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Hydrocarbons could form deep in the earth from methane, not animals

Popular Science -- They found at temperatures greater than 2,240 degrees F and pressures 50,000 times greater than those at the Earth’s surface, methane molecules can fuse to form hydrocarbons with multiple carbon atoms. Interactions with metal or carbon sped up the fusion process, the researchers said. These conditions are present about 70 miles down, according to an LLNL news release.

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Submitted Feb 09, 2012 By: kx250

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Goatroper Champion Author Dallas Posts:5,179 Points:1,011,500 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 8:57:49 AM Ignore Goatroper Report Abuse This theory has been put forward before now. I remember that there was a company so convinced of this that they were drilling for oil in Norway, which could not have any oil produced by "fossil" means. As I remember it, they had a dry hole.
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:5,222 Points:1,760,195 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 8:56:19 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse "“We don't say that higher hydrocarbons actually occur under the realistic 'dirty' Earth mantle conditions, but we say that the pressures and temperatures alone are right for it to happen,” she said." 'nuff said!
Throroughbred Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,031 Points:1,210,745 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Feb 9, 2012 11:40:51 PM Ignore Throroughbred Report Abuse I do not know who thought that oil came only from fossils since we have found it in places where fossils were not known to be. This idea that heat and great pressures below the earths crust could be producing far greater reserves. Now that does seem to make lots of sense or cents, too. Which could mean not running out any time soon!!
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:2,247 Points:435,540 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 9, 2012 10:56:06 PM Ignore ExplorerWA Report Abuse I hope they put more research into this as it may have some promise for the future.
Vette1967 Champion Author Albany Posts:4,167 Points:918,405 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Feb 9, 2012 10:01:51 PM Ignore Vette1967 Report Abuse Interesting.
rbrk02 Champion Author Rhode Island Posts:3,022 Points:455,180 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 9, 2012 9:24:50 PM Ignore rbrk02 Report Abuse Not a new theory but very interesting nonetheless. Find a way to artificially duplicate the appropriate conditions needed to create these hydrocarbons and solve all of our energy problems.
akitaone Champion Author Tampa Posts:1,309 Points:80,750 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 9, 2012 7:06:54 PM Ignore akitaone Report Abuse what he say
db60 All-Star Author Indiana Posts:982 Points:211,255 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Feb 9, 2012 1:48:17 PM Ignore db60 Report Abuse Old news. Anybody who has had coursework in organic chemistry knows this.
Meowmy All-Star Author Florida Posts:993 Points:278,110 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 9, 2012 1:21:05 PM Ignore Meowmy Report Abuse If they can verify this, that means that we won't run out of oil.
md11capt Champion Author Denver Posts:1,789 Points:387,285 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 9, 2012 10:53:25 AM Ignore md11capt Report Abuse Is it possible we could duplicate the process?