Fossil fuels aren't from dinosaurs, but evidence suggests they are the remnants of past living organisms.

The resurgence of the 'abiotic oil' theory.

One of my first posts was a short paragraph about the evidence for suggesting that current fossil fuel resources are organic. However, I am often told that fossil fuels are a misnomer and that these resources are formed abiotically… so I thought I would expand a bit on that old post.

The ‘abiotic oil’ theory…

The abiotic oil theory, which posits that crude oil is formed by non-biological processes deep within the Earth's mantle, has a history rooted in both scientific exploration and geopolitical considerations. The theory contrasts with the conventional belief that oil is a "fossil fuel" formed from the remains of ancient plants and microorganisms.

The origins of the abiotic theory trace back to the 19th century. Several scientists, mainly from Russia and Ukraine, began challenging the prevailing views on the origins of petroleum. They postulated that hydrocarbons could be generated at great depths in the Earth, driven by geological and chemical processes independent of organic material. One prominent figure in the development of this theory was the Soviet scientist Nikolai Kudryavtsev, who formally presented the idea in 1951. According to Kudryavtsev and his followers, hydrocarbons generated in the Earth's mantle rise through the crust, and when they reach cooler layers, condense into oil and natural gas deposits.

A scheme for the genesis of hydrocarbons and petroleum deposit formation. Source: https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/41889

The abiotic oil theory was particularly influential in the Soviet Union during the mid-20th century. Soviet geologists and scientists, operating in the context of the Cold War, saw practical implications for the theory. If oil wasn't solely a product of ancient life but could be generated continuously deep within the Earth, then perhaps it was more abundant and accessible than previously thought. This line of thinking had significant strategic implications, especially for a nation keen on ensuring its energy independence and security.

However, while the abiotic theory enjoyed some traction in the Soviet Union, it remained on the fringes of Western scientific thought. The majority of geologists and petroleum scientists outside the Soviet bloc were (and remain) convinced of oil's biotic origins, based on a multitude of geological, chemical, and isotopic evidence.

In recent decades, the abiotic theory has been revisited and re-evaluated, especially with new insights from planetary science and the discovery of hydrocarbons on celestial bodies like Titan, one of Saturn's moons, and the debate about energy policy responses to climate change.

Abiotic hydrocarbon formation…

Hydrocarbons, which are molecules composed of hydrogen and carbon, can form through several abiotic (non-biological) processes both on Earth and in space.

Fischer-Tropsch Type (FTT) Synthesis is a chemical reaction that involves the catalytic conversion of a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen into liquid hydrocarbons. It's a process that can take place deep within the Earth's crust, especially in the presence of certain metal catalysts like iron, cobalt, or nickel.

Serpentinization is a process when mantle rocks, particularly peridotites, come into contact with water, producing a reaction that forms hydrogen gas and magnetite. This hydrogen can then react with carbon sources, like carbon dioxide, to form methane and other hydrocarbons.

Hydrocarbons have been detected in many interstellar environments and on certain celestial bodies.

• Interstellar Medium: Hydrocarbons are believed to form in the cold and vast space between stars, likely through reactions involving carbon-bearing ions and hydrogen molecules.

• Celestial Bodies: Titan, Saturn's moon, has lakes of liquid methane and ethane on its surface. These might have formed from reactions in its atmosphere, as well as potential subsurface processes.

• Meteorites: Some carbonaceous meteorites contain complex organic molecules, which are essentially hydrocarbons. These molecules likely formed in space, either on the meteorite's parent body or within the interstellar medium.

Claims of a conspiracy…