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Origin of Petroleum

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Springer Handbook of Petroleum Technology

Part of the book series: Springer Handbooks ((SHB))

Abstract

Theories concerning the origin of oil on Earth fall into two camps: biogenic, where oil is generated by the thermal conversion of sedimentary organic matter derived from living organisms, and abiogenic, where oil is formed from mineral catalyzed reactions of nonbiological carbon deep within the Earth. Most geochemists believe that there are multiple and overwhelming lines of evidence supporting biogenic origins for petroleum. While there are known occurrences of abiogenic methane generated by geologic processes, these contribute little to petroleum resources. Economic reserves require all specific elements and processes occur within a sedimentary basin. The Petroleum System must contain: (1) at least one formation of organic-rich sediments (source rock) that has been buried to a sufficient depth by overburden rock such that petroleum is generated and expelled, (2) pathways (permeable strata and faults) that allow the petroleum to migrate, (3) reservoir rocks with sufficient porosity and permeability to accumulate economically significant quantities of petroleum, and (4) seal rock (low permeability) and structures that retain migrated petroleum within the reservoir rock. In the case of many unconventional resources, the source rock itself serves as source, reservoir, and seal.

Petroleum, composed of hydrocarbons and heteroatomic molecules, is the most complex mixture occurring in nature. The composition of petroleum generated within its source rock is influenced by the type of organisms that contributed organic matter, the environment of deposition , and thermal exposure. Most of the deposited biomolecules are chemically altered, broken apart, and reassembled into an insoluble carbonaceous material termed kerogen. Upon burial and heating, the kerogen reacts producing mostly compounds that have lost their biochemical signature; however, some of these generated molecules, termed biomarkers , preserve enough of their chemical structure that their original biological precursor can be identified. Expulsion from the source rock chemically fractionates the generated petroleum, with the expelled product enriched in gases and hydrocarbons, and retained bitumen enriched in heteroatomic polar species and asphaltenes. Petroleum composition can be further altered as it migrates and resides in reservoir rocks by physical, chemical, and biological processes. Collectively, these processes result in petroleum accumulations with a diverse range of compositions and physical properties.

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  1. Corporate Strategic Research, ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Co., 1545 Route 22 E., NJ 08801-0998, Annandale, USA

    Clifford C. Walters

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  1. Dept. Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Florida A&M University/Florida State University, 2525 Pottsdamer St., FL 32310, Tallahassee, USA

    Chang Samuel Hsu   (許強)

  2. China University of Petroleum - Beijing College of Chemical Engineering, Changping, China

    Chang Samuel Hsu   (許強)

  3. Petro Bio Consulting LLC, Tallahassee, USA

    Chang Samuel Hsu   (許強)

  4. Katy Institute for Sustainable Energy, 3418 Clear Water Park Dr., TX 77450, Katy, USA

    Paul R. Robinson

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Walters, C.C. (2017). Origin of Petroleum. In: Hsu, C.S., Robinson, P.R. (eds) Springer Handbook of Petroleum Technology. Springer Handbooks. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49347-3_10

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