Methane Hydrate R&D
APGA Issue Brief
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Background: The Energy Policy Act of 2005 authorizes $155 million over five years to support methane hydrate (MH) R&D. DOE will control those R&D dollars. Funding begins in 2006.

The Issue: The conservative estimation of producible natural gas from MH is 200,000 Tcf. APGA believes this resource must be researched and commercially produced. This greatest of all natural gas supply will help drive natural gas prices down to reasonable levels. To make commercial production of MH a reality, the federal Government must take the lead in funding MH R&D.

APGA must seek full appropriation of Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPA’05) authorized amounts in 2006 – 2010 to support a MH R&D program ($155 million). APGA members in Seattle voted on a new Resolution that supports full funding of MH R&D. The Resolution reads:

METHANE HYDRATES R&D

The APGA supports the full appropriation of Energy Policy Act of 2005 authorized dollars to support a methane hydrate R&D program and any additional federal R&D funding required to achieve commercial production of methane hydrates.

APGA Action: APGA has authored several letters-to-the-editor promoting Methane Hydrates as “the last bridge to renewables” and calling for the Federal Government to undertake a Manhattan-like project leading to commercial production of methane hydrates.

APGA, through its R&D Committee, is getting educated on MH - finding out what R&D has been conducted, what R&D needs to be conducted, what scientific roadblocks must be scaled and what it will take to reach commercial development. The R&D Committee has partnered with Arthur Johnson, Executive Director of the Hydrate Energy International (HEI). HEI has been a leader in promoting MH R&D.

APGA has also decided to launch an all-out congressional education campaign on Methane Hydrates. This campaign will also include international awareness and contact. Nader Dutta of Schlumberger is member of DOEs Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee and a leader in accelerating the gas hydrate research program. Nadar has learned of APGA’s intended congressional education program and wants to help. Nader is very serious about moving the program forward and should be of great help in the APGA effort.