Well I’ve certainly got a bit of an education today. Fascinating really.
But I’m still not ready to completely dismiss the abiotic theory. The Wikipedia page on it is generally unfavorable, but it gives examples of why the theory is still supported by some.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abiogenic_petroleum_origin
Here is a link to a site that is more tilted towards abiotic theory:
http://www.viewzone.com/abioticoil.html
At the bottom of the page is a scientific paper, with some interesting info (a lot of the chemistry admittedly above my head).
The crux of the theory in the paper: No matter how deep in the earth we drill (up to 7 miles), we encounter hydrocarbon gases. They propose that heat and pressure can cause many rocks to outgas these gases..and it isn’t outlandish to suppose that some micro-organism can synthesize these gases.
I don’t know. We know a lot about our planet...but there is a lot we don’t know - for example, how we can find helium 7 miles down.
In sedimentary basins. Places where sediment from the surface has accumulated.
We don't find that in igneous rock, where the mantle has pushed up from the deep.