Abstract: A method of drilling into a geological region including a subsurface clathrate reservoir includes drilling a borehole into the geological region including the subsurface clathrate reservoir and dissociating at least a portion of the clathrate in a region near the borehole. After the dissociating, material within at least a portion of the region near the borehole in which the clathrate has been dissociated is compacted to form a compacted region at least partially surrounding the borehole within the clathrate reservoir. After the compacting, well casing is placed into the borehole within the compacted region and the well casing is cemented into the borehole in the compacted area.

Abstract: A method of drilling into a geological region including a subsurface clathrate reservoir includes drilling a borehole into the geological region including the subsurface clathrate reservoir and dissociating at least a portion of the clathrate in a region near the borehole. After the dissociating, material within at least a portion of the region near the borehole in which the clathrate has been dissociated is compacted to form a compacted region at least partially surrounding the borehole within the clathrate reservoir. After the compacting, well casing is placed into the borehole within the compacted region and the well casing is cemented into the borehole in the compacted area.

Abstract: An end-cap-to-piston coupling, with or without an integral load cell has been developed for triaxial test apparatus. One triaxial test apparatus shown has a housing, sample mounting apparatus in the housing, a load piston opening through the housing through which projects a load piston, and a load transfer coupling, with or without an integral load cell, interposed between the end cap and the load piston. In one aspect the coupling has a coupling body and a channel on one end into which the load piston is inserted to contact a shoulder of the coupling body. Another end of the coupling has a channel which receives a top end cap of a sample mounting arrangement. This channel may be sized and configured to receive a load transfer ball interposed between the coupling and the end cap or between the coupling and the piston. In one aspect a series of interchangeable top and bottom members are provided, each with a different diameter recess, to accommodate load pistons and sample end caps of different diameters.