Development of an Efficient Method for the CH4-CO2 Exchange from Natural Gas Hydrates

Methane hydrates — ice-like structures trapping natural gas beneath seafloor and permafrost — are a vast energy resource, but conventional extraction risks dangerous geological instability. This thesis investigates injecting CO₂ to displace methane, simultaneously recovering energy while storing carbon underground. Using laboratory experiments, atomic-scale simulations, and geochemical modelling, the study examines this process under realistic subsurface conditions. Results show CO₂ injection improves methane recovery efficiency, while surrounding rock pressure enhances carbon storage but slows the reaction. Molecular and chemical analyses reveal how the system stabilises over time, offering a scientifically grounded pathway addressing both energy supply and climate goals.