Deepwater technology for oceanic natural gas hydrate

Deepwater oceanic natural gas hydrate (NGH) is a potential unconventional natural gas resource. Since its recognition in the early 1970s, considerable research into its petroleum system, physical and chemical characteristics, and other attributes have been carried out. The resource is on the verge of being produced. Because oceanic NGH deposits occur within 1.2 km of the seafloor in semi-consolidated sediments world wide, and have very low environmental risk, it should be possible to develop a new range of 'lightweight' seafloor based technology that would have the effect of reducing the cost of both exploration and production dramatically.