Glossary of Technical Terms Used in Cost Estimation & Control: Burden

Burden

Understanding "Burden" in the Oil & Gas Industry: A Cost Allocation Tool

In the complex world of oil and gas operations, meticulous cost management is crucial for profitability. One key concept in this process is "burden," a term that refers to overhead expenses allocated to specific projects or operations. While seemingly simple, understanding burden and its calculation is vital for accurate budgeting, cost control, and ultimately, achieving financial success.

What is Burden?

Imagine a drilling operation. Direct costs are easily identifiable: drilling equipment, labor costs for drillers, and fuel. But what about the costs of maintaining the rig, office administration, or insurance? These expenses are considered indirect costs, or overhead.

Burden represents the process of distributing these indirect costs over a relevant base, usually direct labor or material costs. This allocation allows for a more accurate reflection of the true cost of each project or operation, including both direct and indirect expenses.

Types of Burden:

There are various types of burden, each tailored to specific circumstances. Common examples include:

  • Manufacturing burden: Allocated based on direct labor hours or machine hours used in production.
  • Engineering burden: Distributed based on the engineering hours spent on a project.
  • Project burden: Calculated based on the direct costs of a specific project.

Why is Burden Important?

  • Accurate Cost Estimation: Burden helps create a realistic picture of project costs, going beyond just direct expenses. This allows for better bidding, resource allocation, and financial planning.
  • Cost Control and Analysis: Tracking burden helps identify areas of potential cost overruns or inefficiencies. This allows companies to optimize operations and maintain profitability.
  • Decision Making: Burden calculations provide valuable data for making strategic decisions regarding project prioritization, investment, and resource allocation.

Calculating Burden:

Calculating burden usually involves a two-step process:

  1. Calculating the Total Burden: This involves summing up all indirect costs associated with a specific department or activity.
  2. Determining the Allocation Base: This could be direct labor hours, material costs, or a combination of factors. The chosen base should be directly related to the activity being burdened.

The final burden rate is then calculated by dividing the total burden by the chosen allocation base. This rate can then be applied to individual projects or operations to determine the indirect cost associated with them.

Conclusion:

Burden is a crucial element in the cost management framework of the oil and gas industry. By accurately allocating indirect costs, companies can achieve a more realistic picture of project costs, improve decision-making, and ultimately enhance profitability. Understanding and mastering the concept of burden is essential for any oil and gas professional involved in financial planning, project management, or cost analysis.


Test Your Knowledge

Quiz on Burden in the Oil & Gas Industry

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What does "burden" represent in the oil and gas industry? a) The weight of a drilling rig. b) The cost of raw materials. c) Overhead expenses allocated to specific projects. d) The profit margin on a project.

Answer

c) Overhead expenses allocated to specific projects.

2. Which of the following is NOT an example of indirect cost or overhead? a) Salaries for office staff. b) Cost of drilling equipment. c) Insurance premiums. d) Utilities for the office.

Answer

b) Cost of drilling equipment.

3. What is the purpose of allocating burden to specific projects? a) To determine the profit margin on each project. b) To track the amount of raw materials used. c) To create a more accurate picture of the total cost of each project. d) To calculate the cost of labor per hour.

Answer

c) To create a more accurate picture of the total cost of each project.

4. What is a common allocation base for manufacturing burden? a) Number of employees. b) Direct labor hours. c) Project duration. d) Amount of oil extracted.

Answer

b) Direct labor hours.

5. How does understanding burden contribute to cost control in the oil and gas industry? a) By identifying areas where costs can be reduced. b) By eliminating the need for detailed financial reporting. c) By simplifying the process of allocating resources. d) By allowing companies to focus on direct costs only.

Answer

a) By identifying areas where costs can be reduced.

Exercise on Burden Calculation

Scenario:

An oil and gas company is undertaking a new drilling project. The direct costs for the project are estimated at $1,000,000. The company's overhead costs for the relevant department are $500,000. The department uses direct labor hours as the allocation base for burden. The estimated direct labor hours for this project are 10,000.

Task:

Calculate the burden rate for the department and the total burden allocated to the drilling project.

Exercice Correction

**1. Calculate the burden rate:**
Burden Rate = Total Overhead Costs / Total Direct Labor Hours
Burden Rate = $500,000 / 10,000 hours
**Burden Rate = $50 per hour**
**2. Calculate the total burden allocated to the project:**
Total Burden = Burden Rate * Direct Labor Hours for the Project
Total Burden = $50/hour * 10,000 hours
**Total Burden = $500,000**


Books

  • Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis by Horngren, Datar, and Rajan: Provides a comprehensive overview of cost accounting principles, including overhead allocation and burden.
  • The Oil & Gas Industry: A Guide to Business Opportunities by Jonathan S. Weyer: Offers insights into the financial aspects of the oil and gas industry, including cost management strategies.
  • Project Management for the Oil & Gas Industry by James R. T. Taylor: Covers project management best practices with a focus on cost control and budgeting, which includes burden calculation.

Articles

  • Cost Accounting in the Oil and Gas Industry by Dr. David T. Allen: An article discussing the unique challenges of cost accounting in the oil and gas industry, including burden allocation. (Available online through various industry publications and academic databases)
  • Managing Overhead Costs in Oil & Gas Operations by Forbes Insights: Explores the importance of managing overhead costs, including burden, for maintaining profitability in the industry.
  • Oil and Gas Cost Control: How to Reduce Costs and Improve Profitability by Energy Global: Provides insights into cost control strategies for oil and gas companies, with a focus on understanding and managing burden.

Online Resources

  • Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE): Provides access to industry-specific resources, including articles, research papers, and webinars on cost management and overhead allocation.
  • American Petroleum Institute (API): Offers industry standards and guidelines related to cost accounting and financial management in the oil and gas industry.
  • Oil and Gas Journal (OGJ): Provides industry news, analysis, and articles covering cost management and other financial topics.

Search Tips

  • "Cost accounting oil and gas" - This will lead to articles and resources related to cost management in the industry.
  • "Burden calculation oil and gas" - This will provide specific information on calculating burden in the context of oil and gas operations.
  • "Overhead allocation oil and gas" - This search will return articles and resources about allocating overhead costs, which are essential for calculating burden.
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