Methane Tank

Methane Tanks are cylinder shaped structures used by the Covenant. They are large and resemble fuel tanks of modern trucks.

Methane Tanks are used for the Grunts of the Covenant. They provide a place for the creatures to breathe their methane atmosphere outside of their suits. Thus, Grunts usually remove their suits when entering a methane tank.

If the suit is removed while the grunt is in a low-methane environment, the grunt will gasp for air (like a fish) before dying.

There is a main chamber for the Grunts to reside in and a smaller chamber in front where the Grunts can change into and out of their suits. These structures often have posted guards to prevent the creatures inside from being caught off guard.

Halo: The Flood mentions these specifically, but in Halo: First Strike, edifices called "Methane Pits" are noticed by Spartan-104. They may or may not be the same, but that is unclear.

Contact Harvest also outlines a "Methane Suite" aboard the Minor Transgression. Dadab describes the suite as being a box-like room with triangular depressions in the wall; compressor stations for refilling Unggoy portable methane tanks. The room also features the infamous Food Nipple.

Trivia

 * In Halo 3 Grunt Methane tanks can be shot off. This can be done while a Grunt is still alive, if the player aims at the protruding tank and hit it with a Battle Rifle round or Magnum it will explode. The surviving Grunt will proceed to run away screaming as bright blue methane escapes from the remaining tank.


 * Any, dead or alive, Grunts can also have their rebreathers shot off, exposing the Grunt's grotesque mouth. Easiest to do this is to use a Sentinel Beam and fire directly at the mouth.


 * If you do either of the above, the Grunt will run around suffocating, eventually toppling over dead. if you have IWHBYD on, they will speak as if they dislike the Earth's air quality.