The application of expert systems to the identification and use of microfossils in the petroleum industry

Development of an expert system for microfossil identification and their use in dating rocks demonstrates that such systems can be used in the evaluation and interpretation of basic geological data. Palaeontological data lends itself to this kind of approach because it is controlled to a greater extent than other geological data by internationally accepted rules and practice. Two fossil groups, planktonic foraminifera and conodonts, have been chosen for initial development, both groups having a long history of study.