During offshore gas drilling

methane can form gas hydrates with seawater at specific temperature and pressure and block the pipelines. This article provides a brief overview of the history of the development of polymers used for gas hydrate inhibition. The performance

mechanism and main factors of the low dosage hydrate inhibitors are discussed from structure-property relationships. Recent studies have found that antifreeze proteins from certain arctic fish and insects can not only depress the freezing point of water

but also inhibit the gas hydrate formation. Synthesis of polymers that mimic such antifreeze protein structures can be a new approach for development of gas hydrate inhibitors. Finally

a number of issues worthy of future research and applications are raised in the article.