Book excerpt: This book looks at how modern developments have enhanced the utility of basin analysis in hydrocarbon exploration. A major factor is modern computing power, which enables complex Monte Carlo-type calculations to be rapidly carried out; a second is the transfer of concepts from the economic arena to the theatre of hydrocarbon production, for example setting risking procedures to cope with data uncertainties. In addition now there are available powerful methods for handling the determination of parameters in the highly non-linear world of equations describing various facets of basin analysis. Th.