Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: slowhandluke
I have had several abiotic oil discussions here on FR and you seem to be the most sensible of those that accept the theory. Others who buy into abiotic oil theory believe that since the mantle of the each is an oil production factory and that the mantle’s production will supply the world until the end of time. That belief is as rational as Santa will give me a pony for Christmas or Hillary will give me free health care.

As it stands today, no one has produced abiotic oil. When oil has been found in igneous rock it is not in sufficient quantities and can be traced to nearby sedimentary formations. Moreover, the microorganisms in that oil and any oil ever produced can be traced in the fossil record to correspond with the age of the formation the oil was extracted.

If someone were to drill a super deep well and extract oil that did not contain the markers of biotic oil, I would be delighted. Until then we need to deal with the reality that oil, no matter how much remains in the earth, will continue to increase in price.

60 posted on 03/04/2008 11:13:10 PM PST by trumandogz ("He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper and it worries me." Sen Cochran on McCain)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies ]


To: trumandogz
When oil has been found in igneous rock it is not in sufficient quantities and can be traced to nearby sedimentary formations

My understanding is that there is no sedimentary rock under the Canadian Shield. But, I'm not a geologist. And 'sufficient' is an odd complaint? Sufficient for what? Any recoverable oil would seem to be a win. The point about sedimentary rock is that some of it is permeable. So, a permeable layer, covered by an impermeable layer, would trap anything moving up from below. Igneous rock just wouldn't have enough space to capture enough oil for our purposes, but any should be enough for proof of concept.

The concept is that the hydrocarbons come from deep down, below any sedimentary layers. The fact that some old, supposedly emptied oil fields have produced oil again after left alone suggests that they are being refilled from below.

Like I said, read the book. It's an interesting read by a more than competent scientist.

63 posted on 03/05/2008 6:44:46 AM PST by slowhandluke (It's hard work to be cynical enough in this age)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson