DNR, USGS hold methane hydrate briefing

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, or DNR, the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Department of Energy have scheduled a briefing on North Slope methane hydrates in Denver on Dec. 11. The purpose of the briefing is to provide companies that may be interested in methane hydrate research with information about Alaska methane hydrate resources. DNR says that Denver is a convenient location, likely to maximize attendance by interested companies.

Methane hydrate is an ice-like solid in which methane, the primary component of natural gas, becomes trapped in a lattice of water molecules. Huge quantities of methane hydrate, known to exist around the base of the permafrost under the North Slope, could become a future source of natural gas production if viable technologies for extracting the gas from the subsurface hydrates can be developed.

Two methane hydrate test wells have been drilled on the North Slope, one in 2007 and the other in 2012.

During the Denver briefing DNR and USGS scientists will present a summary of North Slope methane hydrate information obtained from seismic surveys and well data. Discussion will particularly focus on 11 North Slope land tracts that DNR has set aside for an evaluation of their methane hydrate potential as part of a memorandum of understanding between DNR and the Department of Energy for methane hydrate research, DNR says. The agency is encouraging companies to attend the briefing to assess their interest in any future research and their ability to participate in that research.

—Alan Bailey