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China's first drilling of flammable ice is expected to take over oil
With the rapid advancement of the global economy, energy disputes have become a central issue in international politics and economics. The search for and utilization of new energy sources have gained increasing attention from governments worldwide. Among these emerging resources, "flammable ice" — also known as natural gas hydrate — has drawn growing interest from both the scientific community and industry leaders. On the morning of the 17th, China's Ministry of Land and Resources held a press conference to announce the results of its natural gas hydrate exploration efforts in Chinese waters in 2013. Officials stated that flammable ice could one day replace traditional energy sources like oil, with commercial development expected by 2030.
Natural gas hydrate, often referred to as "flammable ice," is a crystalline substance resembling ice but capable of burning. It is primarily found in deep ocean sediments and in permafrost regions on land. A single cubic meter of this substance can release up to 164–180 cubic meters of natural gas, making it an efficient and clean energy source. Known as the green energy of the 21st century, it offers a promising alternative to fossil fuels.
As a potential successor to traditional energy, flammable ice holds vast reserves. According to Che Changbo, deputy director of the Department of Geological Exploration at the Ministry of Land and Resources, the global estimated reserves of natural gas hydrates are around 1,000 trillion cubic meters — more than the combined total of conventional natural gas, shale gas, and coalbed methane. This makes it a key resource for future energy security.
China, a country rich in coal but lacking in oil and natural gas, faces growing challenges in ensuring energy security. For 20 consecutive years, China has been a net importer of crude oil, with an import dependency reaching 56% in 2012. As the second-largest oil importer and consumer globally, the nation is increasingly looking to alternative energy sources to meet rising demand.
Experts estimate that China holds approximately 68 billion tons of oil equivalent in combustible ice within the South China Sea, while 35 billion tons of gas hydrates have been discovered in Qinghai. Han Xiaoping, chief information officer at the China Energy Network, noted that the unexplored reserves in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau could significantly increase these figures.
Recent exploration efforts have yielded promising results. In the Pearl River Mouth Basin off Guangdong’s coast, high-purity flammable ice was extracted for the first time this year, equivalent to 1,000–1,500 billion cubic meters of natural gas. This discovery could serve as a foundation for future development projects.
Despite the potential, commercialization remains a challenge. Technical hurdles and high extraction costs are major obstacles for countries exploring natural gas hydrates. Although China leads in exploration and research, it is still in the early stages of developing mining technologies. Zhang Haiqi, director of the Basic Department at the China Geological Survey, said that breakthroughs in technology may occur by 2020, with full commercialization expected by 2030.
The impact of flammable ice on daily life is significant. Han Xiaoping believes that its main benefit lies in environmental improvement. While coal is currently cheaper, its pollution leads to serious health issues and costly medical treatments. Investing in clean energy like flammable ice could ultimately save money and improve public health in the long run.