Chapter 14 – Natural Gas Hydrate

Natural gas hydrate is considered to be an important resource that will replace conventional fossil fuels in the mid–late 21st century. Natural gas hydrate is widely distributed in permafrost and seafloor sediments surrounding continental margins. The natural gas resources are dozens of times greater than the global conventional natural gas resources and contain about twice as much total C in coal, petroleum, and natural gas, demonstrating the great potential for development and utilization. Natural gas hydrate has attracted considerable attention from researchers around the world. This chapter introduces the significance, characteristics, formation, development, and prospects of natural gas hydrate.