This article presents the results of an investigation that sought to characterize the acquisition techniques and knowledge representation of knowledge engineering in order to design a guide to facilitate its application, but went further, as it was decided that in addition to this aim it was very important to classify and construct taxonomies to provide them to the knowledge engineer their choices. In this way, a taxonomy of knowledge acquisition techniques and other techniques for knowledge representation are proposed, based on classification criteria that help in the formulation of a draft knowledge and later in its development, especially in the selection and application of techniques. Additionally, the application of taxonomies in institutional is shown in the research project entitled “Petroleum Geology of Colombia” held at the Department of Geology at the University EAFIT and sponsored by the National Hydrocarbons Agency of Colombia. This project developed a model of knowledge about the watershed of the Colombian petroleum system to serve as a tool to contain and retain the knowledge that has about that so specialized field.