Methane trapped in sea ice recovered

China has became the first country to produce methane gas trapped in icelike crystals beneath the South China Sea, the Ministry of Land and Resources said on Thursday.

The test drilling and production operation conducted in the region this month by China International Marine Containers Group and China National Petroleum Corp lays a solid foundation for commercial use of the resource - known as marine natural gas hydrate - before 2030, said Li Jinfa, deputy director of China Geological Survey, which is under the ministry.

The tests will give China a continuous and stable supply of hydrate gas from the waters of the Shenhu area in the northern part of South China Sea, the ministry said.