Abiogenic origin of petroleum hydrocarbons: Need to rethink exploration strategies
Abstract
The origin of petroleum hydrocarbons is a matter of debate since its discovery. During last several decades it is firmly believed that the origin of petroleum hydrocarbons is 'biogenic' due to chemical similarity between the natural hydrocarbons and the organic matter that is being formed and deposited. As against, now a days there is growing belief that the origin of petroleum is not the 'biogenic (fossil fuel)' but is the 'abiogenic'. This hypothesis is supported by increasing body of evidences such as ubiquity of hydrocarbons in the solar system, thermodynamic considerations, occurrence of hydrocarbons in hydrothermal vents, continuous methane upwelling from interior of earth, presence of biologically inert helium with methane and non-depletion of petroleum deposits since long. Considering these strong evidences, it is suggested to explore the onshore and offshore regions characterized by faults, gas escape features, mud diapirs and mud volcanoes for detailed abiogenic hydrocarbon exploration. In addition, the regions beyond the EEZ may be also explored for abiogenic hydrocarbons
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