What term describes an exploration effort that groups a number of related prospects and potential targets?

• A. Prospect
• B. Lead
• C. Play
• D. Contingent Resources

Answer: (C)

In oil and gas exploration, a play is a set of related prospects and potential targets that share a common geological framework—such as a basin, rock formation, trap style, petroleum system, and timing. This grouping lets teams evaluate risk and reward across multiple opportunities that fit the same model, estimate total potential resources, and plan the needed investment. It isn’t a single target itself; it’s the overarching concept that ties several targets together for portfolio planning.

A prospect, by contrast, is a defined drillable location with estimated volumes and a specific probability of success. A lead is an early-stage anomaly needing more data. Contingent resources are discovered resources that aren’t yet proven economically recoverable.