Which energy resources are found within sedimentary rock formations?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Sedimentary rock formations are significant sources of fossil fuels, which are crucial energy resources. These include coal, petroleum (oil), and natural gas. These fuels are formed from the accumulation and preservation of undecayed organic matter, such as plant and animal tissues, in oxygen-poor environments within sedimentary rocks.1234

Oil shale, another organic-rich sedimentary deposit, contains kerogen, a waxy hydrocarbon mixture that can be processed for oil. While these fossil fuels are not sedimentary rocks themselves, they are disseminated within or constitute the bulk of certain sedimentary materials. The geological processes acting on this organic matter over millions of years lead to the formation of these valuable energy resources.1452