When molecules of one species are enclosed in a lattice formed by another, the resulting compounds are known as Clathrates. Gas hydrates, also known as Clathrate hydrates, or simply 'Clathrates' physically resemble ice and are formed when gas molecules (hosts) get trapped in a rigid ice lattice (guests).
Presence of hydrate forming gas, high pressure, low temperatures and abundant water are pre-requisites for the formation of gas hydrates. Thus, hydrates can be observed in abundance in the permafrost regions and ocean depths.
Due to their capacity to block high pressure pipelines, hydrates present a major challenge in subsea oil production.
Nevertheless, a lot of research is being carried out to harness this source of energy, as most of the natural gas in the depths is stored in the form of hydrates. Besides, gas hydrates promise a possible application for storage of gases or for that matter trapping of greenhouse gases - methane and carbon dioxide.
