Activities with Japan Gas hydrates

ESS contact for international business development:
International Relations Manager

Mallik 2002 Production Research Well Program

Through the Geological Survey of Canada, ESS is a leader in the Mallik 2002 Production Research Well Program, one of the world's most important gas hydrates research programs. This project is a partnership with an international consortium of researchers from Canada, Japan, the US, Germany, and India. The Mallik research well site, located in the Mackenzie Delta in the Northwest Territories, represents one of the highest concentrations of gas hydrates found to date in the world.

Phase One: The program demonstrated for the first time that gas production from gas hydrates is technically feasible. Scientists intensively examined gas hydrates cores from the research well, conducting detailed studies on the geology, geochemistry, geotechnical and microbiological properties of gas hydrate-bearing sediments. They also performed extensive geophysics research, including both surface, and down-hole studies.

Flare from the Mallik 2002 production test well.

Phase Two:, ESS and its partners are conducting detailed studies at the Mallik site as well as regional studies in the Mackenzie Delta, southern Beaufort Sea, Arctic Islands and Mackenzie Valley. This research will contribute to improved exploration methods, assessment of environmental and geohazard issues, and ultimately determine the economic potential of this vast unconventional energy resource.

ESS gains wealth of knowledge from Japan

Japan produces less than 2% of its domestic energy, but it has a 100-year supply of gas hydrate resources. In order to ensure a reliable domestic energy supply for the future, Japan has developed the world's leading gas hydrates program through the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC). By collaborating with JOGMEC, ESS is leveraging Japan's wealth of knowledge and improving Canada's own domestic gas hydrates program. Experts from ESS and NRCan's Energy Sector are working closely with Japanese experts to undertake computer modeling of gas hydrates and to complete laboratory research projects.

Gas hydrates are ice-like crystalline compounds of water and natural gas or methane, and are generally found in the world's arctic continental areas and in marine continental shelves. They represent a huge potential natural gas resource, however, the feasibility of commercially recovering gas hydrates is still being explored.

Project Partners: Earth Sciences Sector, the Energy Sector and Mallik 2002 Production Research Well Program partners

Project contact: Gas Hydrates: Fuel of the Future Program Manager

For more information:

The 2002 Mallik Research Well Program

Gas Hydrates: Fuel of the Future?

Clean Technologies

Energy Sector