oil window in geology?
149158
There are three stages to oil formation. The first is called diagenesis. This stage involves the biological, chemical, and physical alteration of organic material before heating begins to affect it. \n\nThe second state is the thermal alteration you are referring to, known as catagenesis. This stage generally takes place between 50-200 degrees C (122-392 F). \n\nThe third stage is called metagenesis, and is high temperature alteration. It is also known as the gas window. It ranges above 200 degrees C. \n\nThe temperature required to alter organic material is produced by gradual burial and the geothermal gradient for the area of burial. As heat comes from the earth's mantle it warms the crust. Areas with thin crust have high heat gradients, while areas with thick crustal material have a slower geothermal gradient. \n\nThe oil window is often referred to as the period of time during which it is believed that a source rock was buried deep enough to cause catagenesis. The burial history is studied using several methods (including vitrinite reflectance values and bottom-hole temperature measurements) and this gives petroleum geologists some idea when oil might have formed in a particular basin. Combining this with understanding of what structural or stratigraphic changes have taken place, a prediction is made of where the oil might have migrated to, away from its source rock.\n\nBy the way, since this might very well be the only answer you get to this question, I would appreciate it if you would close it out when you are satisfied that no one else is going to answer. Thanks.\n\nReference: Hunt, John M. , 1996, Petroleum Geochemistry and Geology, WH Freeman & Co: New York, 743 pp.   (probably the best reference book on the topic)
193951
Oil officials 10, 20, 30, and 40 years ago said AT THAT TIME that we were going to use up what was known to be total global "proven oil reserves." We keep finding more total oil reserves every few years than was thought to exist worldwide a few years previous - kind of funny logic, isn't it? If we keep finding more oil that exceeded known reserves just a few years back, then what are we so concerned about? Interestingly enough, at the same time we keep finding more proven oil reserves, people keep screaming more and more that we are running out of oil - who is right? History says we can keep finding oil, so maybe there is a regenerative process unknown to the scientific community - they can't possibly know everything about everything. \n\nOnly one thing is certain in SCIENCE: it IS ALWAYS CHANGING. Geologists have been getting better year after year at locating oil reserves, and yet so little is known about oil reserves other than location. What is understood to be fact now will be ridiculed in the future by new theories - which have already happened. They thought we couldn't use most crude oil in the early 20th century because nobody knew about cracking or synthesis of crude products, so they just dumped unusable crude products that were not immediately usable as gasoline or diesel. We have come very far since that time in chemistry alone. \n\nIsn't it interesting that what is vaguely understood by a few scientists is continuously spouted as "truth" by those who know far less. SCIENTIFIC FACT IS CHANGEABLE, meaning it can be tested, and if a different result occurs, then the theory changes, resetting what is known as "fact." Oil may be replenishable, and may not necessarily only come from prehistoric plants and animals as current thought suggests. You raise an interesting argument about oil resources, and only the future will let us know for sure - but there will be a definitive answer. Now, who is ready for the truth?
992008
empiracally ?? [[ignore spelling]]\n\ncompared against earlier well-drillings?\n\n(this would work ... "real-world" data is not elegant but it's very "real")
216334
You could try approaching the oil companies and ask them if they have anything they could give you for a school project.  They are normally very keen to help and should be able to give you "anonymous" information, that is with the field or well information removed or it could be from an old well or field.\n\nNormally seismic is shot across an area before wells are drilled and then periodically during production to measure efficiency of production (called 4D seismic as it incorportates time) but you can shot a seismic log of an individual well using wireline logging tools.  For these you'd need to approach someone like Schlumberger Wireline or Baker Atlas, who in turn would need to contact the oil company.\n\nYou should be able to find contact details on the companies websites.
19923
Read this please: http://www.chevron.com/products/learning_center/crude/
421054
Its not known for sure-The most widely accepted theory for oil is that it formed primarily from plant life trapped in low oxygen conditions for millions of years- Its not entirely clear if this is true, since we cant seem to find intermediate forms of this transformaion process.  Another theory is that oil is waste product from the deep-crust bacteria that have recently been discovered.  As far as coal goes, there is much better evidence that this was a form of chemically transformed plantlife, probably peat or swamp areas of low oxygen.
299487
Not really, you would need to do organic chemistry or eology to really help them find oil or process oil better.\n\nBiochemistry is about looking at how Chemistry and Biology interact in nature, eg. Photosynthesis is part of biology yet is also a complex chemical reaction
787294
Try Wikipedia, or perhaps your local library has a general Geology book that you can reference
881664
Yes. Consider "oil supply" or "Oil reserves" if appropriate.\n\ncc
747160
Your best course would be to visit such an industry and/or ask someone that currently works in that field.  I know you can study Geology for oil related work.  Obviously, chemistry for the other.  Good Luck!
872894
click here.\nhttp://www.geology.enr.state.nc.us
837654
http://geology.isu.edu/geostac/Field_Exercise/topomaps/utm.htm\n\nA good explanation
479187
There's a couple that I consider necessary for survival.  One is:\n\nRollinson, H., 1993, Using Geochemical Data: Evaluation, Presentation, Interpretation; Pearson/Prentice Hall\n\nIt's a geochemistry book, but a PRACTICAL one.  It helped me get through my undergrad, and I'm using it again right now!\n\nThe "bible" for mineralogy is:\n\nNesse, W.D., 1991, Introduction to Optical Mineralogy, Second Edition; Oxford University Press\n\nIt's pretty much the standard, and still the best.  There are a couple different edtions.  I prefer the 2nd one to the third edtion.\n\nAlso, for petrography, get your hands on all the mineral atlases you can.  They are indespensible.\n\nWatch out though - buying geology references books can be addictive!  Have fun :)
1179534
Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Stop right there!\n\nPetroleum is found in the crust of the earth. As a matter of fact, it is found in porous permeable rock. That simply means it is found in rock that has tiny interconnected holes.\n\nThe oil is held in place by water beneath & a cap rock above. The oil sits on the water b/c it is less dense. The cap rock keeps it from escaping b/c it is impermeable & will not allow the oil through.\n\nEven though the crust is relatively thin, the oil is no where near the next layer, the mantle. If it were, it would be too hot & the oil would become part of the mantle melt.\n\nThe mantle is "plastic" being neither liquid or solid due to the immense pressure there. The crust "floats" atop the mantle b/c it is less dense.\n\nBottom line... petroleum does NOT lubricate anything in the earth & most certainly does not lub up the mantle/crust.\n\nAlso, while there is convection in the mantle, it does not "spin" around in the manner in which you speak.\n\nMy job is done here. :)
318694
Oil companies hire geologists
450467
look up peak oil on wikipedia
485181
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_refinery