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07-16-2004, 12:35 PM | #1 |
I am meaty
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 1,119
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The origin of oil
This is the first I've heard of this theory, and it's interesting... some scientists believe that crude oil isn't the product of decomposed plant and animal matter from prehistoric times; rather they believe it is the product of a natural, inorganic process that takes place at the very hot interface of the earth's crust and mantle.
Some oil reservoirs tend to refill over time, often from the bottom up, implying a seepage from a larger reservoir underneath. The observations and the science seem to support the theory, as well as filling a few holes in the decayed animal/plant matter theory... such as the question of why large oil fields are sometimes found in areas where it is unlikely that a lot of life was present in prehistory. Here's a news story. If you prefer your science hard, read this. If this theory is accurate, that would mean that oil is not the limited resource it is currently regarded as; or, the limit is much higher than current estimates, by perhaps 100 times. Oil is still a dirty fuel, and a cleaner alternative would be beneficial, but maybe the oilfields won't by drying up as soon as we think.
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07-16-2004, 12:54 PM | #2 |
whig
Join Date: Apr 2001
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I'm not sure if this has passed peer review but the mere fact that the only news source you could find was worldnetdaily doesn't lend much credence. The theory is not new but evidence has been lacking.
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07-16-2004, 01:04 PM | #3 |
lobber of scimitars
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phila Burbs
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The National Academy of the Sciences doesn't do it for you? (second link)
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07-16-2004, 01:05 PM | #4 | |
I am meaty
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Location: Salt Lake City, UT
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Quote:
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07-16-2004, 01:05 PM | #5 |
Radical Centrist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Cottage of Prussia
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This Wired interview of the guy who's proposing it is the most fascinating item on the whole issue so far. I was convinced by other sources that the idea was bunk -- until reading that interview. Now I know... that I can't possibly know for sure...
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07-16-2004, 01:21 PM | #6 |
™
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 27,717
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If it's true, then I feel torn. It would be great that we won't be running out of oil, but it would also be bad that we won't be running out of oil. Global warming is a serious threat, and we need to stop pumping carbon out of the crust and into the biosphere. It will be our undoing.
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07-16-2004, 01:24 PM | #7 | |
whig
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,075
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Quote:
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Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life. - Twain |
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07-20-2004, 03:04 PM | #9 |
2nd Covenant, yo
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Pugetropolis
Posts: 583
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If we keep increasing the fuel efficiency of vehicles, and make the emissions standards stick in ALL countries, this should be a problem. Hybrids are a good way to go too. It turns out their fuel efficencies are a bit overstated, but still very good. That oil should be used to create carbon fiber bodies to create lighter vehicles as well.
You can also take the bus.
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07-21-2004, 04:38 AM | #10 | |
Disorderly Orderly
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: England
Posts: 54
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Quote:
Public transport just isn't practical in most places. It's inefficient, expensive and slow. |
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07-21-2004, 01:46 PM | #11 |
lobber of scimitars
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phila Burbs
Posts: 20,774
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You've lived in Philadelphia, I take it ...
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wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis |
07-22-2004, 04:02 PM | #12 |
Professor
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,788
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Hybrids are seriously over-rated. They get good gas mileage _in the city_ (and on EPA tests) at the cost of lousy performance, and they use semi-exotic materials and construction to do it. I'd like to see similar techniques used in a straight gasoline-engine car with similar performance, to provide a fair check, but it'll never happen because the money for a $30,000+ gasoline econobox isn't there.
Gold still sounds like a crank... the moon have a deep biosphere? Where's the energy? He might be right about oil, but he's still a crank. |
07-22-2004, 07:25 PM | #13 |
2nd Covenant, yo
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Pugetropolis
Posts: 583
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The Consulier http://www.supercars.net/garages/groupb/15v2.html is along those lines. It's a carbon fiber/kevlar over a foam core, with a 4 cylinder turbocharged, 250-hp engine. I also want to do my part to be a good citizen and only drive the fire-breating monster on the weekends, whichever one I may have, and take the bus or a more economical car on weekdays.
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