Exploration's Most Vital Need: A Resurgence of the Human Element

M. T. Halbouty

Although the petroleum explorationist has access to the most sophisticated tools ever produced to assist in the search for oil and gas, the demand to find new reserves can best be met by a resurgence of the human element in prospect evaluation and decision making. We must return to thinking and acting as creative, bold geoscientists, without fear of making honest mistakes, and in so doing, generate new concepts and implement them.

Black electronic boxes and other tools of our science are indeed satisfactory, but the human element where ideas are created is the best exploration tool that we have at our disposal. The philosophy concerning this subject is discussed.