geology of hydrocarbons

The geology of hydrocarbons involves understanding how organic material, mainly from ancient plants and microorganisms, gets buried underground over millions of years. As it is compressed and heated by overlying rock layers, this organic matter transforms into oil and natural gas within porous rocks called reservoirs. These hydrocarbons then migrate through rock layers until trapped by impermeable barriers, forming accessible deposits. Geologists study rock formations, source rocks, and underground structures to locate these deposits, improving extraction methods. This process combines principles of sedimentology, tectonics, and thermodynamics to sustainably develop energy resources.