Old Finding: An Introduction to the Geological Study of Petroleum (Classic Reprint)

Discover how geology unlocks the mystery of petroleum This clear, introductory text explains how oil-bearing rocks reach the surface and how geologists read clues like asphalt exudations, mud-volcanoes, and surface geology to locate rich oil sources. Rich in field-based observations, it shows what surface features reveal about subsurface oil and gas.

The book walks readers through real-world phenomena, from pitch lakes to asphalt depots, and explains how these signs point to underlying petroleum reserves. It uses vivid examples from regions such as Trinidad and elsewhere to illustrate how surface processes reveal the geology of oil formation and migration. The discussion emphasizes practical tools for exploration without relying on complex jargon.

• How asphalt outcrops and mud-volcanoes form and what they signal about oil beneath the surface


• How to interpret surface features to infer dip, structure, and potential oilfields


• Differences between stable pitch deposits and variable, refined asphalt versus crude oils


• Real-world examples that connect theory to field exploration and discovery

Ideal for readers curious about the geology behind petroleum exploration and the practical signs that hint at valuable oil-bearing formations.