercial production of methane hydrate.
For more information：MH21-S R&D consortium site
Oil and Natural Gas
- Technology development
- CO2-EOR
- Reservoir monitoring
- Organic geochemical techniques
- Measurement of elastic wave velocity
- Techniques for analyzing the geological properties of rocks
- Geomechanics
- Unconventional oil & gas development technology
- Offshore development technology
- Environmental technology
- Methane Hydrate Research & Development
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