Dallas Fed Energy Survey

Sample Survey Forms

The Dallas Fed Energy Survey has a distinct survey form for each of the two industries canvassed—exploration and production (E&P) and oil and gas (O&G) support services. The forms have several common indicators—such as business activity, capital expenditures, employment and company outlook. The E&P form also asks about oil and natural gas production, expected capital expenditures and other industry-specific measures. The O&G support services form asks about equipment utilization and prices received for services, among other pertinent measures.

• E&P Survey Form
• O&G Support Services Survey Form

Survey Definitions

E&P Survey Form

• Level of business activity: Your firm’s business activity, as measured by the key business indicator most relevant to your firm.
• Oil production: Your firm’s production of crude oil and natural gas liquids associated with crude oil.
• Natural gas wellhead production: Your firm’s wellhead production of dry natural gas.
• Capital expenditures: Your firm’s capital spending (outlays on exploration and production for oil and gas).
• Expected level of capital expenditures next year: Expected spending on exploration and production next year.
• Supplier delivery time: The amount of time to receive inputs.
• Number of employees: The total number of workers, including full-time, part-time and contract workers.
• Employee hours: The average hours worked per week by employees.
• Wages and benefits: The average cost of compensating workers, including wages, health insurance, bonuses and any other form of compensation.
• Finding and development costs: Lease acquisition costs, exploration expenditures, drilling and completions expenditures, etc.
• Lease operating expenses: Recurring costs to operate wells, such as running pumps, disposing water, repair and maintenance, etc.
• Company outlook: Your firm’s outlook for the next six months.
• Uncertainty: Uncertainty regarding your outlook.

O&G Support Services Survey Form

• Level of business activity: Your firm’s business activity, as measured by the key business indicator most relevant to your firm.
• Utilization of equipment: The extent to which the firm's equipment is currently being used.
• Capital expenditures: Your firm’s capital spending (outlays to acquire or upgrade equipment, etc.).
• Supplier delivery time: The amount of time to receive inputs.
• Lag time in what you are delivering: The amount of time to deliver your product or service to customers.
• Number of employees: The total number of workers, including full-time, part-time and contract workers.
• Employee hours: The average hours worked per week by employees.
• Wages and benefits: The average cost of compensating workers, including wages, health insurance, bonuses and any other form of compensation.
• Input costs: The overall price of the raw materials and other inputs (excluding labor) used in your business.
• Prices received for your services: The prices customers pay for the services you sell.
• Operating margin: Your firm’s earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) as a share of total revenue.
• Company outlook: Your firm’s outlook for the next six months.
• Uncertainty: Uncertainty regarding your outlook.