Earth Day: Hail Fossil Fuels, Energy Of The Future

investors.com ^ | 4/21/2014 | MARK J. PERRY

[thackney]

But without sufficient oxygen.

If you start with hydrogen and carbon from a big bang or similar event, entropy will eventually leave you with mostly methane, some ethane etc depending on the ratio of carbon to hydrogen.

But they don’t have oceans of paraffins, naphthenes, aromatics and asphaltics that make up crude oil.

[lacrew]

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.

[thackney]

No matter how deep in the earth we drill (up to 7 miles), we encounter hydrocarbon gases.

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.

[lacrew]

I think there are still some mysteries out there. Didn’t the Soviets drill very deep and find hydrogen?

I’m probably thinking about this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kola_Superdeep_Borehole

Deep in granite...and they found hydrogen.

[thackney]

My suggestion is to stay away from source that agenda driven folks can easily edit or post as they want.

If you look at some writings on Kola that are focused on geology, you will find it described differently.

http://www.wirelinedrilling.com/sites/default/files/Kozlovsky%20Kola%20Deepest%20Well%20.pdf

[thackney]

Also, if you use translation software (or read Russian)

http://superdeep.pechenga.ru/

[lacrew]

Well I admit I have learned a lot today...and abiotic oil seems less and less likely.

The article is fascinating really...says the hole went over 800 meters horizontally off of vertical!

.....and found sedimentary rock at the bottom.

[thackney]

....and found sedimentary rock at the bottom.

1.2 inches of compressed sedimentation every 1,000 years x 400 million years. The whole world doesn't get that type of accumulation, but what do you think is happening in the ocean outside the Mississippi, Nile and Amazon River?

If you ever want to really learn some of the basics in the geology side of it, I recommend:

Nontechnical Guide to Petroleum Geology, Exploration, Drilling & Production, 3rd Ed.: 3rd Edition

Cheapest I found is $57 @:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/listing/2691735085691?r=1&cm_mmc=GooglePLA-_-TextBook_NotInStock_75Up-_-Q000000633-_-2691735085691

It also gives a good over view past the geology and through to the production.

If you learn a bit about how a petroleum trap works and is formed, and particularly multiple layers with sealing rock above each layer, and different grades of oil at each layer, abiotic gets less and less feasible.