747
D D i i c c t t i i o o n n a a r r y y O O f f P P e e t t r r o o l l e e u u m m E E n n g g i i n n e e e e r r i i n n g g The Author Parmanand Thakur Creation Date: 9 th , November, 2000. P P r r e e p p a a r r e e d d B B y y : : P P e e t t r r o o l l e e u u m m E E n n g g i i n n e e e e r r : : M M o o h h a a m m m m e e d d Z Z o o u u h h r r y y E E l l - - H H e e l l u u . . E E - - M M a a i i l l : : p p e e t t e e n n g g . . m m z z h h e e l l u u @ @ g g m m a a i i l l . . c c o o m m

Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Embed Size (px)

DESCRIPTION

Dictionary of petroleum engineering

Citation preview

Page 1: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

DDiiccttiioonnaarryy

OOff

PPeettrroolleeuumm

EEnnggiinneeeerriinngg

The Author

Parmanand Thakur

Creation Date: 9th, November, 2000.

PPrreeppaarreedd BByy::

PPeettrroolleeuumm EEnnggiinneeeerr::

MMoohhaammmmeedd ZZoouuhhrryy EEll--HHeelluu..

EE--MMaaiill:: ppeetteenngg..mmzzhheelluu@@ggmmaaiill..ccoomm

Page 2: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11.. AA ))رمز األمبيررمز األمبير((

Ampere, a unit of electrical current equivalent to the steady current produced

by 1 volt applied across a resistance of 1 ohm.

22.. AA--FFRRAAMMEE

TA two-legged (with two legs), metal or wooden support in the form of the

letter "A" for hoisting or exerting a vertical pull with block and tackle or block

and winch line, the block fastened to the 3pex of the A-frame, Such a frame

fixed to move off location before the well is completed. And although the

operators of the drilling vessel know the approximate location of the

temporarily abandoned well, to be able to reenter the hole without diver

assistance, which often is not possible, requires the pinpointing of the location

by electronic means.

33.. AA--hh ))أمبير في الساعةأمبير في الساعة((

TAmpere-hour.T

44.. AA--mmaasstt ))رافعة صاريةرافعة صارية((

TAn A-shaped arrangement of upright poles, usually steel, used for lifting

heavy loads. T

566.. AAAAOODDCC ))الجمعية األمريكية لمتعاقدي حفر األبار البتروليةالجمعية األمريكية لمتعاقدي حفر األبار البترولية((

TAmerican Association of Oil well Drilling Contractors.

77.. AAAAPPGG ))الجمعية األمريكية لجيولوجيين البترولالجمعية األمريكية لجيولوجيين البترول((

TAmerican Association of Petroleum Geologists.T

88.. AAbbaannddoonn ))ئرئرهجر البهجر الب((

TTo cease producing oil or gas from a well when it becomes unprofitable. A

wildcat )بئر إستكشافية غير منتجة( may be abandoned after it has been proven

nonproductive. Usually, before a well is abandoned, some of the casing is

Page 3: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

22

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

removed and salvaged )مثال، الممتلكاتينقذ( and one or more cement plugs placed

in the borehole to prevent migration of fluids between the various formations.

In many states, abandonment must be approved by an official regulatory

agency before being undertaken. T

99.. AABBAANNDDOONNEEDD OOIILL ))تخلى عنه((نفط المتروك نفط المتروك الالتخلى عنهالمالم((((

TOil permitted to escape from storage tanks or pipeline by an operator. If the

operator makes no effort to recover the oil, the land owner )صاحب األرض( on

whose property the oil has run may trap the oil for his own use. T

1100.. AAbbaannddoonneedd WWeellll ))بئر مهجورةبئر مهجورة((

TConverting a drilled well to a condition that can be left indefinitely

)ألجل غير مسمى( without further attention and which will not damage fresh

water supplies or potential petroleum reservoirs. T

1111.. AAbbdd ))إختصار هجر البئرإختصار هجر البئر((

Or abdn, abbr abandoned; used in drilling reports.

1122.. AAbbnnoorrmmaall pprreessssuurree ))الضغط الشاذالضغط الشاذ((

Pressure exerted by a formation and exceeding or falling below the normal

pressure to be expected at a given depth. Normal pressure increases

approximately (0.465 psi) per foot of depth. Thus, normal pressure at 10,000

ft is 4,650 psi; abnormal pressure is higher than or lower than 4,650 psi.

Formations with abnormally high pressure )ضغط طبقي علي شاذ( must be

controlled to prevent a blowout. (See pressure gradient.).

1133.. AAbbooaarrdd ))ن السفينةن السفينةعلى متعلى مت((

Tadon or in a ship or offshore drilling rig.T

Page 4: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

33

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

1144.. AABBSS ))النفوذية المطلقةالنفوذية المطلقة) () (المديرية األمريكية للسفنالمديرية األمريكية للسفن((

(1) Abbr, the American Bureau )دائرة رسمية أو مديرية( of Shipping; an organization

that sets standards and specifications for ships and ship equipment

manufactured in the U.S.

(2) Absolute permeability )النفوذية المطلقة( , the case with which a fluid flows

through a formation that is 100 percent saturated with that fluid.

1155.. AABBSSOOLLUUTTEE aallccoohhooll )) طلقطلق كحول مصافيصافي((كحول م((((

TOne hundred percent ethyl alcohol.

1166.. AAbbssoolluuttee ppoorroossiittyy ))المسامية المطلقةالمسامية المطلقة((

Of the total bulk volume of a rock sample, the percentage that is composed of

pore spaces or voids )فجوات أو مسامات( . (See porosity.) T

1177.. AAbbssoolluuttee pprreessssuurree ))طلقطلقالضغط المالضغط الم((

The pressure reckoned )يحسب( from absolute zero pressure, or gauge pressure

)الضغط المقاس( plus the pressure of the atmosphere. It is expressed in units of

force per unit of area, as pounds per square inch absolute (psia). T

1188.. AAbbssoolluuttee tteemmppeerraattuurree ssccaallee

A measure of temperature in which zero degrees is absolute zero. The

Rankine absolute temperature scale corresponds to degrees Fahrenheit, in

which water freezes at 491.691 and boils at 671.691. The Kelvin absolute

temperature scale corresponds to degrees centigrade, in which water freezes

at 2731 and boils at 373 T

Page 5: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

44

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

1199.. AAbbssoolluuttee zzeerroo ))الصفر المطلقالصفر المطلق((

A hypothetical temperature )درجة حرارة افتراضية( at which there is a total

absence of heat.

2200.. AAbbssoorrbb ))يمتصيمتص((

To recover liquid hydrocarbons from natural or refinery gas in a gas-

absorption plant. The wet gas enters the absorber )برج اإلمتصاص( at the

bottom and rises to the top, encountering a stream of a absorption oil (a light

oil or similar fraction) traveling downward over bubble-cap trays

)صينية كؤؤس الفقاقيع( . The lighter fraction removes, or absorbs, the heavier liquid

hydrocarbons from the wet gas. T

2211.. AAbbssoorrbbeerr ))برج اإلمتصاصبرج اإلمتصاص((

A vertical, cylindrical vessel that recovers heavier hydrocarbons from a

mixture of predominantly )أساسي( lighter hydrocarbons. (See absorb.)

2222.. AAbbssoorrppttiioonn ggaassoolliinnee ))من الغاز الطبيعي من الغاز الطبيعيالغازولين الممتصالغازولين الممتص ((

The gasoline extracted from natural gas by putting the gas in contact with an

oil in a vessel and subsequently )ومن ثم، فيما بعد( distilling the gasoline from the

heavier oil.

2233.. AABBSSOORRPPTTIIOONN OOIILL ))النفط المستخدم في األمتصاصالنفط المستخدم في األمتصاص((

An oil with a high affinity for light hydrocarbons but containing few if any of

the light compound, composing gasoline or natural gas. The oil used in an

absorption plant (q.v.). T

Page 6: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

55

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

2244.. AABBSSOORRPPTTIIOONN PPLLAANNTT ))وحدة اإلمتصاصوحدة اإلمتصاص((

An oil field facility that removes liquid hydrocarbons from natural gas,

especially casinghead gas )الغاز المفصول عن النفط على السطح( . The gas is run

through oil of a proper character which absorbs the liquid components of the

gas. The liquids are then recovered from the oil by distillation. T

2255.. AAbbssoorrppttiioonn ttoowweerr ))برج اإلمتصاصبرج اإلمتصاص((

T(See absorber.)

2266.. AAbbyyssssaall ))مياه قاع البحرمياه قاع البحر((

Tof or relating to the bottom waters of the ocean.

2277.. AACC ))التيار المترددالتيار المتردد((

Abbr of Alternating Aurrent.

2288.. AACCCCEELLEERRAATTEEDD AAGGIINNGG TTEESSTT

TA procedure whereby an oil product is subjected to intensified but controlled

conditions of heat, pressure, radiation, or other variables to produce, in a

short time, the effects of long-time storage or use under normal conditions. T

2299.. AAcccceelleerraattoorr ))مسرع التصلب لالسمنتمسرع التصلب لالسمنت((

A chemical additive that reduces the setting time of cement. (See cementing

materials.)

3300.. AAcccceelleerraattoorr jjaarr )) عرسع مرسالمطرقة الهيدروليكيةالمطرقة الهيدروليكية) ) مزود طاقةمزود طاقة((م((

(See jar accelerator.) T

Page 7: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

66

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

3311.. AAccccoorrdd IImmpplleemmeennttaattiioonn AAccttss

The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord

Implementation Act, S.C. 1988, c.28 and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore

Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation (Nova Scotia) Act, S.N.S. 1987,

c.3. The federal and provincial "mirror" legislation implements the provisions

of the 1986 Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord and

governs all petroleum activities that take place in the offshore area. T

3322.. AAccccuummuullaattee ))يتراكميتراكم((

To amass )يكدس( or collect. When oil and gas migrate into porous formations,

the quantity collected is called an accumulation. T

3333.. AAccccuummuullaattoorr )) راكمراكم المخزان تجميع السائلخزان تجميع السائل((الم((((

(1). a vessel or tank that receives and temporarily stores a liquid used in a

continuous process in a gas plant.

(2). On a drilling rig, an accumulator stores the nitrogen-pressurized hydraulic

fluid used in closing the blowout preventers. (See blowout presenter control

unit.).

(3). A drip accumulator )خزان السائل المتقطر( collects the liquid hydrocarbons that

condense out of a wet gas traveling through a pipeline.

3344.. AACCCCUUMMUULLAATTOORR SSYYSSTTEEMM ))نظام التجميعنظام التجميع((

A hydraulic system designed to provide power to all closure elements

)عناصر اإلغالق( of the rig's blowout preventer stack )وعة موانع اإلندفاعمجم( .

Hydraulic oil is forced into one or more vessels by a high-pressure, small-

volume pump and Its charge of Inert gas, usually nitrogen. The gas is

compressed and stores potential energy. When the system is actuated, the oil

Page 8: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

77

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

under high pressure is released and opens or closes the valves on the BOP

stack.

3355.. aacceettiicc aacciidd )) الخليكالخليك((حمض األستيك حمض األستيك((((

An organic acid compound sometimes used to acidize oil wells. It is not as

corrosive as other acids used in well treatments. Its chemical formula is

C2H4O2, or CH3COOH.

3366.. AACCEETTOONNEE ))األسيتوناألسيتون((

A flammable )قابل لالشتعال( , liquid compound used widely in industry as a solvent

for many organic substances.

3377.. AACCEETTYYLLEENNEE ))أستيلينأستيلين((

A colorless )عديم اللون( , highly flammable gas with a sweetish odor

)الرائحة حلوة قلي( ; used with oxygen In oxyacetylene welding )لحام األسيتلين( . It is

produced synthetically by incomplete combustion )إحتراق غير التام( of coal gas

and also by the action of water on calcium carbide (CaC2). Also can be made

from natural gas. T

33399.. aacceettyylleennee wweellddiinngg ))لحام اإلسيتيلينلحام اإلسيتيلين((

A method of joining steel components, in which acetylene gas and oxygen are

mixed in a torch )مشعل، محرق( to attain the high temperatures needed to weld. T

4400.. AAcciidd ))الحمضالحمض((

Any chemical compound, one element of which is hydrogen, that dissociates

)يتفكك( in solution to produce free-hydrogen ions. (See ion.) For example,

hydrochloric acid, HCI, dissociates in water to produce hydrogen ions, H+, and

Page 9: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

88

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

chloride ions, Cl-. This reaction is expressed chemically as HC@-H + + Cl-(See

dissociation.).T

44422.. AACCIIDD BBOOTTTTLLEE IINNCCLLIINNAATTOORR ))كاشف الميل الزجاجي الحمضيكاشف الميل الزجاجي الحمضي((

A device used in a well to determine the degree of deviation from the vertical

of the well bore. The acid is used to etch a horizontal line on the container,

and from the angle the line makes with the wall of the container, the angle of

the well's course can be arrived at. T

44444.. AAcciidd ffrraaccttuurree ))التشقيق الحمضيالتشقيق الحمضي((

To open cracks in productive hard-limestone formations by using a

combination of oil and acid (or water and acid) under high pressure. (See

formation fracturing) T

4455.. AACCIIDD--RREECCOOVVEERRYY PPLLAANNTT ))وحدة استرجاع األحماضوحدة استرجاع األحماض((

An auxiliary facility at some refineries where sludge acid )وحلمتالحمض ال( is

separated into acid oil, tar, and weak sulfuric acid )حمض الكبريتيك( . The sulfuric

acid is then re-concentrated.

4466.. RReeccoovveerryy ))اإلحتياطياإلحتياطي((

The total volume of hydrocarbons that has been or is anticipated )يتوقع( to be

produced from a well or field. T

4477.. AACCIIDD SSLLUUDDGGEE ))وحلوحلمتمتالحمض الالحمض ال((

The residue left after treating petroleum with sulfuric acid for the removal of

Impurities )الشوائب( . The sludge is a black, viscous substance containing the

spent acid and the impurities which the acid has removed from the oil. T

Page 10: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

99

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

4488.. AACCIIDD TTRREEAATTMMEENNTT

A refining process in which unfinished petroleum products such as gasoline,

kerosene, diesel fuels, and lubricating stocks are treated with sulfuric acid to

improve color, odor, and other properties.

4499.. AAcciiddiittyy ))الحموضةالحموضة((

The relative acid strengths of liquids as measured by pH; a pH value below 7.

(See pH value.) T

5500.. AAcciiddiizzee ))ض البئرمحض البئريمحي((

To treat oil-bearing limestone or other formations, using a chemical reaction

with acid, to increase production. Hydrochloric or other acid is injected into

the formation under pressure. The acid etches the rock, enlarging the pore

spaces and passages )ممرات( through which the reservoir fluids flow. The acid

is then pumped out and the well swabbed )ينظف( and put back into production

)يوضع باإلنتاج مرة أخرى( . Chemical inhibitors combined with the acid prevent

corrosion of the pipe.

5511.. AACCIIDDIIZZIINNGG AA WWEELLLL ))تحميض البئرتحميض البئر((

A technique for increasing the flow of oil from a well by the use of a quantity

of acid pumped downhole and into the rock formation. Hydrochloric acid is

pumped or forced under high pressure into a limestone formation which

dissolves the limestone, enlarging the cavity and increasing the surface area

of the hole opposite the producing formation. The high pressure of the

treatment also forces the acid into cracks and fissures )فجوات( enlarging them

and resulting in an increased flow of oil into the well bore. T

Page 11: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

1010

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

5522.. AACCOOUUSSTTIICC PPLLEENNUUMM ))على المنصة البحريةعلى المنصة البحرية، ، الغرفة المانعة للضجيجالغرفة المانعة للضجيج((

TA sound-proof room; an off Ice or "sanctuary )الحرم أو الملجأ( " aboard an

offshore drilling platform protected from the noise of drilling engines and pipe

handling.T

5533.. aaccoouussttiicc ppoossiittiioonn rreeffeerreennccee ))إشارة موقع جهاز الحفر الصوتيةإشارة موقع جهاز الحفر الصوتية((

A system consisting of: a beacon )منارة( positioned on the seafloor to transmit

an acoustic signal )إشارة صوتية( , a set of three or four hydrophones mounted on

the hull of a floating offshore drilling vessel to receive the signal, and a

position display unit )وحدة عرض الموقع( to track )يتعقب أثر ما( the relative positions

of the rig and the drill site. Monitoring of the display unit ensures accurate

positioning of the rig over the site.

5544.. AACCOOUUSSTTIICC RREEEENNTTRRYY ))المركزة الصوتية للحفارة البحريةالمركزة الصوتية للحفارة البحرية((

A method used In offshore operations, particularly in deep water for

repositioning a drillship or semisubmersible drilling platform over a hole

previously drilled and cased. The technique employs acoustic signals emitted

)ترسل أو تطلق( by equipment on board the ship which are "bounced off

)ثبتت بعيدا( " the submerged wellhead indicating to receivers the location of the

hole. In hostile environments )عدوانيةأوساط ( such as a severe storm or

encroaching ice, a drillship may be forced to move off )يحرك بعيدا( location

before the well is completed. And although the operators of the drilling vessel

know the approximate location of the temporarily abandoned well, to be able

to reenter the hole without diver assistance, which often is not possible,

requires the pinpointing )يحدد بدقة( of the location by electronic means. T

Page 12: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

1111

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

5555.. AAccoouussttiicc ssuurrvveeyy )) الصوتيةالصوتية) ) الطريقةالطريقة((المسح المسح((

A well logging method that measures the time required for sound impulses

)النبضات الصوتية( to travel through a given length of rock to permit estimation of

the rock porosity of a given formation and of the type of fluid contained in the

rock. This process is also called sonic logging.

5566.. AAccrree--ffoooott )) بالقدمبالقدم) ) انانفدفد((أكر أكر((

A unit of volume often used in oil-reservoir analysis, equivalent to the volume

(as of oil or water) necessary to cover 1 acre to a depth of 1 foot.

5577.. AACCRREE--FFOOOOTT OOFF SSAANNDD

A unit of measurement applied to petroleum reserves; an acre of producing

formation one foot thick.

5588.. AAccrree--fftt

Tacre-foot. T

56600.. AAccrroossss ))خاللخالل((

over. The term usually describes conditions of flow on one side of a piece of

equipment as compared with conditions on the opposite side where a fluid is

flowing (e.g., a pressure drop across a separator). T

6611.. AACCSS ))جمعية الكيميائيين األمريكيينجمعية الكيميائيين األمريكيين((

TAmerican Chemical Society.

6622.. AACCTT

Automatic custody transfer, more commonly called LACT, lease automatic

custody transfer.

Page 13: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

1212

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

6633.. SSYYSSTTEEMM

TAutomatic Custody Transfer System (q.v.),

6644.. AAccttiivvaatteedd cchhaarrccooaall )) عالي اإلمتصاص واإلمتزازعالي اإلمتصاص واإلمتزاز) ) منشطمنشط((فحم فحم((

A form of carbon characterized by a high absorptive and adsorptive capacity

for gases, vapors, and colloidal solids.

6655.. AACCTTUUAATTOORR

See Operator.

6666.. AACCVV )) الهوائيالهوائي) ) الوسادةالوسادة((مركبات الدفع مركبات الدفع((

Air cushion vehicle. See Air Cushion Transport

))بواسطة وسادة هوائية(النقل بالدفع الهوائي ( . T

6677.. AADDAA MMUUDD ))إضافات الطفلة للحصول على عينات كور مناسبةإضافات الطفلة للحصول على عينات كور مناسبة((

A material which may be added to drilling mud to condition it in order to

obtain satisfactory core samples.

6688.. AADDAAPPTTEERR ))محول وصل جزئين مختلفتينمحول وصل جزئين مختلفتين((

A device to provide a connection between two dissimilar parts or between

similar parts of different sizes. See Swage. T

6699.. AADDDDIITTIIVVEE ))ضبط الخواص ضبط الخواصإضافاتإضافات ((

TA chemical added to oil, gasoline, or other products to enhance certain

characteristics or to give them other desirable properties. additive a

substance or compound added in small amounts to a larger volume of

another substance to change some characteristic of the latter. In the oil

industry, additives are used in lubricating oil, fuel, drilling mud, and cement

for cementing casing. T

Page 14: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

1313

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

7700.. AADDDDMMVVEE

A chemical added to oil, gasoline, or other products to enhance certain

characteristics or to give them other desirable properties. T

7711.. aaddhheerree ))يلصقيلصق((

To stick or bond to (as paint to a metallic surface).

7722.. aaddiiaabbaattiicc cchhaannggee ))تحول كظومتحول كظوم((

A change in the temperature of a gas, caused specifically by a change in the

pressure of the gas. T

7733.. aaddjjuussttaabbllee cchhookkee )) للتغييرللتغيير((إختناق قابل للتعديل إختناق قابل للتعديل((((

A choke in which a conical needle and seat vary the rate of flow. adsorption

the adhesion of a thin film )فيلم أو غشاء رقيق( of a gas or liquid to the surface of

a solid. Liquid hydrocarbons are recovered from natural gas by passing the

gas through activated charcoal, which extracts the heavier hydrocarbons.

Steam treatment of the charcoal removes the adsorbed hydrocarbons, which

are then collected and recondensed. T

7744.. AADDSSOORRPPTTIIOONN ))اإلمتزازاإلمتزاز((

The attraction exhibited by the surface of a solid for a liquid or a gas when

they are in contact.T

7755.. AADDVVAANNCCEE PPAAYYMMEENNTT AAGGRREEEEMMEENNTT ))اتفاقية الدفع المسبقاتفاقية الدفع المسبق((

A transaction )صفقة( in which one operator advances a sum of money

)مبلغ من المال( or credit to another operator to assist In developing an oil or gas

field. The agreement provides an option to the "lender" to buy a portion or all

of the production resulting from the development work. T

Page 15: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

1414

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

7777.. AAEECC ))وكالة الطاقة الذريةوكالة الطاقة الذرية((

TAtomic Energy Commission.

7788.. aaeerraattiioonn )) لمائع الحفر مثاللمائع الحفر مثال((التهوية التهوية((((

The technique of injecting air or gas into a fluid. For example, air is injected

into drilling fluid to reduce the density of the fluid. T

7799.. AAEERRIIFFYY ))التغويزالتغويز((

To change Into a gaseous form; to infuse with or force air into; gasify.

8800.. aaeerroobbiicc ))هوائيهوائي((

requiring free, atmospheric oxygen for normal activity. T

8811.. AAFFRRAA ))ييم معدل أجرة الشحن المتوسطة لناقالت البترولييم معدل أجرة الشحن المتوسطة لناقالت البترولتقتق((

TAverage freight rate assessment (for tankers). T

8822.. aafftt

toward or near the stern of a ship or offshore drilling rig. T

8833.. AAGGAA ))جمعية الغاز األمريكيةجمعية الغاز األمريكية((

American Gas Association.

8844.. aaggee ))فترة تصلب اإلسمنتفترة تصلب اإلسمنت((

to allow cement to mature, or reach a stage harder than that of immediate

setting. This process is sometimes called curing.

8855.. AAGGEENNCCYY CCOONNTTRRAACCTT

A type of agreement which in many cases has replaced the concession (q.v.)

as the form of petroleum development agreement in the Middle East and with

OPEC countries elsewhere. Under an agency contract, title to oil installations

Page 16: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

1515

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

and oil produced arc held by the host government, but !he government bears

none of the costs of initial exploration. Also, the foreign company does not

have a long-term, exclusive right to exploit the minerals as is the case under

a concession agreement.

8866.. AAIICChhEE ))المعهد األمريكي للمهندسين الكيميائيينالمعهد األمريكي للمهندسين الكيميائيين((

TAmerican Institute of Chemical Engineers. T

8877.. AAIIMMEE

Tthe American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, New

York City-based parent group of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. The SPE,

headquartered )مركز العمليات( in Dallas, Tex., publishes the Journal of Petroleum

Technology. T

8888.. AAIIMMMMEE

TAmerican Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers. T

889900.. AAiirr

balanced beam-pumping unit (See sucker-rod pumping.)

9911.. AAIIRR--BBAALLAANNCCEEDD BBEEAAMM PPUUMMPPIINNGG UUNNIITT

))وحدة الضخ المعلق ذات التوازن الهوائيوحدة الضخ المعلق ذات التوازن الهوائي((

An oil well pumping jack equipped with a piston and rod that works in an air

chamber to balance the weight of the string of sucker rods. The device is

attached to the well end of the walking beam and, acting as a shock

absorber, does away with )يتخلص من( (eliminate) the need for counterweights

on the rear end of the walking beam.

Page 17: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

1616

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

9922.. AAIIRR BBOOTTTTLLEE

A steel cylinder of oxygen for oxyacetylene welding, an air chamber (q.v.); a

"bottle" or welded steel tank with air under pressure for use in starting certain

types of gas engines on leases or at pumping stations. The compressed air at

a pressure of 200 pounds or so per square inch is piped from the tank to the

engine's cylinderhead. To start the engine a hand-operated, quick-opening

and closing valve is instantly opened admitting the high pressure air into the

firing chamber. This pushes the piston as on a power stroke. After a burst of

air. the valve is shut off until the piston moves back on another compression

stroke. Then the valve is opened for another shot of air. By this time the

engine is rolling so the fuel (gas) valve is opened, fires engine fires and

begins running.

