Scientists see marine gas hydrates as a real alternative to fossil fuels. The ice-like substances, mainly found at a ocean depth of around 500 metres, are made up of water and the important energy resource methane. As part of the research marketing initiative on South Korea, the Marine Technology Competence Network Schleswig-Holstein (KMT) is also working intensively on exploring this source of energy – alongside the strong German and Korean partners.

From working group to alliance

What initially started as the "Working Group on Gas hydrates" of the Leibniz Institute of Marines Sciences and the German Association for Marine Technology, has developed into the international "German Gas Hydrate Organisation" (GGO). The KMT and the Maritime Cluster Schleswig-Holstein are actively contributing to this alliance, as are many large and small companies in northern Germany. The joint research project "Gas hydrates South Korea" was launched in spring 2007, through which valuable contacts have been made that are being ever further expanded.

On the Korean side, the German experts are above all collaborating with the Korean Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) and the Korean Gas Hydrate R&D Organisation (KGHO). Together, they are studying and exploring the risks and opportunities that this new energy resource presents. Besides exchanging scientific and technological knowledge and insights, one of the prime objectives of this partnership includes the exploration and future collaborative use of marine gas hydrates in South Korean territorial waters.

Expanding the joint marketing activities

Besides establishing networks and engaging in cooperation with Korean companies and research institutions, the joint marketing of products and services has also been extended. A further success of the cooperation is to be seen in the further upgrading of a long-term monitoring cable equipped with German methane sensors. KIGAM and KGHO are also showing a great interest in collaborating even more intensively with the German Gas Hydrate Organisation and in starting new and interesting projects together with the German partners.