Factors which have adversely influenced opinions and general impressions regarding the value of geoelectric methods as aids in the search for oil are thought by the author to be in considerable part of subjective rather than objective origin. However, geoelectric methods entered the field relatively late and with inadequate theoretical equipment for the best interpretation of results. Furthermore, sources of error which doubtless vitiated results have been in some cases overlooked because these did not come into serious account in the previous experience of exploration for ores. The principal sources of error for the resistivity method are pointed out. Although electromagnetic and resistivity methods have shown distinct promise in this field, it is, in the author's opinio , not possible with the data now available to make a reliable comparison, in terms of potential results per dollar, between these and gravimetric or seismic methods.