We wish to thank the international supporters of the Ocean Drilling Program for the opportunity to participate in Leg 164. Special thanks is extended to Drs. C.K. Paull and R. Matsumoto, Co-Chief Scientists of Leg 164, for their support of an ambitious gas hydrate research cruise. We also wish to thank Dr. D. Goldberg and the entire staff of the Borehole Research Group of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory for the special support they afforded the Leg 164 well logging program. Without the laboratory and computer facilities of the U.S. Geological Survey this project would not have been possible. This study was partially funded by the U.S. Geological Survey Energy Resources Program, which was greatly appreciated.