Degassing of the Earth and the Origin of Hydrocarbons

Kropotkin, P. N.

doi:10.1080/00206818509466501

Cited by 20 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…The permeable structures of the rock substratum are preferential channels for the transit of deep origin gas to the surface, driven by flow mechanisms associated with advection process. The main deep gas elements are nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2), combined with methane (CH4) , argon (Ar), and helium (He) [Baubron et al, 1992;Kropotkin, 1985]. In tectonically stable or hydrothermally inactive regions, methane and nitrogen are preponderant, followed by carbon dioxide and rare gases (particularly helium).…”

Section: Results Of Soil He and Co 2 Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Radon 222 Emanometry: A relevant methodology for water well siting in hard rock aquifers

Lachassagne¹,

Pinault²,

Laporte³

2001

Water Resources Research

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Abstract. To improve the understanding of soil gas emanations with the aim of groundwater prospecting in fractured substrates, radon anomalies were mapped in a tropical region (French Guyana) where the structural features of a potential gas source are masked owing to the thick regolith cover. Two anomalies were located. Two probes were then installed, one (B1) on the border of the north anomaly and the second (B2) at the center of the south anomaly, as well as a meteorological station, and monitoring was carried out for 6 months extending from the dry to the rainy season. Signal processing of radon signal-atmospheric pressure time series allowed us to determine the physical processes causing migration of the gases in the soil and the subsoil. The radon anomalies are very probably associated with the presence, in the hard rock substratum, of a permeable structure that permits the transit of "deep" origin gas to the surface. This transport by advection disturbs the radon diffusion profile from the first meters of soil into the atmosphere. The radon thus behaves as a marker of deeper gases percolating through the regolith cover. Indeed, in such a context with low-permeability weathered formations, because of its short half-life (3.8 days) the radon measured in the first decimeters of the soil displays an exclusively superficial origin. Hence the measurement of the radon content in soil, at an identical depth from one sampling site to another, helps locate the zones affected by advective gas transfers which explains why the radon anomalies in soil gases, identified at the scale of a hydrogeological prospecting site located in a hard rock context, usually coincide vertically in hydraulically active fracture zones. This fully justifies the use of this method to site water wells, provided some precautions are observed, particularly pertaining to the spatial and temporal variability of the signal associated with different types of soils and changes in the meteorological parameters and soil moisture contents. The methodology is simple since only robust equipment is required. The estimation of gas transport parameters also helped identify the extent of advection areas. During the dry season they are characterized by low gas velocity. These zones shrink with the early rains, and the advection area is confined vertically up the fault where a channeling effect occurs: Soil gas preferably follows the less constricted pores, and the increased pressure gradient offsets the decrease in permeability.

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Section: Results Of Soil He and Co 2 Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although there is evidence of advection in a nonhydrothermal environment [Baubron et al, 1992;Kropotkin, 1985], mechanisms involved are not clearly identified.…”

Section: Objectives Of the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Radon 222 Emanometry: A relevant methodology for water well siting in hard rock aquifers

Lachassagne¹,

Pinault²,

Laporte³

2001

Water Resources Research

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“…Finally, it is worth emphasizing that only one of the 16 papers presented by Soviet scientists during the oil and gas session of the 27th International Geological Congress held in Moscow in 1984 specifically dealt with or mentioned the abiogenic theory of hydrocarbon formation (Kropotkin and Valyaev, 1984). Kudryavtsev's (1959) book on oil, gas and solid bitumen in igneous and metamorphic rocks was also subject to a withering review by Teodorovich (1962) in which the author's assumptions were questioned in great detail.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abiogenic Origin of Hydrocarbons: An Historical Overview

Glasby¹

2006

Resource Geology

118

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. The two theories of abiogenic formation of hydrocarbons, the Russian‐Ukrainian theory of deep, abiotic petroleum origins and Thomas Gold's deep gas theory, have been considered in some detail. Whilst the Russian‐Ukrainian theory was portrayed as being scientifically rigorous in contrast to the biogenic theory which was thought to be littered with invalid assumptions, this applies only to the formation of the higher hydrocarbons from methane in the upper mantle. In most other aspects, in particular the influence of the oxidation state of the mantle on the abundance of methane, this rigour is lacking especially when judged against modern criteria as opposed to the level of understanding in the 1950s to 1980s when this theory was at its peak. Thomas Gold's theory involves degassing of methane from the mantle and the formation of higher hydrocarbons from methane in the upper layers of the Earth's crust. However, formation of higher hydrocarbons in the upper layers of the Earth's crust occurs only as a result of Fischer‐Tropsch‐type reactions in the presence of hydrogen gas but is otherwise not possible on thermodynamic grounds. This theory is therefore invalid. Both theories have been overtaken by the increasingly sophisticated understanding of the modes of formation of hydrocarbon deposits in nature.

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“…In the late 50s of the last century, the founder of inorganic direction in Ukraine academician V. B. Porfiriev joined the similar views of prominent scientists N. A. Kudryavtsev and P. N. Kropotkin and founded inorganic direction of petroleum geology in Ukraine [13,14,19].…”

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confidence: 96%

Hydro-Geosynergetic Biogenic-Mantle Hypothesis of Hydrocarbon Origin and Its Involvement Into Direct Prospecting Technology Justification

Bagriy¹,

Starodubets²,

Gordieieva³

et al. 2017

VKNUGEOL

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(Рекомендовано членом редакційної колегії д-ром геол. наук, проф. О. М. Карпенком) In accordance with circuit of substance in nature, hydrogeosynergetic biogenic-mantle hypothesis of hydrocarbon origin was elaborated and consequently, direct prospecting structural-thermal-atmo-hydro-geochemical technology (STAHGT) was constructed. For the first time, considered technology was applied and implemented in the process of prospecting works both at ground-level oil-and-gas bearing facilities of Ukraine (Dnieper-Donets depression) and at off-shore facilities of Black Sea (the north-western and north-eastern shelf) via use of specifically developed hardware systems. Taking into account location of existing fields in the catchment of Sula River, comprehensive hydrological studies were conducted. The quantitative characteristics of biogenic methane within the catchment areas and underflow deposits were defined. The contents of biota, methane, as well as the thickness of the underlying sediments within the riverbed have been determined. As a result, zones of enhanced permeability were allocated. Within these zones infiltration afflux of water-dissolved substrates are formed. It was determined that hydrocarbons and their projections, located in degassing pipes of deposits in the valley of Sula River, are of mantle origin. The proposed unified approach enables to substantiate the search criteria of petroleum potential in areas where there are neither deflection zones nor thick sedimentary cover, but there are favorable conditions for hydrocarbons accumulation in crystalline rocks. Based on a unified technology STAHGT, recommendations for further studies to substantiate new petroleum-bearing areas and facilities are provided. For the first time, the sources of replenishment of oil and gas deposits in operation were substantiated.

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Degassing of the Earth and the Origin of Hydrocarbons

Cited by 20 publications

References 7 publications

Radon 222 Emanometry: A relevant methodology for water well siting in hard rock aquifers

Radon 222 Emanometry: A relevant methodology for water well siting in hard rock aquifers

Abiogenic Origin of Hydrocarbons: An Historical Overview

Hydro-Geosynergetic Biogenic-Mantle Hypothesis of Hydrocarbon Origin and Its Involvement Into Direct Prospecting Technology Justification

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