What is "stripper well"

n. an oil well whose production has declined to less than ten barrels a day [syn: stripper]

A stripper well or marginal well is an oil or gas well that is nearing the end of its economically useful life. In the United States a "stripper" gas well is defined by the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission as one that produces or less of gas per day at its maximum flow rate; the Internal Revenue Service, for tax purposes, uses a threshold of per day. Oil wells are generally classified as stripper wells when they produce ten barrels per day or less for any twelve-month period.