Natural hydrates: 21 questions for the 21st century

Abstract

Hydrates in nature have been known for a long time. In the last couple of decades the possibility of commercial utilization of natural hydrates has arisen as an alternative energy source. This paper asks 21 questions that, in the author's opinion, need to be addressed and answered correctly before one can be confident one understands the scope of the problem, one is facing in attempting to address the role of natural hydrates, both commercially and geologically.