Fortnightly Magazine - January 2005

Reversing the Gas Crisis: The Methane Hydrate Solution

Commercialization of methane recovery from coastal deposits of methane hydrates could head off an impending gas shortage.

More than half of the Earth’s organic carbon is in the form of methane hydrates—also known as the ice that burns. U.S. potential is at least 100,000 Tcf., but commercial production has not been achieved.

Coal Gasification Gets Real

The technology works, but public policy will dictate its future.

The future of integrated gasification combined-cycle (IGCC) power plants depends on public support, but environmental and market factors are helping IGCC look like a winning technology for the future.
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