China cools research into ‘fire ice’
Japan has successfully produced methane hydrates by applying the depressurisation method. (JOGMEC)
China’s vast potential reserves of methane hydrates could remain untapped as low energy prices worldwide have stymied further exploration of the frozen resource.
China confirmed the existence of methane hydrates, known as ‘fire ice’, in waters off Hong Kong in 2013, but there has been little follow-up. More exploration is needed to identify areas with high potential, said Sun Changyu, a chemical engineering professor at the China Petroleum University.