methane electrochemical reactions can also create methanol and ethane through oxidation and reduction the electric potential required for carrying out thermal destabilization of methane hydrates will vary depending on pressure and temperature conditions at the formation and the size of the desired electric field referring now to fig3 a system 210 in accordance with the present invention includes a high voltage electric power source 212 located on a barge 215 and a first electrode 220 incorporated into the structure of the barge the first electrode 220 is connected to a relatively positive terminal or anode of the power source 212 a gas collection well 250 is drilled into a methane hydrate formation 208 similar to the embodiment described above the collection well 250 includes a perforated metallic liner 251 which extends down into the formation 208 and serves as a second electrode 230 an insulated cable 232 connects the liner 251 with the relatively negative terminal on the power source 212 based on the foregoing persons skilled in the art will understand the advantages of system 210 over prior methods for producing gas from gas hydrates the first electrode 220 is integrally connected with the barge 215 while the second electrode 230 is a stationary electrode the position of the first electrode can be adjusted by navigating the barge in different positions relative to the second electrode 230 by moving the first electrode the position and intensity of the electric field can be modified the ability to move electrodes maximizes the range of application of the electric field theoretically the position of the field can be adjusted through an angle of up to 360 degrees around.