10 lessons from a decade of exploration
Finding big oil has got harder. An industry veteran has some advice
International conventional exploration over the past decade has been a rollercoaster ride, beginning with optimism fuelled by an oil-price bonanza and new oil provinces opening in Brazil, Ghana and Uganda. This stimulated a frontier exploration drilling boom, and the creation of a new generation of exploration companies. It has ended with an oil-price crash, dramatic cuts in exploration budgets and soul searching across the industry. Reflecting on the past 10 years, the following are 10 lessons this observer has learned from watching and analysing the industry. Few are new and many may sound obvious but collectively, the industry seemed to forget or ignore them. The lessons have been grouped

Also in this section
22 July 2025
Next year’s WPC Energy Congress taking place in April in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will continue to promote the role of women in the energy sector, with a number of events focusing on the issue.
22 July 2025
Pedro Miras is the serving President of WPC Energy for the current cycle which will culminate with the 25th WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in April 2026. He has over 30 years of experience in the energy sector, including stints with Repsol and the IEA. Here he talks to Petroleum Economist about the challenges and opportunities the global energy sector currently faces.
17 July 2025
US downstream sector in key state feels the pain of high costs, an environmental squeeze and the effects of broader market trends
16 July 2025
Crude quality issues are an often understated risk to energy security, highlighted by problems at a key US refinery