9933.. AAIIRR BBUURRSSTTSS

A geophysical technique used in marine seismic work in which bursts of

compressed air from an air gun towed by the seismographic vessel are used

to produce sound waves. Air bursts do not destroy marine life as did explosive

charges. T

9944.. AAIIRR CCHHAAMMBBEERR

TA small tank or "bottle" connected to a reciprocating pump's discharge

chamber or fine to absorb and dampen the surges in pressure from the

rhythmic pumping action. Air chambers are charged with sufficient air

pressure to provide an air cushion that minimizes the pounding and vibration

associated with the pumping of fluids with plunger pumps. T

9955.. AAIIRR--CCOOOOLLEEDD EENNGGIINNEE

TAn engine in which heat from the combustion chamber and friction is

dissipated to the atmosphere through metal tins integral to the engine's

cylinder head and block assemblies. The heat generated flows though the

Page 18: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

1717

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

engine head and cylinder walls and into the fins by conductance and is given

off by the fins acting as radiators. A small, two-cycle engine without water

jacketing, water pump, or conventional radiator. T

9966.. AAIIRR CCUUSSHHIIOONN TTRRAANNSSPPOORRTT

TA vehicle employing the hover craft principle of down-thrusting air stream

support, developed to transport equipment and supplies in the arctic regions.

The air cushion protects the tundra from being cut by the wheels or treads of

conventional vehicles. T

9977.. AAiirr--ccuutt

Thaving inadvertent mechanical incorporation of air into a fluid system.

9988.. AAIIRR DDRRIILLLLIINNGG

TThe use of air as a drilling fluid. In certain types of formations, air drilling is

considered a better medium than conventional drilling mud. It is more

economical (mud is expensive and the preparation of the slurry and

maintaining its condition is time consuming), drilling rates are higher,

penetration is faster, and bit life is longer. Although air does a good job of

cooling the bit and bringing out the pulverized rock, it has severe limitations.

With air drilling, water in the subsurface formations and downhole gas

pressure cannot be controlled. When drilling in an area where these two types

of intrusions may occur, a mud system must be on standby to avert possible

trouble. air drilling a method of rotary drilling that uses compressed air as its

circulation medium. This method of removing cuttings from the wellbore is as

efficient or more efficient than the traditional methods using water or drilling

mud; in addition, of penetration is increased considerably when air drilling is

used. However, a principal problem in air drilling is the penetration of

formations containing water, since the entry of water into the system reduces

its efficiency. T

Page 19: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

1818

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

9999.. AAiirr ggaapp

Tthe distance from the normal level of the sea surface to the bottom of the hull

or base of an offshore drilling platform. T

110000.. AAIIRR HHOOIISSTT

TA hoist. a mechanism for lifting operated by a compressed air motor; T

110011.. AAIIRR--IINNJJEECCTTIIOONN MMEETTHHOODD

TA type of secondary recovery Ii production by forcing the oil from the

reservoir into the well bore. Cc-,c-3u-,t, of the dangers inherent in the use of

air, this method is not a common practice except in areas where there is

insufficient gas for repressuring. T

110022.. AAIIRR WWRREENNCCHH

TSee Impact Wrench.

110033.. AAIIRREEDD UUPP

TRefers to a condition in a plunger pump when the suction chamber is full of

air or gas blocking the intake of oil into the chamber. Before the pump will

operate efficiently, the air must be bled off and vented to the atmosphere

through a bleeder line or by loosening the suction valve covers to permit the

escape of the air. T

110044.. AALLIIPPHHAATTIICCSS

TOne of the two classes of organic petrochemicals the other is the aromatics

(q.v.), the most important aliphatics are the gases, ethylene. Butylene,

acetylene and propylene. T

110055.. AALLKKYYLLAATTIIOONN

TA refining process that, simply stated, is the reverse of cracking. The

alkylation process starts with small molecules and ends up with larger ones.

To a refining engineer, alkylation is the reaction of butylene or propylene with

Page 20: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

1919

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

isobutane to form an isoparaffin, alkylate, a superior gasoline blending

component. T

110066.. AALLLL--TTHHRREEAADD NNIIPPPPLLEE

TA short piece of small-diameter pipe with threads over its entire length; a

close nipple. T

110077.. AALLLLOOWWAABBLLEE

TThe amount of oil or gas a well or leasehold is permitted to produce under

proration order of a state regulatory body. Under a lease allowable, the lease

is considered producing unit. In some instances if a lease has eight wells, for

example and one of eight is unable to make its production for some reason

the other seven wells can increase their flow to make up the loss of the ailing

well. allowable the amount of oil or gas produced from a well per unit of time.

In a state using proration, this figure is established monthly by its

conservation agency. T

110088.. AALLLLUUVVIIAALL FFAANN

TPertains to the silt, clay, sand, and other sediment deposited by a stream as it

spreads out on a plain or overflows its banks and then recedes. Also the silt

laid down by a tributary stream as it joins the mainstreamT

110099.. aallpphhaa ppaarrttiiccllee

Tone of the extremely small particles of an atom that is ejected from a

radioactive substance (as radium or uranium) as it 'disintegrates. Alpha

particles have a positive charge. T

1111111.. AALLTTEERRNNAATTEE FFIIEELLDDSS

TFuels-gas, gasoline, heating oil-made from coal, oil shales, or tar sands by

various methods. Alternate fuels may also include steam from geothermal

Page 21: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

2020

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

wells where super-heated water deep in the earth is used to generate steam

for electric power generation. T

1111133.. AALLUUMMIINNUUMM CCHHLLOORRIIDDEE

TA chemical used as a catalytic agent in oil refining and for the removal of odor

and color from cracked gasoline.

1111155.. aammbbiieenntt tteemmppeerraattuurree

Tthe temperature of the medium by which an object is surrounded.

111166.. AAMMEERRIIPPOOLL

TThe trade name for products made from a type of synthetic rubber.

111177.. AAMMIINNEE

TOrganic bases used in refining operations to absorb acidic gases (H2S, COS,

C02) occurring in process streams. Two common amines are

monoethanolamine (MEA) and diethanolamine (DEA). T

111188.. AAMMIINNEE UUNNIITT

TA natural gas treatment unit for removing contaminants-H-S, COS,

CO@th6'us-o of amines (q.v.). Amine units are often f,,kid-motinter.1 so they

can be moved to the site of new gas production. Gas containing H2S and

other impurities must be cleaned up before it is acceptable to gas

transmission pipelines. T

111199.. AAMMMMOONNIIUUMM SSUULLFFAATTEE

TA salt having commercial value which is obtained in the distillation of shale

oils.

112200.. AAMMOONNDD DDRRIILLLL BBIITT

Drill bit with many small industrial (man-made) diamonds set in the nose or

cutting surface of the bit. Diamonds are many times harder than @ hardest

Page 22: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

2121

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

steel, so a diamond bit makes possible longer bit runs before round trip is

necessary to change bits. T

1112222.. aammoorrttiizzaattiioonn

T1. The return of a debt, principal, and interest in equal annual installments. 2.

the return of invested principal in a sinking fund. T

1112244.. aammppeerree

Ta unit of electrical current equivalent to the steady current produced by 1 volt

applied across a resistance of 1 ohm. T

112255.. aammppeerree hhoouurr

Ta unit of electricity equal to the amount produced in 1 hour by a flow of 1

ampere. T

1112277.. AAMMYYLL HHYYDDRRIIDDEE

TThis fraction in the distillation of petroleum was used as an anesthetic by

J.Bigelow and B. Richardson in the year 1865. T

1112299.. aannaaeerroobbiicc bbaacctteerriiaa

Tany of several types of bacteria that do not require free oxygen to live or are

not destroyed by its absence. Under certain conditions, anaerobic bacteria can

cause scale to form in water-handling facilities in oil fields. T

1113311.. aanncchhoorr

Tany device that secures or fastens equipment. In downhole equipment, the

term often refers to the tail pipe. In offshore drilling, floating drilling vessels

are sometimes secured over drill sites by large metal anchors like those used

on ships. T

113322.. AANNCCHHOORR BBOOLLTT

TA stud bolt; a large bolt for securing an engine or other item of equipment to

its foundation. T

Page 23: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

2222

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

1113344.. aanncchhoorr bbuuooyy

Ta floating marker used in a spread mooring system to position each anchor of

a semisubmersible rig or drill ship.

1113366.. aanncchhoorr wwaasshh

Tpipe spear a fishing tool attached to washover pipe by means of slips and

released from the pipe once the fish is engaged by the tool. It provides a way

to perform a washover and retrieve a stuck fish off the bottom in one round

trip. T

113377.. AANNEEMMOOMMEETTEERR

TAn instrument for measuring and indicating the force or speed of the wind. T

113388.. aannggllee--aazziimmuutthh iinnddiiccaattoorr

T(See riser-angle indicator.)

113399.. aannggllee ooff ddeefflleeccttiioonn

Tin directional drilling, the angle at which a well is deflected from the vertical

by a whipstock or other deflecting tool. T

114400.. aannggllee ooff ddeevviiaattiioonn

T(See deviation.) T

114411.. aannggllee ooff ddrriifftt

T(See deviation.)

1114433.. TTaannggllee ssuubb

T(See bent sub.)

1114455.. AAnngguullaarr uunnccoonnffoorrmmiittyy

Tan unconformity in which formations on opposite sides are not parallel. T

Page 24: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

2323

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

114466.. aannhhyyddrriittee

Tthe common name for calcium sulfate, CaSO4, sometimes called gypsum or

gyp. Anhydrite formations are sometimes encountered during drilling T

114477.. aannhhyyddrroouuss

Twithout water.

114488.. aanniilliinnee ppooiinntt

Tthe lowest temperature at which the chemical aniline and a solvent (such as

the oil in oil-base muds) will mix completely. Generally, the oil of oil-base

muds should have an aniline point of at least 150 F to obtain maximum

service life from the rubber components in the mud system. T

114499.. aanniioonn

T(See ion.)

115500.. AAnnnnuullaarr BBlloowwoouutt PPrreevveenntteerr )) عامعام، ، شمولشمول((مانع إندفاع حلقي مانع إندفاع حلقي((((

Ta large valve, usually installed above the ram preventers, which forms a seal

in the annular space between the pipe and wellbore or, if no pipe is present,

on the wellbore itself T

115511.. AANNNNUULLAARR SSPPAACCEE ))الفراغ الحلقيالفراغ الحلقي((

TThe space between the well's casing and the wall of the borehole. The ring of

space surrounding the well's casing, defined by wall of the borehole. See

Annulus of a Well. the space surrounding a cylindrical object within a cylinder.

2. the space around a pipe in a wellbore, sometimes termed the annulus, the

outer wall of which may be the wall of either the borehole or the casing. T

1115533.. AAnnnnuulluuss

T(See annular space.) T

Page 25: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

2424

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

115544.. AANNNNUULLUUSS OOFF AA WWEELLLL

TThe space between the surface casing or conductor casing and the producing

or well-bore casing. Annular and annulus are often used interchangeably as

both derive from the Latin stem word annularis which means "relating to or

forming a ring." T

1115566.. aannooddee

Tthe positive element of any electrical device from which electricity flows. T

115577.. AANNOODDEE,, BBUUOOYYAANNTT

TA source of electric current (DC) for protecting offshore plat forms and other

steel structures resting on the sea floor against corrosion. The anode is

anchored to the se t floor a few hundred feet away from the structure but is

held off bottom by is buoyancy. The anode is connected to a source of DC

current on the platform by an insulated cable. The weak current is supplied

by a transformer-rectifier, the negative terminal of which is grounded to the

steel structure. This the completion of the circuit from rectifier to anode to

structure is through the sea water. The weak current moving from anode to

the structure reverses the flow of current associated with the corrosion of

metal. See also Rectifier Bed. T

115588.. aannoommaallyy

Ta deviation from the norm. In geology, the term indicates an abnormality

such as a fault or dome in a sedimentary bed.

115599.. AANNSSII

TAmerican National Standards Institute.

1116611.. TTAANNTTIICCLLIINNAALL FFOOLLDD TT

TA subsurface formation resembling an anticline. T

Page 26: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

2525

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

1116633.. aannttiicclliinnaall ttrraapp

Ta hydrocarbon trap in which petroleum accumulates in the top of an anticline. T

116644.. aannttiicclliinnee

Tan arched, inverted-trough configuration of folded and stratified rocks; the

opposite of a syncline. T

116655.. aannttiiffrreeeezzee

Ta chemical compound that prevents the water in the cooling system of an

engine from freezing; ethylene glycol.

116666.. AANNTTIIKKNNOOCCKK CCOOMMPPOOUUNNDDSS

TCertain chemicals which are added to automotive gasolines to improve their

performance, to reduce 'ping" or knock in high-compression, internal

combustion engines. Tetraethyl lead is one well-known compound. The

addition of small amounts of these chemicals has the effect of slowing down

the explosion or burning of the air-gasoline vapor mixture in the combustion

chamber, thus giving the piston a "push" instead of a sudden explosive blow.

The compounds contribute also to smoother performance, of the engine and

more mile; per gallon of fuel. antiknock compound any substance added to

the fuel of an internal-combustion engine to prevent detonation of the fuel;

specifically, tetraethyl lead. Antiknock compounds effectively raise the octane

rating of a fuel so that the fuel burns properly in the combustion chamber of

the engine. T

116677.. AAOOSSCC

Tthe Association of Oil Well Servicing Contractors, based in Dallas, Tex., which

sets some standards, principles, and policies of oil-well servicing contractors. T

Page 27: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

2626

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

1116699.. TTAAPPII TT

TAmerican Petroleum Institute the oil industry's trade association. The API,

through its research and engineering work, establishes operating and safety

standards for all segments of the petroleum industry; issues specifications for

manufacture of pipe, pressure vessels, and other equipment; and furnishes

statistical and other information to government agencies having to do with

the industry. the American Petroleum Institute. Founded in 1920, this national

oil trade organization' is the leading standardizing organization on oil-filed

drilling and producing equipment. It maintains departments of transportation,

refining, and marketing in Washington, D.C., and a department of production

in Dallas. 2. (slang) indicative of a job being properly or thoroughly (as, "His

work is strictly API"). 3. (slang) when used sarcastically, indicative of

substandard performance that is predictable or usual (as, "It's API for that

engine to be broken down"). 4. degrees API; used to designate API gravity. T

1117711.. TTAAPPII BBIIDD SSHHEEEETTAANNDD WWEELLLL SSPPEECCIIFFIICCAATTIIOONNSS TT

TA form many operators use in soliciting bids on a well to be drifted and

completed. The form is submitted to drilling contractors in the area of the

proposed well. The operator asking for bids fills out the part of the form

giving the name and location of the well, commencement date, depth or

formation to be drilled into, and other information. When a drilling contractor

submits a bid, he lists the rig and equipment to be furnished by him draw

works, slush pumps, derrick or mast size, make. capacity, drill-pipe, tool

joints, etc. The bid sheet brings operator and contractor together. as it were;

then they arrive at rates and other matters.

Page 28: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

2727

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

117722.. AAPPII cceemmeenntt ccllaassss

Ta classification system for oil-well cements, defined in API Specification 10A.

1117744.. TTAAPPII GGRRAAVVIITTYY TT

TGravity (weight per unit of volume) of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons

as measured by a system recommended by the API. API gravity bears a

relationship to true specific gravity but is more convenient to work with than

the decimal fractions which would result if petroleum were expressed in

specific gravity. API gravity the measure of gravity of liquid petroleum

products on the North American continent, derived from specific gravity in

accordance with the following equatio T

1117766.. AAPPPPRRAAIISSAALL DDRRIILLLLIINNGG

TWells drilled in the vicinity of a discovery or wildcat well in order to evaluate

the extent and the importance of the find. T

117777.. AAPPRROONN RRIINNGG

TThe bottom most ring of steel plates in the wall of an upright, cylindrical tank. T

117788.. AAQQUUAAGGEELL

TA specially prepared bentonite (clay) widely used as a conditioning material in

drilling mud. T

117799.. AAQQUUIIFFEERR

TA water-bearing rock strata. In a water-drive field the aquifer is the water

zone of a reservoir, underlying the oil zone. When wells are drilled in the

reservoir, the water pushes the oil toward the wells boreholes. If the wells are

produced at an excessive rate the water may bypass the oil and break into

the well bore, leaving much of the oil behind. See Channeling, also Water

Coning. aquifer 1. a rock that contains water. 2. the part of a water-drive

reservoir that contains the water. T

Page 29: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

2828

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

118800.. AARRBBIITTRRAAGGEE,, PPRROODDUUCCTT ((PPEETTRROOLLEEUUMM))

TThe buying, selling, or trading of petroleum or products in various markets to

make a profit from short-term differences in prices in one market as

compared to those in another. A sophisticated method of trading in world

petroleum markets. T

118811.. aarrcc wweelldd

Tto join metals by utilizing the arc created between the welding rod, which

serves as an electrode, and a metal object. The arc is a discharge of electric

current across an air gap. The high temperature generated by the arc melts

both the electrode and the metal, which fuse. T

1118833.. TTAARRCC WWEELLDDEERR

T(1) An electric welding unit consisting of a gasoline direct connected to a DC

generator. In the field the welding unit is usually skid mounted. (2) A person

who uses such a machine in making electric welds. The term arc welding

derives from the arc of electricity which spans the gap between the tip of the

welding rod (the electrode) and the piece of metal being welded. The flow of

electricity jumping the gap produces the heal to melt the rod onto the moiten

area of the metal. T

118844.. AARREEAALL GGEEOOLLOOGGYY

TThe branch of geology that pertains to the distribution, position, and form of

the areas of the earth's surface occupied by different types of rocks or

geologic formations; also, the making of maps of such areas.

1118866.. aarreennaacceeoouuss

Tpertaining to sand or sandy rocks (as, arenaceous shale). T

Page 30: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

2929

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

118877.. AARREEOOMMEETTEERR

TAn instrument for measuring the specific gravity of liquids; a hydrometer

(q.v.). T

1118899.. aarrggiillllaacceeoouuss

Tpertaining to a nonproductive formation that consists of clay or shale (as,

argillaccous sand).

119900.. AARRGGOONN

TAn inert, colorless. odorless gaseous element sometimes and in some

locations produced with natural gas. T

1119922.. AARROOMMAATTIICCSS

TA group of hydrocarbon fractions that forms the basis of most organic

chemicals so far synthesized. The name aromatics derives from their rather

pleasant odor. The unique ring structure of their carbon atoms makes it

possible to transform aromatics into an almost endless number of chemicals.

Benzene, toluene, and xylene are the principal aromatics and are commonly

referred to as the BTX group (q.v.). T

119933.. AARRTTIIFFIICCIIAALL DDRRIIVVEESS

TMethods of producing oil from a reservoir when natural drives-gas-cap,

solution gas, water drive, etc.-are not present or have been depleted.

Waterflood, repessuring or recycling, and in situ combustion are examples of

artificial drives. T

119944.. aarrttiiffiicciiaall lliifftt

Tany method used to raise oil to the surface through a well, after reservoir

pressure has declined to the point at which the well no longer produces by

means of natural energy. Sucker-rod pumps, hydraulic pumps, submersible

pumps, and gas lift are the most common methods of artificial lift. T

Page 31: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

3030

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

1119966.. aassbbeessttooss ffeelltt ))اد األسبستوس، ، األسبستوساألسبستوساد األسبستوسلبلب((

Ta wrapping material that protects pipeline coatings, consisting of asbestos

saturated with asphalt.

119977.. AASSKK SSYYSSTTEEMM

TAutomatic station-keeping system; the name applied to a sophisticated

drillship positioning technique consisting of subsurface acoustical equipment

linked to shipboard computers that control ship's thrusters. The thrusters fore

and aft reposition the ship, compensating for drift, wind drag, current, and

wave action. See Dynamic Stationing. T

119988.. AASSMMEE

TAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers. the American Society of

Mechanical Engineers, a New York City-based organization whose equipment

standards are sometimes used by the oil industry. Its official publication is

Mechanical Engineering.

119999.. AASSPPHHAALLTT

A solid hydrocarbon found as a natural deposit. Crude of high asphaltic

content when subjected to distillation to remove the lighter fractions such as

naphtha and kerosene leave asphalt as a residue. Asphalt is dark brown or

black in color and at normal temperatures is a solid. See Brea.

220000.. aasspphhaalltt eennaammeell

an asphalt-base enamel applied as a coating to pipe that is to be buried. The

asphalt is combined with finely ground mica, clay, soapstone, or talc and

applied while hot. Combined with a subsequent wrapping of asbestos felt, this

coating protects the buried pipe from corrosion.

Page 32: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

3131

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

220011.. aasspphhaalltt mmaatteerriiaall

one of a group of solid, liquid, or semisolid materials that are predominantly

mixtures of hydrocarbons and their nonmetallic derivatives and are obtained

either from natural bituminous deposits or from the residues of petroleum

refining.

220022.. AASSPPHHAALLTT--BBAASSEE CCRRUUDDEE

Crude oil containing very little paraffin wax and a residue primarily asphaltic.

Sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen are often relatively high. This type crude is

particularly suitable for making high-quality gasoline, lubricating oil, and

asphalt. See Paraffin-base Crude.

220033.. aasspphhaalltt--bbaassee ooiill

(See naphthalene-base oil.)

2220055.. AASSPPHHAALLTTEENNEESS

TAt the very bottom of the crude oil barrel are the asphaltenes, composed of

complex molecules. Asphaltenes are polyaromatic compounds with high

carbon-hydrogen ratios in their molecules from which asphalt is made. T

2220077.. AASSPPHHAALLTTIICC PPEETTRROOLLEEUUMM

TPetroleum which contains sufficient amounts of asphalt in solution to make

recovery commercially practical by merely distilling off the solvent oils. T

2220099.. AASSPPHHAALLTTIICC SSAANNDDSS

TNatural mixtures of asphalts with varying proportions of loose sand. The

quantity of bituminous cementing material extracted from the sand may run

as high as 12 percent. This bitumen is composed of soft asphalt. T

2221111.. AASSSSEE

Tthe American Society of Safety Engineers, which establishes safety practices

for several industries. It maintains national offices in Chicago. T

Page 33: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

3232

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

221122.. AASSSSEEMMBBLLYY

TA term to describe a number of special pieces of equipment fitted together to

perform a particular function; e.g., a drill assembly may include other pieces

of downhole equipment besides the drill bit, such as drill collars. damping

subs, stabilizers, etc. T

2221144.. AASSSSEETT,, WWAASSTTIINNGG

TSee Wasting Asset. T

2221166.. AASSSSIIGGNNEEEE

TA recipient of an interest in property or a contract; in oil and gas usage. the

recipient of an oil or gas lease; a transferee. T

2221188.. AASSSSOOCCIIAATTEEDD GGAASS

TGas that occurs with oil, either as free gas or in solution. Gas occurring alone

in a reservoir is unassociated gas. T

221199.. aasstteerrnn

Tin the rear of, or abaft, the stern of an offshore drilling rig; moving

backwards.

222200.. AASSTTMM

Tthe American Society for Testing and Materials, based in Philadelphia, which

sets guidelines for the use of equipment and materials for oil fields. T

222211.. AASSTTMM DDIISSTTIILLLLAATTIIOONN

TA test of an oil's distillation properties standardized by the American Society

for Testing and Materials. A sample of oil is heated in a flask, the vapors pass

through a tube where they are cooled and condensed, the liquid is collected

in a graduate. When the first drop of "distillate" is obtained the temperature

at which this "initial boiling point" of the oil. The test is continued until all

Page 34: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

3333

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

distillable fractions over and have been measured and their properties

examined. T

222222.. aatthhwwaarrtt

Treaching from one side to the other side of an offshore drilling rig. T

2222244.. aattmm

Tatmosphere.

2222266.. AATTMMOOSSPPHHEERREE,, OONNEE

TThe pressure of the ambient air at sea level; 14.69 pounds per square inch.

Air at sea level, 29 92 inches of mercury or 33.90 feet T

2222288.. aattmmoosspphheerriicc pprreessssuurree

Tthe pressure exerted over the surface of the earth by the weight of the

atmosphere. At sea level, this pressure is approximately 14.7 psi. T

2223300.. aattmmoosspphheerriicc pprreessssuurree ccuurree

Tthe aging of specimens for test purposes at normal atmospheric pressure for

a designated period of time under specified conditions of temperature and

humidity. T

2223322.. AATTMMOOSSPPHHEERRIICC SSTTIILLLL

TA refining vessel in which crude oil is heated and product is distilled off at the

pressure of one atmosphere.

2223344.. aattoomm

Tthe smallest quantity of an element capable of either entering into a chemical

combination or existing alone. T

Page 35: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

3434

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

223355.. aattoommiicc wweeiigghhtt

Tthe average, relative weight of an element as compared to another element

taken as a standard. Usually carbon, with a weight of 12, is used as the basis.

Every element is assigned an atomic weight. T

2223377.. aattoommiizzee

Tto spray a liquid through a restricted opening, causing it to break into tiny

droplets and mix thoroughly with the surrounding air. T

2223399.. AATTOOMMIIZZEERR,, FFUUEELL OOIILL

TA nozzle or spraying device used to break up fuel oil into a fine spray so the

oil may be brought into more intimate contact with the air in the combustion

chamber. See Ultrasonic Atomizer. T

2224411.. aattttaappuullggiittee

Ta fibrous clay mineral that is a viscosity-building substance, used principally in

saltwater-base drilling muds. T

224422.. AAUUSSTTRRAALLIIAANN OOFFFFSSEETT

TA humorous reference to a well drilled miles away from proven production.

