2010/03/23 by J. Marvin Herndon, Herndon, J. Marvin · 3 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #General Physics (physics.gen-ph) #Geological Studies and Exploration #Geological and Geophysical Studies #Geophysics (physics.geo-ph) #Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis #physics.gen-ph #physics.geo-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1003.5910
openalex publication_date 2010/03/23 · arxiv created 2010/03/31 · arxiv updated 2010/04/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Two discoveries have greatly impacted understanding relevant to the origination and emplacement of petroleum and natural gas deposits. One discovery, pertaining to hydrocarbon formation from methane broadens significantly potential regions where abiotic petroleum and natural gas deposits might be found. The other, discovery of the physical impossibility of Earth-mantle convection, restricts the range and domain of geodynamic behavior, and leads to new insights on the formation of petroleum and natural gas deposits. This article highlights the impact and implications of those discoveries, especially as they relate to petroleum and natural gas exploration in India and throughout the world. From the reasoning developed here, the generality of the considerations involved, the understanding developed with respect to the East African Rift System, and the experience garnered from the larger and older Siberian Traps, the prognosis and potential for the region beneath the Deccan Traps of India to eventually become a major source of petroleum and natural gas seems quite favorable.