Fossils into Oil?

[Starman71]

I recently read a fiction novel by Steve Berry that presented the idea that there existed a type of "abiotic" crude. Now I understand the difference between fiction and non-fiction, but the author usually points out which parts of his work is fact, theory, or pure bunk. On this topic, he mentioned that there is some speculation that an "abiotic oil" does exist in addition to the "biotic oil" from fossils we generally accept today.

I was wondering if there is any true scientific merit to this theory.

[Thanatocoenosis]

Originally Posted by Starman71

I recently read a fiction novel by Steve Berry that presented the idea that there existed a type of "abiotic" crude. Now I understand the difference between fiction and non-fiction, but the author usually points out which parts of his work is fact, theory, or pure bunk. On this topic, he mentioned that there is some speculation that an "abiotic oil" does exist in addition to the "biotic oil" from fossils we generally accept today.

I was wondering if there is any true scientific merit to this theory.

Abiotic oil is an archaic, and failed hypothesis, presented by a Soviet chemist during the Soviet era. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, so to went the hypothesis. It has been thoroughly debunked and all but most obtuse crackpots have abandoned the ideal. It never gained acceptance in the West. One of problems with hypothesis is that no predictions can be made from it, hence that renders it into the realm of pseudoscience.

Abiotic oil - RationalWiki

[Starman71]

Originally Posted by Thanatocoenosis

Abiotic oil is an archaic, and failed hypothesis, presented by a Soviet chemist during the Soviet era. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, so to went the hypothesis. It has been thoroughly debunked and all but most obtuse crackpots have abandoned the ideal. It never gained acceptance in the West. One of problems with hypothesis is that no predictions can be made from it, hence that renders it into the realm of pseudoscience.

Abiotic oil - RationalWiki

Thank you for the link. It would be nice to think that oil would be somewhat infinite - or at least we could rely on it long enough to work on bettering alternative energy sources. Berry had mentioned the Soviet link in his novel.

[Thanatocoenosis]

Originally Posted by Starman71

Thank you for the link. It would be nice to think that oil would be somewhat infinite - or at least we could rely on it long enough to work on bettering alternative energy sources.

With the recent advancements in directional drilling techniques, the US, and other nations(China, Russia... sorry Europe), have a few thousand years of reserves in fields that, only a few years ago, were deemed inaccessible. Of course, those assets will increase atmospheric CO₂ concentrations, but research continues on injection well technologies.

A couple of years ago, a classified Bundeswehr report was leaked to the press. This happened a few months after a similar CIA report was leaked to the press... the future is bleak for those nations without sufficient petroleum reserves.

And that, my friend, is why the USA should NEVER export any of its mineral/petroleum extracts; they are strategic reserves, or they will be some day.