Operating Netback

A measure of oil and gas sales net of royalties, production and transportation expenses. This is a non-GAAP measure used specifically in the oil and gas industry as a benchmark to compare performance between time periods, operations and competitors.

The measure is generally calculated based on the oil or gas selling metric, such as per barrel in the case of oil. For example, suppose an oil company's Canadian operations sell oil at an average $50 per barrel if royalties, production and transport equal $5, $15 and $8 respectively. The operating netback for the Canadian operations equals $22 a barrel. The calculated operating netback can be compared to the specific operations' past performance or a rival company's performance in the same region.