Changes

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

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

Drilling a wildcat well on a prospect rarely completely proves or disproves the original interpretation. Generally the test performed at step 5 modifies the interpretation to a greater or lesser extent and always alters the confidence level attributable to the interpretation. Depending on the confidence retained in the interpretation, we may drill another wildcat well, promote a test, or drop the acreage, in descending orders of confidence. Step 6 of the scientific method as applied to petroleum exploration is accepting, modifying, or rejecting the hypotheses or interpretation developed at step 4.

Drilling a [[wildcat]] well on a prospect rarely completely proves or disproves the original interpretation. Generally the test performed at step 5 modifies the interpretation to a greater or lesser extent and always alters the confidence level (see [[Expected value and chance of success]]) attributable to the interpretation. Depending on the confidence retained in the interpretation, we may drill another wildcat well, promote a test, or drop the acreage, in descending orders of confidence. Step 6 of the scientific method as applied to petroleum exploration is accepting, modifying, or rejecting the hypotheses or interpretation developed at step 4.

==See also==

==See also==