«Gas hydrate revolution»: When will it begin? What should Russia do?

Abstract

The prospects of a new “methane hydrate revolution” in the global natural gas industry and Russia’s possible answer to this challenge are considered in the article. The conclusion about the coming changes in the global gas market is proved by the facts of the existent methane hydrate R&D programs and production plans in several countries. Japan will obtain commercially reasonable technology for methane hydrate gas extraction by 2019. That could lead to initiation of new projects with their price reduction, transformation of the world gas export directions and other market changes. All these changes will affect Russia’s gas exports.