Posted on 04/16/2011 3:24:54 PM PDT by Perdogg
A new study demonstrates how high hydrocarbons could be formed from methane deep within the Earth, aside from the compression and heating of ancient animal remains over the eons. Fused-methane oil would be far less common than your typical petroleum, of course, but the study shows abiogenic hydrocarbons could conceivably occur in some of the planet’s high-pressure and high-temperature zones.
(Excerpt) Read more at popsci.com ...
follow up to yesterday
The evidence that oil derived from fossils has always been scant.
This is great, but not a blow to peak oil theory. Peak oil theory is not that we’re running out, but that, absent large investments we don’t appear ready to make, we’ll reach a peak extraction rate that will fall short of economic demand. Peak oil says “higher prices ahead”, not “no oil.”
Abiotic oil ping?
thank you, I stand corrected.
The molten core of the earth is a refinery of hydrocarbons. They push outward, gassing into open fissures in the earth's crust, expand and cool to precipitate out the oil.
The theory of dead dinosaurs and prehistoric carbonized humus turned into oil is just nonsense.
Oil wells pumped dry in the 1920's have refilled. Imagine that?
I believe the Russians have been saying this for 50 years.
I always thought the dinosaur thing seemed ridiculous.
Thanks.
The article title does not match the content:
“About 99 percent of all the hydrocarbons in oil and natural gas are derived from the compressed, heated remains of ancient living organisms like zooplankton and algae. These critters were buried under layers of sediments five to 10 miles beneath the surface of the Earth.”
Can we stop calling them fossil fuels?
Petroleum and natural gas people have been saying this for years. Greenies have been saying this is not right. I believe the pet nag guys.
Call me crazy but if oil comes from fossils, why do we drill in the ocean and gulf?
I don't even thing that billions of years of microorganisms would do it.
There are literally oceans of oil deep underground, far below where life has EVER existed.
How do you explain THAT?
“Fused-methane oil would be far less common than your typical petroleum, of course”
Uh huh. What about the petroleum OCEANS throughout the solar system? Are they mosty from dinosaurs too?
Of course hydrocarbons are created by high pressure water and carboniferous rock. It’s ridiculous that the “mushed-up dinosaurs” theory has survived so long.
It’s a mineral like any other mineral. The old wells are refilling.
Really? Where? Let's go drill them!
“There are literally oceans of oil deep underground, far below where life has EVER existed.
How do you explain THAT?
“
Especially since last time I checked, oil rises relative to surface water.
Oil- the other renewable energy
Perhaps you are not taking into account surface absorption and adsorption? Surface layer effects have enormous importance.
“About 99 percent of all the hydrocarbons in oil and natural gas are derived from the compressed, heated remains of ancient living organisms like zooplankton and algae. These critters were buried under layers of sediments five to 10 miles beneath the surface of the Earth.”
I believe some portion of that 99 percent dino oil is due to the presence of certain organic markers. In a paper about ten years ago examining the Eugene Island field in Louisiana, Dr. Jan Wheelin of Woods Hole Oceanographic theorized the organic markers thought to be from living material could in fact have been acquired by abiogenic oil interacting with microorganisms in the crust. Yes microorganisms are found many miles down in the crust.
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