Abstract It has been 47 years since the article, “The formation of hydrates in gas-bearing reservoirs”, was published in the Gas Industry Journal № 5 ( Makogon, 1965 ), and 43 years since the development of Messoyakha gas hydrate field began. The potential world resources of gas hydrates are conservatively estimated at 1.5 × 1016 m3 (53 × 1016 SCF). More than 230 gas hydrate deposits have been discovered around the world. There exist several production technologies which have been tested already. However, the development of Messoyakha field is the only successful example of a commercial gas hydrate field. This paper will summarize the progression of its development.