What does oil natural gas come from?

Answer 1

Oil and natural gas are found in source rocks contained in the earths crust. Source rocks are rich in organic matter which was rapidly buried in quiet, non-areated environments. The organic component through which hydrocarbons are formed is called Kerogen of which there are three types.

Type 1- Saprolitic (marine algae and animals)

Type 2- Mixed (saprolitic and humic)

Type 3- Humic (plants other than marine algae)

Type 1 kerogen originates in marine environments and usually forms liquid hydrocarbons such as oil. Type 2 is a mix between types 1 and 3 and forms both oil and natural gas. Type 3 originates in terrestrial environments and usually creates both coal or natural gas.