以美国近年来提出的天然气水合物研究计划和项目申请书为基础，介绍美国科学家在天然气水合物研究领域中所关心的关键科学与技术问题和研究焦点，供我国天然气水合物研究者在项目设计和开展研究工作时参考。美国天然气水合物研究关注的重点科学问题主要集中在 4个方面：天然气水合物的物理与化学特性研究；天然气水合物开采技术研究；天然气水合物灾害-安全性与海底稳定性研究；天然气水合物在全球碳循环中的作用研究。在研究方法上主要采取天然气水合物区的现场地质地球化学观测、实验室合成和测定及计算模拟，特别关注与水合物和油气冷泉相关的生命过程及与水合物的相互作用研究。

Methane hydrates represent a potentially enormous natural gas resource. Estimates range as high as 1.98×10¹⁶m³ beneath the Arctic permafrost and along the slopes and rises of continental shelves around the globe, many times the estimated total of worldwide conventional resources of natural gas and oil. This global reservoir may profoundly impact both the stability of the sea floor and long-term climate. If it is determined that the safe production of methane from hydrates is technically feasible and economically viable, it would influnce the world economic growth, the energy security, and the worldwide environmental quality. Here we introduced the scientific and technologic key interests in hydrate research and the recent research proceeding as a reference to gas hydrate researchers in China, based on several program plans and projects of gas hydrate research in United State. Main research focused realms are follows: ①Establish an estimate of gas resources from methane hydrate deposits; ②Develop the technology necessary for the commercial production of methane from hydrates;③Understand and quantify the dual roles of methane hydrates in the global carbon cycle and their relationship to global climate change; and ④Respond to industry concerns regarding the safety and sea floor stability issues and pipeline plugging concerns attributed to methane hydrates which are currently associated with the exploration, production, and transportation of conventional hydrocarbons.