The recurring costs of operating and maintaining a producing oil or gas well, such as equipment upkeep, utilities, labor, and water disposal.
Lease Operating Expenses are the ongoing costs to keep a well producing once it’s drilled and completed. LOE covers routine expenses like field personnel, electricity or fuel to run pumps, maintenance and repairs on equipment, chemicals for treating oil, water disposal, property taxes, and insurance. These costs are incurred throughout the productive life of the well and can vary over time — typically declining as production falls, though certain fixed costs remain. LOE is paid out of production revenue before profit is calculated, so it directly reduces the cash flow available to working interest owners. Efficient operations aim to minimize LOE to prolong the economic life of wells, especially marginal ones.
LOE affects an investor’s net income from a producing well. High operating costs can erode profits, particularly as production declines. Investors closely monitor LOE when evaluating the viability of a well or field, as projects with lower LOE generally yield better and more stable returns.
