What is the process of generation?
Burial of source rock to temperature and pressure regime sufficient to convert organic matter into hydrocarbon
What is the process of migration?
Movement of hydrocarbon out of the source rock and toward and into the trap
What is the process of accumulation?
A volume of hydrocarbon migrating into a trap faster than the trap leaks resulting in an accumulation
What is the process of preservation?
Hydrocarbon remains in reservoir and is not altered by biodegradation or water washing
What is the process of timing?
Trap forms before and during hydrocarbon migration