Thanks to everyone who has written on this post. I wanted to research this aspect of the gas/oil business--working interest in a well--and decided to start with this website because I knew I would get first hand responses from various points of view.
Your comment "working interest is a very risky venture, but it can also be very rewarding" is what I think also.
Valid information and educating yourself can help lower the risk and increase the "potential for success" in any business venture. I will keep researching. Again, my thanks to everyone for your informative and thoughtful responses. TCB DS3