JOGMEC Flows Gas From Methane Hydrates

Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC), has started a flow test and confirmed production of methane gas estimated from methane hydrate layers on March 12, 2013.

JOGMEC will start analysing data while it continues the flow test. The flow test is expected to continue till the end of this month

The company has been conducting preparation works for the first offshore production test off the coasts of Atsumi and Shima peninsulas.  

Based on accomplishment of the production test, JOGMEC plans to proceed with the second offshore production test scheduled in Phase 2 and establishing the technological platform toward future commercial production in Phase 3 which is scheduled from FY2016 until FY2018.

A Japanese study has estimated the existence of at least 40 trillion cubic feet (1.1 trillion cubic metres) of methane hydrates in the eastern Nankai Trough off the country's Pacific coast, about 11 years of Japanese gas consumption.