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ChewyDante  LSU Fan Member since Jan 2007 7822 posts

| What are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? (Posted on 4/24/12 at 12:39 am)
I'm listening to Coast to Coast (I know) and it is a topic of discussion tonight. I've read about it some time ago but it sounded like pure speculation to me. I'm sure we have some oil guys on here, so what are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? Is it purely unsubstantiated speculation? Is it simply unbridled optimism or do any respectable authorities in the field lend any credence to it?
This post was edited on 4/24 at 4:30 pm
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Tigah in the ATL  LSU Fan Atlanta Member since Feb 2005 21020 posts

| re: What are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? (Posted on 4/24/12 at 12:44 am to ChewyDante)
I'm guessing the idea doesn't get much support from paleontologists ("bug pickers").
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Powerman  LSU Fan Corpus Christi, TX Member since Jan 2004 116244 posts

| re: What are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? (Posted on 4/24/12 at 12:46 am to ChewyDante)
I don't know much about it but this is an interesting quick read LINK
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Tigah in the ATL  LSU Fan Atlanta Member since Feb 2005 21020 posts

| re: What are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? (Posted on 4/24/12 at 12:49 am to Powerman)
that guy just wanted a story he could create a pun headline for.
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ChewyDante  LSU Fan Member since Jan 2007 7822 posts

| re: What are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? (Posted on 4/24/12 at 12:51 am to Powerman)
I just read that article like 20 minutes ago. 
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Tiger Authority  LSU Fan Member since Jul 2007 29364 posts

| re: What are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? (Posted on 4/24/12 at 12:54 am to ChewyDante)
I had no clue what this was and had to wiki it.
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EST  LSU Fan Investigating Member since Oct 2003 11494 posts

| re: What are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? (Posted on 4/24/12 at 2:22 am to Powerman)
quote:
Thomas Gold, a respected astronomer and professor emeritus at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, has held for years that oil is actually a renewable, primordial syrup continually manufactured by the Earth under ultrahot conditions and tremendous pressures. As this substance migrates toward the surface, it is attacked by bacteria, making it appear to have an organic origin dating back to the dinosaurs, he says. All of which has led some scientists to a radical theory: Eugene Island is rapidly refilling itself, perhaps from some continuous source miles below the Earth's surface. That, they say, raises the tantalizing possibility that oil may not be the limited resource it is assumed to be.
From the link above. Interesting.
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carbola  Michigan Fan Middle East Member since Aug 2010 3385 posts

| re: What are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? (Posted on 4/24/12 at 6:33 am to EST)
Wont hold my breath but I hope its true. I will get to keep my job longer and tick off PETA at the same time
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Beachtiger  LSU Fan Bomba Shack Member since Apr 2007 3519 posts

| re: What are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? (Posted on 4/24/12 at 7:13 am to carbola)
It will never be allowed to be true. Can you imagine the price of oil if it is proven renewable or reproducing. 
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Bunk Moreland  Michigan Fan Detroit, MI Member since Dec 2010 3410 posts

| re: What are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? (Posted on 4/24/12 at 7:51 am to ChewyDante)
Even if it had some merit, the planet is not refilling in any meaningful amounts to make up for depletion elsewhere. Abiotic oil: No Free Lunch 1. Abiotic oil: No Free Lunch 2. Abiotic oil: No Free Lunch 3.
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tigerdup07  LA-Lafayette Fan Member since Dec 2007 17640 posts

| re: What are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? (Posted on 4/24/12 at 7:59 am to ChewyDante)
i've been a driller for over a decade now and i can tell all the people that don't understand that oil is NOT IN A POOL. oil is found in a layer of sand. back in the 70's, a layer at, lets say, 12000 ft was able to be drilled to to produce a certain amount of oil. it will eventually "run out". so, now you have two options: 1- kickoff and reach out further "sideways" to get to another portion of that sand layer to start producing again 2- go deeper and find the next layer of oil producing sand you see, back then, we didn't have the seismic technology or the means of drilling further south. NOW WE DO. so, you re-enter that hole and go deeper and hit the next layer of sand at, let's say, 21000 ft. and boom, you found more oil.
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ChewyDante  LSU Fan Member since Jan 2007 7822 posts

| re: What are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? (Posted on 4/24/12 at 2:43 pm to Bunk Moreland)
Great links. Will read through them more thoroughly later. Do you have any links to reputable figures laying out an argument FOR abiotic oil?
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ChewyDante  LSU Fan Member since Jan 2007 7822 posts

| re: What are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? (Posted on 4/24/12 at 4:48 pm to ChewyDante)
bump
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Zach  LSU Fan Member since May 2005 55842 posts

| re: What are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? (Posted on 4/24/12 at 5:05 pm to ChewyDante)
I listen to coast to coast because I'm old and get up very early in the morning. But when I'm driving to the gym at 5 am I only hear about space ships that are attacking London and the host says... "oooooh, and why aren't we hearing that in the news?" It's all crap. But then my wife, the lovely Lucy, Tivo's shows from 'ghost hunters'... which is totally retarded. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only sane person in a world full of idiots. 
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CollegeFBRules  LSU Fan Member since Oct 2008 18284 posts

| re: What are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? (Posted on 4/24/12 at 5:15 pm to ChewyDante)
quote:
Do you have any links to reputable figures laying out an argument FOR abiotic oil?
Moreland only believes and looks for sources that verify his beliefs in peak oil and the potential state of society during The Big Power Down--where people have to alter their lives to living on much reduced energy consumption.
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HempHead  Alabama Fan Appalachia Member since Mar 2011 10149 posts

| re: What are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? (Posted on 4/24/12 at 5:17 pm to Bunk Moreland)
quote:
Bunk Moreland
I think you'll like this link... An Austrian Perspective on Peak Oil It is sympathetic (to a point) towards Peak Oil, which is odd coming from an Austrian.
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ottothewise  LSU Fan Member since Sep 2008 32094 posts

| re: What are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? (Posted on 4/24/12 at 5:28 pm to Zach)
quote:
Sometimes I feel like I'm the only sane person in a world full of idiots.

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gonads&strife  New Orleans Saints Fan Member since Dec 2011 1885 posts

| re: What are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? (Posted on 4/24/12 at 5:33 pm to EST)
quote:
Eugene Island is rapidly refilling itself, perhaps from some continuous source miles below the Earth's surface. That, they say, raises the tantalizing possibility that oil may not be the limited resource it is assumed to be.
That is one field and there are countless other more scientifically plausible explanations for it. Abiotic oil = a fantasy.
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ChewyDante  LSU Fan Member since Jan 2007 7822 posts

| re: What are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? (Posted on 4/24/12 at 5:40 pm to Zach)
quote:
I listen to coast to coast because I'm old and get up very early in the morning. But when I'm driving to the gym at 5 am I only hear about space ships that are attacking London and the host says... "oooooh, and why aren't we hearing that in the news?" It's all crap. But then my wife, the lovely Lucy, Tivo's shows from 'ghost hunters'... which is totally retarded. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only sane person in a world full of idiots.
Well thanks for contributing to the discussion on abiotic oil.
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Zach  LSU Fan Member since May 2005 55842 posts

| re: What are the opinions on the theory of abiotic oil? (Posted on 4/24/12 at 6:02 pm to ChewyDante)
quote:
Well thanks for contributing to the discussion on abiotic oil.
You're welcome. Any time. My pleasure.
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