Polymerisation theory for a low temperature catalytic formation of petroleum hydrocarbons involving carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen in sedimentary rocks

The polymerisation theory of formation of petroleum hydrocarbons has been developed to explain their formation in an aqueous environment in low temperature 0 to < 150°C and high pressure >9 MPa (90 bar) conditions characteristic of immature sediments (vitrinite reflectance value = <0.6) that occur “in the East Atlantic, Lower Congo Basin”.

The key geological studies and principal experimental studies which underpin the low temperature polymerization theory of catalytic formation of petroleum hydrocarbons from carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen available in natural sedimentary environment are described in this paper.

The geological hydrocarbon formation process is visualized to be a part of a natural redox continuum involving carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen in natural sedimentary environments. A similar redox process is currently being exploited commercially to reduce or hydrogenate organo-chloride pollutants to simple alkanes (ethane to octane) involving a zero valent metal (iron) in water treatment processes at temperatures of <40°C (0.1 MPa pressure).