There are several theories regarding the origin and formation of the petroleum.

Some of their are listed below Thomas Graham was of the view that natural naphtha must be a product
of action under upon the vegetable matter of high temperature that was in 1843.

In 1845 chaptal was of the opinion that when plants became entirely decomposed into vegetable
moulds this contain certain oil which escaped the deomposition.

J. W Drapper in 1846 suggested that the action of natural heat of Earth on coal.

In 1875 popoff so that methane could be produced by decomposition of cellulose.

Hoppe - Seyler in 1886 sword that bacteria could produce methane as is evident in swampy areas

Treibs in 1934 discovered some of the plant pigments and biological matter in crores that is microscopic
organic remains found in cross actually prompted API to launch a big project that is API 143 to
investigate thoroughly.

A bright explanation by Mikhailovosky , N. potering and N.C. Anderson seems to be near the goal.
According to them the source of petroleum was not a definite species of flora as initiated by Engler but
the organic matter of sea oozes consisting of the remains of plants and animal organisms.

The initial decomposition of the vegetable and animal matter is a result of activity of microorganisms,
later the organic matter underwent changes due to pressure and temperature of the crest of the earth.

Emphasises the fact, Arkhagelsky proper size to that petroleum took birth in argellaceous rock ok and
reached with organic matter and later migrated and got stored in arenaceous rocks.

The extension works of P. Truck and G.Petrov in USA characterized the composition and content of the
organic matter in rocks of different ages.

Another theory advocates as a biochemical process yet another sees it purely as a chemical or
radioactive reaction and so on.

However the biochemical theory has been received with some favour as it is considered with low
temperature and pressure and the bacteria of versatility.

Thus the formation is via a combination of physical and biological process is rather than individually.