Assignment No 1
Name: Micaiah Cyril DasReg # 11PWCHE0645Section: BCourse:
PetroleumLecturer: Engr. Unsia HabibDue Date: 26-02-2015
_____________________________________________________________________________Petroleum
OccurrencePetroleumPetroleum is, a word derived from medieval Latin
petroleum, Latin for rock oil. In its natural existing state, it is
a yellow-black liquid found in various different rocky stratas
under the earth surface. Common practice includes refining of raw
petroleum into different fuels.[1],[2]Formation and
OccurrencePetroleum is formed by the combination of various
hydrocarbons, under extreme pressure, with mineral rocks, such as
sedimentary or igneous rocks etc. . There are actually two theories
to the occurrence of Petroleum; the Organic theory and the
Inorganic theory. The later adheres to the fact that petroleum
finds its origin from the earths interior, as a result of chemical
reactions taking place under conditions of high temperature and
pressure in the absence of organic matter. The former, gives a more
realistic and generally approved concept that petroleum originated
from the hydrogen and carbon source in the earth crust, e.g.
decaying plants etc., and accumulated in the earths crust.[3]1.
Inorganic TheoryBerthelot and Dmitri Mendeleev Presented a
hypothesis, called the deep seated terrestrial hypothesis. The
suggested that Iron oxide in the earths mantle would react with the
leaching or percolating water from the earths surface to produce
Methane gas.Another hypothesis, known as the extraterrestrial
hypothesis, was presented by Sokoloff. He presented that
hydrocarbons precipitated as rain from the original Nebular matter
from which the Solar System was formed. The hydrocarbons were then
ejected earths interior onto Surface rocks.The major problems that
the inorganic theory faced were: Lack of field evidence
Accumulation of petroleum only restricted to sedimentary rocks No
Accumulation in igneous and metamorphic rocks
2. Organic TheoryThe Early marine life form on earth were
primarily plankton. These are rich in hydrogen and carbon. Over 95%
of the living matter in the ocean is plankton. Now as time passed
and they died, their remains were brought together due to erosion
and sedimentation. With time, successive rich layers of organic mud
started covering the preceding layers, and hence created layers on
the sea floor rich in fossil remains of previous life.A phenomenon
known as thermal maturation, slowly converted the organic matter
into oil and gas, over a period of millions of years. This
conversion is known as catagenesis, occurring usually under
anaerobic conditions.[3]
References:[1]
www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1357080/petroleum-production;
Accessed on 02-25-2015[2] www.eoearth.org/view/article/152839
;Accessed on 2-25-2015[3] Class Notes
