In a certain range of pressure and temperature conditions, natural gas and water interact to form solid gas hydrates. Such gas hydrates are associated with permafrost onshore, and nearly one-quarter of the global landmass is underlined by permafrost. Sediments below water depths of 300 metres or more are also suitable for forming gas hydrates.

Resource estimates on gas hydrates are staggering, running to thousands of trillions of cubic feet in place.