2224444.. AAuutthhiiggeenniicc

TRefers to rocks/minerals which were formed or were generated in place.

2224466.. aauuttoommaattiicc ccoonnttrrooll

TA device that regulates various factors (as flow rate, pressure, or

temperature) of a system without supervision or operation by personnel. (See

instrumentation.)

Page 36: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

3535

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

224477.. aauuttoommaattiicc ccoonnttrrooll

A device that regulates various factors (as flow rate, pressure, or

temperature) of a system without supervision or operation by personnel. (See

instrumentation.)

2224499.. aauuttoommaattiicc ccuussttooddyy ttrraannssffeerr

TA system for automatically measuring and sampling oil or products at points

of receipt or delivery. (See lease automatic custody transfer.) A system of oil

handling on a lease; receiving into tankage, measuring, testing, and turning

into a pipeline the crude produced on a lease. Such automatic handling of oil

is usually confined to leases with settled production. T

2225511.. aauuttoommaattiicc ddrriilllleerr

T(See automatic drilling. control unit.)

225522.. aauuttoommaattiicc-- ddrriilllliinngg--ccoonnttrrooll uunniitt

Ta mechanism used to regulate the amount of weight on the bit and not

requiring attendance by personnel. Automatic drillers free the driller from the

sometimes tedious task of manipulating the drawworks brake in order to

maintain correct weight on the bit. T

2225544.. aauuttoommaattiicc ggaauuggee

Tan instrument installed at eye level on the outside of a tank to permit

observation of the depth of the liquid inside. T

2225566.. aauuttoommaattiicc ggaauuggee

Tan instrument installed at eye level on the outside of a tank to permit

observation of the depth of the liquid inside.

2225588.. aauuttoommaattiicc ppuummppiinngg ssttaattiioonn

Tan automatically operated station installed on a pipeline to increase line

pressure when a fluid is being transported. T

Page 37: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

3636

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

2226600.. aauuttoommaattiicc sshhuuttddoowwnn

Ta system in which certain instruments are used to control or maintain the

operating conditions of a process. If conditions become abnormal, this system

automatically stops the process and notifies the operator of the problem. T

226611.. aauuttoommaattiicc sslliippss

Tan air- or hydraulic-fluid-operated device that fits into the opening in the

rotary table when the drill stem must be suspended in the wellbore (as when

a connection, or trip, is being made). Automatic slips, also called power slips,

eliminate the need for roughnecks to set and take out slips manually. (See

slips.) T

226622.. AAUUTTOOMMAATTIICC TTAANNKK BBAATTTTEERRYY

TA lease tank battery (two or more tanks) equipped with automatic measuring,

switching (full tank to empty and full tank into the pipeline), and recording

devices. See Automatic Custody Transfer. T

2226644.. AAUUTTOOMMAATTIICC WWEELLDDIINNGG MMAACCHHIINNEE

TAfter two joints of pipe are joined by tack welds, automatic wire-welding

machines are used to put on the filler beads.

2226666.. aauuttoommaattiioonn

Tautomatic self-regulating control of equipment, systems, or processes. (See

instrumentation.) T

226677.. aauuxxiilliiaarryy eeqquuiippmmeenntt

Tequipment subsidiary or supplementary to the main equipment used in an

operation.

2226699.. aavvgg

Average.

Page 38: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

3737

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

2227711.. AAXXLLEE GGRREEAASSEE

TA cold-setting grease made of rosin oil, hydrated lime, and petroleum oils.

See Grease. T

227722.. aazzeeoottrrooppee

Ta liquid mixture that exhibits a maximum or minimum boiling point. A mixture

of an azeotrophic liquid and another liquid or liquids boils at a temperature

either higher or lower than that of its components. T

227733.. aazziimmuutthh

Tin directional drilling, the direction of the face of the deviation tool with

respect to magnetic north as recorded bra deviation instrument.

Page 39: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

3838

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

T 227744.. BB

Tbottom of; used in drilling reports.

2227766.. BB..HH..PP..

TBrake horsepower (q.v.). T

2227788.. BB//DD

Tbarrels per day.

227799.. BBAABBBBIITTTT

A soft, silver-colored metal alloy of relatively low melting point used for

engine and pump bearing; an alloy containing tin, copper and antimony.

228800.. BBAACCKK--IINN FFAARRMM--OOUUTT

A farm-out agreement (q.v.) in which a retained nonoperating interest of the

lessor may be converted, at a later date, into a specified individual working

interest (q.v.).

2228822.. BBAACCKK--IINN PPRROOVVIISSIIOONN

A term used to describe a provision in a farm-out agreement whereby the

person granting the farm-out (the farmer) retains an option to exchange a

retained override for a share of the working interest.

228833.. bbaacckk--iinn uunniitt

a portable servicing or workover rig that is self-propelled, using the hoisting

engines for motive power. Because the driver's cab is mounted on the end

opposite the mast support, the unit must be backed up to the wellhead. (See

carrier rig.)

228844.. BBAACCKK OOFFFF

To raise the drill bit off the bottom of the hole; to slack of 1 on a cable or

winch line; to unscrew.

Page 40: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

3939

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

228855.. bbaacckk--ooffff jjooiinntt

a section of pipe with left-hand threads on one end and conventional right-

hand threads on the other. In setting a liner, a back-off joint is attached to it

so that the drill pipe may be disengaged from the liner by conventional right-

hand rotation.

228866.. BBAACCKK--OOFFFF WWHHEEEELL

See Stripper Wheel.

228877.. BBAACCKK PPRREESSSSUURREE

The pressure against the face of the reservoir rock caused by the control

valves at the wellhead, hydrostatic head of the fluid in the hole, Chokes and

piping. Maintenance of backpressure reduces the pressure differential

between the formation and the borehole so that oil moves into the well with a

smaller pressure loss. This results in the expenditure of smaller volumes of

gas from the reservoir, improves the gas-oil ratio, and ensures the recovery

of more oil.

228888.. BBAACCKK--PPRREESSSSUURREE VVAALLVVEE

A check valve (q.v.).

228899.. bbaacckk uupp

to hold one section of an object (as pipe) while another is being screwed into

or out of it. A backup wrench is any wrench used to hold a pipe or bolt to

prevent its turning while another length of pipe or a nut is being tightened or

loosened.

229900.. BBAACCKK--UUPP MMAANN

The person who holds (with a wrench) one length of pipe while another

length is being screwed into or out of it.

Page 41: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

4040

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

229911.. BBAACCKKFFIILLLL

To replace the earth dug from a ditch or trench; also, the earth removed from

an excavation.

229922.. BBAACCKKHHOOEE

A self-propelled ditching machine with a hydraulically operated arm equipped

with a toothed shovel that scoops earth as the shovel is pulled back toward

the machine.

2229944.. BBAACCKKSSIIDDEE PPUUMMPPIINNGG

See Pumping, Backside.

2229966.. bbaacckkuupp ttoonnggss

the tongs used to back up the drill pipe as it is being made up or taken out of

the drill stem. (See make up and tongs.)

2229988.. BBAACCKKWWAASSHHIINNGG

Reversing the fluid flow through a filter to clean out sediment that has

clogged the filter or reduced its efficiency. Back washing is done on closed

system filters and on open-bed, gravity filters.

229999.. bbaacctteerriiaa

a large, widely distributed group of typically one-celled microorganisms. (See

anaerobic bacteria and sulfate reducing bacteria.)

3330011.. bbaacctteerriicciiddee

anything that destroys bacteria.

3330033.. BBAADD OOIILL

Cut oil (q.v.).

Page 42: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

4141

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

3330055.. bbaaffffllee ppllaattee

a partial restriction, generally a plate, placed to change the direction, guide

the flow, or promote mixing within a tank or vessel.

330066.. BBAAFFFFLLEESS

Plates or obstructions built into a tank or other vessel that change the

direction of the flow of fluids or gases.

330077.. BBAAIILL

To evacuate the liquid contents of a drill hole with the use of a long.

cylindrical bucket (bailer).

330088.. BBAAIILL DDOOWWNN

To reduce the level of liquid in a well bore by bailing.

3331100.. bbaaiilleedd--uupp bbiitt

(See ball up.)

331111.. bbaaiilleerr

a long cylindrical container, fitted with a valve at its lower end, used to

remove water, sand, mud, or oil from a well. bailing

331122.. BBAAIILLEERR DDAARRTT

The protruding "tongue" of the valve on the bottom of a bailer. When the dart

reaches the bottom of the hole. it is thrust upward opening the valve to admit

the mud-water Slurry.

331133.. bbaaiilliinngg lliinnee

the cable attached to the bailer, passed over a sheave at the top of the

derrick, and spooled on the reel.

Page 43: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

4242

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

3331155.. bbaaiillss..

to recover bottomhole fluids, samples, or drill cuttings by lowering a

cylindrical vessel called a bailer to the bottom of a well, filling it, and

retrieving it.

331166.. BBAAIITT BBOOXX

A pipeliner's lunch pail.

331177.. BBAALLLL AANNDD SSEEAATT

A type of valve used in a plunger pump.

331188.. bbaallll ccoocckk

a device for regulating the level of fluid in a tank, consisting of a valve

connected with a hollow floating ball, which by rising or falling shuts or opens

the valve.

331199.. bbaallll jjooiinntt

(See flex joint.) ball sealers balls made of nylon, hard rubber, or both, and

used to shut off perforations through which excessive fluid is lost.

332200.. bbaallll uupp

to collect a mass of sticky consolidated material, usually drill cuttings, on drill

pipe, drill collars, tool joints, etc. A bit with such material attached to it is

termed a bailed-up bit. The condition frequently is a result of inadequate

pump pressure or insufficient drilling fluid.

332211.. bbaallllaasstt

weight added to make a mobile offshore drilling rig more seaworthy, increase

its draft, or sink it to the seafloor. Ballast is usually seawater, but sometimes

concrete or iron is used additionally to lower the rig's center of gravity

permanently.

Page 44: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

4343

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

332222.. bbaallllaasstt ttaannkkss

vessels that contain ballast water.

332233.. bbaallllaasstteedd CCoonnddiittiioonn

the condition of a floating offshore drilling rig when ballast has been added

332244.. BBAALLLLIINNGG OOFF TTHHEE BBIITT

The fouling of a rotary drilling bit in sticky, gumbo-like shale which causes a

serious drag on the bit and loss of circulation.

332255.. bbaalllliinngg uupp

the failure of an anchor to hold in a soft bottom, instead pulling out with a

large ball of mud on it.

332266.. BBAALLLL VVAALLVVEE

A type of quick opening valve with a spherical core, a ball with a full-bore

port, that fits and turns in a mating cavity in the valve body. Drilling engine to

the crank and pitman assembly that actuates the working beam. Used in

former years in drilling with cable tools. Old pumping wells still use a band

wheel.

3332288.. BBAARREEFFOOOOTT CCHHAARRTTEERR

A contract or charter agreement between the owner of a drilling rig, semi-

submersible, or drillship and a second party in which the owner rents or

leases his equipment (usually short-term) barefoot, i.e., without the owner or

his representative taking any part in the operation or maintenance of the

equipment. The lessee agrees to man or stiff the equipment and operate it

without assistance from or responsibility by the owner. Also bareboat charter

for boats or ships.

Page 45: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

4444

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

332299.. BBAARREEFFOOOOTT CCOOMMPPLLEETTIIOONN

Wells completed in firm sandstone or limestone that show no indication of

caving or disintegrating may be finished "barefoot," i.e., without casing

through the producing interval.

3333311.. bbaarrggee

any one of many types of flat-decked, shallow-draft vessels usually towed by

a boat. In cargo service, barges are used widely to transport crude oil and

refined products on rivers and other inland waters. A complete drilling rig may

be assembled on a barge, which usually is submersible; that is, it has a

submersible hull or base that is flooded with water at the drilling site. Drilling

equipment, crew quarters, etc., are mounted on a superstructure above the

water level.

333322.. BBAARRGGEE,, RREEEELL

See Reel Barge.

333333.. bbaarriittee

barium sulfate, BaSO4,,; a mineral used to increase the weight of drilling

mud. Its specific gravity is 4.2 (i.e., it is 4.2 times heavier than water). (See

mud.)

3333355.. bbaarriiuumm ssuullffaattee

1. a chemical combination of barium, sulfur, and oxygen; barite.

2. a tenacious scale that is very difficult to remove.

333366.. BBAARRKKEERR

A whistle-like device attached to the exhaust pipe of a one cylindered oil field

engine so that the lease pumper can tell from a whether or not the engine is

running. The noise the device makes resembles the back of a hoarse fox.

Page 46: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

4545

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

333377.. BBAARROOIIDD

A specially processed barite (barium sulfate) to which Aquagel has been

added, used as a conditioning material in drilling mud in order to obtain

satisfactory cores and formation samples.

333388.. bbaarrrreell

(bbl) a measure of volume for petroleum products. One barrel (1 bbl) is the

equivalent of 42 U.S. gal or 158.97 liters. One cubic meter (1 m') equals

6.2897 bbl.

333399.. bbaarrrreell ccoommpprreessssoorr

a special type of centrifugal compressor with a barrel-shaped housing.

3334411.. bbaarrrreell--mmiillee

a unit of measure for pipeline shipment of oil that signifies 1 bbl moved 1

mile.

334422.. BBAARRRREELLHHOOUUSSEE

A building on the refinecy grounds where barrels are filled with various grades

of lubricating and other oils, sealed, and made ready for shipment oil house.

See Drum.

334433.. bbaarrrreellss ppeerr ddaayy

(BPD, bpd, BID, b/d) a measure of the rate of flow of a well;. the total

amount of oil produced or processed per day.

3334455.. bbaassaalltt

an igneous rock that is dense, fine-grained, and dark gray or black.

334466.. bbaassee

a substance capable of combining with charged hydrogen atoms (ions) to

form a salt. A typical base is sodium hydroxide (caustic), with the chemical

Page 47: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

4646

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

symbol NAOH. For example, sodium hydroxide combines with hydrochloric

acid to form sodium chloride (a salt) and water; this reaction is written

chemically as NAOH + HCI NACI + H2O4.

334477.. bbaasseemmeenntt rroocckk

either igneous or metamorphic rock, usually not containing petroleum.

Ordinarily it lies below sedimentary rock. When it is encountered in drilling,

the well usually is abandoned.

3334499.. BBAASSIICC SSEEDDIIMMEENNTT

Impurities and foreign matter contained in a tank of crude oil, e.g., water

sand, oil-water emulsions. When produced, crude oil may contain one, or

more of these impurities. In the lease tank the impurities settle to the bottom

of the tank, with the relatively clean oil on top. After repeated filling and-

emptying of the tank, the sediment builds up to the pipeline connection and

must be removed. This is done by unbolting the plate from the clean out box

on the back of the tank and shoveling out the heavy, accumulated sediment.

3335511.. bbaassiicc sseeddiimmeenntt aanndd wwaatteerr ((BBSS&&WW))

she water and other extraneous material present in crude oil. Usually, the

BS&W con. tent must be quite low before a pipeline will accept the oil for

delivery to a refinery. The amount acceptable depends on a number of factors

but usually runs from less than 5 percent to a small fraction of 1 percent.

335522.. BBAASSIINN

A synclinal structure in the subsurface, once the bed of a prehistoric sea.

Basins. composed of sedimentary rock, are regarded as good prospects for oil

exploration.

Page 48: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

4747

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

3335544.. bbaasskkeett ssuubb

a fishing accessory run above a bit or mill to recover small pieces of metal or

junk in a well.

3335566.. BBAASSTTAARRDD

(1) Any nonstandard piece of equipment. (2) A kind of file. (3) A word used in

grudging admiration, or as a term of opprobrium.

335577.. BBAATTCCHH

A measured amount of oil or refined product in a pipeline or a tank. a

shipment of oil or product by pipeline.

335588.. BBAATTCCHH IINNTTEERRFFAACCEE

See Interface.

3336600.. bbaattcchh ttrreeaattiinngg

the process by which a single quantity of crude oil emulsion is broken into oil

and water. The emulsion is gathered and stored in a tank or container prior to

treating. Compare with flow-line treating.

336611.. bbaattcchhiinngg sspphheerree

a large rubber ball placed in a pipeline to separate batches.

336622.. BBAATTHHOOLLIITTHH

A great mass of intruded igneous of metamorphosed rock found at or near

the surface of the earth. The presence of a batholith, often referred to as a

shield, usually precludes drilling for oil or gas as there are no sedimentary

formations above it. The largest batholith in the U.S. is in Idaho, underlying

nearly two-thirds of the state.

Page 49: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

4848

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

336633.. BBAATTTTEERRYY

Two or more lease or stock tanks connected together to receive oil production

from a well or a producing lease; a tank battery. The lease tank batter y is

the starting point for crude oil on its way to the refinery-via gathering line,

pump station, and trunk line to the refinery tank farm. It is at the tank battery

where the pipeline gauger measures and tests the oil, and after making out a

run ticket (q.v.) opens the tank valve, turning the oil into the pipeline system.

A battery is two or more units of equipment linked together in the

performance of a function, e.g., separator battery; heater battery; filter

batters., and tank battery.

3336655.. BBAATTTTEERRYY,, TTRRIICCKKLLEE--CCHHAARRGGEEDD

See Trickle-charged Battery.

336666.. BBaauummee ggrraavviittyy

specific gravity as measured by the Baum6 scale. Two arbitrary scales are

employed one for liquids lighter than water and the other for liquids heavier

than water. This scale also is used to describe the density of acid solutions.

336677.. BBAAUUMMEE,, AANNTTOOIINNEE

The French chemist who devised a simple method to measure the relative

weights of liquids using the hydrometer (q.v.).

3336699.. bbbbll

barrel.

337700.. bbbbll//dd

barrels per day.

3337722.. BBCCDD

Barrels per calendar day. See Stream Day.

Page 50: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

4949

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

337733.. BBccff

billion cubic feet of gas.

3337755.. BBccff ((BBiilllliioonn CCuubbiicc FFeeeett))

A volume measurement of natural gas measured in billions of cubic feet.

3337777.. BBccff//dd

billion cubic feet of gas per day.

3337799.. BBDDCC

bottom dead center.

3338811.. BBEEAADD

A course of molten metal laid down by a welder (electric or oxyacetylene) in

joining two pieces of metal. See Pipeline Welding.

338822.. BBEEAAKKEERR SSAAMMPPLLEERR

A metal or glass container with a small opening fitted with a stopper that is

lowered into a tank of oil to obtain a sample of oil.

338833.. bbeeaamm

the extreme width of the hull of a ship or mobile offshore drilling rig.

338844.. bbeeaamm ccoouunntteerrbbaallaannccee

the weights installed on the end of the walking beam, which is opposite from

the end over the well. The counterbalance offsets, or balances, the weight of

sucker rods and other downhole equipment installed in the well. (See sucker-

rod pumping.)

338855.. bbeeaamm--ppuummppiinngg uunniitt

a machine designed specifically for sucker-rod pumping, using a horizontal

member (walking beam) that is worked up and down by a rotating crank to

produce reciprocating motion. bean (See choke.)

Page 51: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

5050

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

338866.. BBEEAAMM WWEELLLL

A well whose fluid is being lifted by rods and pump actuated by a walking

beam (q.v.).

3338888.. BBEEAANN

A choke used to regulate the flow of fluid from a well.

338899.. BBEEAANN JJOOIINNTT

In early pipeline parlance, the joint of line pipe laid just before the break for

lunch. When the bean joint was bucked in (q.v.) the pipe liners grabbed lunch

buckets from the gang truck and found a comfortable place to cat.

339900.. BBEEAARRIINNGG,, BBAALLLL

A type of revolving bearing. The other type is the roller bearing (q v.),

339911.. BBEEAARRIINNGG,, IINNSSEERRTT

Thin, bimetal, half-round bearings that fit in the journal box around a shaft to

provide a smooth, hard surface. One-half of the insert (in cross section, a

semicircle) fits into the journal box, the other half into the journal box cap.

Insert bearings era designated bimetal because although the bearing surface

is made of babbitt (q.v.) it is backed with a layer of bronze, brass, or steel.

There are also trimetal insert bearings. They are made with steel backing, a

"soft" alloy middle layer, and a babbitt outer layer. Babbitt metal, an alloy of

tin, copper, and antimony. was invented by Isaac Babbitt in 1862.

339922.. BBEEAARRIINNGG,, OOUUTTBBOOAARRDD

A shaft-supporting bearing outside the body or frame of a pump's gear box or

engine's crankcase; a bearing on a pump's pinion shaft outside the gear box;

a line-shaft bearing.

Page 52: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

5151

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

339933.. BBEEAARRIINNGG,, RROOLLLLEERR

A type of cylindrical. Revolting bearing. The other type is the ball bearing

(q.v.).

3339955.. BBEEAARRIINNGG,, SSAADDDDLLEE

See Saddle Bearing.

339966.. BBEEAARRIINNGG,, SSTTIIRRRRUUPP

A bearing and its frame in the shape of a saddle stirrup; e.g. the bearing

connecting the pitman and the walking beam on an early-day cable tool

drilling or pumping well.

339977.. BBEEAARRIINNGG,, TTHHRRUUSSTT

A bearing to support the endwise or downward thrust or weight of a

machinery part against another. Thrust bearings can be constructed of ball

bearings or cylindrical roller bearings held in a circular frame or housing that

fits over a shaft

339988.. bbeedd

a specific layer of earth or rock in contrast to other layers of different material

lying above, below, or adjacent to it.

339999.. bbeeddddiinngg ppllaannee

the surface that separates each successive layer of a stratified rock from its

preceding layer.

440000.. BBEEHHIINNDD TTHHEE PPIIPPEE

Refers to oil and gas reservoirs penetrated or passed through by wells but

never tapped or produced. Behind the pipe refers usually to tight formations

of low permeability which, although recognized, were passed through

because they were uneconomical to produce at the time. Today, however,

Page 53: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

5252

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

with the growing scarcity of oil and high prices, many of these passed-

through formations are getting a second look by producers.

440011.. BBEELLLL AANNDD SSPPIIGGOOTT JJOOIINNTT

A threaded pipe joint; the spigot or male end is threaded and screwed into

the bell or female coupling. The female end of a coupling has threads on the

inside circumference.

440022.. BBEELLLL HHOOLLEE

An excavation dug beneath a pipeline to provide room for the use of tools by

workers; a hole larger in diameter at the bottom than at the top.

440033.. BBEELLLL--HHOOLLEE WWEELLDDEERR

A welder who can do oxyacetylene or electric welding in a bell hole. This

requires a great deal of skill as the molten metal from the welding rod is

being laid on upside down and tends to tall away from the weld; a skilled

welder.

440044.. BBEELLLL NNIIPPPPLLEE

A large swage nipple for attaching casinghead fittings to the well's casing

above the ground or at the surface. The bell nipple is threaded on the casing

end and has a plain or weld end to take the casinghead valves.

4440066.. bbeelllloowwss mmeetteerr

(See orifice meter.)

4440088.. bbeelltt

a flexible band or cord connecting and passing about each of two or more

pulleys to transmit power or impart motion.

440099.. bbeelltt gguuaarrdd

a protective grill or cover for a belt and pulleys.

Page 54: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

5353

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

4441111.. BBEELLTT HHAALLLL

A wooden shed built to protect the wide belt that runs from the engine to the

band wheel on a cable tool rig or an old beam pumping well. The belt hall

extends from the engine house to the derrick.

441122.. BBEENNCCHH--SSCCAA--LLEETTEESSTT

Testing of methods or materials on so small a scale that it can be carried out

on a laboratory table or specially constructed bench.

4441144.. bbeenntt ssuubb

a short cylindrical device installed in the drill stem between the bottommost

drill collar and a downhole mud motor. The purpose of the bent sub is to

deflect the mud motor off vertical to drill a directional hole.

441155.. bbeennttoonniittee

a colloidal clay, composed of montmorillonite, which swells when wet.

Because of its gel-forming properties, ben-tonite is a major component of

drilling muds. (See gel and mud.)

441166.. BBEENNZZIINNEE

An old term for light petroleum distillates in the gasoline and naphtha range.

4441188.. BBEENNZZOOLL

The general term which refers to commercial benzene which may contain

other aromatic hydrocarbons.

441199.. bbeettaa ppaarrttiiccllee

one of the extremely small particles, sometimes called rays, emitted from the

nucleus of a radioactive substance such as radium or uranium as it

disintegrates. Beta particles have a negative charge.

Page 55: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

5454

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

442200.. BBEEVVEELLIINNGG MMAACCHHIINNEE

An oxyacetylene pipe-cutting machine. A device that holds an acetylene

cutting torch so that the ends of joints of pipe may be trimmed off It an angle

to the pipe's long axis. Line pipe is beveled in preparation for welding joints

together

442211.. BBFFPPHH

barrels of fluid per hour; used in drilling reports.

442222.. BBHHPP

bottomhole pressure.

4442244.. BBHHTT

bottomhole temperature.

4442266.. BBIIGG IINNCCHH PPIIPPEELLIINNEE

A 24-inch pipeline from Longview, Texas, to Norris City, Illinois, built during

World War 11 to meet the problem caused by tanker losses at sea as a result

of submarine attacks. Later during the war the pipeline was extended to

Pennsylvania. Following the war the line was sold to a private company and

converted to a gas line.

