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Model Your Oil Well Returns: The After-Tax ROI Estimator

Here's What You Need to Know

  • The IDC deduction reduces your net capital at risk from day one — see the exact dollar impact at your tax rate.
  • Production follows a hyperbolic decline curve (b=1.2), the industry standard for tight oil wells.
  • The 15% depletion allowance creates a permanent annual tax shield on your NRI revenue.

How to Use the ROI Estimator

Project your personal after-tax returns across a well's production life. Adjust 9 parameters — investment size, working interest, production rates, oil price, and tax assumptions — and see real-time projections with year-by-year detail. Stress-test different oil prices, decline rates, and operating costs before committing capital.

The calculator incorporates intangible drilling cost deductions and the 15% depletion allowance to show you true after-tax economics. For a broader overview of oil and gas tax advantages, see our complete tax benefits guide. Ready to see real project numbers? Browse our current drilling projects.

Your Parameters

Well Performance

Tax Assumptions

Gross Investment$100,000
→
Year-1 IDC Tax Savings−$27,750
→
Net Capital at Risk$72,250

Net Investment

$72,250

After IDC tax savings

Cumulative Cash Flow

$64,252

3-year cumulative, after-tax

Payback Period

>3yr

Months to recoup net investment

Total ROI

-11.1%

3-year on net investment

Payback Progress vs. HorizonNot recouped within 3 years
Annual After-Tax Cash Flow
Net Cash Depletion Shield
Yr1
Yr2
Yr3
YearAvg. Prod.Gross RevenueYour NRI ShareLOEDepletion ShieldAfter-Tax Cash
Year 1129$3.20M$51,212($13,556)$2,842$26,566
Year 2100$2.49M$39,813($10,539)$2,210$20,652
Year 383$2.05M$32,838($8,692)$1,823$17,034
Total—$7.74M$123,863($32,787)$6,874$64,252

Illustrative purposes only. Uses a simplified hyperbolic decline model (b=1.2) and does not account for gas production, NGL revenue, TDC depreciation, state taxes, workover costs, or actual well performance. Actual results will vary materially. IDC deductibility depends on working interest structure and IRS material participation rules. Consult a qualified CPA or financial advisor. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Securities offered only to accredited investors via Disclosure Memorandum.

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