Japan Begins Methane Hyderate Test Drilling

Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp. began preparatory drilling for seabed methane hydrate production possibly on Tuesday in waters off Aichi Prefecture in central Japan.

The exercise marks the maiden attempt to drill into the ocean floor for the energy source.

The undersea methane hydrate-bearing layer extends from Shizuoka Prefecture to Wakayama Prefecture.

It is estimated the layer contains 1.1 trillion cubic meters of methane hydrate reserves, the equivalent of 13 years of domestic natural gas consumption.