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- EU and SPC have established a bilateral deep sea mining agreement – leading the world in mining infrastructure
Methane HydratesEurope is increasing its methane hydrate infrastructure – further investment is key to leadershipFCCJ 14, Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan, 4/1/14, FCCJ is an organization that focuses on international relations based primarily on Japan, “Drilling the Deep: In Search of a New Energy Source,” http://www.fccj.or.jp/number-1-shimbun/item/329-drilling-the-deep-in-search-of-a-new-energy-source/329-drilling-the-deep-in-search-of-a-new-energy-source.html, NN Marine scientists are fascinated by methane hydrate, too, but as a part of their basic research into the oceans to discover how its exploration would affect the ecosystem of the deep sea. Environmentalists, however, criticize the lack of sustainability and point out possible negative effects on the environment. “It looks like a McShake,” jokes Yuji Morita, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Energy Economics (IEE) in Tokyo and member of the government commission for methane hydrate, when he’s asked to explain what Japan’s energy dreams are made of. Methane hydrate only forms at low temperatures of 4 degrees Celsius or less, and between 20 and 40 bar pressure. Under such circumstances the gas is trapped inside a cage of water molecules that surround the gas-filled core and form an ice-like structure. It’s the reason why 80 to 90 percent of worldwide methane hydrate reservoirs can only be found in the “stability zone” between 500 and 2,000 meters under the mud layer of the seabed, and a little closer to the surface in the polar sea. The rest is thought to be located in the permafrost in polar regions. To be able to use its energy potential, though, the gas has to be extracted on site from its icy shell. Hot water, gas or even methanol, an antifreeze agent, can be used to melt the crystal cages. However, the most promising method appears to be the one applied in the Japanese trial, lowering the pressure so that it becomes unstable, thereby setting free the natural gas inside. How much of the reserves can be reached is a different kettle of fish. Methane, a colorless and odorless gas, is created through the degradation process of organic material like plankton that has sunk to the seabed. As the gas is very light, it usually rises up from between the sediments deep beneath the ocean floor until it gets trapped in the stability zone. Fishermen are sometimes surprised to find their nets floating towards the ocean surface after accidentally releasing methane hydrate from its cool grave. Due to its elusive nature, methane hydrate remained undiscovered for a long time; in fact, research has only intensified since the turn of the millennium. Scientists use data from drillings and numerical models based on decay rates of plankton, but are divided about how much might be hidden under the ocean floor: Professor Klaus Wallmann of the German GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel thinks that between 1000 to 5000 gigatons of organic carbon might lie in gas hydrate layers, others estimate 500,000 gigatons. Even conservative estimates are much higher than the reserves of coal, natural gas and oil put together. How much of that can be reached is a different kettle of fish. chikyu_copy.jpg The Japanese drill ship Chikyu, which took part in the trial extractions of gas from methane hydrates. Excitement about the potential new energy source is high in Japan, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, India and South Korea, and all have invested a lot of money in its research. India is thought to possess its biggest reserves though, according to Bohrmann, “the icy mass might not be homogenous and concentrated enough.” After figuratively and literally digging through murky mud for a long time, researchers have found that sandy sediment consisting of sand of a certain pore size is particularly suited for extraction. Luckily for Japan, there are many such reservoirs nearby. The governmental energy organization Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) thinks that about one-tenth of the methane hydrate around Japan is located near Cape Omaezaki alone. Though European countries are relying on Russian gas fields for the coming decades, they also have intensified their methane hydrate research. Marum researcher Bohrmann explains: “70 percent of the surface of our globe consists of ocean, and there is so much we still need to know about it.” Basic researchers like him are trying to find out how the exploration of methane hydrate, as well as oil, affects the ecosystem of the deep sea. They also want to prove what most scientists believe, but have yet to confirm: that methane hydrate stabilizes the continental slopes that form the border between the shelves and the deep sea. Research is also being conducted on the effects of global warming on methane hydrate reservoirs and the stability of continental slopes. If too much of the methane hydrate layer dissolves, it could lead to mudslides and even tsunami. And while scientists consider this scenario unlikely, it is not altogether impossible. In the “Storegga Slide” 8000 years ago, underwater landslides near the Norwegian coast triggered megawaves that wreaked havoc across Northern Europe. To reduce such risks, scientists recommend that, prior to any exploration, geotechnical tests be conducted and explorations be done only in marginally inclined areas. Mineral MiningThe EU is increasing deep mineral mining – more funding and better techSPC 14, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, 5/9/14, SPC is an organization that studies the implications of mineral mining; both good and bad, “Deep Sea Minerals Finance Workshop: Making sure the Pacific Islands are not left short-changed,” http://www.sopac.org/dsm/index.php/news, NN Deep sea minerals have the potential to be a game changer for the Pacific. Whether they will bring a change for the good or the bad will be determined by the financial management of governments and their ability to adopt and enforce sensible environmental safeguards. If revenue is managed transparently and prudently while protecting the environment, deep sea minerals could greatly improve the economies and