Mining Combustible Ice

May 16, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province: Flames spout from the trial mining site in the Shenhu area of the South China Sea. China has succeeded in collecting samples of combustible ice, a historic breakthrough that could lead to a global energy revolution.

The project marked China’s first success in mining flammable ice at sea, after nearly two decades of continuous efforts and independent innovations in natural gas hydrate exploration and exploitation. International scientific circles believe that the natural gas hydrate is the optimal replacement for oil and natural gas. As an efficient, abundant and clean energy, it is also strategically important for future global energy development. Experts have asserted that this development shows that China has mastered combustible ice mining technology. However, this is still one step of a complex journey. A long road lies ahead before natural gas hydrate replaces all dirtier fuels.