Let’s say our trap in cross-section view looks like this…. Consider This …. Let’s say our trap in cross-section view looks like this…. How can we get a rough estimate of the cross-sectional area? Base 1 Height 1 Slide 16 We will make some assumptions so that we can do some simple calculations The sketch on the top is a cross-section through our prospect/trap We will use some simple trigonometry to approximate the cross-sectional area First we estimate the area of a large triangle formed by the top of the reservoir and the assumed fluid contact (light grey) Then we get the area of a smaller triangle formed by the base of the reservoir and the assumed fluid contact (dark grey) You know that the area of triangle = ½ base * height The area of the large triangle minus the area of the small triangle is an approximation of the cross-sectional area of the reservoir Base 2 Height 2 Courtesy of ExxonMobil L14 – Prospect Analysis