Hydrocarbon exploration

Hydrocarbon exploration (or oil and gas exploration) is the search by petroleum geologists and geophysicists for hydrocarbon deposits beneath the Earth's surface, such as oil and natural gas. Oil and gas exploration are grouped under the science of petroleum geology.

Exploration methods

Visible surface features such as oil seeps, natural gas seeps, pockmarks (underwater craters caused by escaping gas) provide basic evidence of hydrocarbon generation (be it shallow or deep in the Earth). However, most exploration depends on highly sophisticated technology to detect and determine the extent of these deposits using exploration geophysics. Areas thought to contain hydrocarbons are initially subjected to a gravity survey, magnetic survey, passive seismic or regional seismic reflection surveys to detect large-scale features of the sub-surface geology. Features of interest (known as leads) are subjected to more detailed seismic surveys which work on the principle of the time it takes for reflected sound waves to travel through matter (rock) of varying densities and using the process of depth conversion to create a profile of the substructure. Finally, when a prospect has been identified and evaluated and passes the oil company's selection criteria, an exploration well is drilled in an attempt to conclusively determine the presence or absence of oil or gas.

Fossil fuel

Fossil fuels are fuels formed by natural processes such as anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms. The age of the organisms and their resulting fossil fuels is typically millions of years, and sometimes exceeds 650 million years. Fossil fuels contain high percentages of carbon and include coal, petroleum and natural gas. Other more commonly used derivatives of fossil fuels include kerosene and propane. They range from volatile materials with low carbon:hydrogen ratios like methane, to liquid petroleum to nonvolatile materials composed of almost pure carbon, like anthracite coal. Methane can be found in hydrocarbon fields, alone, associated with oil, or in the form of methane clathrates. The theory that fossil fuels formed from the fossilized remains of dead plants by exposure to heat and pressure in the Earth's crust over millions of years (see biogenic theory) was first introduced by Georg Agricola in 1556 and later by Mikhail Lomonosov in the 18th century.

The Energy Information Administration estimates that in 2007 the primary sources of energy consisted of petroleum 36.0%, coal 27.4%, natural gas 23.0%, amounting to an 86.4% share for fossil fuels in primary energy consumption in the world. Non-fossil sources in 2006 included hydroelectric 6.3%, nuclear 8.5%, and others (geothermal, solar, tidal, wind, wood, waste) amounting to 0.9%. World energy consumption was growing about 2.3% per year.

Oil and gas (disambiguation)

Oil and gas are two commonly associated fossil fuels. The phrase may refer to:

  • Oil and gas field
  • Oil and gas law in the United States
  • See also

  • Gasoline or petrol
  • Heating oil
  • Hydrocarbon exploration
  • Natural gas
  • Petroleum industry
  • Petroleum (crude oil)
  • Podcasts:

    PLAYLIST TIME:

    Latest News for: Oil and Gas Exploration

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    My message from prison: Just Stop Oil may be ending civil disruption, but the fight must go on

    The Observer 06 Apr 2025
    Sitting here in a prison cell in HMP Styal, I am still demanding an end to oil and gas ... The Labour government was elected last year on a manifesto including the pledge that they will “not issue new licences to explore new [oil and gas] fields”.
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    Tasks Before Bayo Ojulari at NNPCL

    This Day 06 Apr 2025
    The Nigerian oil sector is undergoing a seismic shift—fossil fuels are ... Let Nigeria lead the charge for an African Energy Market—a coordinated platform for oil and gas investment, pricing, and security.
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    What next for climate activism now Just Stop Oil is ‘hanging up the hi-vis’?

    The Observer 06 Apr 2025
    ... gas licences was “now government policy” ... Explore more on these topicsEnvironmental activismJust Stop OilExtinction RebellionOil (Environment)Oil (Business)Oil and gas companiesFossil fuelsfeatures.
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    Australia is in an extinction crisis – why isn’t it an issue at this election?

    The Observer 06 Apr 2025
    “Are we going to see unfettered housing developments and oil and gas exploration basically take over every square metre of the continent that’s left for them to do it? Or are we going to draw a line in the sand? It’s time to draw that line.”.
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    Basin rig count down three as prices tumble

    Odessa American 04 Apr 2025
    Nationally, the oil and gas rig ... The count shows that 489 rigs sought oil, up five from the previous week, and 96 explored for natural gas, down seven from the previous week.
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    Britain’s Ineos Acquires CNOOC’s Gulf of Mexico Assets

    Oil Price 04 Apr 2025
    Ineos Energy focuses on oil and gas exploration and production, with activities in the North Sea, UK, ...
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    Patterson-UTI Reports Drilling Activity for March 2025

    ACCESSWIRE 04 Apr 2025
    Patterson-UTI is a leading provider of drilling and completion services to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in the United States and other select countries, including contract ...
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    Aker BP, SLB, Stimwell Services extend alliance to enhance oil production

    Offshore Technology 04 Apr 2025
    It enables us to increase productivity, maintain world-class performance, and deliver oil and gas with low cost and low emissions. This is how we position ourselves as the E&P [exploration and production] company of the future.”.
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    Terra Drone and Aramco sign MoU to enhance operational efficiency

    GCC Business News 04 Apr 2025
    This collaboration signifies a strategic partnership to explore innovation in drones, robotics, and AI-driven solutions tailored to the oil and gas sector, supporting localization efforts ... Toru Tokushige. Founder & CEO. Terra Drone Corporation.
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    ‘Scary times’: New York shopkeepers plan ‘astronomical’ price hikes under Trump tariffs

    The Observer 04 Apr 2025
    Business costs have already increased significantly, he noted ... From Nike to Apple ... Same with oil and gas ... Explore more on these topicsTrump tariffsSmall businessUS economic growth and recessionDonald TrumpEconomic policyUS economyEconomicsnews. Share ... .
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    11.5pc tax and overhauling net zero: What Singapore-on-Thames would look like

    AOL 04 Apr 2025
    Singapore’s first leader, Lee Kuan Yew, was famed for his iron self-discipline ... “Now it was our unenviable task to make it work.” ... The government has also promised to stop issuing new exploration licences for the oil and gas industry ... .
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    What Singapore-on-Thames would look like

    The Daily Telegraph 04 Apr 2025
    Singapore’s first leader, Lee Kuan Yew, was famed for his iron self-discipline ... “Now it was our unenviable task to make it work.” ... The government has also promised to stop issuing new exploration licences for the oil and gas industry ... Show comments ... .
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    Jericho Energy Ventures Names Seasoned Energy Leader Jake Royster as Director of Operations

    ACCESSWIRE 03 Apr 2025
    regulatory changes; changes to the ‎definition of, or interpretation of, foreign private issuer status; the impacts of COVID-19 and other ‎infectious diseases; general economic conditions; industry ...
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    Seaspan Cuts Steel on Advanced Polar Icebreaker for Canadian Coast Guard

    gCaptain 03 Apr 2025
    The project is part of Canada’s broader response to growing cooperation between Russia and China in the Arctic, where Moscow is expanding oil and gas deliveries to China while Beijing explores alternative shipping routes ... ....
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    The Church of England: in the Room with Big Tech

    UK Column 03 Apr 2025
    Of course, what they fail to add is that the Commissioners may invest in oil and gas exploration, production and refining, as well as the extraction of thermal coal and oil from oil sands, subject to thresholds.
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