It is possible fracking is being used to stabilize the ground by bleeding off gas deposits. rock is fracked, then a layer of water is used to hold the gas down. This is why so much water worldwide is "gone"

the water layer allows the gas to migrate long distances, as you simply apply a pressure push to herd the gas for collection.

with the arctic hydrate meltoff, I think capturing, and holding out of atmospheric suspention the methane is very important.

IMHO, excessive amounts of methane in the air, in the northern and southern extremes could lead to a methane cycle (similar to the water cycle)

this would supercool the north and south, freezing water into ice cap/glaciers

any methane trapped under the ground water, or tied up in hydrates will not enter the atmosphere
I wonder if that was the real purpose of the DWH. change gasious methane into crystals sequestered on the floor of the gulf, instead of the buildup in the air

[link to www.eia.gov]

In some areas, most notably the Midwestern United States, natural aquifers have been converted to gas storage reservoirs. An aquifer is suitable for gas storage if the water bearing sedimentary rock formation is overlaid with an impermeable cap rock. While the geology of aquifers is similar to depleted production fields, their use in gas storage usually requires more base (cushion) gas and greater monitoring of withdrawal and injection performance. Deliverability rates may be enhanced by the presence of an active water drive

[link to www.astrobio.net]

this is the 10,000 pound elephant in the room no one wants to address

dr