(n.) Geology. An area of exploration in which hydrocarbons have been predicted to exist in economic quantity. A prospect is commonly an anomaly, such as a geologicstructure or a seismic amplitude anomaly, that is recommended by explorationists for drilling a well. Justification for drilling a prospect is made by assembling evidence for an active petroleum system, or reasonableprobability of encountering reservoir-quality rock, a trap of sufficient size, adequate sealing rock, and appropriate conditions for generation and migration of hydrocarbons to fill the trap. A single drilling location is also called a prospect, but the term is more properly used in the context of exploration. A group of prospects of a similar nature constitutes a play. See: Amplitude Anomaly, Anomaly, Basin, Exploration, Fairway, Generation, Hydrocarbon, Migration, Petroleum System, Play, Reservoir, Seal, Source Rock, Structure, Subsalt, Trap