Global Collaborative Research on Gas Hydrates for Safety, Environmental technologies, and Talent Development

Executive Summary

The Center for Hydrate Research at the Colorado School of Mines is essential in advancing the study of gas hydrates, particularly methane hydrates, which are a potential energy resource. It plays a leading role in developing safe methods for their extraction while also studying their impact on carbon capture and energy storage & transport. The center's interdisciplinary research spans fields like chemical engineering, geology, and environmental science, helping to address energy security and environmental protection. Its work is vital for understanding the role of hydrates in the global carbon cycle and minimizing risks in energy production. The center’s collaboration with industry and government ensures real-world impact. Additionally, it provides excellent educational opportunities for students. The center’s innovative work is pivotal in shaping the future of energy and environmental management.
Omega Simulation Co., Ltd.,　a subsidiary of Yokogawa Electric Corporation and The Center for Hydrate Research at the Colorado School of Mines have been working to undertake consecutive important projects as part of the Nippon Foundation - DeepStar Joint Research and Development Program which aim to promote decarbonization in the offshore oil and natural gas sector, this synergy would support groundbreaking research in the field of hydrate science and contribute to the development of safer and more sustainable energy solutions.

 

The Challenges and the Solutions

These efforts have been presented consecutively at the OTC conferences in 2023, 2024, and 2025. In addition, in 2023, Omega Simulation received the Carbon Footprint Reduction Award at the 35th World LPG Forum held in Rome, Italy. During this forum, Omega Simulation introduced technologies addressing the decarbonization challenges faced by the global industry. Specifically, they presented results on improving CO2 capture efficiency, pre-construction design verification for new plants, operator training solutions, dynamic process optimization, and performance prediction/decision support using Mirror Plant technology. These efforts include research and development conducted in collaboration with the Colorado School of Mines, contributing significantly to decarbonization initiatives.

Carbon Footprint Reduction Award 2023

Fundamentally, but most importantly, Dynamic Simulators are a powerful tool for students to learn about future technologies and gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge advancements. Especially in fields related to energy and the environment, simulation technology plays a crucial role in solving real-world problems. Students can use simulators to understand the behavior of complex systems and processes and predict real-world outcomes in experimental environments. OmegaLand is high fidelity Operator Training simulator developed by Omega Simulation and OmegaLand is being utilized as a novel educational platform for students to study the mechanisms of gas hydrate formation within subsea pipelines in the context of marine energy development. By using a dynamic simulator, students can analyze how variations in gas composition, operational conditions, and environmental factors affect the behavior of gas hydrates, and deepen their understanding through a quiz-based learning format.

 

Customer Satisfaction

Dr. Carolyn A. Koh is a University Distinguished Professor and Director of the Center for Hydrate Research at the Colorado School of Mines says "OmegaLand was successfully taught and demonstrated in my Chemical Engineering Flow Assurance course during both the Spring semesters of 2024 and 2025.

Dr. Carolyn A. Koh and students

Below is a snapshot of the assignment taken from the course website. The class consisted of around 60 Chemical Engineering students, all of whom were required to complete the OmegaLand Flow Assurance assignment. The feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on the software's user-friendliness and its engaging nature. A few students even mentioned that they wished they had more time to explore the software. Looking ahead to the Spring semester of next year, I plan to further expand the use of OmegaLand in the course and introduce the software to students earlier in the semester to enhance their learning experience. In the Fall, I will be teaching Chemical Engineering Natural Gas Hydrates and am eager to incorporate OmegaLand as a tool for students to learn and utilize as well. I look forward to continuing our collaboration to ensure that both undergraduate and graduate students become more familiar and comfortable using OmegaLand. We are truly grateful for your Omega Sim’s continued support, which has been instrumental in making this a successful and enriching experience for our students. This will enable them to demonstrate technical leadership in major energy companies and national research institutions in the future."