leading to the profession of petroleum geology. As in the other science depart- 

 ments, geology departments are increasingly faced with the problem of turning 

 out graduates skilled in the complex technology of their profession and concur- 

 rently turning out "well-rounded" graduates who are prepared to face their re- 

 sponsibilities as world citizens. 



The training of the petroleum geologist does not end with the granting of 

 an academic degree. Many companies maintain formal six-month to two-year 

 training programs that are designed to round out the new employee's general 

 education in geology and to acquaint him with company organization and ob- 

 jectives. In addition, it is the responsibility of the geologist throughout his career 

 to become acquainted with the geology of the area in which he is working and 

 to keep abreast of new concepts and advancements in geologic science. In a 

 sense, the new graduate's training in geology has just begun. There is a con- 

 stant overlap between the training and the duties of the petroleum geologist. 



DUTIES Two probable channels into which the duties 



of young petroleum geologists will be directed 

 are field mapping and/or well sitting. For the adequately trained geologist, field 

 work will not be new, but the specific company-approved techniques must be 

 mastered. The duties of a well-site geologist are primarily sample and core ex- 

 amination, selection of coring and testing intervals, recommendations regarding 

 the mud program, logging, and completion methods. 



The end product of most company assignments is a report, which may con- 

 sist of a sample log and a written description of the samples and cores obtained 

 from a wildcat well, or it may consist of a map and a written description of the 

 structural geology and stratigraphy of an area and an estimation of the possi- 

 bilities of petroleum entrapment. Wildcat prospect reports will contain informa- 

 tion regarding depths to possible pay horizons, thickness of formations that will 

 be encountered, distances from nearby production, gravity of oil expected, ac- 

 cessibility of drill site, and water availability. In addition, information may be 

 required regarding distance from piplines, price of oil, land acquisition, and 

 drilling costs. 



From field and well-site duties, it is only a short step to the compilation of 

 local or regional structural maps and formation correlations. In addition to the 

 stratigraphic and structural work, the geologist may be required to keep abreast 

 of the activities of other companies in a particular area (leasing, geophysical ac- 

 tivities, wildcat locations, etc.). 



As a geologist advances in a company, he will become involved with explora- 

 tion planning, budgeting problems, hiring and coordinating personnel, and 

 myriad administrative duties. The geologist's day-to-day problems tend to divert 

 his mind from his basic duty and responsibility to his company: finding more 



