Welcomo to MH21

International Symposium on Methane Hydrate Resources

Phase 1 of “Japan’s Methane Hydrate R&D Program” finished and Phase 2 starts from April 1, 2009. Now we are preparing for the English web page for Phase 2. About the overview of “Japan’s Methane Hydrate R&D Program” (Phase 1) and organization and research program of Phase 2, please refer to the following documents.

Methane hydrate is currently being eagerly examined as a next-generation energy resource to replace oil and natural gas. It is estimated that the methane hydrate reserves around Japan, a nation otherwise poor in energy resources, would be sufficient to last over 100 years, based on present levels of natural gas consumption.

To develop this new, unfamiliar resource, Advisory Committee for National Methane Hydrate Exploitation Program, an investigative committee established within the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and led by Tokyo University Professor Emeritus Shoichi Tanaka, has prepared “Japan’s Methane Hydrate Exploitation Program”.

The Research Consortium for Methane Hydrate Resources in Japan (also known as the MH21 Research Consortium) was established to undertake research in accordance with this plan.

The aim of this website is to provide answers to questions such as “What is methane hydrate?” and “What kind of research is MH21 involved in?”

Impacts of the second on-shore methane hydrate production test results on the Japanese resource development