Tundra Gas Seeking Role in Japanese Methane Hydrates Venture

Tokyo, Japan, March 16, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Tundra Gas Inc has begun exploratory talks to participate in the world’s first commercial offshore methane hydrate mining (some energy firms refer to methane hydrate extraction as “mining” because the substance is a solid deposit underground) venture. Methane Hydrate will be recovered from the Nankai Trough, which is approximately 70 km (43.5 miles) of the eastern coast of Japan.

The company’s Chairman and CEO Richard Steele revealed discussions have been held with Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp over a possible role in the project.

“Our key area of interest is ensuring the safe removal of the methane hydrate,” explained Steele. “This material has been responsible for many of the world’s most devastating ocean floor land slides, so extreme care must be taken to ensure the ocean bed remains stable after the methane hydrate has been removed. It may or may not be a coincidence that the Nankai Trough is prone to seismic activity and includes the site of the March 2011 Tōhoku earthquake.”

The first extraction site is a 300-meter layer of methane hydrate from a well 1,000 meters deep. It is hoped this well will generate 10,000 cubic meters per day during the trial period.

“Methane hydrate deposits around Japan contain enough gas to fuel the country for up to a century,” pointed out Steele. "We are on the verge of making Japan much more self-sufficient in energy and reducing the need for nuclear power plants."