4442288.. BBIIGG SSPPRROOCCKKEETT,, OONN TTHHEE

Said of a person who is moving in influential circles or has suddenly gone

from a small job to one of considerably larger responsibility; a big operator.

often used pejoratively.

442299.. BBIIJJRRTTOONN,, WWIILLLLIIAAMM MM..

The petroleum chemist who developed the first profitable means of cracking

low-value middle distillates into lighter fractions (gasolines) by the use of heat

and pressure.

Page 56: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

5555

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

443300.. BBIIOOCCHHEEMMIICCAALL CCOONNVVEERRSSIIOONN

The use of bacteria to separate kerogen from oil shale. Certain bacteria Will

biodegrade the minerals in oil shale, releasing the kerogen from the shale in

liquid or semiliquid form. (From studies made by Dr. Ten Fu Yen and Dr. Milo

D. Appleman. University of Southern California, Professors of Bacteriology.)

443311.. bbiioohheerrmm

a reef or mound built by small organisms such as coral or oysters. Buried

bioherms, formed in the geologic past, sometimes yield petroleum.

4443333.. BBIIOOMMAASSSS

Wood and other plant materials used to make methanol as a supplement to

petroleum.

443344.. BBIIRRDD CCAAGGEE

(1) To flatten and spread the strands of a cable or wire rope. (2) The sharted

or mesh-enclosed cage used to hoist workmen from crew boats to offshore

platforms.

443355.. BBIIRRDD DDOOGG

To pay close attention to a job or to follow a person closely with the intent to

learn or to help; to follow up on a job until finished.

443366.. bbiirrddccaaggee

to flatten and spread the strands of a wire rope. a wire rope in such a

condition.

4443388.. bbiitt

the cutting or boring element used in drilling oil and gas wells. Most bits used

in rotary drilling are roller-cone bits. The bit consists of the cutting element

and the circulating element. The circulating element permits the passage of

drilling fluid and utilizes the hydraulic force of the fluid stream to improve

Page 57: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

5656

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

drilling rates. In rotary drilling, several drill collars are joined to the bottom

end of the drill-pipe column. The bit is attached to the end of the drill collar.

4444400.. bbiitt bbrreeaakkeerr

a device used in rotary drilling to unscrew, or break out, the bit from the drill

stem. It is usually placed in the rotary table.

4444422.. bbiitt ccoonnee

(See roller-cone bit.)

444433.. bbiitt ddrreesssseerr

1. a member of a cable-tool drilling crew who repairs bits. 2. a machine used

to repair, sharpen, and gauge bits.

444444.. bbiitt ggaauuggee

a circular ring used to determine whether a bit is of the correct outside

diameter. Often bit gauges are used to determine if the bit has been worn

down to a diameter smaller than specifications allow; such a bit is termed

undergauge.

444455.. bbiitt rreeccoorrdd

a report on each bit used in an operation, listing its type, the amount of

footage it drilled, and the nature of the formation penetrated.

444466.. BBIITT,, IINNSSEERRTT

A bit with super-hard metal lugs or cutting points inserted in the bit's cutting

cones; a rock bit with cutting elements added that are harder art more

durable than the teeth of a mill-tooth bit (q.v.).

444477.. BBiittuummeenn

Petroleum in semi-solid or solid forms.

Page 58: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

5757

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

444488.. BBIITTUUMMEENN,, OOIILL SSAANNDDSS

A heavy petroleum-like substance found in certain consolidated sand

formations at the surface of the earth or at relatively shallow depths where it

can be surface mined after the removal of a few feet of overburden. The

extraction process is complicated, but basically it involves the heating of the

oil sands to separate the oil. The oil is floated off and undergoes treatment

before it is piped to a refinery.

444499.. bbiittuummeennss

mixtures of hydrocarbons.

445500.. BBIITTUUMMIINNOOUUSS SSAANNDD

Tar sand; a mixture of asphalt and loose sand which, when processed, may

yield as much as 12 percent asphalt.

4445522.. bbiittuummiinnoouuss sshhaallee

(See oil shale.)

4445544.. bbll

black; used in drilling reports.

4445566.. BBllaacckk MMaaggiicc

a proprietary name for a basic concentrate of oil-base mud.

4445588.. BBLLAACCKK OOIILLSS

(1) A term denoting residual oil used in ships' boilers or in large heating or

generating plants bunkers.

(2) Black-colored oil used or lubricating heavy, slow-moving machinery where

the use of higher-grade lubes would be impractical.

445599.. bbllaannkk ccaassiinngg

a casing without perforations

Page 59: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

5858

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

446600.. bbllaannkk ffllaannggee

a solid disk used to dead-end, or close off, a companion flange.

446611.. bbllaannkk lliinneerr

a liner with no perforations. blank off to close off (as with a blank flange or

bull plug).

446622.. bbllaannkk ppiippee

a pipe, usually casing, with no perforations.

446633.. bblldd

bailed; used in drilling reports.

4446655.. bblleeeedd ))تنفيستنفيس((

to drain off liquid or gas, generally slowly through a valve called a bleeder. To

bleed down, or bleed off, means to slowly release pressure from a well or

from pressurized equipment.

4446677.. BBLLEEEEDD LLIINNEE

A line on the wellhead or blowout preventer stack through which gas pressure

can be bled to prevent a threatened blowout.

446688.. BBLLEEEEDDEERR VVAALLVVEE

A small valve on a pipeline, or tank from which samples are drawn or to vent

air or oil; sample valve.

4447700.. BBLLEEEEDDIINNGG

The tendency of a liquid component to separate from a lubricant, as oil from

a grease; to seep out.

447711.. BBLLEEEEDDIINNGG CCOORREE

A core sample of rock highly saturated and of such good permeability that oil

drips from the pore..

Page 60: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

5959

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

4447733.. BBLLEENNDDIINNGG..

The process of mixing two or more oils having different properties to obtain a

lubricating oil of intermediate or desired properties. Certain classes of tube

oils are blended to a specified viscosity. Other products, notably gasolines,

are also blended to obtain desired properties.

447744.. bblliinndd

to close a line to prevent flow.

447755.. bblliinndd ddrriilllliinngg

a drilling operation in which the drilling fluid is not returned to the surface.

Sometimes blind-drilling techniques are resorted to when lost circulation

occurs.

4447777.. BBLLIINNDD FFLLAANNGGEE

A companion flange with a disc bolted to one end to seal off a section of pipe.

447788.. bblliinndd rraamm

an integral part of a blowout preventer, serving as the closing element. Its

ends do not fit around the drill pipe but seal against each other and shut off

the space below completely. (See ram.)

447799.. BBLLMM

Bureau of Land Management.

4448811.. BBLLOOCCKK

(1) A pulley or sheave in a rigid frame.

(2) To prevent the flow of liquid or gas in a line.

(3) A chock.

Page 61: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

6060

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

448822.. BBLLOOCCKK AANNDD BBLLEEEEDD VVAALLVVEE

A heavy-duty mainline valve made to hold " bubbletight" against high

pressure. The valve is made with a small bleeder line and valve which are

tapped into the block valve's bonnet. When the block valve is closed, its

effectiveness may be checked by opening the bleeder valve for evidence of

any leakage from the upstream or high-pressure side.

448833.. BBLLOOCCKK AANNDD TTAACCKKLLEE

An arrangement of ropes and blocks (pulleys) used to hoist or pull.

448844.. BBLLOOCCKK GGRREEAASSEE

A grease of high melting point that can be handled in block or stick form.

Block grease is used on large, slow-moving machinery, on axles and crude

bearings. In contact with a hot journal bearing, the grease melts slowly

lubricating the bearing.

448855.. BBLLOOCCKK LLEEAASSEE

A lease executed by owners of separate tracts or, sometimes, separate leases

executed by owners of individual tracts which provide that drilling of one or

more test wells within the combined area or block will satisfy the conditions of

the lease as to each of the tracts in the block.

4448877.. BBLLOOCCKK TTRREEEE

A type of well-completion Christmas tree in which a number of control and

production valves are made as a unit in one block of steel. Valve pockets for

the special valve assembly are bored in the steel forging which mites the

valve assembly a strong, rigid unit integral to the forging, Block trees are

often used on multiwell offshore platforms to conserve space.

Page 62: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

6161

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

448888.. BBLLOOCCKK VVAALLVVEE

A large, heavy-duly valve on a crude oil or products trunk line placed on each

side of a pipeline river crossing to isolate possible crossing.

448899.. BBLLOOCCKKIINNGG

Pumping measured amounts of crude oil or product through a pipeline in

batches or blocks. For example when moving different grades or types of

crude, e.g., sweet or sour, the two are not mixed but are blocked through the

line, one behind the other. And when each arrives at destination, it is

switched into separate tankage. In a packed or full line pumping under high

pressure, very little mixing of the two types of crude occurs at the interface,

the point in the line where the two are in contact.

449900.. bbllooooeeyy lliinnee

the discharge pipe from a well being drilled by air drilling, which conducts the

air or gas used for circulation away from the rig to reduce the danger of fire

and to transport the cuttings a suitable distance from the well.

4449922.. BBLLOOOOIIEE PPIIPPEE

A horizontal vent pipe extending from the wellhead a couple of feet from the

rig floor to a burn pit. The blooie pipe, named for the noise, makes, vents the

returns during air or gas drilling, In air drilling no mud is used, the pulverized

rock from the action of the bit is brought up from the bottom of the hole by

compressed air and blown through the blooie pipe into the burn pit. Should

gas or oil be encountered, it too is vented to the burn pit. Should the well

need to be controlled because of oil or gas in quantity and under high

pressure, the well must be mudded up. Drilling mud is pumped into the hole

and circulated as in conventional rotary drilling.

Page 63: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

6262

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

4449944.. BBLLOOOOMM

The irridescent cast of color in lubricating oil.

449955.. bbllooww ccaassee

a pumping device capable of transferring liquid; used to transfer crude oil and

water mixtures if pump agitation would create unwanted emulsions.

449966.. bbllooww oouutt

1. to suddenly expel oil-well fluids from the borehole with great velocity. 2. to

expel a portion of water and steam from a boiler to limit its concentration of

minerals.

449977.. BBLLOOWWBBYY

The escape of combustion or unburned fuel past the engine's piston and

piston rings into the crankcase. Blowby occurs during the power stroke but

unburned fuel can also escape during the compression stroke on spark-

ignition engines.

4449999.. bblloowwddoowwnn

the emptying or depressurizing of a material from a vessel. 2. the material

thus discarded.

550000.. BBLLOOWWDDOOWWNN SSTTAACCKK

A vent or stack into which the contents of a processing unit are emptied when

an emergency arises. Steam is injected into the stack to prevent ignition of

volatile material o a water quench is sometimes used.

5550022.. BBLLOOWWIINNGG TTHHEE DDRRIIPP

To open the valve on a drip (q.v.) to drain off the "drip gasoline" and to allow

the natural gas to "blow" fort moment to clear the line and drip of all liquid.

Page 64: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

6363

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

550033.. bblloowwooffff ccoocckk

a device which permits or arrests a flow of liquid from a receptacle or through

a pipe, faucet, tap, or stop valve.

5550055.. BBLLOOWWOOUUTT

Out of control gas and/or oil pressure erupting from a well being drilled; a

dangerous, uncontrolled eruption of gas and oil from a well; a wild well.

5550077.. bblloowwoouutt pprreevveenntteerr

(BOP) equipment installed at the wellhead at surface level on land rigs and on

the seafloor of floating offshore rigs to prevent the escape of pressure either

in the annular space between the casing and drill pipe or in an open hole

during drilling and completion operations. (See annular blowout proventer

and ram blowout preventer.)

550088.. bblloowwoouutt pprreevveenntteerr ccoonnttrrooll ((BBOOPP)) ppaanneell

a set of controls, usually located near the driller's position on the rig floor,

that is manipulated to open and close the blowout preventers.

5551100.. bblloowwoouutt pprreevveenntteerr ccoonnttrrooll uunniitt

a device that stores hydraulic fluid under pressure in special containers and

provides a method to open and close the blowout preventers quickly and

reliably. Usually compressed air and hydraulic pressure provide the opening

and closing force in the unit.

5551122.. BBLLOOWWOOUUTT PPRREEVVEENNTTEERR,, SSPPHHEERRIICCAALL

See Spherical Blowout Preventer.

551133.. BBLLOOWWPPIIPPEE ((WWEELLDDIINNQQAANNDD CCUUTTTTIINNGG))

See Welding Torch.

Page 65: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

6464

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

551144.. BBLLPPDD

barrels of liquid per day, usually used in reference to total production of oil

and water from a well.

5551166.. BBLLUUEESSKKYYLLAAWW

A statute which regulates the issuance and sale of securities. The term usually

is restricted to state statutes. The corresponding federal statutes and

regulations are the Federal Securities Act and the Securities and Exchange

(SEC) regulations. States differ in subjecting the sale of property interests in

oil and gas to Blue Sky regulations.

551177.. BBNNOOCC

British National oil Corporation (q.v.).

551188.. BBOO

barrels of oil; used in drilling reports.

551199.. BBooaarrdd

The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board.

552200.. BBOOBBTTAAIILL

A short-bodied truck.

552211.. BBOOBBTTAAIILL PPLLAANNTT

A gas plant which extracts liquid hydrocarbons from natural gas but does not

break down the liquid product into its separate components. The liquid

instead is pump ?d to a fractionator plant where it is separated into various

components or fractions in fractionator towers.

552222.. BBOODDYY

Colloquial term for the viscosity of oil.

Page 66: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

6565

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

552233.. BBOOGGIIEESS

Colloquial term for small transport dollies. A low, sturdy frame or small

platform with multiple wheels (4 to 8) for moving heavy objects short

distances.

5552255.. BBOOIILL OOFFFF

The vaporization or gasification of liquefied natural gas (LNG) or other gases

liquefied by applying high pressure and severe cooling. Boiloff occurs when

the holding vessel's insulation fails to maintain the low temperature required

to keep the gas in liquid form. Boiloff is a problem for shippers of LNG in the

specially built ocean carriers.

552266.. bbooiill wweeeevviill

(slang) an inexperienced rig or oil-filed worker, sometimes shortened to

"weevil."

552277.. bbooiill--wweeeevviill ccoorrnneerr

(slang, obsolete) the work station of an inexerienced rotary helper, on the

opposite side of the rotary from the pipe rocker.

5552299.. bbooiill--wweeeevviill hhaannggeerr

a tubing hanger.

553300.. bbooiilleerr

a closed pressure vessel that has a furnace equipped to burn coal, oil, or gas

and is used to generate steam from water.

5553322.. BBOOIILLEERR HHOOUUSSEE

(1) A lightly constructed building to house steam boilers. (2) To make a report

without doing the work; to fake a report.

Page 67: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

6666

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

553333.. bbooiilliinngg ppooiinntt

the temperature at which the vapor pressure of a liquid becomes equal to the

pressure exerted on the liquid by the surrounding atmosphere. The boiling

point of water is 212 F or 100 C at atmospheric pressure (14.7 psig).

5553355.. BBOOIILLIINNGG PPOOIINNTT,, IINNIITTIIAALL

The temperature at which a product being distilled comes to a boiling point;

the beginning of the distillation of a particular product; the temperature at

which this occurs.

5553377.. BBOOLLLLWWEEEEVVIILL

An inexperienced worker or "green hand" on a drilling crew.

553388.. BBOOLLSSTTEERR

A support on a truck bed used for hauling pipe. The heavy wooden or metal]

beam rests on a pin that allows the forward end of the load to pivot as truck

turns a corner.

553399.. bboommbb

a thick-walled container, usually steel, used to hold samples of oil or gas

under pressure. (See bottomhole pressure.)

554400.. bboommbb

a thick-walled container, usually steel, used to hold samples of oil or gas

under pressure. (See bottomhole pressure.)

554411.. BBOONNNNEETT

The upper part of a gate valve that encloses the packing gland and supports

the valve stem.

Page 68: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

6767

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

554422.. BBOONNUUSS

Usually, the bonus is the money paid by the lessee for the execution of an oil

and gas lease by the landowner. Another form is called an oil or royalty

bonus. This may be in the form of an overriding royalty reserved to the

landowner in addition to the usual one-eighth royalty.

554433.. BBOONNUUSS BBIIDDDDIINNGG

Competitive bidding for oil and gas leases in which the lease providing for a

fixed royally is offered to the prospective lessee offering to pay the largest

bonus to the lessor. See Royalty Bidding.

554444.. BBOOOOKK VVAALLUUEE

The worth of an oil company,, properties and all facilities, less depreciation

554455.. bboooomm

a movable arm of tubular or bar steel, used on some types of cranes or

derricks to support the hoisting lines that carry the load.

5554477.. bboooomm ddoogg

a ratchet device on a crane that prevents the boom of the crane from being

lowered but still permits it to be raised. It is also called a boom ratchet.

5554499.. bboooomm rraattcchheett

(See boom dog.)

555500.. bboooomm SSttoopp

the steel projections on a crane that the boom strikes if raised too high or

lowered too far.

Page 69: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

6868

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

555511.. BBOOOOMMCCAATTSS

Caterpillar tractors equipped with side booms and winches used in pipeline

construction to lift joints of pipe and to lower sections of the line into the

ditch.

555522.. bboooommeerr

1. (slang) an oil-field worker who moves from one center of activity to

another; a floater or transient. 2. A device used to tighten chains on a load of

pipe or other equipment on a truck to make it secure.

555533.. BBOOOOSSTTEERR SSTTAATTIIOONN

A pipeline pumping station usually on a main fine or trunk fine an

intermediate station; a field station that pumps into a tank farm or main

station.

5555555.. bboooott

a tubular device placed vertically inside or outside a larger vessel, through

which well fluids are conducted before entering the larger vessel. Also called a

flume or conductor pipe, it helps to separate gas from wet oil.

555566.. bboooott bbaasskkeett

(See junk sub.) boot sub (See Junk sub.)

555577.. BBOOPP

blowout preventer.

5555599.. BBOOPP SSTTAACCKK

Blowout preventer stack (q.v.)

Page 70: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

6969

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

5556611.. BBOOPP//BBOOPP SSttaacckk

Blowout preventers/blowout preventer stack - an assembly of heavy-duty

valves attached to the wellhead to control well pressure and prevent a

blowout.

556622.. BBOOPPDD

barrels of oil per day.

556633.. bboorree

the diameter of the cylinder of an engine.

556644.. BBOORREE AANNDD SSTTRROOKKEE

See Pump Specifications.

556655.. BBOORREEHHOOLLEE

The hole in the earth made by the drill; the uncased drill hole from the

surface to the bottom of the we If.

5556677.. BBOORRIINNGG MMAACCHHIINNEE

A power-driven, large-diameter auger used to bore under roads, railroads,

and canals for the purpose of installing casing or steel conduits to hold a

pipeline.

556688.. bboottttllee tteesstt

a test in which varying amounts of a chemical are added to bottled samples

of an emulsion to determine how much of the chemical is needed to break

the emulsion into oil and water.

5557700.. bboottttlleedd ggaass

liquefied petroleum gas placed in small containers for sale to domestic

customers.

Page 71: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

7070

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

557711.. bboottttlleenneecckk

an area of reduced diameter in pipe, brought about by excessive longitudinal

strain or by a combination of longitudinal strain and the swagging action of a

body. A bottleneck may result if the downward motion of the drill pipe is

stopped with the slips instead of the brake.

5557733.. BBOOTTTTLLEENNEECCKKIINNGG

The deformation of the ends of the casing or tubing in the hanger resulting

from excessive weight of the string of pipe and the squeezing action of the

slips.

557744.. bboottttoomm ddeeaadd cceenntteerr

(BDC) the position of the piston at the lowest point possible in the cylinder of

an engine. It is often marked on the engine flywheel.

557755.. BBOOTTTTOOMM FFRRAACCTTIIOONN

The last cut; the "bottom of the barrel" in petroleum distillation.

557766.. bboottttoomm hhoolldd--ddoowwnn

a mechanism for anchoring a bottom-hole pump in the well.

557777.. bboottttoomm--hhoollee

pertaining to the lowest or deepest part of a well.

557788.. BBOOTTTTOOMM--HHOOLLEE AASSSSEEMMBBLLYY ((BBHHAA))

A drilling string comprised of a drillbit and several drill collars is a simple

bottom-hole assembly. Such an assembly may also include a bottom-hole

reamer above the bit or above the first drill collar. When in addition to drill

collars and reamers there are two or three stabilizers, in the string, it is

referred to as packed-hole assembly (q.v.). The main purpose of a hole

assembly is to keep the bit drilling as straight down as possible.

Page 72: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

7171

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

557799.. bboottttoomm--hhoollee cchhookkee

a device with a restricted opening placed in the lower end of the tubing to

control the rate of flow. (See choke.)

5558811.. bboottttoomm--hhoollee ccoonnttrraacctt

a contract providing for the payment of money or other considerations upon

the completion of a well to a specified depth.

558822.. BBOOTTTTOOMM--HHOOLLEE HHEEAATTEERR

Equipment used in the bottom of the well bore to increase bottom-hole

temperature in an effort to increase the recovery of low gravity or heavy oil.

558833.. BBOOTTTTOOMM--HHOOLLEE LLEETTTTEERR

An agreement by which an operator, planning to drill a well on his own land,

secures the promise from another to contribute to the cost of the well. In

contrast to a dry-hole letter, the former requires payment upon completion of

the well whether it produces or not. A bottom-hole letter is often used by the

operator as security for obtaining a loan to finance the drilling of the well.

558844.. bboottttoomm--hhoollee ppaacckkeerr

a device that blocks passage through the annular space between two strings

of pipe and is installed near the bottom of the hole. (See packer.)

5558866.. bboottttoomm--hhoollee pplluugg

a bridge plug or cement plug placed near the bottom of the hole to shut off a

depleted, water-producing, or unproductive zone.

558877.. BBOOTTTTOOMM--HHOOLLEE PPRREESSSSUURREE

The reservoir or formation pressure at the bottom of the hole. If measured

under flowing conditions, readings are usually taken at different rates of I low

in order to arrive at a maximum productivity rate. A decline in pressure

indicates the amount of depletion from the reservoir.

Page 73: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

7272

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

558888.. BBOOTTTTOOMM--HHOOLLEE PPUUMMPP

A pump located in the bottom of the well and not operated by sucker rods

and surface power units. Bottom-hole pumps are compact, high-volume units

driven by an electric motor or hydraulically operated.

558899.. bboottttoomm--hhoollee sseeppaarraattoorr

a device used to separate oil and gas at the bottom of wells to increase the

volumetric efficiency of the pumping equipment.

5559911.. bboottttoomm--llooaaddiinngg pprreessssuurree

the pressure exerted on the bottom hull of a column-stabilized,

semisubmersible drilling rig when the rig is submerged.

559922.. BBOOTTTTOOMM OOUUTT

To reach total depth, to drill to a specified depth.

559933.. bboottttoomm wwaatteerr

water found below oil and gas in a producing formation.

559944.. bboottttoommss

1. the liquids and residue that collect in the bottom of a vessel (such as tank

bottoms) or that remain in the bottom of a storage tank after a period of

service. 2. the residual fractions remaining at the bottom of a fractionating

tower after lighter components have been distilled off as vapors.

559955.. bboottttoommss--uupp

a complete trip from the bottom of the wellbore to the top.

559966.. BBoouurrddoonn ttuubbee

a flattened metal tube bent in a curve, which tends to straighten under

pressure. By the movements of an indicator over a circular scale, a Bourdon

tube indicates the pressure applied to it.

Page 74: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

7373

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

559977.. BBOOUURROOOONN TTUUBBEE

A small, crescent-shaped tube closed at one end, connected to,] source of

gas pressure at the other, used in pressure recording devices or in pilot

operated control mechanisms. With increases in gas pressure the Bourdon.

don tube flexes (attempts to straighten) and this movement through roper

linkage, actuates recording instruments.

559988.. bbooww lliinneess

n pl the lines running from the bow of a mobile offshore drilling rig, especially

the forward mooring lines.

5660000.. BBOOWWLL

A device that fits in the rotary table and holds the wedges or slips that

support a string of tubing or casing.

660011.. BBOOWWLLIINNEE

A knot used to form a loop in a rope which will neither slip nor jan.

660022.. bboowwlliinnee kknnoott

a knot primarily used in lifting heavy equipment with the catline, since it can

be readily tied and untied, regardless of the weight of the load on it.

6660044.. bbooxx

(See tool joint.)

6660066.. bbooxx aanndd ppiinn

(See tool Joint.)

660077.. BBOOXX AANNDD PPIINN JJOOIINNTT

A type Of screw coupling used to connect sucker rods and drill pipe. The box

is a thick-walled collar with threads on the inside the pin is threaded on the

outer circumference and is screwed into the box.

Page 75: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

7474

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

660088.. BBOOYYLLEE''SS LLAAWW

"The volume of any weight of gas is inversely proportional to the absolute

pressure, provided the temperature remains constant,"

6661100.. bbppdd

barrels per day.

661111.. BBPPHH

barrels per hour; used in drilling reports.

661122.. bbrraacckkiisshh wwaatteerr

water that contains relatively low concentrations of any soluble salts. Brackish

water is saltier than fresh water but not as salty as salt water.

6661144.. bbrraaddeennhheeaadd

(obsolete) casinghead.

661155.. bbrraaddeennhheeaadd ffllaannggee

a flanged connection at the top of the oil-well casing.

