Humanity's dependence on oil resources has lasted for centuries. Oil is considered a non-renewable resource because the conventional view is that it was formed over millions of years under certain conditions from the remains of ancient organisms. However, the latest scientific discoveries have turned this notion on its head, proposing a new theory of "mantle-sourced hydrocarbons". The theory is that oil actually originates from inorganic matter in the Earth's inner mantle, rather than biological remains. This is a shocking discovery, and it means that oil is not a scarce resource, but can be continuously produced from the interior of the earth. So, how will this new theory affect the way we think about and use oil? Is it really inexhaustible? Let's find out.
1. Subversive Discovery: Mantle Source Oil and Gas Theory
On a sunny morning, renowned geologist Professor John Cameron is busy in his laboratory at the University of California, Los Angeles. On the table are various ores and chemical reagents, and next to it is a valuable high-pressure synthesis instrument.
Professor Cameron said to his assistant while operating the instrument: "According to our previous research, if these ores are synthesized artificially at extremely high temperatures and pressures, it is possible to produce organic substances similar to petroleum. If the experiment is successful, it will prove that oil does not come entirely from biological remains, but that the earth itself can produce oil!"
The assistant nodded, and although he had some doubts about the professor's assumptions, he still carefully carried out the experiment as instructed. After several hours of reaction, wisps of yellowish smoke emanated from the instrument, accompanied by a pungent odor.
"Look, this is synthetic oil!" Professor Cameron shouted excitedly, pointing to a puddle of black liquid oozing from the instrument.
This discovery is undoubtedly a major challenge to traditional oil theory. According to the past view, oil was formed by the slow transformation of the remains of ancient marine organisms over millions of years under specific high temperature and high pressure conditions. Professor Cameron's experiments have shown that even without biological remains, oil can be synthesized directly from the inorganic minerals in the Earth's interior under the right conditions.
The discovery quickly caused a sensation in the geological community. Some scholars with different views have questioned the results of the experiments, arguing that the experimental environment is too different from the Earth's internal environment to be directly analogous. But Professor Cameron was not discouraged, and he led his team to investigate and finally found organic material similar to that of lab-synthesized oil in some deep rocks.
"Look, these rocks obviously contain petroleum, but they are so old that there were no living things at all, so it is obvious that these organic materials cannot have come from living things!" Professor Cameron triumphantly showed his assistant the rocks in his hand.
After years of hard work, Professor Cameron finally systematically put forward the theory of "mantle source oil and gas". This theory is that the Earth's inner mantle contains abundant inorganic carbon materials, which can be spontaneously converted into oil and natural gas under high temperature and high pressure, and continuously infiltrated and transported to the surface.
As soon as this theory was proposed, it sparked heated discussions in the geological community. Proponents believe that mantle-source oil and gas theory can not only explain the causes of some special oil and gas fields, but also open up new ideas for the exploration of oil resources. Opponents insist that the traditional biogenetic theory is dominant, and that the mantle-source oil and gas theory lacks sufficient geological evidence to support it. While the debate continues, this theory does bring a whole new perspective to the human perception of oil resources.
2. Future prospects for petroleum resources
Professor Cameron's mantle-source oil and gas theory has opened up a whole new perspective on oil exploration, which has excited oil practitioners around the world. Until then, they had traditionally focused on sedimentary basins that contained a large number of biological remains. But now, they have to re-examine the Earth's structure, looking for areas that may contain mantle-source oil and gas.
The first to react was a Texas-based oil company. The company's geological exploration team has found that in some areas of the Midwest of the United States, the earth's crust is unusually weak and mantle material may penetrate into shallower strata. So, they decided to start exploration drilling in the area.
"According to Professor Cameron's theory, if there is enough carbon in the mantle, those weak crusts will become channels for oil and gas infiltration. The person in charge reported to the company's senior management, "We have reason to believe that there must be undiscovered large oil and gas fields in this area!"
Despite some skepticism, the company did not hesitate to launch an exploration program. They began with extensive geological surveys, then selected several favourable areas and began the arduous drilling work.
Just when everyone was wondering if there would be a catch, one well finally hit the target horizon and began to spew a lot of crude oil downhole! This is undoubtedly the most powerful evidence for the mantle source oil and gas theory.
As soon as the news broke, it immediately sparked an exploration boom in the global oil industry. Companies are hiring geologists to look for areas where mantle-source oil and gas may be present. Some companies have set their sights on the geologically active Pacific Rim, while others have taken aim at the African continent's rift zone.
"Now that we have new exploration theories and methods, we will definitely be able to discover more oil and gas resources in the future!" said a senior geologist with confidence.
However, mantle-source oil and gas theory has not been all smooth sailing. Some scholars have questioned it, arguing that the carbon content in the Earth's mantle is not enough to form large-scale oil and gas resources. There is also skepticism that mantle-source oil and gas are not comparable in scale to conventional oil and gas fields, even if they exist.
