Minerals Report - International Seabed Authority

Figure 1. Proportional composition of gas hydrate on dissociation (after Kvenvolden 2 )
The significance of gas hydrate is not only in its potential as an
alternate fue1 resource, but also in its negative implication on global
climatic and geological environments and the role it might have played in
the past. Scientists also consider that a proper understanding of the
process of formation of gas hydrate may help to develop several other
useful technologies.
1.2. Historical background
Sir Humphrey Davy discovered gas hydrate in 1811, when it was
observed that under certain conditions, water and chlorine form a
crystalline substance - chlorine hydrate 6 . In 1888 scientists succeeded in
proving that hydrocarbons (methane, ethane) can form gas hydrates.
However, until the beginning of the 1930'5, gas hydrates were looked
upon solely as a scientific curiosity, for which there appeared to be no
practical use. Gas hydrates caught the attention of industry in 1930's when
it was realized that the long distance oil and gas transmission pipelines in
the USA were being clogged by formation of gas hydrates within the
pipelines. In order to overcome this problem, researchers spent time in
studying the compositions and structure of gas hydrates and identifying
inhibitors that could prevent formation of gas hydrates 7 . This was the
beginning of an experience that changed gas hydrates from a bane to a
possible future boon.
INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY 519