The recognition of traps most likely to contain hydrocarbons, while making reconnaissance surveys or at an early stage of exploration, has never been an easy task. Utilizing mathematical indicators can allow the identification of likely traps containing oil and/or gas accumulation during early exploratory drilling programs. The guidelines set forth in this article permit one to refine the exploration and delineation operations and focus exploration efforts on only those traps that are most likely to contain economic hydrocarbons. This "focusing" saves valuable time and economic resources.