American Petroleum Institute (API): The American Petroleum Institute is the primary trade association representing the O&G industry in the United States.
Operator: The company with the legal authority to drill wells and undertake the production of hydrocarbons that are found. The operator is often part of a consortium and acts on behalf of this consortium.
Majors: A term referring to the largest multinational integrated oil companies.
Independents: There are 9,000 independent oil and gas producers in the U.S. who develop 91% of oil and gas wells and produce 83% of oil and 90% of condensates. They range from small, privately owned family businesses to large publicly traded companies.
Roughneck: Drill crew members who work on the derrick floor, screwing together the sections of drill pipe when running or pulling a drill string.
Roustabout: Drill crew members who handle the loading and unloading of equipment and assist in general operations around the rig.