The promising new energy source Beijing is tapping from the South China Sea and why it matters

With its successful collection of methane gas from icy methane hydrate, China joined other nations exploring a potential and abundant clean energy resource

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Bluewhale 1, the ultra-deepwater semi-submersible drilling rig in Zhuhai, Guangdong. China has succeeded in extracting methane gas from solid deposits under the sea. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 10:15am, 19 May 2017Updated: 7:41pm, 13 Jun 2017

This week, Chinese engineers collected methane gas from methane hydrate, or “combustible ice”, in the South China Sea and converted it to natural gas in a single, continuous operation. With that achievement, China joined the US, Canada and other nations exploring what could be an abundant source of clean energy. Here’s a closer look at this cool new energy resource.

What is combustible ice?

In a cold, high-pressure environment such as a deep sea bed, methane produced by microorganisms and water molecules can combine and form methane hydrate, a white solid that can be easily ignited and burns quietly with a blue flame. Some people, therefore, call it combustible ice.

Why does it matter to China?

Methane hydrate is a very clean source of energy. With one cubic metre of the “ice” equalling more than 160 cubic metres of natural gas, some researchers have estimated the global reserve of methane hydrate is twice as much as that of other known fossil fuels, enough for human consumption for 1,000 years.

Structure of a gas hydrate block embedded in the sediment of hydrate ridge. Photo: Handout

How was it discovered?