Natural gas hydrate dissociation and dissolution

Natural gas hydrates (NGHs) are solid crystalline substances composed of natural gas (the major component of natural gas: methane) contained within a solid water molecule lattice. Understanding NGH behavior, its role in nature, and exploration of NGH as a sustainable fuel source has made tremendous progress in recent decades. In this brief overview, we will first discuss the availability of NGHs. Their phase stability criteria will be summarized with an emphasis on hydrates found in nature within sediments, followed by description of the mechanism of natural hydrate deposition and its sources in detail. The next part of the chapter dealt with possible energy exploration strategies from NGH reservoirs due to the vast reserve and potential as a comparatively green source. In the chapter's closing, uncontrolled NGH dissociation is briefly discussed, which can have significant environmental repercussions and must be limited to reduce greenhouse emissions and assure a sustainable future.