In general, all these elements must be assessed via a limited 'window' into the subsurface world, provided by one (or possibly more) exploration wells.
The two companies will sink six exploration wells this year in fields 2,800 feet below the surface.
The drilling programme is anticipated to run to ten exploration wells.
Then he discovered that there was a row of 10 unplugged exploration wells along one side of his property.
In addition, two or three exploration wells are scheduled to be drilled early next year.
The number of exploration wells drilled in 2006 increased to 77 compared with 64 in 2005 and 36 in 2001.
Hayward plans to drill five exploration wells over the next 12 months in an effort to ramp up future production.
Seven subsequent exploration wells were drilled between 1974 and 1985 by various oil companies.
Under the new Palestinian agreement, at least two exploration wells are to be drilled off Gaza within 18 months.
A map is prepared, some sampling, and exploration wells, determining extent of the archaeological site.