Patent ID: 8119078

Claim:
A method for stabilizing gas hydrates, comprising: forming gas hydrates from a mixture of water, surfactant, and at least one hydrate-forming gas constituent in a container under pressure; forming additional gas hydrates by increasing the internal pressure of said container under pressure, decreasing the internal temperature of said container under pressure, or a combination thereof; forming the gas hydrates on the surface of a thermally conductive material for providing effective heat transfer and for further providing a symmetrical formation of the gas hydrates and effective adsorption and stability support of the gas hydrates; optionally adding to said container under pressure an effective amount of additional water and surfactant for filling any crack or fracture throughout the mass of gas hydrates formed to further increase and optimize the stability of the gas hydrate formation; and rapidly decreasing within about five seconds after the gas hydrates have been formed the internal pressure of said container under pressure until a pressure for safely storing and transporting the gas hydrates is reached.