China opens up new energy front as it taps gas hydrates

Burning Gas Hydrates

Source: J. Pinkston and L. Stern (USGS)

Fears that drilling marine methane deposits will damage ecosystems and add to climate change

In a world first, China has successfully exploited so-called ‘flammable ice’ or gas hydrates on the seafloor. The six week trial has been widely lauded in China as a major technological breakthrough.