Scientists at PNNL have developed a down borehole injection tool for creating and injecting a microemulsion of liquid CO2 and H2O into a porous hydrocarbon (gas hydrate) containing formation.  The microemulsion is created mechanically by the injection tool, and not chemically.

This microemulsion is useful for extracting natural gas from gas hydrate formations:  Injection of the microemulsion into the gas hydrate formation destroys the hydrate structure, thus releasing natural gas.  An added benefit is that the CO2 in the microemulsion is subsequently converted into CO2 - hydrate, and remains in place, resulting in permanent sequestration of the CO2 that is injected.

The tool is capable of combining a variable ratio of H2O and CO2 into a microemulsion from two separate components, which allows the user to tailor the microemulsion to the specific application and gas hydrate composition.