Oil & Gas Glossary for Investors
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- /170+ oil and gas terms defined in plain language for investors.
- /Runs from API gravity to working interest. Alphabetical with quick-jump nav.
- /Handy reference when you're reading production reports, JOAs, or well economics.
Over 170 oil and gas industry terms explained in plain language for investors.
New to oil and gas investing? Start with our complete guide to investing in oil and gas, then use this glossary as a reference as you review current drilling projects.
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CCS/CCUSCCS/CCUSCapExCapExCapillary PressureCapillary PressureCapital Expenditures (CapEx)Capital Expenditures (CapEx)Carbon PriceCarbon PriceCasingCasingCementingCementingChristmas TreeChristmas TreeCluster DesignCluster DesignCompartmentalizationCompartmentalizationCondensateCondensateCondensate SplitterCondensate SplitterContangoContangoCore AnalysisCore AnalysisCrack SpreadCrack Spread
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Decline CurveDecline CurveDepletion AllowanceDepletion AllowanceDepletion AllowanceDepletion AllowanceDepositional EnvironmentDepositional EnvironmentDerrickDevelopment WellDiagenesisDiagenesisDifferentialsDifferentialsDirect Participation Program (DPP)Direct Participation Program (DPP)Directional DrillingDirectional DrillingDivision OrderDivision OrderDrill BitDrill BitDrill Stem TestDrilling MudDry Hole
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PV‑10Pad DrillingParent Child Well InteractionPassive vs ActivePay ZonePayback PeriodPeak OilPerforationPermeabilityPetroleum EngineerPetrophysicsPlug And AbandonPlug and Abandon (P&A)Plug‑and‑PerfPoolingPorosityPressure‑Volume‑Temperature (PVT)Primary RecoveryPrivate Placement Memorandum PpmProbabilistic Reserves (P90/P50/P10)Produced WaterProduction DeclineProduction HistoryProppantProspectProved ReservesPsiPudPugh ClausePump Jack
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RecompletionRecovery FactorRefineryRelative PermeabilityReserve Replacement Ratio (RRR)ReservesReserves Life Index (RLI)ReservoirReservoir DriveReservoir SimulationResources vs. ReservesReturn on Investment (ROI)RigRig CountRod PumpRoyaltyRoyalty InterestRoyalty Interest (RI)Royalty Interest (RI)Royalty Rate
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Salt DomeSand ControlSeal (Cap Rock)Secondary RecoverySection 199aSeismic SurveySeparatorSeverance TaxShaleShut‑inSidetrackSkin FactorSource RockSpacing UnitSpare CapacitySpot PriceSpudSqueeze JobStacked LateralsStage SpacingStep-out Well (Developmental Well)StimulationStorage Contango PlayStranded AssetsStratigraphic TrapStripper WellStripper Well (Marginal Well)Structural TrapSurface CasingSurface RightsSurface Use AgreementSweet Crude
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