I think Thomas Gold's point is that most oil is misclassified as biological in origin simply because it contains "biomarkers". Thomas Gold's theory is that oil

I think Thomas Gold's point is that most oil is misclassified as biological in origin simply because it contains "biomarkers". Thomas Gold's theory is that oil is created in the core and seeps up through the rocks, and it collects biomarkers along the way because stuff lives down there. The mainstream theory is that oil contains biomarkers because it is made out of dead stuff, and Thomas Gold's theory that stuff lives down there can't be true because nothing lives down there (yes, circularly). (Disclaimer: I have not read Thomas Gold's book, but I have a very enthusiastic friend who has. I might be wrong about what he says).