<p>A <em>show</em> is a visual indication of hydrocarbons, in the jargon of petroleum exploration, it is typically used to describe a drilling. It could be e.g. a <em>Gas show</em> in the drilling fluid. <a href="http://wiki.aapg.org/Show_evaluation" rel="noreferrer">Show evaluation</a> is an important tool to understand a reservoir. </p>

<p>When hydrocarbons reach the surface naturally, we call it a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_seep" rel="noreferrer">petrolium seep</a>. </p>

<p>Technically, I guess, a <em>seep</em> could be a <em>show</em> if it's used to map a <a href="http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/Terms/p/play.aspx" rel="noreferrer">play</a> but I never heard the term used in that context. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-12T20:55:26.783Z
Please show some indication of this term's use in science.
Spencer
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-12T21:06:08.863Z
https://scholar.google.com.au/scholar?start=0&q=%22petroleum+shows%22&hl=en&as_sdt=0,5
user2821
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-12T21:12:58.510Z
In your answer.
Spencer
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-13T01:18:30.653Z
There are further links with examples in the AAPG article, linked in the answer. I can't see why petroleum geology isn't Earth science. The question is about terminology, and the vocabulary used by petroleum geologists, geochemists and geophysicists might sound outlandish for people not working in the field. However, scientists in academia and industry all over the world are talking about and writing about e.g. *shows*, *seeps* and *plays*. That the word *show* have plenty of different meanings doesn't invalidate OP's question.
user2821
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-12T00:37:54.287Z
2017-03-12T00:37:54.287Z
user2821
<p>Is a <em>show</em> when naturally ocurring oil seeps out of a fracture on the surface? Or is it when engineers fracture rocks in order to extract oil?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-14T04:48:32.570Z
Spencer, please allow others that are more informed about the subject to make the call on whether this question (and others on the subject) belong here. The question is well-posed within the common terminology used in the field.
Antonio
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-12T17:23:21.617Z
Shouldn't this be in Engineering SE?
Spencer
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-12T19:45:50.437Z
It related to petroleum geology too.
Alvaro Morales
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-12T20:53:57.483Z
Your question is too brief to support that. Please expand the question with some more information, maybe an example or two of its use in science.
Spencer
<geology><terminology><petroleum><gas>
What is a "show" in petroleum geology?
Alvaro Morales
# What is a "show" in petroleum geology?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-03-11)

Is a *show* when naturally ocurring oil seeps out of a fracture on the surface? Or is it when engineers fracture rocks in order to extract oil?

**Tags:** geology, terminology, petroleum, gas

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Shouldn't this be in Engineering SE?  
> **username_0**: It related to petroleum geology too.  
> **username_2**: Your question is too brief to support that. Please expand the question with some more information, maybe an example or two of its use in science.  
> **username_1**: username_2, please allow others that are more informed about the subject to make the call on whether this question (and others on the subject) belong here. The question is well-posed within the common terminology used in the field.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-03-12. Score: 4

A *show* is a visual indication of hydrocarbons, in the jargon of petroleum exploration, it is typically used to describe a drilling. It could be e.g. a *Gas show* in the drilling fluid. [Show evaluation](http://wiki.aapg.org/Show_evaluation) is an important tool to understand a reservoir.

When hydrocarbons reach the surface naturally, we call it a [petrolium seep](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_seep).

Technically, I guess, a *seep* could be a *show* if it's used to map a [play](http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/Terms/p/play.aspx) but I never heard the term used in that context.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Please show some indication of this term's use in science.  
> **username_3**: https://scholar.google.com.au/scholar?start=0&q=%22petroleum+shows%22&hl=en&as_sdt=0,5  
> **username_2**: In your answer.  
> **username_3**: There are further links with examples in the AAPG article, linked in the answer. I can't see why petroleum geology isn't Earth science. The question is about terminology, and the vocabulary used by petroleum geologists, geochemists and geophysicists might sound outlandish for people not working in the field. However, scientists in academia and industry all over the world are talking about and writing about e.g. *shows*, *seeps* and *plays*. That the word *show* have plenty of different meanings doesn't invalidate OP's question.  

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