New resource seen boosting energy

Combustible ice exploration may see industry role on policy backing

China's reserves of combustible ice, a natural gas hydrate, are estimated at 80 billion metric tons of oil equivalent, which suggests massive resource potential, the Ministry of Land and Resources said in Beijing on Friday.

Li Jinfa, deputy director of the ministry's China Geological Survey, told a news conference that the natural gas hydrate, which is flammable like solid ethanol, could well be China's next big opportunity in energy.