The origin of petroleum has always been a highly debated topic. The traditional view is that petroleum is formed from the remains of ancient organisms, but in recent years, some experts have proposed a new theory called "mantle-derived oil and gas," suggesting that the Earth itself can produce petroleum. This theory posits that carbon elements within the Earth's interior are squeezed into oil in an oxygen-deprived environment and gradually move upward to the crust. This theory explains the phenomenon of oil reserves exceeding the total sum of ancient organisms and also accounts for the existence of synthetic petroleum. Compared to the traditional view, the mantle-derived oil and gas theory is more logical and in line with actual conditions.

New Theory on the Origin of Petroleum

Petroleum is an indispensable source of energy in our lives. The traditional view holds that petroleum is formed from the remains of ancient organisms over a long period of time underground, a perspective first proposed by the Russian Mikhailovich in 1877 when he discovered a large amount of coal in a mine and thus associated it with the origin of petroleum. Subsequently, after much research by many experts and scholars, this theory gradually gained acceptance, and the term "fossil fuel" we use today also originates from this concept.

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However, even such a widely accepted view is not without its flaws. For instance, the reserves of petroleum far exceed the total sum of organisms that have ever existed on Earth. Additionally, some industrial oils are not derived from natural petroleum from underground but are synthetic. If these synthetic oils were also from ancient organisms, it would be quite a stretch.

In recent years, experts have begun to challenge the traditional view, proposing a new theory called "mantle-derived oil and gas." This theory suggests that the Earth can produce petroleum on its own, without relying on ancient organisms. The Earth's interior is rich in carbon elements, and when these elements are sufficiently compressed in an oxygen-deprived environment, they form a substance similar to petroleum.

This substance does not remain in the mantle indefinitely; it gradually moves upward with the movements within the mantle, eventually reaching the crust. The crust contains many fissures and cavities, and there is ample space above to accommodate the rising petroleum from the mantle, so most of the petroleum is squeezed out and exposed to the sky.

From this theory, it can be seen that the time required for the formation of petroleum on Earth is not very long, as the Earth itself possesses the materials needed to form petroleum, without having to wait for millions or even hundreds of millions of years as in the traditional view.

Traditional View

Let's make a simple comparison between these two perspectives. The traditional view holds that petroleum originates from ancient organisms, and the petroleum produced in the mantle is indeed formed from carbon elements under high temperature and pressure conditions. In contrast, the mantle-derived oil and gas theory posits that petroleum is not formed from organisms in the first place. The petroleum formed in the mantle, once it emerges at the surface and returns underground, will not be depleted like the petroleum currently being extracted.

Looking at the two viewpoints, the main difference lies in whether petroleum belongs to the category of organisms. The traditional view considers organisms as a necessary condition for the formation of petroleum, while the new theory suggests there is no inevitable connection between them. In fact, by observing from one aspect, it is easy to discern which is more reliable.For instance, the era we are currently living in is a "petroleum-based" age. Whether it is industrial production or personal travel, a slight lack of attention can lead to the waste of a significant amount of petroleum resources. Yet, this energy source, which is used in such vast quantities, was formed millions or even hundreds of millions of years before humans discovered it, and the sheer abundance of it is truly astonishing.

Looking at the history of human civilization, energy has always been a crucial factor. Particularly after the Industrial Revolution, the exploration of various energy resources has been almost as important as exploring the unknown world. Without sufficient coal, natural gas, and petroleum, many industries and technologies would not be effectively supported.

Synthetic Petroleum

Especially when we realize that modern industry has already achieved the feat of "synthetic petroleum," traditional views seem increasingly far-fetched. Since it is possible to create products in laboratories that are virtually indistinguishable from natural petroleum through artificial means, there is no longer a need to associate it with ancient organisms.

In contrast, the "mantle-derived oil and gas" theory is more convincing. According to this expert, after petroleum is formed in the mantle, it returns to the Earth's surface and does not diminish as per the natural laws of the world.

Although we have not yet discovered all of the Earth's petroleum reserves, even so, finding new reserves after using up a portion is just too fast. Considering the rate and time frame at which the mantle produces petroleum, the "mantle-derived oil and gas" theory is more logical.

Conclusion

The new theory of petroleum origin, "mantle-derived oil and gas," brings us entirely new speculations. Its emergence not only challenges traditional views but also explains phenomena that traditional views cannot. Although we have not yet discovered all of the Earth's petroleum reserves, the mantle-derived oil and gas theory is more logical and in line with the actual situation. Regardless of the origin of petroleum, energy has always been an essential factor in the development of human civilization. We should increase our research and utilization of renewable energy while using petroleum, preparing for future energy demands. What is your view on the origin of petroleum? Feel free to leave a comment to share your perspective!

The materials, description process, and images in this article are sourced from the internet and do not represent my personal stance.