In the face of skepticism, Professor Cameron was not discouraged. He led the team to continue to dig deeper and find more geological evidence. At the same time, he also called on governments and oil companies to invest more in this area to promote the further development of the theory.
"The establishment of scientific theories requires long-term efforts and a lot of practice. "I believe that as long as we continue to explore, we will be able to discover more oil resources for mankind and promote the sustainable development of the energy industry." ＂
3. The mystery of oil formation
Although the mantle-source oil and gas theory has brought a new dawn to oil exploration, more in-depth research is needed to truly solve the mystery of oil formation. Professor Cameron realised that carbon in the Earth's mantle alone could not directly form oil, and that it would have to go through a complex geological process.
To explore this process, Professor Cameron has assembled a multidisciplinary research team, including experts and scholars from chemistry, physics and other fields. They first set out to study the specific composition and state of carbon in the mantle.
"According to our analysis, the carbon in the mantle is mainly in the form of diamonds and other carbonates. A Ph.D. in chemistry reported at the conference, "In order to convert them into oil, they need to go through a series of reaction processes such as high-temperature melting and deoxidation reduction. ＂
The researchers then set out to simulate these reactions and try to synthesize the oil artificially in the lab. They found that temperature and pressure alone could not complete the process, and that special catalysts and reducing agents were needed.
Perhaps, this is why mantle-source oils and gases can only be formed in specific geological environments. Professor Cameron speculates that "even carbon cannot produce oil if the mantle lacks the necessary minerals." ＂
To test this hypothesis, the research team began exploring areas with special geological conditions around the world and analysing the collected rock samples. Sure enough, they found large mantle-source oil and gas deposits in some areas.
"Look, these rocks are rich in iron minerals, which can provide a reducing environment for carbon matter at high temperatures and pressures. "Also, the geological structure here is very conducive to the infiltration and migration of oil and gas." ＂
Through long-term research, Professor Cameron has finally uncovered the mystery of mantle-source oil and gas formation. It turns out that the carbon material in the earth's mantle needs to undergo a long period of high temperature and high pressure under specific mineral and tectonic conditions before it can be gradually converted into oil and natural gas, and continuously infiltrate the surface along fractures and faults.
This process often takes millions or even hundreds of millions of years, so the oil and gas resources formed are also extremely valuable. However, compared to biogenic oils, mantle-derived oils and gases are formed in a simpler and more straightforward way, and large-scale deposits can be found in the right places.
"Now that we have a deeper understanding of the formation mechanism of oil, we believe that more oil and gas resources will be discovered in the future. Professor Cameron said with confidence, "As long as we continue to explore, we will be able to contribute to the sustainable development of human society." ＂
Fourth, the energy path of human civilization
Oil is undoubtedly an important driving force for the development of modern civilization. From the drilling of the first oil well in the mid-19th century, to the boom of the oil industry in the 20th century, to today's pursuit of renewable energy, mankind has been constantly exploring and utilizing new forms of energy.
Dating back to the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, humanity relied heavily on fossil fuels such as coal. However, although coal is cheap, it has many problems, such as difficulty in mining and pollution from combustion. It was not until 1859 that the drilling of the Drake Well in Pennsylvania, USA, marked the real arrival of the oil age.
"Look, that's spewing oil!" When the drill bit of the Drake well finally drilled into the target horizon, the workers on the site were all excited. The black liquid gushes out like a fountain of vitality, heralding a new era in human energy utilization.
The advent of oil soon changed the world. Not only can it provide lighting and heating, but more importantly, it can power the emerging internal combustion engine. In 1885, Carl Benz invented the first modern gasoline engine, ushering in the era of motorized transportation.
"Look, this little machine can power us instead of a horse-drawn carriage!" Benz proudly showed off his invention to his assistant, "as long as there is enough oil, we can make this engine never stop!"
With the spread of automobiles, trains, ships and other means of transportation, the demand for oil is rising. Countries have been exploring for oil resources around the world, and a large-scale oil industry has emerged. From the Middle East to the Americas, from North Africa to Southeast Asia, oil companies have an exploration footprint.
"Look, we've discovered a huge oil field under this desert!" a geologist showed reporters the exploration report at the scene, "and we won't be short of oil for decades to come!"
However, just as humanity's dependence on oil was at its peak, a worrying question began to emerge: oil resources would eventually run out. Scientists predict that if consumption continues unabated, recoverable oil reserves could last only a few decades.
"We must find new sources of energy as soon as possible, or civilization will come to a standstill!" said a prominent scientist worriedly in an interview.
As a result, mankind has embarked on a new round of energy revolution. New energy sources such as nuclear energy, solar energy, wind energy, and biomass energy have been developed and utilized, but they have never been able to completely replace the position of oil. It was not until the beginning of the 21st century that a new type of oil resource called "shale oil and gas" was exploited on a large scale, alleviating the human demand for oil.
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In the longer term, humanity will inevitably transition to fully renewable and clean energy. At that time, oil, once "black gold", will only become a memory in the museum. But in any case, oil will always be engraved on the monument of the development of human civilization and become an important part of the history of human energy utilization.