What is the reason why petroleum is a non-renewable resource?

Petroleum is a non-renewable resource, because the natural petroleum deposits are finite and, once exhausted, there is no way to restore them. As of 2014, the Earth possesses several decades of petroleum resources to meet its needs. read more

Correction: petroleum is a renewable resource. It is being generated today even as I write this. The over-riding problem with that is the fact that humanity is using it up about a million or two times faster than it can regenerate. read more

It is considered renewable in a sense that all organic matter decays into simple carbon but practically speaking Petroleum is not a renewable resource in the sense that it can be easily replaced like planting a tree for wood or photosynthesis, or corn for alcohol, or wind for energy . read more

Technically, petroleum cannot be called as a non renewable resource. It is a renewable fuel by definition because it does replenish after a period of time. Practically, this duration of replenishment is millions of years. read more