Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchers have joined with scientists worldwide in a collaborative effort to pursue a massive energy reserve that, by itself, could keep America powered into the next century. But, retrieving that resource poses quite a challenge. In fact, it's trapped within rock three-quarters of a mile below Alaska and Canada's frozen tundra, and in offshore locations scattered around America's coastline.
Early next year, PNNL researchers will obtain frozen core samples from the MacKenzie Delta in Canada that contain methane gas trapped in an ice-like substance called gas hydrate. These 'rock gas' samples from the Mallik Research Well may unlock clues to future U.S. energy independence if a safe and economical harvesting process can be perfected.
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Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchers have joined with scientists worldwide in a collaborative effort to pursue a massive energy reserve that, by itself, could keep America powered into the next century. But, retrieving that resource poses quite a challenge. In fact, it's trapped within rock three-quarters of a mile below Alaska and Canada's frozen tundra, and in offshore locations scattered around America's coastline.