Did oil come from fossils or the earth itself?

Airhog · 09-07-2005, 05:50 PM

For some time now, a debate has been raging about where oil comes from. Is it really the remnants of decayed marine life? or does the earth produce oil naturally?

Peregrine · 09-07-2005, 05:52 PM

There isn't so much a scientific debate from what I've seen as a relative few people challenging the conventional wisdom, using an abiogenic oil thesis. I'm not sure which is right, really.

Airhog · 09-07-2005, 05:54 PM

Since it is possible to create synthectic oils in a lab, then it stands to reason that it might be possible to nature to produce oil underground in the same way. Synthetic oil is basically carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen mixed together. CO2 is pretty abundent in the atmosphere, but who knows if there are the right kinds of materials in the mantle that could facilitate this process...

Peregrine · 09-07-2005, 05:58 PM

I certainly think it is possible, especially because of the way oil and NG (also a big part of the debate) are distributed seems pretty strange from a purely biological perspective. I believe that as our sensing power deeper into the crust and the mantle improves, we will eventually be able to settle this debate once and for all.

Tom E · 09-07-2005, 06:03 PM

If you look where oil is found, the land was under ocean waters millions of years ago. The decomposed microscopic particuls left are what made the proper enviroment for oil...

09-07-2005, 05:52 PM	#2
Peregrine Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Cary, NC	There isn't so much a scientific debate from what I've seen as a relative few people challenging the conventional wisdom, using an abiogenic oil thesis. I'm not sure which is right, really. Last edited by Peregrine : 09-07-2005 at 05:52 PM.

09-07-2005, 05:54 PM	#3
Airhog Captain Obvious Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Norman, Oklahoma	Since it is possible to create synthectic oils in a lab, then it stands to reason that it might be possible to nature to produce oil underground in the same way. Synthetic oil is basically carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen mixed together. CO2 is pretty abundent in the atmosphere, but who knows if there are the right kinds of materials in the mantle that could facilitate this process... __________________ Thread Killer extraordinaire Yay! its football season once again! Last edited by Airhog : 09-07-2005 at 05:56 PM.

09-07-2005, 06:03 PM	#5
Tom E H.S. Freshman Team Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Livermore, CA	If you look where oil is found, the land was under ocean waters millions of years ago. The decomposed microscopic particuls left are what made the proper enviroment for oil... __________________ Be Polite Be Proffesional And Be Ready to Kill... I'll Never Forget What's Her Name... A Democrat is Somebody who Knows the Issues, a Republican is Somebody who Understands the Issues...

09-07-2005, 05:58 PM	#4
Peregrine Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Cary, NC	I certainly think it is possible, especially because of the way oil and NG (also a big part of the debate) are distributed seems pretty strange from a purely biological perspective. I believe that as our sensing power deeper into the crust and the mantle improves, we will eventually be able to settle this debate once and for all.

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