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Ever wondered what exactly makes petroleum? Well, petroleum is the diagenetic* product of algal* oil (Instructional). In order to get a substantial amount of petroleum, three conditions must be met:

1). A SOURCE FOR THE OIL

2). MATURATION AND MIGRATION OF THE OIL

3). STRUCTURAL TRAP FOR THE OIL

Please Click on the links in the top right corner to learn about these three factors.

	http://www.sunmachinery.com/EXPLORATION.HTML This shows an explosion causing seismic waves that bounce off of the different layers of rock. The vibrations are then recorded at the surface by geophones. These waves help geologists discover oil. Source: API

*Diagenetic- The process of chemical and physical change in deposited sediment during its conversion to rock.

*Algal- Any of various chiefly aquatic, eukaryotic, photosynthetic organisms, ranging in size from single-celled forms to the giant kelp. Algae were once considered to be plants but are now classified separately because they lack true roots, stems, leaves, and embryos.