Japan, US say to cooperate on new ‘ice’ energy

Japan and the United States on Saturday agreed to cooperate on research into methane hydrate, known as the “ice that burns” which is seen as a promising future energy source.

Energy ministers from the world’s two largest economies signed the cooperation agreement at a meeting in northern Japan that comes amid mounting concern about record-high oil prices.
Methane hydrate, or methane gas trapped in frozen water, looks like ice but burns. Its deposits can be found in permafrost regions and seabeds.

Under the three-year cooperation agreement, Japan hopes to conduct an on-shore production test in Alaska.

AFP