Application of Bacterial Mat for Optimized Gas Hydrate Recovery at the Sea Surface

Abstract

Abstract With increasing energy demand, the oil and gas industry requires new technological developments in the field of unconventional resources along with sustainable development. In this paper we put forward the concept of Bacterial Mat for optimised recovery from marine gas hydrates. Along the India’s 7,500 km of coast line we have vast reserves of gas hydrates which can meet our needs for several centuries. Gas hydrate is a solid compound in which methane is trapped within a crystal lattice of water under high pressure and low temperature condition. The carbon content present in the form of gas hydrates is twice the carbon present in all known fossil fuels of the earth. One litre of gas hydrate contains on an average 168 litres of methane gas at STP. The primary condition for the stability of gas hydrate is high pressure and low temperature i.e. a minimum depth of 300m and a temperature lesser than 2°C. Several technologies have been experimented for the extraction but the main problem faced was uncontrolled liberation of methane which is a powerful green house gas. Our suggestion is to use Bacterial Mat for the optimised recovery of gas hydrates. This bacterial mat contains Archae bacteria. These bacteria can survive in extreme environment and can produce methane from CO2 & H2O. This process is exothermic and can raise the temperature to 140°C leading to escape of methane from gas hydrates. These bacteria will breed on an artificial animal intestine mat from which they will get nutrients for growth. The bacterial mat will be sent to the seabed and fixed to the bed with its arms on the edges where gas hydrates are deposited. After achieving the desired saturation of gas, it is produced from the sea surface installation. The above suggested methodology is an optimised and economical way to recover gas hydrates. Firstly it will help to change the focus of extracting resources from conventional to unconventional resources. Secondly, it will lead to sustainable development and reduce the hazard of global warming to a large extent. Thirdly, this technology has huge potential in the petroleum industry.