A Canadian-led, international research effort in the Mackenzie Delta region has resulted in a major breakthrough in the extraction of methane hydrate deep in the Arctic permafrost. Canadian and Japanese researchers with Mallik research program — now in its third phase — succeeded in producing a constant stream of natural gas from methane hydrates for six consecutive days — a major breakthrough for what many consider to be a huge future energy resource. The Mallik project is largely funded by the Japan National Oil Corp, a government-funded, privately operated entity. The Geological Survey of Canada is also a major participant under the leadership of Scott Dallimore, a research scientist with Natural Resources Canada. A full-scale pilot project is considered the next logical step....