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 the ir use in dating rocks demonstrates that such systems can be used in t he evaluation and interpretation of basic geological data. Palaeontolo gical data lends itself to this kind of approach because it is control led to a greater extent than other geological data by internationally accepted rules and practice. Two fossil groups, planktonic foraminifer a and conodonts, have been chosen for initial development, both groups having a long history of study.