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Diploma · 800 h · 8 modules
Diploma in Marine Gas Hydrates
Prepares you to understand marine gas hydrates, crystalline solids of water and methane that form in the sediments of continental margins and polar regions. You will study their thermodynamic stability, how they are detected…
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts9 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
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Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Marine Gas Hydrates?
The Diploma in Marine Gas Hydrates
Prepares you to understand marine gas hydrates, crystalline solids of water and methane that form in the sediments of continental margins and polar regions. You will study their thermodynamic stability, how they are detected through seismic surveys and drilling, their role in the methane cycle and climate, and the associated geohazards. You will also take a cautious look at the production tests carried out so far and why commercial production remains an open question.
Key advantages
- Up-to-date science: What is known, and what is still being researched, about hydrates.
- Multidisciplinary approach: Geology, chemistry, geophysics, climate and engineering.
- Critical perspective: Energy potential weighed against environmental and climate risks.
- Real data: Interpreting seismic profiles and scientific drilling data.
- Case study: Assessing a hydrate province on a continental margin.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Programme highlights
- Understand their nature: Learn the chemistry and stability of hydrates.
- Detect hydrates: Interpret seismic reflectors and well logs.
- Assess risk: Analyse slope instability and methane emissions.
- Weigh up production: Study the production methods tested and their limits.
- Broaden your profile: Open doors to research, consultancy and offshore engineering.
- Train to assess one of the most debated seabed resources with sound judgement.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Hydrate Chemistry and Stability
- What gas hydrates are
- Crystal structures
- Hydrate-forming gases
- The hydrate stability zone
- Phase diagrams
- The effect of salinity
- Dissociation and reformation
- Hydrates in industrial pipelines
02
Occurrence in the Marine Environment
- Continental margins
- Hydrates in subsea permafrost
- Biogenic and thermogenic gas sources
- Fluid migration
- Hydrates in sandy and clay sediments
- Mud volcanoes and cold seeps
- Associated chemosynthetic communities
- Global estimates and uncertainty
03
Geophysical Detection
- The bottom-simulating reflector
- High-resolution seismic
- Seismic velocities in hydrate-bearing sediments
- Electromagnetic methods
- Bathymetry and seabed anomalies
- Acoustic detection of gas plumes
- Data integration
- Limits of remote detection
04
Drilling and Sampling
- Scientific hydrate drilling
- Pressure cores
- Well logging
- Laboratory analysis
- Hydrate saturation
- Geomechanical properties
- Pore water sampling
- International databases
05
Geohazards
- Submarine slope stability
- Hydrates and landslides
- Risks to offshore infrastructure
- Drilling hazards
- Hydrate formation in pipelines
- Hazard assessment
- Seabed monitoring
- Mitigation measures
06
Hydrates, Methane and Climate
- Methane as a greenhouse gas
- Emissions from the seabed
- Methane oxidation in sediments and water
- Hydrate response to warming
- Arctic hydrates
- Palaeoclimate records
- Scientific uncertainties
- Communicating risk responsibly
07
Production: Tests and Challenges
- Depressurisation
- Thermal stimulation
- Inhibitor injection
- CO2 exchange
- Production tests carried out
- Sand production and well stability
- Economics and uncertainty
- Environmental impact and regulation
08
Case Study: Assessing a Hydrate Province
- Choosing the study area
- Reviewing seismic data
- Calculating the stability zone
- Estimating volumes with uncertainty
- Assessing geohazards
- Environmental appraisal
- Conclusions and recommendations
- Presenting the case
Workload
Study Time and Workload
800 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Geologists, geophysicists and oceanographers: who want to specialise in hydrates Offshore engineers: working on continental margins Climate and carbon cycle researchers: interested in marine methane Public administration staff: who assess marine geohazards Environmental consultants: reviewing seabed projects
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Understand hydrate formation
- 02Interpret their distribution
- 03Apply detection methods
- 04Analyse geohazards
- 05Weigh their climate role
- 06Assess production
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Marine geoscientist: Hydrate studies at research centres.
02Geohazard specialist: Seabed stability assessment for infrastructure.
03Flow assurance engineer: Preventing hydrates in offshore pipelines.
04Environmental consultant: Assessing projects on continental margins.
05Energy resources analyst: Evaluating unconventional resources.
06Climate researcher: Studying marine methane.
Questions
Entry Requirements
No. Pilot production tests have been carried out, but commercial production remains uncertain because of technical, economic and environmental challenges.
It is an area of active research. The diploma presents the available evidence and its uncertainties, without alarmism.
It is not essential; the fundamentals needed to interpret the data are covered.
Yes. Preventing hydrates in pipelines and assessing seabed hazards are everyday needs.
Assessing a hydrate province on a continental margin using public data.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 800 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Diploma in Marine Gas Hydrates qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Entry profile: A degree in geology, marine science, chemistry, physics, engineering or a related field; or professional experience in the offshore sector or geosciences. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
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