play | Energy Glossary

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play

1. n. [Shale Gas, Geology]

An area in which hydrocarbon accumulations or prospects of a given type occur. For example the shale gas plays in North America include the Barnett, Eagle Ford, Fayetteville, Haynesville, Marcellus, and Woodford, among many others. Outside North America, shale gas potential is being pursued in many parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America.

See: accumulationanomalybasindeepwater playexplorationfairwayhydrocarbonpetroleum systemprospectsubsalttrend

Map of salt occurrences in the Gulf of Mexico.
Map of salt occurrences in the Gulf of Mexico.

2. n. [Geology, Shale Gas]

A conceptual model for a style of hydrocarbon accumulation used by explorationists to develop prospects in a basin, region or trend and used by development personnel to continue exploiting a given trend. A play (or a group of interrelated plays) generally occurs in a single petroleum system.

See: accumulationanomalybasindeepwater playdevelopmentexplorationfairwayhydrocarbonpetroleum systemprospectreservoirsource rocksubsalt

Map of Austin Chalk play.
Map of Austin Chalk play.

3. vt. [Geology]

To pursue hydrocarbon accumulations of a given type.

See: accumulationexploration playhydrocarbon