What term is used to describe the trap formed by reservoir rock, seal, and three-dimensional closure?

• A. Anticline
• B. Traps
• C. Cap Rock
• D. Reservoir

Answer: (B)

In petroleum geology, a trap is a geological configuration that confines hydrocarbons. It requires three elements: a porous reservoir rock to store the hydrocarbons, an impermeable seal to stop upward migration, and a three-dimensional closure that creates a closed space for accumulation. The term used to describe this whole setup is traps, referring to those closed accumulations in a basin. While an anticline is a common form of trap, it’s a specific shape, whereas traps is the broader category that covers the entire confined system. Cap rock and reservoir describe the individual components, not the confinement itself.