Russia's plan to drill superdeep holes in Arctic revives controversial theory of 'endless oil'
science.org
Russia's Arctic superdeep drilling revival forces a reckoning with the fringe but persistent "abiotic oil" theory — and what it would mean if fossil fuels aren't actually finite.
Abiotic Oil TheoryResource ScarcityPeak Oil TheoryFringe Science
Theory Briefing
- Russia's new Arctic drilling initiative is located near the Soviet-era Kola Superdeep Borehole, the deepest hole ever drilled by humans.
- The project is meant to trial novel drilling technologies while also reviving the controversial abiotic oil theory — that hydrocarbons form continuously in Earth's mantle.
- If abiotic oil theory holds, the entire economic and geopolitical framework built on fossil fuel scarcity would need to be fundamentally reconsidered.