[Cincinatus]

Methane is a common substance in our solar system, just as it is a common non biological substance on earth.

So what? You have a gift for the irrelevant and the non-sequitur.

[tpaine]

Whata clown. We are discussing the possible origins of petroleum, right?


Methane is a common non biological substance on earth, correct?

Thus, methane, in a deep hot area of our earth, could be converted to petroleum. -- Try to say it isn't possible.

And, -- try to tell us that the logic of the point is irrelevent.

[Sachem]

It looks to me like methane hydrate, an unusual chemical form in which under extremes of low temperature and high pressure water forms a lattice which holds methane (natural gas) without chemical combination, has much promise. Methane hydrate is found in stunning abundance in many places on the earth but especially under oceans of 1000 meters depth, or so.

See this (understatement): Methane Hydrates i The National Methane Hydrate R&D Program

Today, the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that methane hydrate may, in fact, contain more organic carbon than all the world's coal, oil, and non-hydrate natural gas combined. The magnitude of this previously unknown global storehouse of methane is truly staggering and has raised serious inquiry into the possibility of using methane hydrate as a source of energy.