El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-05-26
ORIGIN Of oil 4
MUCH MQOTED
QUESTION
Scientists Differ as to Or
ganic and Volcano
Theories.


The origin of petroleum, like the orr
gin of minerals is one of the problems
of economic geology that has been the
subject of discussion and controversy
ever since the beginning of the petrol
cum industry. The ma Ority of geOlO-
gists and scientific observers agree in
the belief that petroleum is of organic
origin. Others hold that it is of inOr-
ganic or chemical origin. The latter
theory has always claimed large num-
Der of adherents also. Thus there are
two opposing camps.
Reason for Opposing Theories.
The reason for uncertainty is to a
large extent the character of the min
erals, says Leonard V. Dalton. in Econ
onic Geology, which being fluid. does
not; like coal, contain visible physical
traces of their original constituents,
while until comparatively recently very
few indisputable instances were known
of the recent formation of petroleum
under circumstances similar TO those
which have given rise to the ancient
deposits.
In the third place, there was the diff
hculty of suggesting q feasible method
by which any organic material could
have been converted into such an homo
geneous mixture of hydrocarbons as pc
troleum.
Even those who are united in regard
ing mineral oils as of organic origin,
are divided on the question Of whether
vegetable or animal life was the main
source Of petroleum.
Land Organism Theory Untenable.
First, geOlOgically, as regards the de-
rivation of petroleum from terrestrial
or land vegetation, says Dalton, the
general facts on the geological side in
regard to the lack of association be-
tween coal and oil are opposed TO it,
for instance, the absence of coal and
lignites in the oil fields at Spindletop.
Sour Lake and Humble, Texas. and Of
Jennings, La, and those of California
and the gulf OH fields of Mexico
Second, chemically speaking, the ma
jOTity OF oils show no trace of the par
ticipation TO any extent in their forma-
ton of land plants, and the destruction
of the fibrous tissue of such organisms
is, as far as IS known, only accom-
plished by violent action at high tenn
peratures.
Marine Life Theory More TenabIe.
If petroleum is derived from organic
life. it is plausible TO believe that the
great majority Of oils are derived from
the decomposition during long ages. at
comparatively low temperatures, of fat
~ matters Of marine plants and ami
mails. the heterogeneous portions of both
soon after the death of the organism.
Further investigation may show more
clearly the relative parts played by
geological and botanical Kingdoms in
the process. The dual origin from both
plant life and animal life based on the
theory is now more gen
orally accepted by the believers in or
ganic origin
The Inorganic Origin Theory
This might be called the chemical
theory, as it assumes that one time at
least a portion of the earth was in 4
molten condition, and that while in |
that condition carbon united with diff
ferent metals, forming carbides SINH !
lar 10 that known TO exist in caStirOn-
Gradually. throughout geologic time, |
water has come in contact with these !
metallic carbides, and has brought about |
a decomposition of the carbides, pro-
1ucing oxides, oil and gas.
Volcanic Origin of Oil.
The theory of the volcanic origin of /
Dill now held by a number of eminent |
biologists offers one of the most plaus- |
bic solutions of the problem. Eugene |
caste of Toronto, Canada, a geolOgiSt |
If eminence, who has located numerous |
iii basins in Canada and the United |
states. and z. Ordones, the Mexican |
seologist, have written very convincing
Y on this subject.
Prof. Robert T. Hill. in discussing |
he Beaumont and other oil fields of !
Texas, made the statement that ''in en-
ieavOring 10 interpret the geological |
occurrence of oil, the geolOgist is con-
ronted by the fact that science has not |
yet solved the problem of its origin, |
which lies at the root of the subject, |
md for the present we must consider |
I'll as material in the rocks, the ORR |
gin OF which is unexplained" |
Prof. Caste took exception TO Hills /
statement, remarking that the origin
# oil was Inorganic and the result of
olfataric volcanic emanations.
The origin of oil is pre-eminently a
geological problem and not Il chemical |
me. Chemists can extract hydrOcar-
IONS from organic remains and also !
produce them from simple mineral re-
LctiOns Gas in the commercial manufac-
urfe of acetylene, for instance) But
he great question is how does nature
'roduce hydrocarbons or bitumens?
Geology Disproves Organic Origin.
The geological evidence is clear and
trong. disproving the organic origin
f bitumens, or hydrocarbons, found in !
he earth's strata, and showing plainly !
hat the natural geological process of
oday, and of ages past, in the forma-
ION of these products, is a mineral or
Inorganic process.
First, animal organic remains or bod
rs are never entombed in rock fOrma-
ions, and therefore, cannot there pro-
uce oil or anything else.
Second, vegetable organic remains in |
ne rock formations always decOmpose
lto carbOnaceOus matter, such as peat,
ignite and coal
Third, further distillation of carbon
ceouS matter mas not taken place in
AZURE, as is proved in all the Ignite
nd coal beds of the sedimentary strata.
Fourth, Not only are gaseous, liquid
nd solid hydrocarbons or bitumens |
mong the most important products of |
ne soifataric emenations in the VOL
anIc districts of the earth, but also car
onic acid, chlOrides (mostly common |
alt), hydrogen sulphide. sulphur, gyp
am, and hot calcareous and siliciOus
aters are always conspicuous products |
these carnations; and all these pro-
ucts are the unmistakable seal of SOL
ttarlc volcanic phenomena.
Evidences of Volcanic Origin.
The volcanic process is the normal
nd orderly mode of petroleum produce
on, because:
First it is the only geological pro-
Ass of petroleum production TO be wit
assed today in active operation, as in
lie Java mud volcanoes and the Trini-