I'd take it back.

Dirt should smell like DIRT, not oil.

Is it really wet? If so, it went anaerobic.

Could be the bags (plastic?) themselves especially if they were left out in the sun or subjected to any amount of heat. Did they come from a pile?

Lloyd

Good soil should only ever have a pleasant smell, never on of petroleum or a putrid odor. A putrid odor, caused by too much moisture, allows anaerobic bacteria growth which can be disease pathogens. If the soil does not smell pleasant it may not be something you'd want in your garden. This is one of the better reason to not buy soil from unknown sources.

YES IT IS NASTY. i JUST BOUGHT TOP SOIL CALLED TIMBERLINE TOP SOIL FROM HOME DEPOT AND THE STRONG OIL PETROLEUM SMELL MADE ME SICK. IT WAS MADE IN ATLANTA GEORGIA. I WILL NEVER BUY TOP SOIL AGAIN!! GROSS . 2015 JUNE. ANYBODY ELSE BUY IT??

I have the same problem with miracle grow garden and potting soil. Should not smell like petroleum.

I have to confess that of all the bags of soil and compost and mulch I've handled, I never smelled anything quite like petroleum. Perhaps you can elaborate: is it more like gasoline, diesel, kerosene, mineral spirits, used motor oil, asphalt, or the sulfurous stench of crude oil?

Like motor oil. I just opened some that smells the same way.

As noted previously, the soil is just anaerobic. Anaerobic soil can smell nasty. I guess some could make a comparison to petroleum. Exposure to air and allowing to dry should allow any unpleasant aromas to off gas.