Review on the development of storage technologies of natural gas hydrate

Early study on natural gas hydrate mainly focused on its clearing and prevention. The technologies have been matured both in principle and application and been widely used in production activity. The volume of natural gas hydrate (solid) is much smaller than that of the natural gas and 1m³ of hydrate is able to carry 150~170 m³ of natural gas generally. This property of hydrate has been studied and used to transport natural gas aboard at early date. According to present study situation on preparation, transportation and storage technologies for natural gas hydrate internationally, through analysis and economic comparison with series technologies of hydrate and liquefied natural gas, it is feasible both in technology and economic for long distance and crossing ocean transportation in the form of hydrate but there is still a certain gap before putting it into application and further study will be needed both in technology and economic aspects.