Hydrates in Nature

The Hydrate community is entering a time of exciting discovery in the area of Hydrates in Nature, and Center for Hydrate Research is no exception. With the prospect of high natural gas prices, CHR is conductig research aimed at optimizing the production of hydrocarbons from gas hydrates in permafrost zones and near-seafloor offshore hydrate deposits.

Figure 1: Ocean Hydrates at Barkley Canyon

Work in this area includes collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to refine hydrate production models. As the world tries to understand and stem the possible contribution of hydrates to global warming, the Center for Hydrate Research is collaborating with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute to understand the behavior of protruding hydrate mounds on the seafloor and their possible contribution to the atmospheric methane budget. Furthermore, as conventional oil and gas deposits are sometimes found underneath hydrates, understanding the geomechanics of these formations is vital for ensuring the safety of operations on and in hydrate-bearing zones. The center for hydrate research looks forward to its collaboration with Schlumberger and LBNL to ensure that human activity does not compromise the safety of operations near hydrate-bearing zones. From production optimization to global warming issues to safety assurance, CHR is conducting diverse and exciting research in the field of Hydrates in Nature.