Program (IODP) and its forerunner, the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP), to analyze the geochemical composition of the gas and to collect geological and geophysical data on the reservoir units. In 2010 and 2011, extensive research was completed on seven expeditions (314, 315, 316: first stage; 319 and 322: second stage; 326, 332 and 333: third stage) in order to complete three Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiments (NanTroSEIZE), which are expected to give groundbreaking new insights on the seismology and geophysical conditions of the area. NanTroSeize aims to drill, sample, and instrument the earthquake causing, seismogenic active portion of Earth’s crust, where large-scale earthquakes have occurred repeatedly throughout history, also influencing the gas hydrate deposits. The importance of Nankai Trough as an active study site The Nankai Trough, as a continuous gas hydrate research site for over more than a decade, is the first fully integrated field study and modern production test well project for offshore natural gas hydrates in the northwest Pacific Ocean. Six wells were successfully drilled to test natural gas hydrate accumulations off the southeastern coast of Japan, and to explore a conventional Tertiary structure. It gave scientists the opportunity to monitor the physical response of gas hydrate deposits and investigate marine gas hydrates in one of the most active earthquake zones on the planet. Research within the Nankai Trough is expected to give helpful insights into the formation and occurrence of natural gas hydrates off the Japanese coast, for although the Nankai Trough exploration wells revealed the existence of pore-filling gas hydrates in turbiditic sand units, it is still unclear how much hydrate potential the area has to offer with respect to exact volumes and economic viability of the occurrences and their relationship to BSR distribution. References External links Video: Deep Sea Drilling on board of CHIKYU, IODP Expedition 314 - Nankai Trough Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expeditions 314 and 315 National Energy Technology Laboratory, United States of America - Energy Resource Potential of Methane Hydrates National Energy Technology Laboratory, United States of America - General Introduction to Methane Hydrates National Energy Technology Laboratory, United States of America - Introduction to the Nankai drilling site "UNEP Global Outlook on Methane Gas Hydrates", in progress "Assessment of gas hydrate resources on the North Slope, Alaska (2008)", U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet "Detection and Evaluation of subsurface natural gas hydrates in the Nankai Trough, offshore Japan - A