Abiotic Theory of Oil Formation

The Environmental Literacy Council ^

[capitan_refugio]

Plankton. Most oil is sourced from rocks which contains the remains of microscopic marine life. A good source rock might contain 1-2% organic material by weight. Extremely prolific source rocks, like the Monterey Formation of California contains up to 20% organic material by weight. It literally bleeds oil.

[Ramius]

I'm not fighting about it...

If it is compressed biomass shouldn't the in-process oil be shallower than the "finished" product?

[capitan_refugio]

Gold got to test his theories some years ago, by drilling a well in an impact feature known as the "Siljan Ring." It was a colossal failure.

[PRUE]

While I don't actually have a dog in this fight, since I'm perfectly willing to believe the biological origin of oil...

What is served by 'fighting' about how oil is formed? Why not use all available ideas to find more?
Could it be that some men believe that oil should be scarce & expensive? Hmmmmmm.

Still... I do wonder why, if this is a continual process of compressing biomass into oil... where is the halfway made oil?

According to Gold, methane is being converted to oil way down deep, in the "hot biosphere". -- A blasphemous idea, apparently.

I'm not fighting about it...

I didn't claim you were. Those who 'own the dog' are fighting to keep oil scarce & expensive.

If it is compressed biomass shouldn't the in-process oil be shallower than the "finished" product?

Exactly. That's part of Golds theory on why the 'current wisdom' on oil formation is all wrong.

[fella]

I think I understand the connection between sox's, paper clips and coat-hangers but where do all those shoes in the road come from?

[null and void]

Feet.

[null and void]

(Actually they start out as brake shoes. Don't EVER let on that you know...)

[FreedomCalls]

Still... I do wonder why, if this is a continual process of compressing biomass into oil... where is the halfway made oil?

The process for coal is usually moss-like material, which becomes peat, which becomes Lignite, which becomes Bituminous coal, and which lastly becomes Anthracite coal. Oil formation is similar starting out with algae beds, which are mixed with sand and form sandstone, the sandstone becomes shale, then out of the shale the organic material is cooked and pressed out to migrate upward until it hits a non-porous layer where it is trapped and collects into an oil formation.

The answer to your question is then -- shale.