661166.. BBRRAADDEENNHHEEAADD GGAASS

Casinghead gas. Bradenhead was an early-day name for the wellhead or

casinghead.

661177.. bbrraaddeennhheeaadd ssqquueeeezziinngg

the process by which hydraulic pressure is applied to a well to force fluid or

cement outside the wellbore. (See squeeze.) The bradenhead, or casinghead,

is closed to shut off the annulus when making a bradenhead squeeze.

Although this term is still used, the term "bradenhead" is obsolete.

6661199.. bbrraakkee bbaanndd

a part of the brake mechanism, consisting of a flexible steel band lined with

asbestos or a similar material, that grips a drum when tightened. On a drilling

Page 76: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

7575

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

rig, the brake band acts on the flanges of the drum on the drawworks to

control the lowering of the travelt'ng block and its load of drill pipe, casting,

or tubing.

662200.. bbrraakkee ffllaannggee

the surface on a winch, drum, or reel where the brake is applied to control

the movement of the unit.

662211.. BBRRAAKKEE HHOORRSSEEPPOOWWEERR ((SS..HH..PP..))

The power developed by an engine as measured at the drive shaft; the actual

or delivered horsepower as contrasted to "indicated horsepower" (q.v.).

6662233.. bbrraakkee rriiddeerr

(slang) a driller who is said to rely too heavily on the drawworks brake.

6662255.. bbrraanncchh lliinnee

a line, usually a pipe, joined to and diverging from another line.

662266.. bbrraassss rruunnnniinngg nniippppllee

a device used in the flow cross of the Christmas tree as a thread protector

while the rods are being run. Because it is brass, it prevents friction sparks.

662277.. BBRRAASSSSPPOOUUNNDDEERR

A telegrapher, especially one who uses a telegraph key (q.v.). See

Telegrapher's Bug. Until the 1940s or so, much of the communication from oil

patch to division and head offices was by telegraph. (The editor was once an

oilfield telegrapher.)

662288.. BBRREEAA

A viscous, asphaltic material formed at oil see pages when the fighter

fractions of the oil have evaporated, leaving the black, tar-like substand.

Page 77: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

7676

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

6663300.. bbrreeaaddtthh

the greatest overall dimension measured perpendicular to the longitudinal

centerline of the hull of a mobile offshore drilling rig.

663311.. bbrreeaakk

to begin or start (as to break circulation or break tour).

663322.. BBRREEAAKK CCIIRRCCUULLAATTIIOONN

To resume the movement of drilling fluid down the drill pipes through the ..

eyes" of the bit, and upward through the annulus to the surface

663333.. BBRREEAAKK OOUUTT

(1) To isolate pertinent figures from a mass of data; to retrieve relevant

information from a comprehensive report. (2) To loosen a threaded pipe joint.

663344.. BBRREEAAKK--OOUUTT TTAANNKKAAGGEE

Tankage at a take-off point or delivery point on a large crude oil or products

pipeline.

663355.. bbrreeaakk ttoouurr

to begin operating 24 hours a day. Moving the rig and rigging up are usually

carried on during daylight. When the rig is ready for operation on a new

location, crews break tour and start operating 24 hours a day.

663366.. bbrreeaakkddoowwnn

a failure of equipment. pertaining to the amount of pressure needed at the

wellhead to rupture the formation in a fracture treatment or squeeze job (as

formation breakdown pressure).

6663388.. BBRREEAAKKIINNGG DDOOWWNN TTHHEE PPII11PPEE

Unscrewing stands of drillpipe in one-joint lengths usually in preparation for

stacking and moving to another well location.

Page 78: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

7777

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

6664400.. bbrreeaakkiinngg ssttrreennggtthh

the load under which a chain breaks.

664411.. bbrreeaakkoouutt bblloocckk

a heavy plate that fits in the rotary table and holds the drill bit while it is

being unscrewed from the drill collar. (See bit breaker.)

664422.. bbrreeaakkoouutt ccaatthheeaadd

(See cathead.)

664433.. bbrreeaakkoouutt ttoonnggss

(See tongs and break out.)

664444.. bbrreeaatthhee

to move with a slight, regular rhythm. Breathing occurs in tanks of vessels

when vapors are expelled and air is taken in. For example, a tank of crude oil

expands because of the rise in temperature during the day and contracts as it

cools at night, expelling vapors as it expands and taking in air as it contracts.

Tubing breathes when it moves up and down in sequence with a sucker-rod

pump.

6664466.. BBRREEAATTHHIINNGG

The movement of oil vapors and air in and out of a storage tank owing to the

alternate heating by day and cooling by night of the vapors above the oil in

the tank.

6664488.. bbrriiddggee

1. an obstruction in the borehole, usually caused by the caving in of the wall

of the borehole or by the intrusion of a large boulder. 2. a tool placed in the

hole to retain cement or other material that may later be removed, drilled out,

or left permanently.

Page 79: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

7878

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

664499.. BBRRIIDDGGEE OOVVEERR

The collapse of the walls of the borehole around the drill column.

665500.. bbrriiddggee pplluugg

a downhole tool, composed primarily of slips, a plug mandrel, and a rubber

sealing element, that is run and set in casing to isolate a lower zone while

testing an upper section.

665511.. bbrriiddggiinngg mmaatteerriiaall

the fibrous, flaky, or granular material added to a cement slurry or drilling

fluid to aid in scaling formations in which lost circulation has occurred. (See

lost-circulation material.)

665522.. bbrriiddllee

a cable on a pumping unit, looped over the horse head and connected to the

carrier bar to support the polished-rod clamp. (See sucker-rod pumping.)

6665544.. BBRRIIGGHHTT SSPPOOTTSS

White areas on seismographic recording strips which may signal to the

geologist or trained observer the presence of hydrocarbons.

665555.. BBRRIIGGHHTT SSTTOOCCKKSS

High-viscosity. fully refined, and dewaxed lubricating oils; used for blending

with lower viscosity oils. The name originated from the clear, bright

appearance of the dewaxed tubes.

665566.. bbrriinnee

water that has a large quantity of salt, especially sodium chloride, dissolved in

it; salt water.

Page 80: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

7979

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

665577.. BBRRIINNGG BBOOTTTTOOMMSS UUPP

To wash rock cuttings from the bottom of the hole to the surface by

maintaining circulation after halting the drilling operation. This allows time for

closer inspection of the cuttings and for a decision as to how to proceed when

encountering a certain formation.

665588.. bbrriinngg iinn aa wweellll

to complete a well and put it in producing status.

665599.. BBRRIISSTTLLEE PPIIGG

A type of pipeline pig or scraper made of tough plastic covered with flame-

hardened steel bristles. Bristle or foam pigs are easy to run, do not get hung

up in the fine, and are easy to "catch." They are usually run in newly

constructed lines to remove rust and mill scale (q.v.).

666600.. BBRRIITTIISSHH NNAATTIIOONNAALL OOIILL CCOORRPPOORRAATTIIOONN

The United Kingdom government agency that "participates" in drilling and

production activities in the British sectors of the North Sea with U.S. oil

companies and others; the "corporation" through which Britain assumes

ownership of he U.K.'s share of the North Sea oil.

6666622.. BBrriittiisshh tthheerrmmaall uunniitt

(Btu) a measure of heat energy equivalent to the amount of heat needed to

raise the temperature of 1 lb of water 1 F.

666633.. bbrrkknn

broken; used in drilling reports.

666644.. BBRROOKKEEOOUUTT

To be promoted; "He broke out as a driller at Midland"; to begin a new job

after being promoted.

Page 81: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

8080

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

6666666.. BBRROONNCC

A new driller promoted from helper; a new tool pusher up from driller; any

newly promoted oil field worker whose performance is still untried.

666677.. BBrroowwnniiaann mmoovveemmeenntt

the random movement exhibited by microscopic particles when suspended in

liquids or gases, caused by the impact of molecules of fluid surrounding the

particle.

666688.. BBRRUUCCKKEERR SSUURRVVIIVVAALL CCAAPPSSUULLEE

A patented, sef-contained survival vessel that can be lowered from an

offshore drilling platform or semisubmersible in the event of a fire or other

emergency. The vessel, of spheroid shape, is self-propelled and is equipped

with first-aid and life-support systems. Some models can accommodate 2,3

persons, See Whitaker System.

666699.. BBSS&&WW

Short for basic sediment and water often found in crude oil.

667700.. BBSS&&WW mmoonniittoorr

a device used in LACT systems to measure and record automatically the

amount of water and other contaminants in oil being transferred to a pipeline

and to divert contaminated oil to treatment facilities.

667711.. BBssccff//dd

billion standard cubic feet of gas per day.

6667733.. BBSSDD

Barrels per stream day. See Stream Day.

Page 82: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

8181

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

667744.. BBTTUU

British thermal unit; the amount of heat required to raise one pound of water

one degree Fahrenheit.

6667766.. BBTTXX

Benzene-toluene-xylene; basic aromatics used in the manufacture of paints,

synthetic ruber, agricultural chemicals, and chemical intermediates. The

initials are used by refinery men in designating a unit of the refinery.

667777.. bbuubbbbllee ccaapp

a metal cap that has openings allowing vapor bubbles in a gas-processing

tower to contact cool liquids, causing some of the vapor to condense to liquid.

667788.. bbuubbbbllee--ccaapp ttrraayy

a perforated steel tray on which bubble caps are mounted. Bubble caps and

trays are arranged in bubble towers, cylindrical vessels set vertically in rows.

667799.. BBUUBBBBLLEE--CCAAPPTTRRAAYYSS

Shelves or horizontal baffles inside a fractionating tower or column that are

perforated to allow the fluid charge to run down to the bottom of the column

and the vapors to rise through the trays to the top where they are drawn off.

The perforations in the trays are made with small umbrella-like caps called

bubble caps whose purpose is to force the rising vapors to bubble through the

several inches of liquid standing on each tray before the vapors move upward

to the next tray. The hot vapors bubbling through the liquid keep the liquid

charge heated.

668800.. BBUUBBBBLLEE PPOOIINNTT

The pressure at which gas, held in solution in crude oil, breaks out of solution

as free gas saturation pressure.

Page 83: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

8282

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

668811.. BBUUBBBBLLEE PPOOIINNTT PPUUMMPP

A type of downhole oil pump very sensitive to gas. When the saturation

pressure is reached, gas is released which gas-locks the pump until pressure

is again built up by the oil I lowing into the well bore. This type of pump

regulates, in effect, oil production from a reservoir with a gas drive. -

668822.. bbuubbbbllee ttoowweerr

a vertical, cylindrical vessel in which bubble caps and bubble-cap trays are

arranged.

6668844.. bbuubbbbllee ttrraayy

(See bubble-cap tray.) buck up to tighten up a screwed connection.

6668866.. BBUUCCKK UUPP

To tighten pipe joints with a wrench.

668877.. bbuugg bblloowweerr

(slang) a large fan installed on a drilling rig to blow insects away from the

work area; any type of fan.

668888.. BBUUGG BBLLOOWWEERRSS

Large fans used on or near the floor of the drilling rig to keep mosquitoes and

other flying insects off the rig crew.

6669900.. bbuuiilldduupp tteesstt

a test in which a well is shut in for a prescribed period of time and a bottom-

hole pressure bomb run in the well to record increases or decreases in

pressure. From this data and from knowledge of pressures in a nearby well,

the effective drainage radius or the presence of permeability barriers or other

production deterrents surrounding the wellbore can be estimated.

Page 84: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

8383

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

6669922.. BBUULLKK PPLLAANNTT

A distribution point for petroleum products. A bulk plant usually has tank

carunloading facilitiese and warehousing for products sold in packages or in

barrels.

669933.. bbuullkkhheeaadd

an interior wall that subdivides a mobile offshore drilling rig into

compartments.

669944.. bbuullkkhheeaadd ddeecckk

the highest deck to which watertight bulkheads extend on a ship or mobile

offshore drilling rig.

6669966.. BBUULLLL GGAANNGG

Common laborers who do the ditching and other heavy work on a pipeline

construction job.

6669988.. bbuullll ggeeaarr

the large, circular gear in a mud pump that is driven by the prime mover and

in turn drives the connecting rods.

6770000.. bbuullll pplluugg

a threaded nipple with a rounded, closed end, used to stop up a hole or close

off the end of a line.

770022.. BBUULLLLDDOOGGGGEEDD

Said of a fishing toot lowered into the well bore that has latched onto lost

pipe or another object being fished out and won't unlatch or cannot be

disengaged. owing to a malfunction of the tool.

Page 85: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

8484

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

770033.. bbuullllddoozzeerr

a powerful tractor having a vertical blade at the front end for moving rocks,

earth, and so on.

770055.. bbuulllleett ppeerrffoorraattoorr

a tubular device that, when lowered to a selected depth within a well, fires

bullets through the casing to provide holes through which the well fluids may

enter.

770066.. BBUULLLLEETT TTAANNKKSS

Colloquial term for horizontal pressure tanks made in the shape of a very fat

bullet. Bullet tanks ire for storing gasoline or butane under pressure. Other

liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) with higher vapor pressure (q.v.) are stored

In Hortonsphores or spheroids that can withstand higher pressures per square

inch.

770088.. bbuulllleettss

n pl the devices loaded into perforating guns to penetrate into casing and

cement and some distance into the formation when the guns are fired. (See

gun-perforate.)

771100.. BBUULLLLWWAAGGOONN

A casing wagon (q.v.).

771122.. BBUULLLLWWHHEEEELL

On a cable-tool rig, the large wheels and axle located on one side of the

derrick floor used to hold the drilling line. See Calf Wheel.

771133.. bbuummpp aa wweellll

to have too long a sucker-rod string on a pumping unit, so that the pump hits

bottom on the downstroke.

Page 86: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

8585

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

771144.. bbuummpp ooffff aa wweellll

to disconnect a pull-rod line from a central power unit.

771155.. bbuummppeedd

aoj in cementing operations, pertaining to a cement plug which comes to rest

on the float collar. A cementing operator might say, "I have a bumped plug, "

when the plug strikes the float collar.

771166.. bbuummppeerr jjaarr

(See jar.) bumper sub a device similar to ajar, but used in the normal drilling

stem to compensate for vertical movement of the stem, especially in offshore

drilling. It also provides jarring action, but to a lesser extent than a jar.

771177.. BBUUMMPPEERR SSUUBB

A slip joint that is part of the string of drillpipe used in drilling from a drillship

to absorb the vertical motion of the ship caused by wave action. The slip joint

is inserted above the heavy drill collars in order to maintain the weight of the

collars on the drill bit as the drillpipe above the slip joint up and down with

the motion of the ship.

771199.. BBUUMMPPEERR SSUUBB ((FFIISSHHIINNGG))

A hydraulically actuated tool installed in the fishing string above the fishing

tool to produce a jarring action. When the fishing tool has a firm hold on the

lost drillpipe or tubing, which may also be stuck fast in the hole. the bumper

sub imparts a jarring action to help free the "fish."

772200.. BBUUMMPP OOFFFF AA WWEELLLL

To disconnect a rod-line well from a central power unit.

772211.. BBUUNNKKEERR ""CC"" FFUUEELL OOIILL

A heavy, residual fuel oil used in ships' boilers and large heating and

generating plants.

Page 87: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

8686

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

772233.. bbuunnkkeerr ooiill

(See residuals.)

772244.. BBUUNNKKEERRIINNGG

To supply fuel to vessels for use in the ships 'boilers; the loading of bunker

fuel on board ship for use by the ship's boilers.

772266.. BBUUNNKKHHOOUUSSEE

Crew quarters. usually a portable building used on remote well location to

house the drilling crew and for supplies; quarters for Single 011 field workers

in the days when transportation to a nearby town was unavailable.

772288.. bbuuooyyaannccyy

the apparent loss of weight of an object immersed in a fluid. If the object is

floating, the immersed portion displaces a volume of fluid the weight of which

is equal to the weight of the object.

773300.. BBUURRNN PPIITT

An excavation in which waste oil and other material are burned

773322.. bbuurrnn sshhooee

a type of rotary shoe designed to mill away metal tubular goods (such as

casing, drill pipe, and so on) causing stuck pipe; used in fishing operations.

773344.. BBUURRNNEERR

A device for the efficient combustion of a mixture of fuel and air. See

Ultrasonic Atomizer.

773366.. bbuurrnniinngg ppooiinntt

the lowest temperature at which an oil or fuel will burn when an open flame

is held near its surface.

Page 88: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

8787

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

773388.. bbuusshhiinngg

1. a pipe fitting of which the external thread is larger than its internal thread

to allow two pipes of different sizes to be connected together. 2. a removable

lining or sleeve inserted or screwed into an opening to limit its size, resist

wear or corrosion, or serve as a guide.

773399.. bbuuttaannee

a paraffin hydrocarbon, C4H10, that is a gas in atmospheric conditions but is

easily liquefied under pressure; a constituent of LPG.

774411.. BBUUTTTT--WWEELLDDEEDD PPIIPPEE

Pipe made from a rectangular sheet of steel which is formed on mandrels.

The two edges of the sheet are butted together and welded automatically.

774422.. BBUUTTTTEERRFFLLYY VVAALLVVEE

A type of quick-opening valve whose orifice is opened and closed by a disk

that pivots on a shaft in the throat of the valve.

button bit

a drilling bit with tungsten carbide inserts that resemble buttons. (See roller-

cone bit.)

774444.. BBUUYY--RRAACCKK CCRRUUDDEE OOIILL

In foreign countries, buy-back oil is the host government's share of

"participation crude" it permits the company holding the concession (the

producer) to buy back. This occurs when the host government has no market

for its share of oil received under the joint-interest or participation

agreement.

774455.. BBWW

barrels of water; used in drilling reports.

Page 89: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

8888

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

774466.. BBWWPPDD

barrels of water per day.

774477.. BBWWPPHH

barrels of water per hour; used in drilling reports.

774499.. bbyyppaassss

a pipe connection around a valve or other control mechanism, installed to

permit passage of fluid through the line while adjustments or repairs are

being made on the control.

775500.. BBYYPPAASSSS VVAALLVVEE

A valve by which the flow of liquid or gas in a system may be shunted pasta

part of the system through which it normally flows; a valve that controls an

alternate route for liquid or gas.

Page 90: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

8989

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

775511.. CC

degrees centigrade or Celsius. (See cement Ceisius.1 scale.)

775533.. CC..II.. PPLLUUGG

A cast-iron plug; a flat plug used to close the end of a pipe or a valve.

775544.. CC0022--SSHHIIEELLDDEEDD WWEELLDDIINNGG

See Welding, C02-Shielded.

775555.. ccaabbllee

a rope of wire, hemp, or other strong fibers.

775566.. ccaabbllee ttooooll ddrriilllliinngg

a drilling method in which the hole is drilled by dropping a sharply pointed bit

on the bottom of the hole. The bit is attached to a cable and the cable is

picked up and dropped, picked up and dropped, over and over, as the hole is

drilled.

775577.. CCAABBLLEE TTOOOOLLSS

The equipment necessary for cable tool drilling of a well. A heavy metal bar,

sharpened to a chisel-like point on the lower end is attached to a drilling rope

or wire line (cable) which is fastened to a walking beam above the rig floor

that provides an up and down motion to the line and the metal drilling tools.

The drilling tool, called a bit, comes in a variety of cutting-edge

configurations.

775588.. CCAABBLLEE,, DDRRIILLLLIINNGG

A heavy cable, 1 to 2 inches in diameter, made of strands of steel wire.

775599.. ccaakkee tthhiicckknneessss

the thickness of the filter cake.

Page 91: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

9090

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

776600.. CCAALLCCIINNIINNGG ((OOFF CCOOKKEE))

Calcining is the heating of a substance to drive off moisture and other

gaseous impurities or to make it more friable or crushable. Petroleum coke is

calcined, crushed, and heated to drive off any remaining liquid hydrocarbons

and water.

776622.. ccaallcciiuumm ccaarrbboonnaattee

a chemical combination of calcium, carbon, and oxygen, the main constituent

of limestone. It forms a tenacious scale in water-handling facilities and is a

cause of water hardness. Chemical symbol is CaCOB2 B.

776633.. ccaallcciiuumm cchhlloorriiddee

a moisture-absorbing chemical, or desiccant, used as an accelerator in

cements and as a drying agent. Its symbol is CaCl2.

776644.. ccaallcciiuumm ssuullffaattee

a chemical combination of calcium, sulfur, and oxygen. It sometimes

contaminates drilling fluids but may be added to provide certain properties.

Like calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate (CaSO4) forms a hard-to-remove scale

in some water-handling facilities. (See anhydrite and gypsum.)

776655.. ccaallcciiuumm--ttrreeaatteedd mmuudd

a freshwater drilling mud using calcium oxide (lime) or calcium sulfate (gyp)

to retard the hydrating qualities of shale and clay formations, thus facilitating

drilling. Calcium-treated muds resist salt and anhydrite contamination, but

may require further treatment to prevent gelation (solidification) under the

high temperatures of deep wells.

776666.. CCAALLFF WWHHEEEELL

The spool or winch located across the derrick floor from the bull wheels (q.v.)

on a (able tool rig. The casing is usually run with the use of the calf wheels

Page 92: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

9191

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

which are powered by the band wheel (q.v.). A line from the call wheels runs

to the crown block and down to the rig floor.

776677.. ccaalliibbrraattiioonn ttaannkk

(See proven tank.)

776688.. CCAALLIIPPEERR LLOOGG

A tool for checking casing downhole for any bending or flattening or other

deformation prior to running and setting a packer or other casing hardware.

See Drift Mandrel.

776699.. ccaalloorriiee ((CCaalloorryy))

the amount of heat energy necessary to raise the temperature of 1 g of water

1 C. It is the metric equivalent of the British thermal unit.

777700.. CCaamm

an eccentrically shaped disk that varies in distance from its center to various

points on its circumference and that is mounted on a camshaft and serves to

open the engine valves.

777711.. CCAAMMPP,, CCOOMMPPAANNYY

A small community of oil field workers; a settlement of oil company

employees living on a lease in company housing. In the early days, oil

companies furnished housing, lights, gas, and water free or at a nominal

charge to employees working on the lease and at nearby company

installations pumping stations, gasoline plants, tank farms, loading racks, etc.

Camps were known by company lease or simply the lease name, e.g. Gulf

Wolf Camp, Carter Camp, and Tom Butler.

777722.. CCAANNNNIINNGG LLIINNEE

A facility at refinery where cans are filled with lubricating oil, and put in cases.

Modern canning lines are fully automated.

Page 93: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

9292

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

777733.. ccaanntteedd lleegg

pertaining to an independent leg jackup rig designed so that the legs may be

slanted outward to increase support against lateral stresses when the unit is

on the seafloor.

777744.. ccaannvvaass ppaacckkeerr

(obsolete) a device for sealing the annular space between the top of a liner

and the existing casing string.

777766.. CCAAOODDCC

the Canadian Association of Oil-Well Drilling Contractors, the Canadian

counterpart of the IADC.

777777.. ccaapp aa wweellll

to control a blowout by placing a very strong valve on the wellhead.

777788.. ccaapp rroocckk

1. impermeable rock overlying an oil or gas reservoir that tends to prevent

migration of fluids from the reservoir. 2. the porous and permeable strata

overlying salt domes that may serve as the reservoir rock.

777799.. ccaappaacciittaannccee pprroobbee

a device used in most net-oil computers that senses the different dielectric

constants of oil and water in an water-in-oil emulsion.

778811.. ccaappaacciittoorr

an electrical device that, when wired in- the line of an electrical circuit, stores

a charge of electricity and returns the charge to the line when certain

electrical conditions occur. It also is called a condenser.

Page 94: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

9393

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

778822.. CCAAPPBBEEAADD

The final bead or course of metal laid on a pipeline weld. The cap bead goes

on top of the hot passes or filler beads to finish the weld.

778833.. CCAAPPIILLLLAARRYY AATTTTRRAACCTTIIOONN

The attraction of the surface of a liquid to the surface of a solid. Capillary

attraction or capillarity adversely affects the recovery of crude oil from a

porous formation because a portion of the oil clings to the surface of each

pore in the rock. Flooding the formation with certain chemicals the capillary

attraction, the surface tension, permitting the oil to drain out of the pores of

the rock. See Tertiary Recovery.

778844.. CCaappiillllaarryy PPrreessssuurree

A type of pressure data used to determine water saturation in a reservoir.

778855.. CCAAPPIITTAALL AASSSSEETTSS

Assets acquired for investment and not for sale and requiring no personal

services or management duties. In Federal income tax law, oil and gas leases

are, ordinarily, property used in the taxpayers' trade or business and are not

capital assets. Royalty, if held for investment, is usually considered a capital

asset.

778866.. CCAAPPIITTAALL EEXXPPEENNDDIITTUURREESS

Nondeductible expenditures which must be recovered through depletion or

depreciation. In the oil industry, these items illustrate expenditures that must

be capitalized geophysical and geologic costs. Well equipment and lease

bonuses paid by lessee.

Page 95: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

9494

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

778877.. CCAAPPIITTAALL--GGAAPP DDIILLEEMMMMAA

The growing disproportion of capital investment to oil reserves discovered;

the increasing need for investment capital coupled with diminishing results in

terms of oil and gas discovered spending more to find less oil.

778888.. CCAAPPIITTAALL--IINNTTEENNSSIIVVEE IINNDDUUSSTTRRYY

Said of the oil industry because of the great amounts of investment capital

required to search for and establish petroleum reserves.

