The article describes the main factors for increasing the efficiency of exploration by introducing breakthrough technologies in production. It is shown that standard technologies cannot provide a solution to non-standard problems, because in this area they are extremely ineffective. The absolute orientation of the production process to standard technologies is determined. The main barriers to breakthrough technologies are analyzed. It is concluded that for the digital transformation of exploration, it is necessary to understand the applied value of breakthrough technologies, understand the need for their implementation, as well as adapt the existing production process in such a way that attracting, developing and introducing innovative approaches becomes its integral part. The key factor, in this case, is the solution to the problem of formalizing independent criteria and an understandable quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of the use of certain technologies. (C) 2022 "OilGasScientificResearchProject" Institute. All rights reserved.