Gas hydrate lab gets official nod

A natural gas hydrate national laboratory under China National Offshore Oil Corporation has been approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology, as China gains an edge for combustible ice commercial production after sustained trials.

The laboratory should focus primarily on the development of strategic emerging industries in order to enhance the corporation's independent innovation ability and core competitiveness, the ministry said.

Combustible ice is formed under low temperature and high pressure in permafrost under the sea. One cubic meter of the hydrate can release about 160 cu m of gas, but it would emit only half the amount of carbon dioxide produced by oil or coal.