778899.. CCAAPPIITTAALL SSTTRRIINNGG

Another name for the production string (q.v.).

779900.. CCAAPPPPIINNGG

Closing in a well to prevent the escape of gas or oil.

779911.. CCAAPPSSCCRREEWW

A bolt made with an integral, hexagonal head; cap screws are commonly used

to fasten water jackets and other auxiliary pieces to an engine or pump, and

have slightly pointed ends. below the threads, to aid in getting the "screw"

into the tapped hole and started straight.

779922.. CCAAPPTTUURREEDD BBOOLLTT

A bolt held in place by a fixed nut or threaded piece. The bolt can be

tightened or loosened but cannot be removed completely because of a

shoulder at the end of the bolt. Captured bolts are in reality a part of an

adjustable piece and are so made to preclude the chance of being removed

and dropped or because of limited space and accessibility in an item of

equipment.

Page 96: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

9595

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

779933.. CCAARRBBOONN BBLLAACCKK

A fine, bulky carbon obtained as soot by burning natural gas in large

horizontal "ovens" with insufficient air. carbon black very fine particles of

almost pure amorphous carbon, usually produced from gaseous or liquid

hydrocarbons by thermal decomposition or by controlled combustion with a

restricted air supply.

779955.. CCAARRBBOONN PPLLAANNTT

A plant for the production of carbon black by burning natural gas in the

absence of sufficient air. Carbon plants are located close to a source of gas

and in more or less isolated sections of the country because of the heavy

emission of smoke.

779966.. ccaarrbboonnaattee rreeeeff

(See reef.)

779977.. CCaarrbboonnaattee rroocckk

a sedimentary rock primarily composed of calcium carbonate (limestone) or

calcium magnesium carbonate (dolomite), sometimes makes up petroleum

reservoirs.

779999.. ccaarrbbooxxyymmeetthhyyll cceelllluulloossee

(CMC) a non. fermenting cellulose product used in drilling fluids to combat

contamination from anhydrite (gyp) and to lower the water loss of the mud.

88880011.. CCAARRRRIIEEDD IINNTTEERREESSTT

A fractional interest in an oil or gas property, most often a lease, the holder of

which has no obligation for operating costs. These are paid by the owner or

owners of the remaining fraction who reimburse themselves out of profits

from production. The person paying the costs is the carrying party; the other

person is the carried party.

Page 97: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

9696

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

88880033.. CCAARRRRIIEEDD WWOORRKKIINNGG IINNTTEERREESSTT

A fractional interest in an oil and gas property conveyed or assigned to

another party by the operator or owner of the working interest. In its simplest

form a carried working interest is exempt from all costs of development and

operation of the property. However, the carried interest may specify "to

casing point,' "to setting of tanks," or "through well completion." If the

arrangement specifies through well completion, then the carried Interest may

assume the equivalent fractional interest of operating costs upon completion

of the well. There are many different types of carried interests, the details

varyinq considerably from arrangement to arrangement. One authority has

observed, "The numerous forms this interest is given from time to lime make

it apparent the term carried interest dose not define any specific form of

agreement but serves only serves only as a guide in preparing and

interpreting instruments."

880044.. ccaarrrriieerr rriigg

a self-propelled, wheeled unit used to service oil and gas wells. Modern

production rigs are usually carrier units, having the mast, hoist, engines, and

other auxiliaries needed to service or work over a well mounted on a chassis

powered by the engines used for hoisting. (See back-in unit . 1 and drive-in

unit.)

880055.. CCAARRVVEEDD--OOUUTT IINNTTEERREESSTT

An interest; an oil payment or overridinq royalty (q.v.) conveyed to another

party by the owner of a larger interest, i.e., a working interest. The owner of

the working interest in a producing property may grant an oil payment to a

bank to pay off a loan. For other considerations, the owner of the larger

interest may convey an overriding royalty. one-sixteenth. for example, which

he has "sliced off" or carved out of his interest.

Page 98: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

9797

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

880066.. CCaasseedd

pertaining to a wellbore in which casing is run and cemented.

880077.. CCaasseedd hhoollee

a wellbore in which casing has been run.

880088.. CCAASSHHEEOONNUUSS

See Bonus.

88881100.. CCaassiinngg

Steel pipe set in a well to prevent the hole from sloughing or caving and to

enable formations to be isolated (there may be several strings of casing in a

well, one inside the other).

88881122.. ccaassiinngg aaddaapptteerr

a swage nipple, usually beveled, installed on the top of a string of pipe that

does not extend to the surface. It prevents a smaller string of pipe or tools

from hanging up on the top of the column when run in the well.

88881144.. ccaassiinngg--bbuurrsstt pprreessssuurree

the amount of pressure that causes the wall of the casing to fail. This

pressure is critically important when a gas kick is being circulated out,

because gas on the way to the surface expands, exerting more pressure than

it did at the bottom of the well.

881155.. ccaassiinngg cceennttrraalliizzeerr

a device secured around the casing at various intervals to center it in the hole

and provide a uniform cement sheath around the pipe.

Page 99: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

9898

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

881166.. ccaassiinngg ccoouupplliinngg

a tubular section of pipe that is threaded inside and used to connect two

joints of casing.

881177.. ccaassiinngg ccuutttteerr

a heavy cylindrical body fitted with a set of knives, used to free a section of

casing in the well. The cutter is run on a string of tubing or drill pipe, and the

knives are rotated against the inner walls of the pipe to free the casing.

881188.. ccaassiinngg ddeessiiggnn cchhaarrtt

a list of the various grades and weights of pipe available for the casing string,

which includes pertinent safety factors such as stress effects to permit

selection of the most economical and safest casing for a specific job. casing

elevator (See elevator.)

881199.. ccaassiinngg ffllooaatt ccoollllaarr

(See float collar.)

88882211.. ccaassiinngg ppaacckk

a method of cementing casing in a well so that the casing may, if necessary,

be retrieved with minimum difficulty. A special mud, usually an oil mud, is

placed in the well ahead of the cement after the casing has been set. The

mud used is non-solidifying, so that it does not bind or stick to the casing in

the hole in the area above the cement. Since the mud does not gel, even over

long periods of time, the casing can be cut above the cemented section and

retrieved. Casing packs are used in wells of doubtful or limited production to

permit reuse of valuable lengths of casing.

882222.. CCAASSIINNGG PPAACCKKEERR,, EEXXTTEERRNNAALL

See External Casing Packer.

Page 100: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

9999

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

88882244.. CCAASSIINNGG PPOOIINNTT

A term that designates a time when a decision must be made whether casing

is to be run and set or the well abandoned and plugged in a joint operating

agreement, casing point refers to the time when a well has been drilled to

objective depth, tests made, and the operator notifies the drilling parties of

his recommendation with a respect to setting casing a production string, and

completing the well. On a marginal well, decision to set pipe is often difficult.

To case a well often costs as much as drilling. On a very good well there is no

hesitation the operators and glad to run casing and complete the well. casing

point the depth in a well at which casing is set, generally the depth at which

the casing shoe rests.

88882266.. CCAASSIINNGG PPRREESSSSUURREE

Pressure between the casing and the well's tubing. casing pressure the

pressure built up in a well between the casing and tubing or casing and drill

pipe.

88882288.. ccaassiinngg pprrootteeccttoorrss

short, threaded nipples screwed into the open end of the coupling and over

the threaded end to protect the threads from dirt accumulation damage. Also

called thread protectors, they are made of steel or plastic.

88883300.. ccaassiinngg sshhooee

a short, heavy, hollow, cylindrical steel section with a rounded bottom that is

placed on the end of the casing string to serve as a reinforcing shoe and to

aid in cutting off minor projections from the borehole wall as the casing is

being lowered. Also called a guide shoe.

883311.. ccaassiinngg sslliippss

(See slips.)

Page 101: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

100100

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

883322.. ccaassiinngg ssppeeaarr

a fishing tool designed to grab casing from the inside so that when the spear

is retrieved, the attached casing comes with it.

883333.. ccaassiinngg ssppiiddeerr

(See spider.)

88883355.. ccaassiinngg ssttrriinngg

Casing is manufactured in lengths of about 30 ft, each length or joint being

joined to another as casing is run in a well. The entire length of all the joints

of casing is called the casing string. (See combination string.)

88883377.. ccaassiinngg sswwaaggee

a solid, cylindrical body,pointed at the bottom and equipped with a tool joint

at the top for connection with a jar, used to make an opening in a collapsed

casing and drive it back to its original shape.

883388.. ccaassiinngg ttoonnggss

(See tongs.)

883399.. CCAASSIINNGG WWAAGGOONN

A small, low cart for moving casing from the pipe rack to the derrick floor.

Two wagons are used. The forward wagon holds the pipe in a V-shaped

cradle the rear wagon is in reality a lever on wheels which raises the end of

the casing so it is free to be pulled.

88884411.. CCAASSIINNGG,, SSHHAALLLLOOWW--WWEELLLL

Small-diameter casing of lighter weight than conventional casing used in deep

wells. The lighter-weight casing is less costly, easier to handle. and adequate

for certain kinds of shallow, low-pressure wells.

Page 102: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

101101

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

884422.. CCAASSIINNGG,, SSPPIIRRAALLLLEEDD--WWAALLLL

Well casing made with spiral grooves on the outer circumference of the pipe.

The purpose of the patented axial grooves is to aid in running casing or a

liner (q.v.) in deviated or crooked holes. The pipe with its grooves, like screw

threads, is said to be less susceptible to wall or differential sticking (q.v.).

884433.. CCAASSIINNGGHHEEAADD

The top of the casing set in a well; the part of the casing that protrudes

above the surface and to which the control valves and flow pipes are

attached. casinghead a heavy, flanged steel fitting that connects to the first

string of casing and provides a housing for the slips and packing assemblies

by which intermediate strings of casing are suspended and the annulus sealed

off. It is also called a spool.

884444.. CCAASSIINNGGHHEEAADD GGAASS ))الغاز المفصول عن النفط في على السطحالغاز المفصول عن النفط في على السطح((

Gas produced with oil from an oil well as distinguished from gas from a gas

well. The casinghead gas is taken off at the top of the well or at the

separator.

88884466.. CCAASSIINNGGHHEEAADD GGAASSOOLLIINNEE

Liquid hydrocarbons separated from casinghead gas by the reduction of

pressure at the wellhead or by a separator or absorption plant. Casinghead,

gasoline or natural gasoline is a highly volatile, water white liquid. casinghead

gasoline liquid hydrocarbons that are extracted from casinghead gas.

884477.. ccaatt

a tractor designed to move easily over rough terrain, used often to clear areas

in earth-moving operations and in skidding rigs.It is a shortened form of

Caterpillar, a trade name.

Page 103: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

102102

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

88884499.. CCAATT LLIINNEE

A hoisting or pulling rope operated from a cat head (q.v.). On a drilling rig,

the rope used by the driller to exert a pull on pipe tongs in tightening (making

up) or loosening (breaking out) joints of pipe.

88885511.. CCAATT SSHHAAFFTT

The shaft on the draw works on which the cat heads are mounted. One cat

head is a drum, and by using a large rope wrapped around it a few turns the

drilling crew can do such jobs as make-up and break-out and light hoisting,

The other end of the cat shaft has a manual or air-actuated quick-release

friction clutch and drum to which the tong jerk fine or spinning chain is

attached.

885522.. CCAATT WWOORRKKSS

A part of the rig's draw works; the gear and chain linkage that powers the cat

heads. The cat works are used by the driller to make up and break out tool

joint connections; spin in the easing and apply torque to the pipe tongs. See

Cat Shaft.

885533.. CCAATTAALLYYSSIISS

The increase or speeding up of a chemical reaction caused by a substance

that remains chemically unchanged at the end of the reaction. Any reaction

brought about by a separate agent.

885544.. CCAATTAALLYYSSTT

A substance which hastens or retards a chemical reaction without undergoing

a chemical change itself during the process. catalyst a substance that alters,

accelerates, or instigates chemical reactions without itself being affected.

Page 104: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

103103

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

885555.. ccaattaallyyttiicc ccrraacckkiinngg

the breaking down of large, complex hydrocarbon molecules by applying heat,

pressure, and a chemical (the catalyst) to speed the process.

88885577.. ccaattcchh ssaammpplleess

to obtain cuttings made by the bit as formations are penetrated for study by

geologists. 'Re samples are obtained from drilling fluid as it emerges from the

wellbore or, in cable-tool drilling, from the bailer. Cuttings are carefully

washed until they are free of foreign matter, dried, and labeled to indicate the

depth at which they were obtained.

885588.. CCAATTCCRRAACCKKEERR

A large refinery vessel for processing reduced crude oil, naphthas, or other

intermediates in the presence of a catalyst. See Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit.

885599.. CCAATTEENNAARRYY

The sag or curve of a cable or chain stretched between two supports.

886600.. ccaatteennaarryy CCuurrvvee

the shape assumed by a perfectly flexible line hanging under its own weight.

886611.. CCAATTHHEEAADD

A spool-shaped hub on a winch shaft around which a rope is wound for

pulling and hoisting; a power take-off spool used by the driller as he operates

the cat line(q.v.).

886622.. ccaatthhooddee ))الكاثودالكاثود((

the negative element of any electrical device as opposed to the anode.

Electricity enters a circuit at the cathode.

Page 105: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

104104

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

88886644.. CCAATTHHOODDIICC PPRROOTTEECCTTIIOONN ))الحماية الكاثوديةالحماية الكاثودية((

An anticorrosion technique for metal installations-pipelines, tanks, buildings in

which weak electric currents are set up to offset the current associated with

metal corrosion. Carbon or nonferrous anodes (q.v.) buried near the pipeline

are connected to the pipe. Current flowing from the corroding anode to the

metal installation control the corrosion of the installation.

886655.. ccaattiioonn ))الكاتيونالكاتيون((

(See ion.)

88886677.. ccaattlliinnee

a hoisting or pulling line powered by the cathead, used to lift heavy

equipment on the rig.

886688.. CCAATTTTLLEE GGUUAARRDD

A ground-level, trestle-like crossing placed at an opening in a pasture fence to

prevent cattle from getting out while permitting vehicles to cross over the

metal or wooden open framework.

886699.. CCAATTWWAALLKK

raised, narrow walkway between tanks or other installations. catwalk the

ramp at the side of the drilling rig where pipe is laid out to be lifted to the

derrick floor by the catline; any elevated walkway.

887700.. ccaauussttiicc ssooddaa ))الصودا الكاويةالصودا الكاوية((

sodium hydroxide, used td maintain an alkaline pH in drilling mud and in

petroleum fractions. Its symbol is NaOH.

Page 106: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

105105

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

887711.. ccaavveerrnnoouuss ffoorrmmaattiioonn ))الصخور المتكهفةالصخور المتكهفة((

a rock formation that contains large, open spaces, usually resulting from

dissolving by formation waters that may still be present. (See tug.)

887722.. CCAAVVEEYY FFOORRMMAATTIIOONN

A formation that trends to cave or slough into the well's borch,71,?. In the

parlance of cable-tool drillers, "the hole doesn't stand up."

887733.. ccaavviinngg

collapse of the walls of the wellbore, also called sloughing.

887744.. CCAAVVIITTAATTIIOONN

The creation of a partial vacuum or a cavity by a high-speed blade or boat

propeller moving in or through a liquid. Cavitation is also by a suction pump

drawing in liquid whore there is an insufficient station or hydrostatic head to

keep the line supplied.

887755.. cccc

cubic centimeter.

887766.. CCDD

Contract depth the depth of a well called for or specified in contract.

887777.. CCEELLLLAARR

An excavation dug at the drill site before erecting the derrick to provide

working space for the casinghead equipment beneath the derrick floor.

Blowout preventer valves (BOP stack) are also located beneath the derrick

floor in the cellar. cellar a pit in the ground dug to provide additional height

between the rig floor and the wellhead to accommodate installation of

Page 107: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

106106

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

blowout preventers, rathole, mousehole, etc. It also collects drainage water

and other fluids for subsequent disposal.

887788.. CCEELLLLAARR DDEECCKK

Lower deck on a large, double-decked, semisubmersible drilling platform.

cellar deck the lower deck of a double-decked semisubmersible drilling rig.

(See main deck or Texas deck.)

88888800.. CCEELLLLAARR,, WWEELLLLHHEEAADD

See Wellhead Cellar.

888811.. cceemmeenntt

a powder consisting of alumina, silica, lime, and other substances which

hardens when mixed with water. Extensively used in the oil industry to bond

casing to the walls of the wellbore.

888822.. cceemmeenntt 9944 llbb ((11 ccuu fftt))

bentonite 100 lb ilmenite 100 lb barite 100 lb

888833.. cceemmeenntt aaddddiittiivvee

a material added to cement during cementing of a well to change its

properties. Chemical accelerators, chemical retarders, and weight-reduction

materials are common additives. (See cementing materials.)

888844.. cceemmeenntt bboonndd

the adherence of casing to cement and cement to formation. When casing is

run in a well, it is set, or bonded, to the formation by means of cement.

888855.. cceemmeenntt bboonndd ssuurrvveeyy

an acoustic survey or sonic-logging method that records the quality or

hardness of the cement in the annulus used to bond the casing and the

formation. Casing well-bonded to the formation transmits an acoustic signal

quickly; poorly bonded casing transmits a signal slowly.

Page 108: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

107107

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

88888877.. cceemmeenntt ccaassiinngg

to fill the annulus between the casing and hole with cement to support the

casing and to prevent migration of fluids between permeable zones.

888888.. cceemmeenntt cchhaannnneelliinngg

during a cementing operation, the rising of cement between the casing and

the borehole wall when the slurry fails to rise uniformly throughout the

annulus.

888899.. cceemmeenntt dduummpp bbaaiilleerr

a cylindrical container with a valve, used to release small batches of cement

in a remedial cementing operation.

889900.. cceemmeenntt pplluugg

a portion of cement placed at some point in the wellbore to seal it. (See

cementing.)

889911.. cceemmeenntt rreettaaiinneerr

a tool set temporarily in the casing or well to prevent the passage of cement,

thereby forcing it to follow another designated path. It is used in squeeze

Cementing and other remedial cementing jobs.

889922.. cceemmeenntt ssyysstteemm

a particular slurry containing cement and water with or without additives.

889933.. CCEEMMEENNTTAATTIIOONN

The filling in of the pore spaces of reservoir rock by the natural concretion of

limestone.

Page 109: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

108108

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

889944.. cceemmeennttiinngg

the application of a liquid slurry of cement and water to various points inside

or outside the casing. (See primary cementing, secondary Cementing, and

squeeze cementing.)

889955.. cceemmeennttiinngg bbaarrggee

a barge containing the cementing pumps and other equipment needed for oil-

well cementing in water operations.

889966.. cceemmeennttiinngg bbaasskkeett

a collapsible or folding metal cone that fits against the walls of the wellbore to

prevent the passage of cement, sometimes called a metal-petal basket.

889977.. cceemmeennttiinngg hheeaadd

an accessory attached to the top of the casing to facilitate cementing of the

casing. It has passages for cement slurry and retainer chambers for

cementing wiper plugs.

889988.. cceemmeennttiinngg mmaatteerriiaallss

a slurry of Portland cement and water and sometimes one or more additives.

They affect either the density of the mixture or its setting time. The Portland

cement used may be high early strength, common (or standard), or slow

setting. Additives include accelerators (such as calcium chloride), retarders

(such as gypsum), weighting materials (such as barium sulfate), lightweight

additives (such as bentonite), and a variety of lost-circulation materials (such

as mica flakes).

889999.. cceemmeennttiinngg ppuummpp

a high-pressure pump used to force cement down the casing and into the

annular space between the casing and the wall of the borehole.

Page 110: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

109109

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

990000.. cceemmeennttiinngg ttiimmee

the total elapsed time needed to complete a cementing operation.

990011.. cceenntteerr ooff bbuuooyyaannccyy

the center of gravity of the fluid displaced by a floating body (such as a ship

or mobile offshore drilling rig).

990022.. cceenntteerr ooff fflloottaattiioonn

the geometric center of the water plane at which a mobile offshore drilling rig

floats and about which a rig rotates when acted upon by an external force

without a change in displacement. center of gravity the point at which an

object can be supported so that it balances and on which all gravitational

forces on the body and the weight of the body are concentrated; the center

of mass.

990033.. cceenntteerr ooff pprreessssuurree

the point on which all wind-pressure forces are concentrated.

9990055.. cceenntteerrlliinnee

the middle line of the hull of a mobile offshore drilling rig from stem to stern

as shown in a waterline view.

990066.. cceennttiiggrraaddee ((CCeellssiiuuss)) ssccaallee

the metric system of temperature measurement used universally by scientists.

In the centigrade scale, O' represents the freezing point of water and 100' its

boiling point at 760-mm barometric pressure. Degrees centigrade are

converted to degrees Fahrenheit by the following equation 'F = 9/5 ('C) + 32.

990077.. cceennttiippooiissee ((ccpp))

one-hundredth of a poise.

Page 111: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

110110

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

990088.. cceennttrraall ooiill--ttrreeaattiinngg ssttaattiioonn

a processing network used to treat emulsion produced from several leases,

thus eliminating the need for individual treating facilities at each lease site.

990099.. CCEENNTTRRAALL PPOOWWEERR

A well-pumping installation consisting of an engine powering a large

diameter, horizontal band wheel with shackle-rod lines attached to its

circumference. The band wheel is an excentric and as it revolves on a vertical

axle a reciprocating motion is imparted to the shackle rods. A central power

may pump from 10 to 25 wells on a lease.

991100.. cceennttrraalliizzeerr

(See casing centralizer.)

991111.. CCEENNTTRRAALLIIZZEERRSS,, CCEEMMEENNTTIINNGG

Cyclindrical, cage-like devices fitted to a wells casing as it is run to keep the

pipe centered in the borehole. Cementing centralizers are made with two

bands that fit the pipe tightly with spring steel ribs that arch out to press

against the wall of the borehole. By keeping the pipe centered. a more

uniform cementing job is assured. Centralizers are especially useful in deep or

deviated holes.

991122.. cceennttrriiffuuggaall ccoommpprreessssoorr

a compressor in which the flow of gas to be compressed is moved away from

the center rapidly, usually by a series of blades, or turbines. It is a

continuous-flow compressor with a low pressure ratio, often used to transmit

gas through a pipeline. Gas passing through the compressor contacts a

rotating impeller, from which it is discharged into a diffuser, where its velocity

is slowed and its kinetic energy changed to static pressure. Centrifugal

Page 112: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

111111

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

compressors are nonpositive-displacement machines, often arranged in series

on a line to achieve multistage compression.

991133.. CCEENNTTRRIIFFUUGGAALL PPUUMMPP

A pump made with blades or impellers in a close-fitting case. The liquid is

pushed forward by the impellers as they rotate at high speed. Centrifugal

pumps, because of their high speed. are able to handle large volumes of

liquid.

991144.. cceennttrriiffuuggee

a machine that uses centrifugal force to separate substances of varying

densities; also called the shake-out or grind-out machine. A centrifuge is

capable of spinning substances at high speeds to obtain high centrifugal

forces.

991155.. cceennttrriiffuuggee tteesstt

a test to determine the amount of BS&W in samples of oil or emulsion. The

samples are placed in tubes and spun in a centrifuge, which breaks out the

BS&W.

9991177.. CCEENNTTRRIIFFUUGGEE,, DDEECCAANNTTIINNGG

A large centrifuge machine for separating or removing pulverized rock and

fines from drilling mud returning from downhole. A decanting centrifuge

located between the rig and mud pits removes the fine particles of rock from

the mud by centrifugal action and discharges the clean mud to the working

pits.

991188.. CCeerrttiiffiiccaattee ooff FFiittnneessss

A certificate issued by a certifying authority stating that a design, plan or

facility complies with the relevant regulations or requirements, is fit for

Page 113: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

112112

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

purpose, and can be operated safely and without posing a threat to the

environment.

991199.. CCeerrttiiffyyiinngg AAuutthhoorriittiieess

Organizations designated under the Nova Scotia Offshore Certificate of

Fitness Regulations to conduct examinations of designs, plans and facilities

and to issue Certificates of Fitness.

992200.. CCEESSSSAATTIIOONN OOFF PPRROODDUUCCTTIIOONN

The termination of production from a well. It may be owing to mechanical

breakdown, reworking operations, governmental orders, or depletion of oil or

gas. Temporary cessation usually does not affect the lease, but a permanent

shutdown terminates the ordinary oil and gas lease.

992211.. CCEETTAANNEE NNUUMMBBEERR

A measure of the ignition quality of diesel fuel. The cetane number of diesel

fuel corresponds to the percent of cetane (C,6 H34) in a mixture of cetane

and alpha-methyl naphthalene. When this mixture has the same ignition

characteristic in a test engine as the diesel fuel, the diesel fuel has a cetane

number equal to the percent of cetane in the mixture. Regular diesel is 40 -45

cetane; premium is 45-50. cetane number a measure of the ignition quality of

fuel oil. The higher the cetane number, the more easily the fuel is ignited.

992222.. CCEETTAANNEE NNUUMMBBEERR

A measure of the ignition quality of diesel fuel. The cetane number of diesel

fuel corresponds to the percent of cetane (C,6 H34) in a mixture of cetane

and alpha-methyl naphthalene. When this mixture has the same ignition

characteristic in a test engine as the diesel fuel, the diesel fuel has a cetane

number equal to the percent of cetane in the mixture. Regular diesel is 40 -45

cetane; premium is 45-50. Cetane number a measure of the ignition quality of

fuel oil. The higher the cetane number, the more easily the fuel is ignited.

