Over 1000 people have attended the three-day course on which this book is based since it was instituted in 1981 by JAPEC (Joint Association for Petroleum Exploration Courses). Key topics covered in this book are: the underlaying rationale for exploration; essential basic geological and geophysical exploration techniques; drilling and logging wells; an outline of reservoir geology and what constitutes reserves; and all of these topics are brought together in a case-history overview of exploration in the North Sea. The book is fully self-explanatory, needs no prior knowledge of geology or of exploration techniques, and as much as possible avoids the use of technical jargon. There is, however, a lengthy glossary of technical terms that can be used as a reference. The appeal of the book extends far beyond the audience originally envisaged for the JAPEC course. Anyone interested in finding out what petroleum exploration is all about will enjoy this volume.