OIL.EXE

Game premise and mechanics

OIL.EXE is a free text-based petroleum industry simulation set in a 1980s computer terminal environment. In this game, you assume the role of an oil industry manager, tasked with a single contract of one oil field, one million dollars, and a set number of years to generate a profit. All interactions are done through a command prompt, requiring you to type commands to make decisions. The primary aim is to complete the contract financially solvent, which involves drilling for oil, managing production, and navigating market fluctuations.

Game progression

At the start, you choose the length of your contract, ranging from 20 to 100 years. Each year represents a turn in the game, and every decision you make is timed against the clock. You must explore a 10x10 grid of potential drilling sites to uncover which plots might contain oil. Scanning a plot costs money and reveals its depth, drilling cost, and estimated crude reserves. You must take calculated risks; successfully hitting a rich reservoir can lead to significant profits, while drilling a dry hole will result in financial losses.