Japan is about to exploit gas from

Japan seeks to extract gas from the sediment of methane hydrate beneath the seabed, also known as ice flames.

Ice Fire. Artwork: AFP.

The trial will be conducted in southwestern Tokyo, between the provinces of Shizouka and Wakayama, during the few weeks of the fiscal year ending in March 2013, AFP led the Nikkei financial daily. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan prepared a proposal of more than 127.5 million USD for this project.

Methane hydrate occurs in environments with high pressure and low temperature like the bottom of the ocean. If successful, this will be the first test in the world. In 2008, methane gas was extracted from methane hydrate on land in Canada, using Japanese technology.

Japan is seeking to diversify its energy sources since the earthquake and tsunami in March that brought a crisis at the Fukushima I. nuclear power plant. Japan relies heavily on energy imports from the Middle East. Recently one third of their electricity is supplied by nuclear power plants. The country is seeking to exploit alternative energy sources such as solar and wind.