The oil and gas exploration sector is experiencing a remarkable resurgence. As detailed in David Brown’s March 2025 article in the AAPG Explorer, titled “Oil and Gas Exploration is ‘Thriving and Making Money,’” the industry is not only rebounding but also proving profitable. This commentary delves into the facts and findings from the article. It […]
Tag Archives: Exploration
Optimizing Risk & Volume Assessments in Mixed Hydrocarbon Fields
Mixed HC Columns – do’s and don’ts In many basins there are hydrocarbon fields containing both oil and gas. Often with a wide range of relative amounts of gas and oil: from only oil to only gas, and every conceivable gas-oil mix in between these two endmembers. How should we do Risk & Volume Assessment […]
Exploring Stratigraphic and Combination Traps: Definitions, Risks, and Applications
Petroleum traps are normally classified as structural traps or stratigraphic traps, and sometimes the somewhat confusing term ‘combination trap’ is used. The difference between structural and stratigraphic traps seems easy enough: Definitions of combination traps usually state that these are traps with both a structural and a stratigraphic component. That is a bit confusing. Most […]
Data Acquisition for Exploration: Risk Reduction or POS Polarisation?
Acquiring additional data in a basin (for example seismic acquisition or reprocessing) tends to be a costly and time-consuming affair. In many cases data acquisition programmes are simply considered an essential pre-requisite for doing exploration. However, justification to carry out such work can also be based on Value of Information (VoI) assessments. Data acquisition for […]
Prospect Police versus the Socratic Method
Prospect Review Teams and prospect review sessions are not always very popular. Many explorers are dreading the moment when their prospects must be reviewed. Especially younger explorers may feel exposed and uncertain. Some explorers become rather defensive, and some review teams may be a bit harsh in their challenges and can be rather intimidating. What […]
GeoExPro Issue 4: Drilling Deeper than the Primary Target – the Next Frontier?
Drilling a little deeper can sometimes result in a surprising find. Our cover story describes a series of discoveries from companies who are systematically exploring and producing hydrocarbons beneath existing accumulations. We’re ready to go to Houston! As you may recognise from the front cover, the fourth issue of this year features an artist’s impression […]