Indonesia's Seabed Holds Gas Hydrates, the Future Alternative Energy - darilaut.id

Indonesia holds enormous potential for gas hydrates or methane hydrates as a future alternative energy source on its seabed. Indonesia’s methane gas potential reaches more than 800 trillion standard cubic feet (TSCF). Research conducted by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has identified the presence of methane hydrates in Indonesia in several regions through geophysical mapping methods, such as seismic surveys. Several locations that have been mapped include the southern part of the Sunda Strait, as well as the northern and southern regions of the Makassar Strait. Amid the declining production of conventional oil and natural gas, methane hydrates are considered to have great prospects as future energy. The amount of methane gas is abundant and has not yet been optimally utilised. Senior Expert Engineer at the Centre for Geological Resources Research of BRIN, Susilohadi, explained that Indonesia’s gas hydrate potential is estimated to reach more than 800 TSCF. This amount is far larger than Indonesia’s conventional natural gas reserves, which are around 345 TSCF. This potential is spread across deep-sea areas, particularly in eastern Indonesia, which is geologically very promising, said Susilohadi, on Wednesday (22/4). According to Susilohadi, methane hydrates are a form of methane gas trapped in a solid structure resembling ice.