In 'world first,' Japan claims to extract 'fire ice' methane hydrate from seabed

In what they are claiming as a world first, a consortium is drilling for the hydrate, a fossil fuel that looks like ice but consists of very densely-packed methane surrounded by water molecules, one kilometer (3,300 feet) below sea level.

The solid white substance burns with a pale flame, leaving nothing but water. One cubic meter of it is estimated to contain many times the equivalent volume of methane in gas form.

The consortium, led by Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, began initial work in February last year and on Tuesday started a two-week experimental production, an economy, trade and industry ministry official said.

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