Three factors are vital in successful paleontologic investigations in petroleum geology. These are: (1) collection of the fossil groups by paleontologists with knowledge of the total fauna its ecologic associations, and lithologies in which preservation is best; (2) processing of samples in laboratories closely supervised by paleontologists to insure effective recovery of fossils of each group; (3) accumulation and evaluation of data employing the whole spectrum of fossil and mineral content of the sediment, gathered by geologically and paleontologically trained personnel.

Diagrams and charts are presented showing (a) the fossils commonly used in petroleum geology grouped into surface and subsurface categories; (b) the environmental, lithologic, and bathymetric interrelations that affect the use of important fossil groups in stratigraphy; and finally (c) a procedure is suggested for paleontologic investigation, and reporting of data in petroleum exploration.

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