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{{publication  

{{publication  

  | image  = exploring-for-oil-and-gas-traps.png

  | image  = exploring-for-oil-and-gas-traps.png

  | part    =  

  | part    =  

  | chapter = Developing a philosophy of exploration

  | chapter = Developing a philosophy of exploration

  | frompg  = 1-1

  | frompg  = 1-28

  | topg    = 1-37

  | topg    = 1-29

  | author  = Edward A. Beaumont, Norman H. Foster, Richard R. Vincelette, Marlan W. Downey, James D. Robertson

  | author  = Edward A. Beaumont, Norman H. Foster, Richard R. Vincelette, Marlan W. Downey, James D. Robertson

  | link    = http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/beaumont/ch01/ch01.htm

  | link    = http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/beaumont/ch01/ch01.htm

  | isbn    = 0-89181-602-X

  | isbn    = 0-89181-602-X

}}

}}

Technical effort in petroleum exploration that follows the six steps of the scientific method is the only effort that can consistently progress toward an acceptable solution. The table below shows how to apply the scientific method to petroleum exploration.

Technical effort in [[petroleum]] exploration that follows the six steps of the scientific method is the only effort that can consistently progress toward an acceptable solution. The table below shows how to apply the scientific method to petroleum exploration.

==Examples==

==Examples==

{| class = "wikitable"

{| class = "wikitable"

|-

|-

! Step

! Step || Action || Example(s)

! Action

! Example(s)

|-

|-

| 1

| 1 || State the problem || Asking “Where are the economical hydrocarbon accumulations?”

| State the problem

| Asking “Where are the economical hydrocarbon accumulations?”

|-

|-

| 2

| 2 || Collect observations || Collecting [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outcrop outcrop], [[Seismic data|seismic]], and well log data

| Collect observations

| Collecting outcrop, [[Seismic data|seismic]], and well log data

|-

|-

| 3

| 3 || Formulate hypothesis || Correlating seismic records with well logs [[Contour]]ing structural and thickness data

| Formulate hypothesis

| Correlating seismic records with well logs [[Contour]]ing structural and thickness data

|-

|-

| 4

| 4 || Make predictions || Recommending lease purchases Recommending drilling a test well on the basis of map interpretation

| Make predictions

| Recommending lease purchases Recommending drilling a test well on the basis of map interpretation

|-

|-

| 5

| 5 || Test predictions by observing phenomena || Seismically detailing a structural prospect Drilling a [[wildcat]] well

| Test predictions by observing phenomena

| Seismically detailing a structural prospect Drilling a [[wildcat]] well

|-

|-

| 6

| 6 || Accept, modify, or reject the hypothesis || Drilling another wildcat well Promoting a well to test a modified hypothesis Dropping acreage

| Accept, modify, or reject the hypothesis

| Drilling another wildcat well Promoting a well to test a modified hypothesis Dropping acreage

|}

|}

* A simple gross sand [[Subsurface maps#Isopach|isopach]] map that is essentially unaltered by results of considerable additional drilling. Such correct predictions represent work that has earned a high scientific confidence level and therefore is well past step 3.

* A simple gross sand [[Subsurface maps#Isopach|isopach]] map that is essentially unaltered by results of considerable additional drilling. Such correct predictions represent work that has earned a high scientific confidence level and therefore is well past step 3.

* A newly prepared [[Depositional environments|environmental]], lithofacies (see [[Lithofacies and environmental analysis of clastic depositional systems]] and [[Carbonate facies]]), and [[Seismic interpretation|seismic–stratigraphic interpretation]] of a similar sand unit. Although prepared with an impressive degree of advanced technical competence, this is only an untested hypothesis and therefore has only reached step 3.

* A newly prepared [[Depositional environments|environmental]], [[lithofacies]] (see [[Lithofacies and environmental analysis of clastic depositional systems]] and [[Carbonate facies]]), and [[Seismic interpretation|seismic–stratigraphic interpretation]] of a similar sand unit. Although prepared with an impressive degree of advanced technical competence, this is only an untested hypothesis and therefore has only reached step 3.

The scientific method recognizes the degree of proof of the hypothesis, not the sophistication of the data used to prepare it.

The scientific method recognizes the degree of proof of the hypothesis, not the sophistication of the data used to prepare it.

==Step 5: Test predictions==

==Step 5: Test predictions==

Next, we must check or observe the predictions of step 4 against the outcome of some test, such as drilling a well or seismically detailing (reshooting) a prospect.

Next, we must check or observe the predictions of step 4 against the outcome of some test, such as [[drilling a well]] or seismically detailing (reshooting) a prospect.

==Step 6: Accept, modify, or reject the hypothesis==

==Step 6: Accept, modify, or reject the hypothesis==

==See also==

==See also==

* [[Applying the scientific method to petroleum exploration]]

* [[Scientific method]]

* [[What is the scientific method?]]

* [[Scientific predictions: measurement and evaluation]]

* [[Measuring and evaluating scientific predictions]]

==External links==

==External links==

[[Category:Exploring for stratigraphic traps]]

[[Category:Exploring for stratigraphic traps]]

[[Category:Exploring for structural traps]]

[[Category:Exploring for structural traps]]