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What are the phases of an exploration work programme?

 

An explanation of the exploration processes undertaken by an explorer in the hunt for petroleum in the earth's subsurface.

The fundamental goal of petroleum exploration is to identify areas with the right geologic conditions which are known to be capable of creating an accumulation of petroleum. Economically viable resources can only be discovered via drilling operations in such target areas.

An exploration work programme can be split into these broad phases:

Identify a region with the potential to host a petroleum accumulation.

Analyse existing data or obtain further information to define any prospective targets.

Drill an exploratory well in the hope of encountering petroleum.

Appraise all discovery and well data to determine if a discovery is economically viable.
 


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Last updated 9 November 2011

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