Page 114: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

113113

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

992233.. CCFFGG

cubic feet of gas; used in drilling reports.

992244.. CCFFMM

Cubic feet per minute.

992255.. cchhaaiinn

in offshore drilling, a heavy line constructed of iron bars looped together and

used for a mooring line.

992266.. cchhaaiinn ddrriivvee

a drive system using a chain and chain gears to transmit power. Power

transmissions use a roller chain, in which each link is made of side bars,

transverse pins, and rollers on the pins. A double roller chain is made of two

connected rows of links, a triple roller chain of three, and so forth.

992277.. cchhaaiinn ttoonnggss

a tool, consisting of a handle and a releasable chain, used for turning pipe or

fittings of a diameter larger than that which a pipe wrench would fit. The

chain is tightened around the pipe or fitting, which is then turned by means of

the handle.

992288.. CCHHAAIINN WWHHEEEELLSS

Some gate valves are operated from a distance either for safety or

convenience. Such valves have a gate wheel made to accept a chain in the

wheel's outer circumference. The chain is reeved or passed over a drum or

windlass which the operator turns to open or close the valve from a distance.

992299.. cchhaannggee hhoouussee

a doghouse in which a drilling rig crew changes clothes.

Page 115: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

114114

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

993300.. cchhaannggee rraammss

to take rams out of a blowout preventer and replace them with rams of a

different size. When the size of a drill pipe is changed, the size of the rams

must be changed to ensure that they seal the pipe when closed.

993311.. cchhaannggee rraammss

to take rams out of a blowout preventer and replace them with rams of a

different size. When the size of a drill pipe is changed, the size of the rams

must be changed to ensure that they seal the pipe when closed.

993322.. cchhaannnneelliinngg

1. the bypassing of oil in a water-drive field due to erratic or uncontrolled

water encroachment. The natural tendency toward channeling is aggravated

by excessive production rates, which encourage premature water

encroachment. 2. cement channeling.

993333.. CCHHAARRCCOOAALLTTEESSTT

A test to determine the gasoline content of natural gas.

993344.. CCHHAARRGGIINNGG SSTTOOCCKK

Oil that is to be "charged" or treated in a particular refinery unit.

993355.. cchhaassee ppiippee

to rapidly lower the drill stem a few feet into the hole and then suddenly stop

it with the drawworks brake. A surge of pressure in the mud in the drilling

stem and annular space results, and may help to flush out debris accumulated

in or on the pipe. However, the pressure surge may break down a formation,

causing lost circulation, or damage the bit if it is near the bottom.

993366.. cchhaassee tthhrreeaaddss

to clean and deburr the threads of a pipe so that it will make up properly.

Page 116: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

115115

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

9993388.. CCHHAATTTTEERR

A noisy indication that a mechanical part is behaving erratically and de.

structively. In the case of a spring-loaded relief valve, chatter is caused by the

valve disk opening and closing rapidly and repetitively, striking against the

seat sharply many times a second. Chatter in a bearing is caused by an

improperly fitted bearing or from excessive wear that permits lateral motion.

As the shaft rotates at high speed, the journal (q.v.) strikes the bearing

surface repetitively and rapidly.

993399.. CCHHEEAATTEERR

A length of pipe used to increase the leverage of a wrench; anything used to

lengthen a handle to increase the applied leverage.

994400.. CCHHEECCKK VVAALLVVEE

A valve with a free-swinging tongue or clapper that permits fluid in a pipeline

to flow in one direction only; back-pressure valve. check valve a valve that

permits flow in one direction only.

994411.. CCHHEECCKK VVAALLVVEE,, TTIILLTTIINNGG DDIISSCC

A type of check valve, usually for large-diameter pipelines, with the disc

mounted on trunnions instead of a hinge as in more conventional check

valves. One advantage of the tilting disc is its quiet operation, the absence of

"slam" as in other types of check valves.

9994433.. CCHHEECCKKEERR BB00AARRDD LLEEAASSIINNGG

The acquisition of mineral rights (oil and gas) in a checkerboard pattern. A

company may be forced to lease land over a wide area before it has

completed geological and geophysical studies. Leases then may be taken on

one-quarter section (160 acres) in each section of land.

Page 117: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

116116

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

994444.. CCHHEEEESSEE BBOOXX

An early-day, square, box-like refining vessel; a still to heat crude oil for

distilling the products in those days-kerosene, gas oil, and lubricating oil.

994455.. CChheemmeelleeccttrriicc ttrreeaatteerr

a brand name for an electrostatic' treater.

994466.. cchheemmiiccaall ccuuttooffff

a method of severing steel pipe in a well by applying high-pressure jets of

very corrosive substance against the wall of the pipe. The resulting cut is very

smooth.

994477.. CCHHEEMMIICCAALL FFEEEEDDEERR PPUUMMPP

A small-volume pump used on oil leases to inject chemicals into flow lines.

The pump may be located at the wellhead and be actuated by the motion of

the pumping jack. The chemical is used to break down water/oil emulsions

that may be contained in the crude oil stream.

994488.. CCHHEEMMIICCAALL IINNJJEECCTTIIOONN PPUUMMPP

A small-volume, high-pressure pump for injecting chemicals into producing

wells or pipelines. Chemicals are injected into oil streams to reduce any

emulsified oil to free oil and water. When the droplets of water are freed of

their film of oil, the water will drop out, settle out of the oil stream, and can

be drawn off.

994499.. cchheemmiiccaall ppuummpp

an injection pump used to introduce a chemical into a fluid stream or

receptacle.

995500.. cchheemmiiccaall ttrreeaattmmeenntt

any of many processes in the oil industry that involve the use of a chemical to

effect an operation. Some chemical treatments are acidizing, crude-oil

Page 118: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

117117

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

demulsification, corrosion inhibition, paraffin removal, scale removal, drilling-

fluid control, refinery and plant processes, cleaning and purging operations,

water-flood injection, and water purification.

995511.. cchheerrtt

a quartzitic rock with hardness equal to or harder than flint.

995522.. cchheerrtt ccllaauussee

a provision in a drilling contract that stipulates that, when chart is

encountered in drilling a well, footage rates are no longer applicable and

daywork rates become effective. Chert is very hard and difficult to drill.

995533.. CCHHIILLLLEERRSS

Refinery apparatus in which the temperature of paraffin distillates is lowered

preparatory to filtering out the solid wax.

995544.. cchhkk

choke; used in drilling reports.

995555.. cchhlloorriinnee ssuurrvveeyy

a special type of radioactivity-logging survey used inside casing to measure

the relative amount of chlorine in the formation outside the casing. Rocks

with low chlorine content are likely to contain gas or oil; rocks with high

chlorine indications usually contain salt water only.

995566.. cchhrroommaattooggrraapphhyy

a method of separating a solution of closely related compounds by allowing it

to seep through an adsorbent so that each compound becomes adsorbed in a

separate layer.

995577.. CChhlloorriittee

A commonly occurring clay mineral.

Page 119: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

118118

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

995588.. CCHHOOCCKK

A wedge or block to prevent a vehicle or other movable object from shifting

position; a chunk.

995599.. cchhookkee

an orifice installed in a line to restrict the flow and control the rate of

production. Surface chokes are part of the Christmas tree and contain a choke

nipple, or bean, with a small-diameter bore that serves to restrict the flow.

Chokes are also used to control the rate of flow of the drilling mud out of the

hole when the well is closed in with the blowout preventer and a kick is being

circulated out of the hole. (See adjustable choke, bottomhole choke, and

positive choke.)

996600.. cchhookkee lliinnee

an extension of pipe from the blowout-preventer assembly, used to direct well

fluids from the annulus to the choke manifold.

996611.. cchhookkee mmaanniiffoolldd

the arrangement of piping and chokes through which drilling mud is circulated

when the blowout preventers are closed to control the pressures encountered

during a kick.

996622.. CCHHRRIISSTTMMAASS TTRREEEE

An assembly of valves mounted on the casinghead through which a well is

produced. The Christmas tree also contains valves for testing the well and for

shutting it In if necessary. Christmas tree -the control valves, pressure

gauges, and chokes assembled at the top of a well to control the flow of oil

and gas after the well has been drilled and completed.

Page 120: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

119119

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

996633.. CCHHRRIISSTTMMAASS TTRREEEE ((MMAARRIINNEE))

A subsea production system similar to a conventional land tree except it is

assembled complete for remote installation on the sea floor with or without

diver assistance. The marine tree is installed from the drilling platform it Is

lowered into position on guide cables anchored to foundation legs implanted

in the ocean floor. The tree is then latched mechanically or hydraulically to

the casing-head by remote control.

996644.. cchhrroommaattooggrraapphhyy

a method of separating a solution of closely related compounds by allowing it

to seep through an adsorbent so that each compound becomes adsorbed in a

separate layer.

996655.. CCHHUURRNN DDRRIILLLLIINNGG

Another name for cable tool drilling because of the up and down, churning

motion of the drill bit.

996666.. CCIIDD

Cubic inch displacement; the volume "swept out" or evacuated by the pistons

of an engine in one working stroke; used to describe the size (and by

implication, the power) of an automobile engine.

996677.. cciirrcc

circulated; used in drilling reports

996688.. CCIIRRCCLLEE JJAACCKK

(CABLE-TOOL RIG)A device used on the floor of a cable-tool rig to make up

and break out (tighten and loosen) joints of drilling tools, casing or tubing; a

jacking device operated on a toothed or notched metal, circular track placed

around the pipe joint protruding from the borehole, above the floor. The jack

Page 121: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

120120

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

is operated manually with a handle, and is connected to a wrench which

tightens the pipe joint as the jack is advanced, notch by notch.

9997700.. CCIIRRCCUULLAATTEE

To pump drilling fluid into the borehole through the drill-pipe and back up the

annulus between the pipe and the wall of the hole to cease drilling but to

maintain circulation for any reason. When closer inspection of the formation

rock just encountered is desired, drilling is halted as circulation is continued to

"bring bottoms up" (q.v.). circulate -to pass from one point throughout a

system and back to the starting point. Drilling fluid circulates from the suction

pit through the drill pipe to the bottom of the well and returns through the

annulus.

997711.. cciirrccuullaattiinngg hheeaadd

an accessory attached to the top of the drill pipe or tubing to form a

connection with the mud system to permit circulation of the drilling mud. In

some cases, it is also a rotating head.

997722.. cciirrccuullaattiinngg pprreessssuurree

the pressure generated by the mud pumps and exerted on the drill stem.

997733.. CCIIRRCCUULLAATTIIOONN

The round trip made by drilling mud; down through the drill-pipe and up on

the outside of the drillpipe, between the pipe and the walls of the borehole. If

circulation is "lost," the flow out of the well is less than the flow into the well;

the mud may be escaping into some porous formation or a cavity downhole.

See Lose Returns.

997744.. CCIITTYY GGAATTEE

The measuring point at which a gas distributing utility receives gas from a gas

transmission company.

Page 122: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

121121

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

997755.. CCLLAADDDDIINNGG

Coating of one material with another; to cover one metal with another by

bonding the two. In the oil patch cladding or "trimming" steel pipe and valves

with corrosion-resistant metal alloy is necessary when H2S (hydrogen sulfide)

and other corrosive gases must be handled. Cladding of pipe, valves, and

fittings is les.3 costly than making them of expensive, anticorrosion alloys.

See Sour Service Trim.

997766.. ccllaammpp

a mechanical device used to hold an object in place. For example, a leak-

repair clamp, or saddle clamp, holds a piece of metal with the same curvature

as the pipe over a hole in a line, effecting a temporary seal. A wireline clamp

holds the end of a wire rope against the main rope, while a polished-rod

clamp attaches the top of the polished rod to the bridle of a pumping unit.

997777.. CCLLAAMMPPSS,, PPIIPPEELLIINNEE LLIINNEE--UUPP

See Line-up Clamps.

997788.. CCLLAAMMPPSS,, RRIIVVEERR

See River Clamps.

997799.. CCLLAAMMSSHHEELLLL BBUUCCKKEETT

A hinged, jaw-like digging implement suspended at the end of a cable running

down from the boom of an excavating machine. A drag-line bucket.

998800.. CCLLAAPPPPEERR

The internal moving part, the "tongue" of a check valve that permits a liquid

or gas to I low in one direction only in a pipeline. Like a trap door, the cheek-

valve clapper works on a hinge attached to the body of the valve. When at

rest the clapper is a few degrees off the vertical or, as in certain valves,

completely horizontal.

Page 123: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

122122

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

998811.. ccllaassttiicc rroocckkss

pl sedimentary rocks composed of fragments of preexisting rocks. Sandstone

is a clastic rock.

998822.. CCLLAAUUSS PPRROOCCEESSSS

A process for the conversion of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) to plain sulfur

developed in 1885 by the German chemist Claus.

998833.. CCLLAAYY

The filtering medium, especially Fuller's earth, used in refining; a substance

which tends to adsorb the coloring materials present in oil which passes

through it. clay- a fine, crystalline material of hydrous silicates, resulting

primarily from the decomposition of feldspathic rocks.

998844.. CCLLAAYY PPEERRCCOOLLAATTEERR

Refinery filtering equipment employing a type of clay to remove impurities or

to change the color of lubricating oils.

9998866.. CCLLEEAANN CCAARRGGOO

Refined products-distillates, kerosene, gasoline, jet fuel-carried by tankers,

barges, and tank cars all refined products except bunker fuels and residuals

(q.v.).

998877.. CCLLEEAANN CCIIRRCCUULLAATTIIOONN

The circulation of drilling mud free of rock cuttings from the bottom of the

borehole. This condition may be caused by a worn bit; circulating to clean the

hole or by a broken or parted drill-string.

998888.. LLEEAANN OOIILL

Crude oil containing less than one percent sediment and water (BS&W)

pipeline oil oil clean enough to be accepted by a pipeline for transmission.

Page 124: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

123123

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

998899.. cclleeaann oouutt

to remove sand, scale, and other deposits from the producing section of the

well to restore or increase production.

999900.. CCLLEEAANN--OOUUTT BBOOXX

A square or rectangular opening on the side of a tank or other vessel through

which the sediment that has accumulated can be removed. The opening is

closed with a sheet of metal (a door) bolted in place.

999911.. CCLLEEAANN--UUPP TTRRIIPP

Running the drillpipe into the hole for circulation of mud only; to clean the

borehole of cuttings.

999922.. cclleeaannoouutt ddoooorr

an opening made to permit removal of sediments from the bottom of a tank.

Usually a plate near ground level is removed from the side of the tank to

make the door.

999933.. cclleeaannoouutt ttoooollss

pi the tools or instruments such as bailers and swabs used to clean out an oil

well.

999944.. cclleeaarr

to remove brush, trees, rocks, and other obstructions from an area.

999955.. cclleeaarraannccee vvoolluummee

the amount of space between the traveling and standing valves in a sucker-

rod pump when the pump is at the bottom of its stroke.

999966.. CCLLEEVVIISS

A U-shaped metal link or shackle with the ends of the U drilled to hold a pin

or bolt; used as a connecting link for a chain or cable.

Page 125: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

124124

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

9999988.. cclliinnggaaggee

the amount of oil that adheres to the wall of a measuring or prover tank after

draining.

999999.. CClliinnttoonn ffllaakkee

a finely shredded cellophane used as a lost-circulation material for cement.

11000000.. cclloossee iinn

1. to temporarily shut in a well that is capable of producing oil or gas. 2. to

close the blowout preventers on a well to control a kick.

111000022.. cclloossee nniippppllee

a very short piece of pipe threaded its entire length.

11000033.. cclloosseedd cciirrccuuiitt

1. a life-support system in which the gas is recycled continually while the

carbon dioxide is removed and oxygen added periodically. 2. a television

installation in which the signal is transmitted by wire to a limited number of

receivers.

11000044.. cclloosseedd--iinn pprreessssuurree

(See formation pressure.)

11000055.. cclloosseedd ssyysstteemm

a water-handling system that air is not allowed to enter to prevent corrosion

or scale (such as a saltwater-disposal system).

11000066.. CCLLOOSSEEDDIINN

Refers to a well, capable of producing, that is shut in (q.v.).

11000077.. cclloossiinngg rraattiioo

the ratio between the pressure in the hole and the operating-piston pressure

needed to close the rams of a blowout preventer.

Page 126: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

125125

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11000088.. cclloossuurree

the vertical distance between the top of an anticline, or dome, and the

bottom, an indication of the amount of producing formation that may be

expected.

11000099.. CCLLOOUUDD PPOOIINNTT

The temperature at which paraffin wax begins to crystallize or separate from

the solution, imparting a cloudy appearance to the oil as it is chilled under

prescribed conditions.

11001100.. cclluuttcchh

a device that allows power to be engaged to and disengaged from a member

being driven by a prime mover. to engage or disengage a clutch.

11001111.. ccmm

centimeter.

11001122.. ccmm22

square centimeter.

11001133.. CCmm33

cubic centimeter

11001144.. CCMMCC

carboxymethyl cellulose.

11001155.. CCNNSSOOPPBB

The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board.

11001166.. CCOO22 IINNJJEECCTTIIOONN

A secondary recovery technique in which carbon dioxide is injected into

service wells in a field as part of a miscible recovery program. C02 is used in

conjunction with water-flooding.

Page 127: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

126126

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11001177.. ccooaagguullaattiioonn

(See flocculation.)

11001188.. CCOOAALL GGAASSIIFFIICCAATTIIOONN

A process for producing "natural gas" from coal. Coal is heated and brought in

contact with steam. Hydrogen atoms in the vapor combine with coal's carbon

atoms to produce a hydrocarbon product similar natural gas.

11001199.. CCOOAALL OOIILL

Kerosene made from distilling crude oil in early-day pot stills; illuminating and

heating o'J'6btdined from the destructive distillation of bituminous coal.

11002200.. CCOOAALL--SSEEAAMM GGAASS

Methane found in certain coal fields in higher concentrations than is common.

In some coal operations in areas where the beds are tilted up 30 to 45' from

horizontal, holes are drilled along the seams to permit the methane to escape

and be brought to the surface. In other till-bed tiers. the coal is burned in situ

and the resulting gases are collected and piped away 91

11002211.. CCOOAALLGGAASS

Also referred to as town gas. An artificial gas produced by pyrolysis (heating

in the absence of air) of coal. Coal gas has a BTU content of 450 per cubic

foot; natural gas, on average, has 1,030 BTU per cubic foot, more than twice

the thermal value.

11002222.. CCOOAATTIINNGG && WWRRAAPPPPIINNGG..

A field operation in preparing a pipeline to be put in the ditch Covered in). 'th

a tar-like substance and then spiral-wrapped with chemically impregnated

paper. Machines that ride the pipe coat and wrap in one continuous

operation. Coating and wrapping protects the pipeline from corrosion. For

Page 128: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

127127

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

large pipeline construction jobs the pipe may be coated and wrapped the mill

or in yards set up at central points along the right of way.

11002233.. CCOOGGEENNEERRAATTIIOONN PPLLAANNTT

A coal or gas-fired plant generates both process (commercial) steam and

electricity for in-plant use or for sale.

11002244.. ccoohheessiioonn

the attractive force between the same kinds of molecules (i.e., the force that

holds the molecules of a substance together).

11002255.. ccooiill

an accessory of tubing or pipe for installation in condensers or heat

exchangers. In more complex installations, a tube bundle is used instead of a

coil.

11002266.. CCOOIILL CCAARR ((OORR TTRRUUCCKK))

A tank car or transport truck equipped with heating coils in order to handle

viscous liquids that will not flow at ordinary temperatures

111002288.. CCOOKKEE DDRRUUMMSS

Large vertical, cylindrical vessels which receive their charge of residue at very

high temperature (10002F.). Any cracked lighter products rise to the top of

the drum and are drawn off. The remaining heavier product remains and,

because it is still very hot, cracks or is converted to petroleum coke. a solid

coal-like substance . In a large refinery that makes a lot of coke, the drums

are in batteries of tour to eight drums.

11002299.. CCOOKKEE,, NNEEEEDDLLEE

A form of petroleum coke that gets its name from its microscopic elongated

crystalline structure-Needle coke is of a higher quality than the more ordinary

sponge coke (q.v.). The manufacture of needle coke requires special feeds to

Page 129: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

128128

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

the coker and more severe operating conditions. Severe conditions in refining

parlance usually means higher temperatures and pressures in a process

11003300.. CCOOKKEE,, PPEETTRROOLLEEUUMM

Solid or fixed-carbon that remains in refining processes after distillation of all

volatile hydrocarbons; the hard, black substance remaining after oils and tars

have been driven off by distillation.

11003311.. CCOOKKEE,, SSPPOONNGGEE

Petroleum coke that looks like a sponge. hence the name. Sponge coke is

used for electrodes and anodes. The weak physical structure of sponge coke

makes it until, for use in blast furnaces and foundry work. See Needle Coke.

11003322.. CCOOKKIINNGG

(1) The process of distilling a petroleum. product to dry residue. With the

carbon or coke is formed and settles to the bottom of the still. (2) The

undesirable building up of carbon deposits on refinery vessels.

11003333.. CCOOLLDD PPIINNCCHH

To flatten the end of a pipe with a hydraulically powered set of pinchers.

Pinching the pipe end is done to make a quick, temporary closure in the event

a loaded pipeline is accidentally ruptured.

11003344.. CCOOLLLLAARR

A coupling for two lengths of pipe; a pipe fitting with threads on the inside for

joining two pieces of threaded pipe of the same size.

11003355.. CCOOLLLLAARR CCLLAAMMPP

A device fitted with rubber gaskets bolted around a leaking pipe collar. The

clamp is effective in stopping small leaks but is used only as a temporary

measure until permanent repairs can be made.

Page 130: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

129129

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11003366.. ccoollllaarr llooccaattoorr

a logging device for depth-correlation purposes, operated mechanically or

magnetically to produce a log showing the location of each casing collar or

coupling in a well. It provides an accurate way to measure depth in a well.

11003377.. CCOOLLLLAARR PPOOUUNNDDEERR OORR PPEECCKKEERR

A pipeline worker who beats time with a hammer on the coupling into which a

joint of pipe is being screwed by a tong gang. The purpose is twofold. to keep

the tong men pulling in unison and to warm up the collar so that a tighter

screw joint can be made.

11003388.. CCOOLLLLEETT CCOONNNNEECCTTOORR

A component of a subsea drilling system; a mechanically or hydraulically

operated latching collar connecting the marine riser (q.v.) to the blowout

preventer stack.

11003399.. ccoolllliissiioonn bbuullkkhheeaadd

the foremost bulkhead that extends from the bottom to the freeboard deck of

a drill ship. It keeps the main hull watertight if a collision occurs.

11004400.. ccoollllooiidd

a liquid mixture or suspension in which the particles of suspended liquid or

solid are very fine but not molecular in size.

11004411.. ccoollllooiiddaall

pertaining to a colloid; involving particles so minute they are not visible

through optical microscopes. Bentonite is an example of a colloidal clay.

11004422.. ccoolluummnn--ssttaabbiilliizzeedd,, sseemmiissuubbmmeerrssiibbllee ddrriilllliinngg rriigg

a semisubmersible drilling rig that has a large lower hull, boxlike or tubular in

shape, with several watertight columns extending to an upper deck on which

the drilling machinery is located. Such a rig can drill with the lower hull

Page 131: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

130130

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

resting on bottom or submerged below the water and floating. Usually the

distance between the lower hull and upper deck is Fixed.

11004433.. ccoommbbiinnaattiioonn ddrriivvee

the natural energy that forces fluids from a reservoir and into a wellbore,

provided by a gas cap above and the water below the oil in the reservoir.

(See reservoir-drive mechanism, gas-cap drive, and water drive.)

11004444.. ccoommbbiinnaattiioonn rriigg

a light rig that has the essential elements of both rotary and cabletool drilling.

It is sometimes used for reconditioning wells.

11004455.. ccoommbbiinnaattiioonn ssttrriinngg

a casing string that has joints of various collapse resistance, internal yield

strength, and tensile strength, designed for various depths in a specific well

to best withstand the conditions of that well. In deep wells, high tensile

strength is required in the top casing joints to carry the load, whereas high

collapse resistance and internal yield strength are needed for the bottom

joints. In the middle of the casing, average qualities are usually sufficient.

The most suitable combination of types and weights of pipe helps to insure

efficient production at a minimum cost.

11004466.. ccoommbbiinnaattiioonn ttrraapp

a subsurface hydrocarbon trap that has the features of both a structural trap

and a stratigraphic trap.

11004477.. CCOOMMEE--AALLOOII

A lever and lengths of chain with hooks attached to the ends of the chains;

used for tightening or pulling a chain. The hooks are alternately moved

forward on the chain being tightened.

Page 132: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

131131

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11004488.. ccoommee--aalloonngg

a manually operated device used to tighten guy wires or move heavy loads.

11004499.. ccoommee iinn

to produce; to become profitable.

11005500.. ccoommee oouutt ooff tthhee hhoollee

to pull the drill stem out of the wellbore. This withdrawal is necessary to

change the bit, change from a core barrel to the bit, run electric logs, prepare

for a drill-stem test, run casing, and so on.