livelihoods of the Pacific Islands countries. To address these issues, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is holding a regional workshop, the fifth in its technical training series. This workshop will be held in Cook Islands on 13–16 May and will centre on the ‘Financial Aspects’ of the upcoming deep sea minerals industry. The workshop will bring together more than 60 Pacific Island government minerals and finance officials and experts from around the globe for the first regional event of its kind on managing the potential wealth generated from the extraction of deep sea minerals. Although deep sea mining is yet to occur world-wide, there is much commercial interest in mineral formations, such as nodules, crusts and seafloor massive sulphides that have been discovered on the seabed, thousands of metres below sea-level, particularly in the Pacific Ocean. The event is organised by SPC’s European Union-funded Deep Sea Minerals (DSM) Project, working with the Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Centre (PFTAC) – a subsidiary of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). A wide range of interested stakeholders will attend the workshop, from as far afield as South Sudan, Norway, and Mauritius as well as Timor Leste, with the aim of sharing their experiences and professional expertise. The workshop will discuss how to turn those minerals sitting on the deep ocean floor into new revenue for Pacific Island countries to expand their economies. The workshop will focus on how countries that choose to proceed to mining can capture a fair ‘deal’, through good governance of revenue received, and learn from past lessons, both elsewhere and closer to home. This is where the SPC-EU DSM Project regional training events play an important role. The workshops are designed to prepare Pacific Island countries for all aspects of regulating their deep sea minerals. Previous workshops covered other subjects, including environmental, legal, social and geological aspects of DSM. The deep sea minerals industry has the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of Pacific people; however, there are issues, risks and uncertainties that need to be addressed. The DSM Project stresses the importance of engagement and participation among a wide variety of stakeholders, from local communities all the way up to regional non-governmental organisations, to enable Pacific countries to make well informed decisions for their economies, their people, and their islands. EU and SPC have established a bilateral deep sea mining agreement – leading the world in mining infrastructureTawake 11, Akuila Tawake, 12/3/11, Tawake is the secretariat of the Pacific Community, “SPC-EU DEEP SEA MINERALS PROJECT,” http://www.isa.org.jm/files/documents/EN/Workshops/2011/Abstracts/ATawake.pdf, NN Deep sea minerals research and exploration in the Pacific Islands region have been ongoing for the last 40 years that led to the discovery of a number of seabed mineral deposits within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of many Pacific Islands Countries (PICs). Many of these surveys were conducted in collaboration with national agencies and multinational consortia of which the twenty one year (1985‐2005) Japan‐SOPAC cooperative study program was notably the most extensive survey in the region. With renewed interests in deep sea minerals exploration in the region in recent years, some countries have sought external assistance hence SOPAC was approached to provide appropriate advice and support. Subsequently, with the endorsement of member countries, SOPAC prepared and submitted a project proposal entitled “Deep Sea Minerals in the Pacific Islands Region: a Legal and Fiscal Framework for Sustainable Resource Management” to the European Union (EU). The proposal was accepted by the EU who agreed to provide financial support under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF10) for the implementation of the Deep Sea Minerals (DSM) Project in fifteen Pacific ACP States. The DSM Project is currently being implemented by the new Applied Geoscience and Technology Division (SOPAC) of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). The overall objective of the DSM Project is to expand the economic resource base of Pacific ACP States by developing a viable and sustainable marine minerals industry. The Project is tasked to deliver against these four Key Result Areas: (1) Development of Regional Legislative and Regulatory Framework(s) (RLRF) for offshore minerals exploration and mining; (2) Formulation of National policy, legislation and regulations; (3) Building national capacities ‐ supporting active participation of PICs nationals in the offshore mining industry; and (4) Effective management and monitoring of offshore exploration and mining operations. In June 2011, the DSM Project inception meeting was held in Nadi Fiji with a broad range of stakeholders within and beyond the region in attendance. This high level meeting provided the opportunity to have an interactive dialogue about deep sea mineral issues, and through the DSM Project and other initiatives move forward together to better understand the challenges and opportunities and ultimately contribute to improving the livelihoods of Pacific Communities. Some of the key environment related outcomes of the workshop are: a regional approach to regulate the DSM sector, marine scientific research and exploration to be encouraged and promoted, the application of the precautionary approach concept for environmental protection, and consider ESHIA [Environmental, Social and Health Impact Assessments] in addition to EIA. Under Ker Result Area 4, the DSM Project shall contribute to addressing the environmental management needs for deep sea mineral exploration and exploitation through the following initiatives: (i) Develop a regional environmental management guidelines; (ii) Identify and engage suitable local and regional candidates to participate in environmental monitoring of offshore exploration and mining sites; (iii) Disseminate relevant data and information to key stakeholders; (iv) Encourage and support local community participation in the environmental monitoring process; and (v) Conduct a Cost Benefit Analysis (BCA) for deep sea mining in the region. 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