secondary recovery

noun

1. extraction of oil or natural gas under artificially induced pressure after the natural flow has ceased.

Word History and Origins

Origin of secondary recovery¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

“Secondary recovery” means fluids injected underground to force oil or gas out of wells. 

From Scientific American

In response, oilmen have sped the pumping of existing wells to their Maximum Efficient Rates* and made greater use of expensive secondary recovery methods, such as injecting water at high pressure into a well.

From Time Magazine Archive