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Viewing cable 08TOKYO2426, JAPAN TO STEP UP METHANE HYDRATE RESEARCH

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08TOKYO2426 2008-09-04 06:06 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Tokyo
VZCZCXRO4903
RR RUEHAST RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHTM
DE RUEHKO #2426/01 2480606
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 040606Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7017
INFO RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 9699
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 7824
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 2063
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 3440
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 0280
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002426 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE HANDLE APPROPRIATELY. 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ENRG SENV JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN TO STEP UP METHANE HYDRATE RESEARCH 
 
TOKYO 00002426  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
 1. (U) SUMMARY: Japan has stepped-up its focus on extracting 
methane hydrate, an alternative gas energy source, with a 
target date of 2012 for trial methane production, according 
to Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) officials 
and media reports.  Reserves of deep-sea methane hydrate (a 
sherbet-like compound of methane and frozen water molecules 
that becomes methane gas when heated) near Japan are 
relatively abundant, elevating the resource's potential as an 
alternative to imported fuel stocks in Japan's energy mix. 
However, the economics of extracting methane from methane 
hydrate remain unknown, and researchers must overcome several 
technical and environmental obstacles before the resource can 
become commercially viable.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (U) A panel convened by METI in late August identified a 
2012 date for experimental production of methane from methane 
hydrate, followed by private-sector led commercial 
development from 2019.  However, an official in METI's Agency 
for Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE) reported it is 
difficult to say how feasible this target is given many 
technological unknowns, while both the Prime Minister's 
office and METI Minister Nikai seek to accelerate methane 
hydrate development.  The Methane Hydrate 21 Research 
Consortium that includes the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals 
National Corporation, the National Institute of Advanced 
Industrial Science and Technology, and the Engineering 
Advancement Association of Japan (all GOJ-funded) is 
coordinating the GOJ's efforts under the oversight of ANRE's 
Petroleum and Natural Gas Division.  This division is also 
responsible for other non-conventional fossil fuel resources, 
such as oil sand technology.  Research will focus on the 
Nankai Trough, about 30 miles off Japan's coast between 
Wakayama and Shizuoka Prefectures, where confirmed reserves 
of deep-sea methane hydrate amount to 40 trillion cubic feet 
or about 14 years' total Japanese demand equivalent for 
natural gas.  Research by Tokyo University estimates that 
methane hydrate reserves around Japan amount to 100 years 
worth of Japan's current natural gas demand. 
 
3. (U) Media reports identify Modec Inc., a subsidiary of 
Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding and a major manufacturer 
of Floating Production, Storage Offloading (FPSO) systems, as 
a leading industry player due to its expertise in building 
off-shore oil and natural gas platforms.  Inpex Holdings and 
Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. also hold resource 
development rights in the targeted area and are cooperating 
with the research consortium. 
 
4. (U) Japan reportedly has spent USD263 million since 2001 
on methane hydrate technology research and development. 
Japan allocated 2.5 billion yen to methane hydrate research 
in ANRE's FY2008 budget.  The latest focus on methane hydrate 
conforms to the GOJ's March 2008 Basic Maritime Plan, which 
emphasizes developing marine resources.  Japan conducted a 
joint six-day experiment with Canada in March that achieved 
the first successful extraction of methane from decomposing 
methane hydrate underground.  At the June 2008 G8 Energy 
Ministerial, Japan and the U.S. published a joint "statement 
of intent" to cooperate on methane hydrate information 
exchange, collaborative research and environmental 
assessment.  Japan and the U.S. are also collaborating on a 
three-year joint experiment to produce methane from methane 
hydrate in the seas near Japan and offshore Alaska. 
 
5. (SBU) The GOJ's focus on methane hydrate research and 
development reflects the resource's attractiveness as an 
indigenous energy source.  However, the price per cubic foot 
to produce, store and transport methane hydrate relative to 
existing natural gas resources remains unknown, and experts 
note it is far to early to assess commercial viability. 
Meanwhile, ANRE officials identify several technological 
obstacles to underwater methane hydrate production. 
Experiments to date have succeeded in producing methane from 
methane hydrate in the frozen tundra, but the process is yet 
untested in a high-pressure, deep-water environment.  In 
addition, the MH21 Research Consortium has prioritized 
research and development of technology to detect and prevent 
leakage of methane, a greenhouse gas, during production.  END 
COMMENT. 
 
 
 
TOKYO 00002426  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
 
ZUMWALT