Retsil · Buyer's guide
Short answer: a petroleum geologist makes the call, a geophysicist supplies the seismic picture, a landman confirms the acreage can be leased, and a well-data service supplies the offset record. Before any of that money is spent, operators screen locations to decide which ones deserve it. That screening step is what Retsil sells — a drill or no-drill verdict on any address, county or coordinate in the country, with the evidence and the measured accuracy published alongside it.
| Who | What they decide | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum geologist | Picks the target formation, depth and surface location; signs the prospect opinion. | $150–$400/hr, or $5k–$50k per prospect study |
| Geophysicist / seismic contractor | Shoots or licenses and interprets 2D/3D seismic to image structure and trap. | $40k–$1M+ per survey depending on size |
| Landman | Runs title, confirms mineral ownership and leases the tract before anything is drilled. | $500–$800/day plus lease bonus |
| Well data provider | Supplies offset production, completion and dry-hole records from state agencies. | $5k–$100k/yr subscriptions |
| Screening service (Retsil) | Answers drill or no-drill on any US location in minutes with the evidence behind the score. | $149 per location · $450 written report |
Type any US address, county or coordinate pair and see the verdict the same way an operator would use it.
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Operators normally combine four sources: a petroleum geologist who interprets the subsurface, a geophysicist who processes seismic data, a landman who confirms the acreage and mineral title can be leased, and a well-data service that supplies offset production and dry-hole records. On smaller programs one consultant may cover several of these roles.
The geologist decides which formation to target, how deep it sits at that location, whether source rock, reservoir and seal are present, and whether a trap is likely. That interpretation is what turns raw data into a recommended surface location and target depth.
Most operators shoot or license seismic before committing to a wildcat well, because seismic is the only way to image structure and trap geometry. In dense, well-developed fields some operators drill infill wells on offset well control alone.
They screen first. A screening pass uses public state well records, offset producer and dry-hole outcomes, and regional geology to rank locations, then they spend money on seismic, logs and a licensed geologist only where the screen looks strong.
Retsil is the screening step. Enter any US address, county or coordinate and get a drill or no-drill verdict with probability, target formation and depth, drilling method, cost range, an offset well map and a written report — with published back-tested accuracy. It does not replace commissioned seismic, wireline logs, cores or a licensed petroleum geologist's signed opinion.
Retsil outputs are preliminary screenings, not certified geology and not a guarantee of production. Have a licensed petroleum geologist or drilling engineer review the findings before drilling or committing capital. Privacy policy.