Definition

Noun: A deep hole or shaft drilled into the earth from which crude oil (petroleum) is extracted. It is a type of well specifically designed for the production of hydrocarbons.

Usage

An "oil well" is a specific installation for extracting liquid petroleum. It refers to the complete structure, including the borehole and associated surface equipment. The term is used whether the well is currently producing, is inactive, or has been depleted.

Examples

• The company drilled a new oil well in the Gulf of Mexico.
• This region has hundreds of active oil wells.
• The old oil well had been capped and abandoned decades ago.

Advanced Usage

• "to bring an oil well in" or "to bring in an oil well": This phrase means to complete the drilling and preparation of a well so that it begins to produce oil.
  • The engineers worked for months to bring the new oil well in.
• "a gusher": This is a specific, dramatic type of oil well where oil flows out under high natural pressure without the need for pumping when first tapped.
  • The discovery was a gusher, spraying oil high into the air.

Variants and Related Words

• Well (n): A more general term for any deep hole drilled to obtain a fluid, such as water, gas, or oil.
• Oilfield (n): A region with a large number of oil wells and related infrastructure.
• Derrick (n): The tower-like structure that holds the drilling equipment over an oil well.
• Wellhead (n): The equipment installed at the surface at the top of an oil well.

Synonyms

• Borehole (specifically for the drilled hole itself)
• Producing well (when emphasizing its active state)

Related Phrases

• To drill an oil well: The process of creating the well.
• To cap an oil well: To seal a well, often when it is no longer productive or for safety.
• To strike oil: To successfully find oil while drilling a well.

Noun

1. a well that yields or has yielded oil