Anhydride Theory

The theory presented in this paper is a synthesis of the observeable geology of petroleum occurrences and new information on the ability of microfauna to generate petroleum from methane. Three paradigms of petroleum generation, anhydride theory, conventional diagenesis, and cosmic or inner earth abiogenesis, are compared as to their relevant geology.The author calls attention to the well-known fact that methane effuses from earth’s interior and to varying degrees pervades all crustal terranes, crystalline, volcanic, and sedimentary. He points out that the energy from this methane can be utilized by hyperthermophyllic bacteria and archaea, which obtain it by stripping away its hydrogen. Dehydrogenated methane molecules can be defined as anhydrides, and their recombinations as petroleum. Anhydrides of this origin are biologically-derived through dehydrogenation of methane, and thus, are products of biogenesis by living, microbial organisms rather than biogenesis of fossil biomass (kerogen). Treating coal as the “terminal anhydride” classifies coalification also as a process of biogenesis by living organisms.Petroleum in anhydride theory may thus be generated either in association with source rocks or in their absence. Coal may result from the coalification of peat by addition of externally-derived carbon, or it may be deposited in veins as asphaltite absent any peat. Oil in igneous host rocks and asphaltite in non-sedimentary terranes attest to the validity of anhydride theory.Anhydride theory is a paradigm shift that portends serious implications for petroleum discovery and recoverability from terranes thought heretofore to be barren. It also implies the possibility for rejuvenation of producing or depleted resources, and thus challenges industry to note reservoir conditions suggesting rejuvenation, which may be occurring in a producing oil field or may be in progress in a previously depleted reserve.