Primary recovery is the initial stage of extracting oil or gas from a reservoir. During this phase, natural pressure within the reservoir pushes the hydrocarbons to the surface. This method relies on the natural energy of the reservoir and typically recovers about 10-20% of the total oil or gas present. Once the natural pressure decreases, primary recovery becomes less effective. At this point, operators may consider secondary recovery methods, which involve injecting water or gas to maintain pressure and enhance extraction. Understanding primary recovery is essential for efficient resource management in the oil and gas industry.