 Technology from Europe:
Norway
Indian and Norwegian entities cooperate on natural gas hydrate transport
A long-term working relationship is underway between GAIL Ltd. (Gas Authority of India Ltd.), Aker Kvaerner Engineering & Technology AS (AKET) and Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) to study and commercialize natural gas hydrate storage and transportation technology. Last December, representatives from GAIL, AKET and NTNU signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) for developing and commercializing this technology. The AKET and NTNU representatives signed as board members of Natural Gas Hydrate (NGH) AS. NGH is a Norwegian firm established by AKET and NTNU to commercialize natural gas hydrate technology worldwide.
The MoC’s scope includes feasibility studies of natural gas hydrate transportation as an alternative to conventional pipeline and LNG transportation. The parties are also evaluating the possibility of setting up a demonstration facility for this technology in India.
Natural gas hydrate is a solid, ice-like compound composed of natural gas and water. Such hydrates are formed under moderate conditions and are stable at atmospheric pressure and about – 15°C. Natural gas hydrate has been identified as a promising, non-pipeline gas transportation method for reasonable volumes and distances. About 1 m3 of NGH may contain up to 180 m3 of natural gas. Gas hydrates occur in two discrete geological situations – marine shelf sediments and onshore polar regions beneath permafrost.
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This Mitsui design is just one of several carrier concepts being studied by a GAIL/ AKET/ NTNU cooperative group for potential transportation of natural gas hydrates. Photo courtesy of Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
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GAIL is India’s largest natural gas company, with transmission, distribution, marketing and gas processing activities. The company also has diversified operations in E&P, petrochemicals and other integrated activities, some of it overseas. In its efforts to pursue new technology developments, GAIL has identified, as a priority area, storage and transportation of natural gas in hydrate form for monetizing stranded gas fields. At present, there is no other viable, economic alternative for transporting stranded gas reserves. About 40% to 60% of the world’s gas reserves are stranded.
AKET, in cooperation with Professor Jon Steinar Gudmundsson of NTNU, has developed the concept of NGH technology for various applications. NGH AS holds all intellectual property rights covering NGH technology. The firm has successfully demonstrated its NGH expertise in experimental laboratory settings and at small-scale sites. NGH AS recently entered into cooperation with Mitsui Engineering & Ship Building Co., which has built and operates a 600-kg/day pilot NGH production plant at Chiba, Japan. 
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