Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) — a contract that sets forth the duties and obligations of both the operator and
nonoperating working interest owners of a mineral lease. The JOA serves several
purposes, including identifying the property interests of the parties in the
mineral lease, designating the party that is to act as operator, and setting
forth the method for sharing expenses and for the allocation of liability for
the oil and gas exploration and production operations. See also
Mineral lease.