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To say the least, 2016 has been a tumultuous year for the Oil and Gas (O &G) industry. In truth, market events year have blasted O & G like the pressurized spray of hydraulic fracking drill rips through shale, sending investors, prices and predictive analyses on a whirling, white-rapid roller coaster of a route, eventually ending in a place altogether alien. Yes, the industry has moved on and if 2016 events are any indication, those invested in O & G should accustom themselves to quick, ambiguous shifts as modern energy practice continues its metamorphosis.

Any year this memorable begs a recap, so with the following list let’s examine 2016’s major oil and gas happenings, and brace ourselves for the moment when pressure strikes the market again.

• Drilling costs took a dive – Costs of installing and operating wells have plummeted, with a significant number of companies reporting a 50% decrease in expenses involved in installing wells throughout 2016’s later months. This price dive owes itself to the industry tradition of consistently innovating new and efficient drilling and rig tech.

• Expected ultimate recoveries climb – EURs, or predictions for net recoverable product in a given area, flew to new heights this year, subsequently dropping economic barriers for the startup of new drilling projects. Technical tweaks like advanced hydraulic fracking techniques and fine-tuned detection equipment have contributed to this, since workers can now more efficiently target large, concentrated pockets of oil.