Micropaleontology in Petroleum Exploration

One of the aims of micropaleontological studies is to unravel the geological history of the surface of the earth in a manner that can be achieved as reliably, in relatively quick time and at the same time be economically be reasonable. Oil companies, who invest hugely in this high risk business of oil exploration, have undoubtedly gained much from micropaleontological studies. This is because of the reasonable accuracy and speed with which the results are delivered. The two most common uses are: biostratigraphy and paleoenvironmental analyses. Biostratigraphy is the differentiation of rock units based upon the fossils which they contain. Paleoenvironmental analysis is the interpretation of the depositional environment in which the rock unit formed, based upon the fossils found within the unit. There are many other uses of fossils besides these, including: paleoclimatology, biogeography, and thermal maturation.