The 12^th International Methane Hydrate Research and Development (IMHRD) conference was held in Southwest Petroleum University from November 1^st to 3^rd.

Over 500 delegates from the United States, Canada, Russia, the United Kingdom, Australia, Norway, South Korea, Japan and other countries attended the conference. The participating representatives, including 22 Chinese Academicians, 69 foreign experts and 19 Presidents of overseas universities,

It was the first time for so many top experts in methane hydrate research to gather in China. They discussed the development and commercial use of methane hydrate in depth, achieving substantial results.

Bj➢rn Kvamme, Deputy President of the executive committee and Professor of the University of Bergin in Norway, declared the conference open. Richard Coffin, President of the executive committee, Professor of Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas in the US, addressed a speech in retrospect of the 11^th International Methane Hydrate Research and Development conference.

The conference involves 5 national reports, 29 keynote speeches, 3 disciplinary reports and 56 poster presentations.

Zhou Shouwei, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, was the first representative to deliver a national report titled Thoughts on Methane Hydrate Research.

Mr. Kvamme, Deputy President of the executive committee, shared research findings in his keynote speech. He pointed out that the amount of methane hydrate doubled that of coal, the traditional fossil fuel, and its development and application in the future would change the energy supply and demand worldwide. As a global hard nut, the commercial use of methane hydrate needs experts, both home and abroad, to enhance communication and cooperation. Hitoshi Tomaru, Professor of Chiba University, shared experience from methane hydrate exploitation in Japan: they expect to prolong exploitation time and to reduce cost; now they are seeking technical breakthroughs and warmly welcoming more enterprises and universities to take part in Japanese methane hydrate exploitation.

Southwest Petroleum University President Zhao Jinzhou introduced unprecedented solid-state fluidized mining laboratory and its modeling technology in the university. Since this technology provided powerful backup for the first global solid-state fluidized mining project, top international journal Science has made coverage on it.

In virtue of academician Zhou Shouwei’s outstanding contribution to methane hydrate research

and his international influence, the International Methane Hydrate Research and Development executive committee decided to invite Mr. Zhou Shouwei to join in, therefore the appointment ceremony was held. Richard Coffin, President of the executive committee, awarded Zhou the certificate letter of appointment on the scene. This is the first time for a Chinese to be granted a membership in the executive committee. Till now, there are altogether 6 members in the executive committee, including experts from the US., Norway, Japan and other countries.

The conference site

President of IMHRD executive committee Richard Coffin delivered a speech

Deputy President of IMHRD executive committee Bj➢rn Kvamme declared the conference open

Academician Zhou Shouwei addressed the Chinese national report

Southwest Petroleum University President Zhao Jinzhou delivered a keynote speech

Appointment ceremony for Academician Zhou Shouwei