Energy Resource Potential of Methane Hydrate

Course Summary

Natural gas which is predominantly methane (CH4) is recognized as clean burning and an important bridge fuel to a future where renewable energy sources are more common. Methane hydrate-molecules of natural gas trapped in an ice-like cage of water molecules represents a potentially vast methane resource for both the United States and the world. Recent discoveries of methane hydrate in arctic and deep water marine environments have highlighted the need for a better understanding of this substance as a natural storehouse of carbon and a potential energy resource.

This course aims to provide a simple but comprehensive explanation of what methane hydrate is, where it is found, it’s potential as a fuel source, and the current state of methane hydrate research activities. Methane hydrate science has advanced steadily over the past decade, and commercial-scale production of natural gas from methane hydrate deposits is growing more viable at each step.

Learning Objectives

• The Growing Need for Natural Gas
• Methane Hydrate Potential as a Fuel Source
  • Methane Hydrate Resource Pyramid
• Ice that Burns
  • What is Methane Hydrate?
  • Where is Methane Hydrate Found?
  • Methane Hydrate and Global Climate
• Producing Methane from Hydrate
• Studying Methane Hydrate
  • Early Studies of Methane Hydrate
  • An Era of Hydrate R&D is Born
  • Recent Field Studies
  • Major U S Field Projects
  • Experimental and Modeling Studies
  • Research Fellowships
  • A Robust and Balanced Program

Course Author

US Department of Energy

Review the quiz before studying the course.

Certificate of completion of the course

This course comes with a multiple-choice quiz. You can view the quiz and take the quiz if you are logged in your account. You can take the quiz for this online PDH course as many times until passed. The passing grade is 70% and above. After you pass the quiz simply follow the page, to pay for the course and print your certificate instantly. A copy of the certificate and receipt for this course will always be in your account.

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This online PDH course can also be used as a continuing education course for the following.

Oil & Gas and Petrochemical Engineering

Geologists