Energy
How Oil is Formed
Does the oil we use today originate from the remains of dead dinosaurs?
No, but the actual answer is just as interesting.
The generally accepted theory is that today’s oil reserves come from organic materials that existed millions of years before dinosaurs roamed the earth. About 300 million years ago, these dead organic materials such as zooplankton and algae built up on the bottom of lakes and oceans in conditions where they couldn’t decompose. The organic matter then changed into kerogen, which eventually turned into oil through heat and pressure.
Today’s infographic further details how oil is formed, while also covering some of oil’s uses and history. It also mentions an alternate theory on how oil is formed, which we dive into deeper below.
Courtesy of Jones Oil
How Oil is Formed – An Alternate Theory?
While the aforementioned theory on fossilized organic material is thought to explain the vast majority of Earth’s oil reserves, there is actually another theory on how oil is formed that has been around for over a century. If it were ever proved to be true, it would be a game-changer for how we think about the world and natural resources.
The theory of abiotic oil postulates that some oil on Earth originated from non-organic materials. In other words, it is made somehow by natural forces deep in the planet, or it was deposited on in the crust by meteorites. To be fair, it is true that hydrocarbons have been proven to exist in outer space, where there are no organic materials. It was also shown in 2009 that ethane and heavier hydrocarbons can be synthesized under the pressure-temperature conditions of the upper mantle.
The trouble with the theory? So far, abiotic oil has not been proven to exist on Earth in any economic quantities. Oil exploration geologists have also not been able to make any discoveries using abiotic theories, and many abiotic claims have been debunked as pseudoscience.
For now, this theory seems like a long shot, but it’s still interesting to think about.
Batteries
4 Benefits of LFP Batteries for EVs
LFP batteries are gaining popularity in EVs, with brands like Tesla and Ford increasingly adopting this technology due to their benefits.
LFP Batteries for Electric Vehicles
Even though the technology behind EVs has evolved significantly over the past decade, batteries have always been a critical component.
Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are becoming an increasingly popular choice for standard-range EVs, with major automotive producers like Tesla and Ford introducing LFP-powered vehicles into their catalog.
In this infographic, our sponsor First Phosphate highlights the advantages of using LFP cathode batteries in EVs.
Benefit 1: Safety
LFP batteries are among the safest types of lithium-ion batteries, with a low risk of overheating and catching fire.
These batteries are less prone to thermal runaway and do not release oxygen if they catch fire, making them safer than other lithium-ion batteries.
Benefit 2: Long Life Cycle
LFP batteries have a longer lifespan than other types of lithium-ion batteries due to their low degradation rate. Meaning they can be charged quickly without significant battery damage, therefore leading to a longer lifespan.
LFP batteries can also withstand a larger number of charge and discharge cycles, meaning they can last longer before needing to be replaced.
Benefit 3: Cost-Effective
The materials used to produce LFP batteries are also relatively cheap compared to other types of lithium-ion batteries.
The main cathode materials used in LFP batteries are iron and phosphate, and they are in relative abundance in contrast to other battery metals. This makes them a cost-effective option for a variety of energy storage applications.
Benefit 4: Environmentally Sustainable
LFP batteries are environmentally sustainable because they are non-toxic and do not contain harmful heavy metals such as cobalt or nickel.
The materials used in these batteries are easier to source ethically, which makes them a more sustainable option than other types of lithium-ion batteries.
What’s Inside the Battery?
Most EVs utilize battery packs consisting of multiple individual battery cells. Similar to other types of lithium-ion batteries, LFP battery cells are made up of several components.
| Cathode | 43% |
| Anode | 31% |
| Electrolyte | 20% |
| Cell Container | 4% |
| Separator | 2% |
The cathode is the battery’s positive electrode and impacts its performance. It determines aspects such as energy capacity, charging and discharging speed, and the risk of combustion.
In LFP batteries, the cathode composition consists of three elements.
| Phosphate | 61% |
| Iron | 35% |
| Lithium | 4% |
Today, these batteries are becoming increasingly popular in standard-range EV models. LFP market share has significantly increased, reaching its highest share in the past decade at 30% of the market in 2022, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
First Phosphate is a mineral development company fully dedicated to extracting and purifying phosphate for the production of cathode active material for the LFP battery industry.
Click here to download First Phosphate’s Investor Deck now.
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