I'm trying to imagine large hydrocarbon molecules surviving center of the earth conditions with great difficulty.

Keep in mind the data points we do have of stuff flowing out of the earth's mantle.  Lava.....  Never seen a crude oil volcano.

pretty amusing that if everyone is looking in the wrong places in the US for the new seepage, why couldn't he find someone to drill in the right places?  Wildcatters will try anything once.