Research library

Everything an energy investor should know

32 guides across six tracks, from how a barrel is priced to how a Reg D offering is structured.

Oil & Gas Basics

5 guides

How the industry works — from the wellhead to the pump.

How the Oil & Gas Industry Works: Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream Explained

A complete breakdown of how energy flows from the ground to your gas tank — and how investors can identify opportunities in each stage of production.

1 min read

Oil & Gas Basics

What Is an E&P Company? Inside the Upstream Sector

This article explains what E&P means, how private companies like Texas State Oil and Kroh Exploration operate, and what investors should know before funding a drilling project.

1 min read

Oil & Gas Basics

How OPEC Shapes Oil Prices — And Why It Matters to U.S. Investors

Understand the global mechanics behind oil prices and how OPEC decisions ripple through investment returns in the U.S. energy market.

1 min read

Oil & Gas Basics

Why Natural Gas Prices Stay Low in the U.S.

A clear explanation of Henry Hub pricing, fracking advances, and what low natural gas prices mean for investors seeking steady returns.

1 min read

Oil & Gas Basics

Understanding Oil Pricing: What WTI and Brent Really Mean

A plain-English guide to the pricing benchmarks that set the tone for oil markets — and why WTI is the go-to indicator for U.S. production.

1 min read

Investment Asset Types

6 guides

Mineral rights, working interests, royalties, funds and more.

Investment Asset Types

Mineral Rights vs. Leases: What’s the Difference for Investors?

This article breaks down how mineral rights and leases work, their legal implications, and which structure suits different investment goals.

1 min read

Investment Asset Types

Producing Wells: The Easiest Way to Generate Cash Flow from Oil

A straightforward guide to evaluating producing well investments, understanding decline curves, and balancing risk vs. reward.

1 min read

Investment Asset Types

What Are PUDs (Proved Undeveloped Reserves)?

An educational overview of PUDs — what makes them “proved,” how they’re discovered, and why investors view them as high-potential assets.

1 min read

Investment Asset Types

Oil Well Reworks and Remediation: Turning Old Wells into New Opportunities

Using real-world examples, this article explains how experienced operators breathe new life into old wells — often at a fraction of the cost of new drilling.

1 min read

Investment Asset Types

Pipelines and Surface Equipment: The Infrastructure Behind Every Barrel

Behind every successful well is solid infrastructure. This guide explores the unseen assets that add value to oil and gas operations.

1 min read

Investment Asset Types

Wildcatting: The High-Risk, High-Reward Side of Oil Exploration

Understand what “wildcat wells” are, why they attract bold investors, and how to evaluate the true risk profile before participating.

1 min read

The Business of Oil Production

5 guides

Returns, costs, taxes and the economics of a well.

The Business of Oil Production

How New Oil Wells Are Drilled (Step-by-Step Guide)

A step-by-step explainer that demystifies how oil companies plan, drill, and complete wells safely and profitably.

1 min read

The Business of Oil Production

Recompletion vs. Remediation: Two Ways to Revive Oil Production

A comparison of strategies operators use to extend a well’s life and maximize output, with insight into which method offers better ROI.

1 min read

The Business of Oil Production

How to Calculate Oil Well Returns (WI, NRI, LOE Explained)

An investor-friendly guide to understanding production math and key financial terms that determine profit from an oil investment.

1 min read

The Business of Oil Production

Tax Benefits of Oil & Gas Investing

Explains how IDCs, depletion allowances, and depreciation can significantly reduce taxable income for accredited investors.

1 min read

The Business of Oil Production

Understanding Logs and Well Data

This article explains how engineers use well logs and data to confirm oil reserves, make drilling decisions, and evaluate potential returns — all in simple terms for new investors.

1 min read

The Science Behind the Oil

5 guides

Geology, formations, seismic data and stimulation.

The Science Behind the Oil

The Top Oil-Producing Regions in Texas

A visual guide to Texas oil geography — including the Permian Basin, Fort Worth Basin, and Bend Arch formations.

1 min read

The Science Behind the Oil

Reading Oil Well Logs and Seismic Data for Beginners

A beginner’s walkthrough of geological data and why experienced operators use it to predict productivity before drilling.

1 min read

The Science Behind the Oil

Fracking and Other Stimulation Techniques Explained

A clear and objective overview of hydraulic fracturing and related methods that boost well performance.

1 min read

The Science Behind the Oil

Common Oil Formations — Lime, Sand, and Shale

A beginner’s guide to the three major rock types that hold oil and gas — and why each one affects drilling, costs, and returns differently.

1 min read

The Science Behind the Oil

Understanding PUD vs. Non-PUD Opportunities

A quick guide that explains how proven and unproven reserves are classified, helping investors understand where risk and reward meet in oil projects.

1 min read

Compliance & Regulation

5 guides

Operators, permits and the rules that govern the field.

Compliance & Regulation

What Does the Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC) Do?

Explains the TRRC’s role, how to look up wells, and why regulatory compliance protects investors.

1 min read

Compliance & Regulation

What Is an Oil & Gas Operator?

Breaks down the operator’s duties — from permits to production — and how reputable operators build investor confidence.

1 min read

Compliance & Regulation

Easements, Right-of-Ways, and Lease Signage Explained

Simple explanations of the access and land-use agreements that make oil production possible and legal.

1 min read

Compliance & Regulation

How Wells Are Registered and Monitored

An inside look at how oil wells are documented, tracked, and inspected to ensure accuracy, safety, and transparency for investors and regulators alike.

1 min read

Compliance & Regulation

The Importance of Compliance in Oil & Gas Operations

A straightforward explanation of why compliance matters in oil and gas — and how it builds safety, trust, and long-term success for every project.

1 min read

Investment Education

6 guides

PPMs, Reg D, fund structures and investor fundamentals.

Investment Education

What Is a Private Placement Memorandum (PPM)?

A compliance-focused guide to understanding PPMs and how to evaluate oil and gas investment documents safely.

1 min read

Investment Education

Understanding Regulation D 506(c) Offerings

A legal explainer for investors considering oil projects under Regulation D and how to verify accreditation.

1 min read

Investment Education

Common Fees and Terms in Oil Investment Funds

Transparent breakdown of promote fees, acquisition costs, and other terms found in oil investment agreements.

1 min read

Investment Education

Risk and Return: What to Expect from Oil Investing

Honest discussion of the reward potential and risk profile of private oil investing, written to build investor trust.

1 min read

Investment Education

Understanding Fund Structures — LLCs, LPs, and JVs

A clear explanation of how oil funds are legally structured and what the differences are between LLCs, LPs, and joint ventures.

1 min read

Investment Education

What Is a “Turnkey” Project?

A beginner’s explanation of turnkey drilling programs — how they work, what makes them appealing, and what investors should look out for.

1 min read