[Pessimist]

As a mechanical engineer, it does seem at first blush that it should be jsut that simple.

Bur of course that was essentially their first attempt.

I haven’t followed it much, but I guess that failed due to ice crystals (methane expanind out of it’s liquid phase).

My though was “Big deal. Pump some steam down there”.

I have no idea why this wouldn’t work. But I’m sure someone does.

[Blueflag]

The prior failure with the custom concrete containment vessel would have done the same thing but, as you mentioned, the containment vessel quickly clogged with methane hydrate crystals.

Funny how the containment vessel will ‘clog’ with methane hydrate crystals, but the well itself won’t.

[Eagle of Liberty]

My though was “Big deal. Pump some steam down there”.

Exactly. Wrap some copper tubing around the massive METAL pipe and pump a hot fluid through the copper tubing. Or maybe just some waterproof heaters on the inside of the upside-down dumpster.