In order to support energy independence and meet the ever increasing demand for energy, the United States requires a diversified range of increased quantities of electricity, natural gas and other fuels. The US resources of gas hydrates are estimated to be 200,000 trillion cubic feet.
According to the Energy Information Administration, a shortfall in natural gas supply from both conventional and unconventional sources is expected to happen in 2020 and methane hydrate have the potential to lessen the expected shortfall in the natural gas supply.
In order to carry out a program of methane hydrate research and development, the Secretary of Interior is entrusted to enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with institutions of higher education, oceanographic institutions, and other industrial enterprises to conduct research to identify, explore, and develop methane hydrate as a commercially viable source of energy. To increase in the supply of methane hydrate, remote sensing devices are applied to identify the resources and it also a responsibility of the Secretary to acquire and process seismic data appropriate for characterizing methane hydrate accumulations. Moreover, it is also the responsibility of the Secretary to promote education and training in methane hydrate resource research and conduct research to assess and lessen the environmental impact of hydrate degassing and also to develop technologies to minimize the risks of drilling through methane hydrates.
The Secretary must also set up an advisory panel comprising of representatives of industrial enterprises, institutions of higher education, oceanographic institutions, State agencies, and environmental organizations with expertise in the gas hydrates field to meet the cause of enhanced and effective exploration of methane hydrates.
