Abiogenic petroleum origin

Abiogenic petroleum origin is a scientific hypothesis about the natural formation of petroleum. It states that petroleum is formed from non-biological sources of hydrocarbons located deep in the Earth's crust and mantle. This hypothesis is contrary to the more widely held view that petroleum is a fossil fuel -- produced from the remains of ancient living organisms. The constituent precursors of petroleum (mainly methane) are commonplace and it is possible that appropriate conditions exist for hydrocarbons to be formed deep within the Earth.

Related Topics:
Abiogenic petroleum origin - Scientific - Hypothesis - Petroleum - Biological - Hydrocarbon - Crust - Mantle - Fossil fuel - Precursor - Methane

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:"The capital fact to note is that petroleum was born in the depths of the Earth, and it is only there that we must seek its origin." (D. Mendeleev, 1877){{ref|Mendeleev}}

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Although this theory is supported by a large minority of geologists in Russia, where it was intensively developed in the 1950s and 1960s, it has only recently begun to receive attention in the West, where the biogenic petroleum theory is still believed by the vast majority of petroleum geologists. Planetary scientist Thomas Gold was one of the abiogenic theory's greatest proponents in recent years.{{ref|Gold1999}} Although it was originally denied that abiogenic hydrocarbons exist at all on earth, this is now accepted by Western geologists. The orthodox and widely accepted position now is that while abiogenic hydrocarbons exist (in inverse proportion to hydrocarbon chain complexity), they are not produced in commercially significant quantities.

Related Topics:
Russia - Geologist - Thomas Gold

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The modern Russian-Ukrainian theory of petroleum, based on thermodynamic calculations made for the first time by Ukrainian scientist, Prof. Emmanuil B. Chekaliuk (1967), contends that petroleum is inorganic and formed at high pressure and temperature in the earth's mantle. This theory is said to be supported by experimental studies conducted by Dr J.F. Kenney and his Russian colleagues. Their conclusions about petroleum origin are also said to vindicate the theories propounded by the geologist Nikolai Kudryavtsev.

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A variation of the abiogenic theory includes alteration by microbes similar to those which form the basis of the ecology around deep hydrothermal vents.

Related Topics:
Microbe - Hydrothermal vent

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One prediction of most abiogenic theories is that other planets of the solar system or their moons have large petroleum oceans, either from hydrocarbons present at the formation of the solar system, or subsequent chemical reactions.

Related Topics:
Solar system - Chemical reaction

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That this theory is receiving increasing attention from Western geologists is indicated by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists having scheduled a conference to meet in Vienna in July 2004 entitled "Origin of Petroleum—Biogenic and/or Abiogenic and Its Significance in Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production". The conference had to be canceled, however, due to financial considerations. Instead, AAPG held a one-day session on the topic at the June 2005 annual meeting in Calgary, Alberta.{{ref|www.searchanddiscovery.net.224}}

Related Topics:
American Association of Petroleum Geologists - June 2005 - Calgary, Alberta

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