Exploration drilling is a method used to locate and assess natural resources, such as oil, natural gas, and minerals. This process involves drilling holes into the ground to collect samples from various depths, helping geologists understand the composition and potential of the area. The data gathered from exploration drilling informs decisions about whether to proceed with further development or extraction. It is a crucial step in resource management, ensuring that companies can evaluate the viability of a site before investing significant time and money into mining or extraction operations.