Heretofore practically all petroleum geology has been directed toward a search for domes and anticlines and other local deformation. This has been adequate to maintain a satisfactory discovery rate and will continue to be adequate as long as the supply of anticlines holds out. Due to the accuracy and rapidity with which we can map structure, it may be that before long we shall be faced with a shortage of favorable anticlines. Such a shortage, however, should not mean a shortage of oil, but should serve merely to change our approach to the problem of oil discovery. Stratigraphic methods offer such a change. Stratigraphic traps have accounted for one-fourth to one-third of the past production and there is no reason why we may not expect a much greater percentage in the futu e under the stimulus of a continuing demand and through scientific methods. Stratigraphic methods offer an almost unlimited field for petroleum geologists with a promise of results in terms of oil adequate to meet national demands.