"Mallow's been selling oil stock and experting wells for us with the Marvelous Magnetic Finder and he don't know an offset from a headache post." "Certainly, I know--" "Why, Professor! Is it possible we have been deceived in you?
An offset is the thing that sets off to one side of the crown block and it's a light blue, the same as a formation.

It's the shape of a syncline, only bigger." "Don't get funny.

You drill an offset well to keep a man from sucking all the oil out from under your land." "Right!" said Gray.

"Wells, as you know, are drilled as close to the side lines as the law allows.

When oil is found, the adjoining landowner can compel his lessee to put down a well to offset every one that threatens to draw oil from beneath his property." "That's what I've just been telling you." "Many an operator has gone broke offsetting wells in order to protect his leases, especially if he has a number of neighbors who all start drilling promptly.