Petroleum forms through differential oxidation of methane

Danilo Anton

Orthodox explanations of the internal causes of orogeny (formation of reliefs) or petrogenesis (rocks formation), volcanism, seismicity, the formation of hydrocarbons and coals, and even the processes of generation of metallic deposits should be radically reviewed. According to Thomas. Gold (2001), the main internal driving force in the crust and upper mantle is planetary degassing, in particular surging and evolution of methane and other hydrocarbons and their derivatives. In this process the leading role is biological oxidation of hydrocarbons, concomitantly with the reduction (also biological) of sulfur and iron.

 As the methane moves through the pores and fractures in rock formations enters in deep contacts with various oxygenated minerals, especially sulfates and ferric oxides.

As a result of this contact methane molecules are oxidized.

The availability of oxygen is limited, and therefore hydrogen atoms, more readily oxidizable, that become combined with oxygen forming water.

On the other hand as methane molecules lose their hydrogen, carbon concentration occurs. The free valences allow the evolution of hydrocarbons with an increasing relation C/H. After methane is oxydized ethane (C₂ H₆ ) is formed, more oxydation produces propane (C₃H₈ ), butane (C₄H₁₀ ), pentane (C₅H₁₂ ) and other hydrocarbons with still higher ratio C/H.

These new compounds are mixed during their migration resulting in a mixture of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons (depending on temperature and pressure) which typically is called "oil" or “petroleum”..

This oxidation of hydrogen and carbon concentration continues until the virtual elimination of hydrogen forming accumulations of almost pure carbon (it is called “coal” in mining/ economic geology).

For that reason, normally there are accumulations of gas (mostly methane) deposits underlying petroleum, which in turn is topped by coal seams.

The oxidation process produces mainly hydrogen water and the oxidation of carbon, depending on the availability of oxygen, generates carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂ ).

Moreover, the loss of oxygen in sulphates (reduction), produces various types including sulphide sulfur gases.

Fluid upwards surging, including liquid and carbonaceous gases, methane and other hydrocarbons, sulphurous vapors, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and water, tends to envelop and permeate through the upper layers, emanating locally on the surface as mud volcanoes, solfataras, geysers, submarine hydrothermal vents and similar emissions.

Once incompletely oxidized carbonaceous compounds reach the surface they come into contact with atmospheric oxygen until total oxidation occurs.

When methane is exposed in the seabed combines into methane hydrates  (ice water with a high methane content, more than 10%).

The carbon dioxide produced through oxydation of hydrocarbons can be absorbed by plants generating organic material or combining with earth elements (calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium) to form carbonates.

The latter may accumulate at the bottom of seas and lakes producing limestone and fracture networks in the more or less deep crust.

From the book  "Inexhaustible? Petroleum and Gas", Danilo Anton, Piriguazu Ediciones.