11005511.. ccoommee ttoo sseeee yyoouu

(slang) to blow out; to kick. A well will "come to see you" if it blows out.

111005533.. ccoommmmeerrcciiaall pprroodduuccttiioonn

oil and gas production of sufficient quantity to justify keeping a well in

production.

11005544.. ccoommmmeerrcciiaall qquuaannttiittyy

an amount of oil and gas large enough to justify the expense of producing it.

11005555.. CCOOMMMMEERRCCIIAALL WWEELLLL

A well of sufficient net production that it could be expected to pay out in a

reasonable time and yield a profit for the operator. A shallow, 50-barrel-a.

day well in a readily accessible location on shore could be a commercial well

whereas such a well in the North Sea or in the Arctic Islands would not be

considered commercial.

111005577.. CCoommmmiinngglleedd PPrroodduuccttiioonn

Production of petroleum from more than one pool through a common

wellbore or flowline without separate measurement of the petroleum.

Page 133: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

132132

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11005588.. CCOOMMMMIINNGGLLIINNGG

(1)The intentional mixing of petroleum products having similar specifications.

In some instances products of like specifications are commingled in a product

pipeline for efficient and convenient handling. (2) Producing two pay zones in

the same wellbore. Very often the two or more pay zones have different

royalty interests, When this is true the zones, produced separately. each

through its own tubing and into separate tank age on the lease. In effect the

single well with two pay zones is treated as two separate wells. See Dual

Completion. commingling the mixing together of crude oil products with

similar properties, usually for convenient transportation in a pipeline. common

carrier any cargo transportation system available for public use. Nearly all

pipelines are common carriers.

111006600.. CCOOMMMMOONN CCAARRRRIIEERR

A person or company having state or Federal authority to perform public

transportation for hire; an Organization engaged in the movement of

petroleum products-oil, gas, refined products-as a public utility and common

carrier.

11006611.. ccoommmmoonn cceemmeenntt

a regular Portland cement classified either as API Class A or ASTM Type 1

cement.

111006633.. ccoommmmoonn rraaiill

a fuel-injection system on a diesel engine in which one line, or rail, holds fuel

at a certain pressure, and feed lines run from it to each fuel injector.

11006644.. CCOOMMMMUUNNIITTYY LLEEAASSEE

A single lease covering two or more separately owned parcels of land. A

community lease may result from the execution of a single lease by the

Page 134: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

133133

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

owners of separate tracts or by the execution of separate but identical leases

by the owners of separate tracts when each lease purports the entire

consolidated acreage. Usually the result of the execution of community lease

is the apportionment of royalties in proportion to the, interests owned in the

entre leased acreage.

11006655.. ccoommmmuuttaattoorr

a ring consisting of a number of insulated-copper segments located on the

rotating shaft of a generator or motor and used to reverse the direction of an

electric current.

11006666.. ccoommpp

completed or completion; used in drilling reports.

11006677.. CCOOMMPPAANNIIOONN FFLLAANNGGEE

A two-part connector or coupling one part convex, the other concave. The

two halves are held together by nuts and bolts. This type flange or "union" is

used on small-diameter piping.

111006699.. ccoommppaannyy mmaann

an employee of the operator of a well, usually a drilling engineer employed by

the oil company engaged in the drilling.

11007700.. ccoommppaarrttmmeenntt

a subdivision of space on a floating offshore drilling rig.

111007722.. CCOOMMPPLLEETTEE AA WWEELLLL

To finish a well so that it is ready to produce oil or gas. After reaching total

depth (TD) casing is run and cemented casing is perforated opposite the

producing zone, tubing is run, and contact and flow valves are installed at the

wellhead. Well completions vary according to the kind of well, depth, and the

Page 135: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

134134

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

formation from which it is to produce. complete a well to finish work on a well

and put it on productive status. (See well completion.)

11007733.. CCoommpplleettiioonn

The activities necessary to prepare a well for the production of oil or gas.

11007744.. ccoommpplleettiioonn fflluuiidd

a special drilling mud used when a well is being completed. It is selected not

only for its ability to control formation pressure, but also for its properties that

minimize formation damage.

11007755.. ccoommppoossiittee ssaammppllee

a sample of a substance that is a mixture or solution of several other

substances. In a crude oil storage tank, a composite sample is taken at the

top and bottom and in the middle.

11007766.. ccoommppoossiittee ssttrreeaamm

a flow of oil and gas in one stream; two or more different liquid hydrocarbons

in one stream.

11007777.. ccoommppoouunndd

the mechanism used to transmit power from the engines to the pump,

drawworks, and other machinery on a drilling rig. It is composed of clutches,

chains and sprockets, belts and pulleys, and a number of shafts, both driven

and driving. to connect two or more power-producing devices such as engines

to run one piece of driven equipment such as the drawworks.

11007788.. CCOOMMPPRREESSSSIIOONN CCUUPP

A grease cup a container for grease made either with a screw cap or spring-

loaded cap for forcing the grease onto a shaft bearing.

Page 136: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

135135

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11007799.. ccoommpprreessssiioonn iiggnniittiioonn

(Cl) an ignition method used in diesel engines by which the air in the cylinder

is compressed to such a degree by the piston that ignition occurs upon the

injection of fuel. About a I-Ib rise in pressure causes a 2 F increase in

temperature.

11008800.. CCOOMMPPRREESSSSIIOONN--IIGGNNIITTIIOONN EENNGGIINNEE

A diesel engine (q.v.) a four-cycle engine whose fuel charge is ignited by the

heat of compression as the engine's piston comes up on the compression

stroke. See Hot-plug Engine.

11008811.. CCOOMMPPRREESSSSIIOONN RRAATTIIOO

The ratio of the volume of an engine's cylinder at the beginning of the

compression stroke to the volume at the end or the top of the stroke. High

compression engines are generally more efficient in fuel utilization than those

with lower compression ratios. A cylinder of 10 cubic inch volume at the

beginning of the compression stroke and one cubic inch at the top of the

stroke indicates a 101 compression ratio. compression ratio the ratio of the

volume of an engine cylinder before compression to its post-compression

volume. For example, if a cylinder volume of 1 0 in.' is compressed into 1 in.',

the compression ratio is 101.

11008822.. ccoommpprreessssiivvee ssttrreennggtthh

the degree of resistance of a material to a force acting along one of its axes

in a manner tending to collapse it; usually expressed in pounds of force per

square inch (psi) of surface affected.

11008833.. ccoommpprreessssoorr

a device that raises the pressure of a compressible fluid such as air or gas.

Compressors create a pressure differential to move or compress a vapor or a

Page 137: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

136136

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

gas, consuming power in the process. They may be positive-displacement

compressors-having a check valve to separate high-pressure discharge from

the low-pressure suction-or nonpositive-displacement. (See centrifugal

compressor and reciprocating compressor.)

111008855.. CCOOMMPPRREESSSSOORR PPLLAANNTT

A pipeline installation to pump natural gas under pressure from one location

to another through a pipeline. On large interstate gas transmission lines

repressuring stations are located every 100 miles, more or less. depending on

terrain and other factors, to boost the gas along to its destination. The gas

stream arrives at a compressor station at a few hundred pounds per square

inch and is discharged from the station's multistage compressors at 1,000 to

1,500 pounds pressure to begin the next leg of its journey to the consumers'

gas stoves and furnaces.

11008866.. CCOOMMPPRREESSSSOORR,, AAXXIIAALL

A gas compressor that takes in gas at the inlet and moves ',he charge axially

over the compressor's long axis to the discharge port. This is accomplished by

the action of a central impeller shaft studded with hundreds of short, fixed

blades. The impeller and its paddle-like blades rotate at speeds of 3- 6,000

rpm. Large compressors move up to 300,000 cubic feet per minute.

1111008888.. CCOOMMPPRREESSSSOORR,, SSKKIIDD--MMOOUUNNTTEEDD

A "portable" gas compressor and engine module for use in repressuring (q.v.)

or to inject gas into a high-pressure gas trunk line.

11008899.. ccoommppuutteerr

a machine capable of processing information or providing data by

automatically following preprogrammed directions

Page 138: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

137137

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11009900.. ccoommppuutteerr ccoonnttrrooll

a system in which the end devices in the field (switches, valves, gauges,

alarms, etc.) are controlled by a program placed in a computer.

11009911.. TTccoommppuutteerr pprrooggrraamm TT

a set of data fed into a computer to be evaluated or to solve a problem.

11009922.. ccoonncceessssiioonn

a tract of land granted by a government to an individual or company for

exploration and exploitation to recover minerals.

11009933.. CCOONNDDEEMMNNAATTIIOONN

The taking of land by purchase, at fair market value, for public use and

benefit by state or federal government, as well as by certain other agencies

and utility companies having power of eminent domain (q.v.).

11009944.. CCoonnddeennssaattee

The liquid resulting when a vapour is subjected to cooling or application of

pressure. Also, liquid hydrocarbons condensed from gas and oil wells.

11009955.. ccoonnddeennssaattee rreesseerrvvooiirr

a reservoir in ' which both condensate and gas exist in one homogeneous

phase. When fluid is drawn from such a reservoir and the pressure decreases

below the critical level, a liquid phase (condensate) appears.

11009966.. CCOONNDDEENNSSAATTEE WWAATTEERR

Water vapor in solution with natural gas in the formation. When the gas is

produced the water vapor condenses into liquid as both pressure and

temperature are reduced. See Retrograde Gas Condensate.

11009977.. CCOONNDDEENNSSAATTEE,, LLEEAASSEE

See Lease Condensate.

Page 139: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

138138

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11009988.. CCOONNDDEENNSSAATTEE,, RREETTRROOGGRRAADDEE GGAASS

See Retrograde Gas Condensate.

11009999.. ccoonnddeennssaattiioonn

the process by which vapors are converted into liquids, chiefly accomplished

by cooling the vapors. Compare retrograde condensation.

11110000.. CCOONNDDEENNSSEERR

A water-cooled heat exchanger used for cooling and liquefying vapors.

11110011.. ccoonnddiittiioonn

to treat drilling mud with additives to give it certain properties. Sometimes the

term applies to water used in boilers, drilling operations, and so on. To

condition and circulate mud is to ensure that additives are distributed evenly

throughout a system by circulating the mud while it is being conditioned.

11110022.. ccoonndduuccttiivviittyy

1. the ability to transmit or convey (as heat or electricity). 2. an electrical-

logging measurement obtained from an induction survey, in which eddy

currents produced by an alternating magnetic field induce in a receiver coil a

voltage proportionate to the ability of the formation to conduct electricity.

11110033.. CCOONNDDUUCCTTOORR CCAASSIINNGG

A well's surface pipe used to seal off near-surface water, prevent the caving

or sloughing of the walls of the hole, and as a conductor of the drilling mud

through loose, unconsolidated shallow layers of sand, clays, and shales. See

Casing.

11110044.. ccoonndduuccttoorr ppiippee

a short string of large-diameter casing used offshore and in marshy locations

to keep the top of the wellbore open and to provide a means of conveying the

upflowing drilling fluid from the wellbore to the mud pit.

Page 140: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

139139

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11110055.. ccoonnee

a conical device on which cutting teeth are formed or mounted in a roller-

cone bat (See big.)

11110066.. ccoonnee bbiitt

a roller bit in which the cutters are conical. (See big.)

11110077.. ccoonnee--rrooooff ttaannkk

a tank with a fixed conical roof.

11110088.. CCOONNEERROOOOFF

A type of tank roof built in the form of a flat, inverted cone; an old-style roof

for large crude storage tanks, but still employed on banks storing less volatile

products. See Floating Roof.

11110099.. CCOONNFFIIRRMMAATTIIOONN WWEELLLL

A well drilled to "prove" the formation or producing zone encountered by an

exploratory or wildcat well. See Step-out Well.

11111100.. ccoonnffoorrmmaabbllee

layered in parallel and unbroken rows of rock, indicating no disturbance

occurred during deposition of the rock. Compare unconformity

11111111.. ccoonnggll

conglomerate; used in drilling reports.

11111122.. CCOONNGGLLOOMMEERRAATTEE

A type of sedimentary rock compounded of pebbles and rock fragments of

various sizes held together by a cementing material, the same type,- material

that holds sandstone together. Conglomerates are a common form of

reservoir rock.

Page 141: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

140140

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11111133.. CCOONNIICCAALL--TTOOWWEERR PPLLAATTFFOORRMM

A type of offshore drilling platform made of reinforced concrete for use in

Arctic waters where pack ice prevents the use of conventional platform

construction. The structure is a truncated cone supporting a platform from

which the wells are drilled.

11111144.. ccoonniinngg

the encroachment of reservoir water into the oil column and well because of

uncontrolled production.

11111155.. ccoonnnnaattee wwaatteerr

the original water retained in the pore space, or interstices, of a formation

from the time the formation was created. Compare interstitial water.

11111166.. ccoonnnneeccttiinngg rroodd

1. a forged-metal shaft that joins the piston of an engine to the crankshaft. 2.

the metal shaft that is joined to the bull gear and crosshead of a mud pump.

11111177.. ccoonnnneeccttiioonn

1. a place in electrical circuits where wires join together. 2. a section of pipe

or fitting used to join pipe to pipe or pipe to a vessel.

11111188.. CCOONNNNEECCTTIIOONN FFOORREEMMAAIIMM

The supervisor, the boss of a pipeline connection gang (q.v.).

11111199.. CCOONNNNEECCTTIIOONN GGAANNGG

A pipeline crew that lays field gathering lines, connects stock tanks to

gathering lines, and repairs pipelines and field pumping units in their district.

Connection gangs also install manifolds and do pipe work in and around

pumping stations. A typical gang of 8 or 10 men has a welder and a helper, a

gang-truck driver and swamper (helper), 3 or 4 pipeliners, and a connection

foreman.

Page 142: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

141141

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11112200.. ccoonnsseerrvvaattiioonn

preservation; economy; avoidance of waste. It is especially important in the

petroleum industry, since oil and gas are irreplaceable. Many conservation

practices, such as the trapping of condensable vapors, are used in the

industry.

11112211.. ccoonnssiisstteennccyy

the cohesion of the individual particles of a given material; i.e., its ability to

deform or its resistance to flow.

11112222.. ccoonnssoollee

(See driller's console.)

11112233.. CCOONNSSOORRTTIIUUMM

An international business association organized to pursue a common

objective, e.g., to explore, drill, and produce oil.

11112244.. CCOONNSSUUMMEERR GGAASS

Gas sold by an interstate gas pipeline company to a utility company for resale

to consumers.

11112255.. ccoonnttaaccttoorr

a vessel or piece of equipment in which two or more substances are brought

together.

11112266.. ccoonnttaammiinnaanntt

a material, usually a mud component, that becomes mixed with cement slurry

during displacement and affects it adversely.

11112277.. ccoonnttiinneennttaall mmaarrggiinn

a zone that separates emergent continents from the deep sea

bottom.continental shelf a zone adjacent to a continent that extends from the

Page 143: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

142142

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

low waterline to the point at which the seafloor slopes off steeply to 600 feet

deep or more.

11112288.. CCOONNTTIINNEENNTTAALL SSHHEELLFF

See Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

11112299.. ccoonnttiinnuuoouuss--ffllooww ggaass lliifftt

(See gas lift.)

11113300.. ccoonnttiinnuuoouuss pphhaassee

the liquid in which solids are suspended or droplets of another liquid are

dispersed; sometimes called the external phase. In a water-in-oil emulsion, oil

is the continuous phase. (See internal phase.)

11113311.. CCOONNTTOOUURR LLIINNEE

A line (as on a map) connecting points on a land surface that have the same

elevation above or below sea level.

11113322.. CCOONNTTOOUURR MMAAPP

A map showing land surface elevations by the use of contour lines (q.v.), by

geologists and geophysicists to depict subsurface conditions or formations.

See lsopachous Map. contour map a map that has lines marked to indicate

points or areas that are the same elevation above or below sea level, often

used by geologists to depict subsurface features.

11113333.. ccoonnttrraacctt

an agreement, usually written,listing the terms under which services are to be

performed. A drilling contract covers such factors as the cost of drilling the

well (whether by foot or by day), the distribution of expenses between

operator and contractor, and type of equipment to be used.

11113344.. ccoonnttrraacctt ddeepptthh

the depth of the wellbore at which the drilling contract is fulfilled.

Page 144: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

143143

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11113355.. ccoonnttrrooll bbooaarrdd

a panel on which are grouped-various control devices such as switches and

levers along with indicating instruments.

11113366.. ccoonnttrrooll ppoodd

(See hydraulic control pod.)

11113377.. CCOONNTTRROOLL VVAALLVVEE,, EELLEECCTTRRIICCAALLLLYY OOPPEERRAATTEEDD

A small-diameter valve used in process piping that is opened or closed by a

quick-acting solenoid.

11113388.. CCOONNTTRROOLLPPAANNEELL

An assembly of indicators and recording instruments-pressure gauges,

warning lamps, and other digital or audio signals-for monitoring and

controlling a system or process.

11113399.. ccoonnvveennttiioonnaall ccoommpplleettiioonn

a method for completing a well in which tubing is set inside 4 1/2-inch or

larger casing. Compare miniaturized completion.

11114400.. CCoonnvveennttiioonnaall CCrruuddee OOiill

Petroleum found in liquid form, flowing naturally or capable of being pumped

without further processing or dilution.

11114411.. ccoonnvveennttiioonnaall ggaass--lliifftt mmaannddrreell

(See gas-lift mandrel.)

11114422.. ccoooolliinngg ttoowweerr

A structure in which air contact is used to cool a stream of water that has

been heated by circulating through a system. The air flows counter- or cross-

currently to the water.

Page 145: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

144144

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11114433.. CCOOOOLLIINNGG TTOOWWEERR

A large louvered structure (usually made of wood) over which water flows to

cool and aerate it. Although most cooling towers are square or rectangular in

shape, some are cylindrical, open at the bottom and top, which produces

strong air currents through the center of the structure for more rapid cooling.

11114444.. ccoorrddaaggee

all of the rope on a ship or offshore drilling rig.

11114455.. CCOORRDDRROOAADD

A passable road made through a swampy, boggy area by laying logs or heavy

timbers side by side to make a bumpy but firm surf ace; a log road.

11114466.. CCoorree

A cylindrical sample taken from a formation for geological analysis. Usually a

conventional core barrel is substituted for the bit and procures a sample as it

penetrates the formation.

11114477.. ccoorree aannaallyyssiiss

laboratory analysis of a core sample to determine porosity, permeability,

lithology, fluid content, angle of dip, geological age, and probable productivity

of the formation.

11114488.. ccoorree bbaarrrreell

a tubular device from 25 to 60 feet long run at the bottom of the drill pipe in

place of a bit to cut a core sample.

11114499.. CCOORREE BBIITT

A special drill bit for cutting and removing a plug-shaped rock sample from

the bottom of the well bore. (See illustration, p. 47)

Page 146: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

145145

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11115500.. CCOORREE BBOOAATT

A seagoing vessel for drilling core holes in offshore areas.

11115511.. ccoorree ccaattcchheerr

the part of the core barrel that holds the formation sample.

11115522.. ccoorree ccuutttteerrhheeaadd

the cutting element of the core-barrel assembly. In design it corresponds to

one of the three main types of bit.

11115533.. ccoorree ddrriillll

to drill shallow, small-diameter wells to obtain geological information, usually

in the bottom of an existing wellbore. A continuous sample of the formation is

provided from the top to the final depth. See also sidewall coring.

11115544.. CCOORREE RREECCOORRDD

A record showing the depth, character, and fluid content of cores taken from

a well.

11115555.. CCOORREE SSAAMMPPLLEE

A solid column of rock, usually from two to four Inches in diameter, taken

from the bottom of a well bore as a sample of an underground formation.

Cores are also taken in geological studies of an area to determine its oil and

gas prospects. (See illustration, p. 47)

11115566.. ccoorrrreellaattee

to relate subsurface information obtained from one well to that of others so

that the formations may be charted and their depths and thicknesses noted.

Correlations are made by comparing electrical well logs, radioactivity logs,

and cores from different wells.

Page 147: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

146146

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11115577.. CCOORRRREELLAATTIIVVEE RRIIGGHHTTSS,, DDOOCCTTRRIINNEE OOFF

The inherent right of an owner of oil or gas in a field to his share of the

reservoir energy" and his right to be protected from wasteful practices by

others in the field.

11115588.. CCOORRRROOSSIIOONN

The eating away of metal by chemical action or an electrochemical action.

The rusting and pling of pipelines, steel tanks, and other metal structures is

caused by a complex electrochemical action. See Anode.

11115599.. ccoorrrroossiioonn ccoonnttrrooll

the measures used to prevent or reduce the effects of corrosion. These

practices can range from simply painting material, to isolate it from moisture

and chemicals and to insulate it from galvanic currents, to cathodic

protection, in which a galvanic or impressed direct electric current renders a

pipeline cathodic, thus causing it to be a negative element in the circuit. The

use of chemical inhibitors and closed systems are other examples of corrosion

control.

11116600.. ccoorrrroossiioonn ccoouuppoonn

a metal strip inserted into a system to monitor corrosion rate and to indicate

corrosion-inhibitor effectiveness.

11116611.. CCOOSSTT CCRRUUDDEE OOIILL

Crude oil produced from an operator's own wells oil produced at "cost" on a

lease or concession acreage as compared to purchased crude. Also, in

another context, that portion of oil produced which is applied to paying off

the cost of the well, to the recovery of the costs of drilling, completing, and

equipping the production. In some production-sharing contracts particularly

with governments foreign as well as our own, on offshore wells, 40 percent of

Page 148: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

147147

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

the oil produced is cost oil; the remaining 60 percent is "Profit oil" and is

divided, according to royalty interests. As the costs are paid off the percent of

cost oil is reduced and the percentage of profit oil increases accordingly.

11116622.. ccoouunntteerrbbaallaannccee wweeiigghhtt

a weight applied to compensate for existing weight or force. On pumping

units in oil production, counterweights are used to offset the weight of the

column or sucker rods and oil on the upstroke of the pum and the weight of

the prods on the downstroke.

11116633.. ccoouupplliinngg

1. in piping, a metal collar with internal threads used to join two sections of

threaded pipe. 2. in power transmission, a connection extending longitudinally

between a driving shaft and a driven shaft. Most such couplings are flexible

and compensate for minor misalignment of the two shafts.

11116644.. CCOOUUPPLLIINNGG PPOOLLEE

The connecting member between the front and rear axles of a wagon or four-

wheel trailer. To lengthen the frame of the vehicle, a pin in the pole can be

removed and the rear-axle yoke (which is fastened to the pole by the pin)

moved back to another hole. On pipe-carrying oil field trailers, the coupling

pole is a telescoping length of steel tubing. The trailer can be made as long as

necessary for the load.

11116655.. ccoouuppoonn

(See corrosion coupon.)

11116666.. ccpp

centipoise

11116677.. CCPPCC

abbr computerized production control. (see computer control)

Page 149: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

148148

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11116688.. CCRRAACCKK AA VVAALLVVEE

To open a valve so slightly as to permit a small amount of fluid or gas to

escape.

11116699.. CCRRAACCKKIINNGG

The refining process of braking down the larger, heavier. And more complex

hydrocarbon molecules into simpler and lighter molecules. Cracking is

accomplished by the application of heat and pressure, and in certain

advanced techniques, by the use of a catalytic agent. Cracking is an effective

process for increasing the yield of gasoline from crude oil.

11117700.. CCRRAACCKKIINNGG AA VVAALLVVEE

Opening a valve very slightly.

11117711.. ccrraannee

n.. a machine for raising, lowering, and revolving heavy pieces of equipment,

especially on offshore rigs and platforms.

11117722.. CCRRAANNEE BBAARRGGEE

A derrick barge (q.v.).

11117733.. CCRRAANNKK

An arm attached at right angles to the end of a shaft or axle for transmitting

power to or from a connecting rod or pitman (q.v.).

11117744.. ccrraannkkccaassee

the housing that encloses the crankshaft of an engine.

11117755.. ccrraannkksshhaafftt

a rotating shaft to which connecting rods are attached.

Page 150: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

149149

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11117766.. CCRRAATTEERR

A bowl-shaped depression around a blowout well caused by the caving in and

collapse of the surrounding earth structure. (2) To tail or fall apart

(colloquial).

11117777.. ccrrdd

cored; used in drilling reports.

11117788.. ccrreeww cchhiieeff

the driller or head well puller in charge on a well-servicing rig employed to

pull sucker rods or tubing.

11117799.. ccrrgg

coring; used in drilling reports.

11118800.. ccrriittiiccaall ppooiinntt

the point at which, in terms of temperature and pressure, a fluid cannot be

distinguished as being either a gas or a liquid; the point at which the physical

properties of a liquid and a gas are identical.

11118811.. ccrriittiiccaall pprreessssuurree

the pressure needed to condense a vapor at its critical temperature.

11118822.. ccrriittiiccaall ssppeeeedd

the speed reached by an engine or rotating system that corresponds to a

resonance frequency of the engine or system. Often, in combination with

power impulses, critical speed can cause damaging shock waves.

Page 151: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

150150

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11118833.. ccrriittiiccaall tteemmppeerraattuurree

the highest temperature at which a fluid can exist as a liquid or vapor. Above

this temperature the fluid is a gas and, regardless of the amount of pressure

applied, cannot be liquefied.

11118844.. ccrrooookkeedd hhoollee

a wellbore that has deviated from the vertical. It usually occurs where there is

a section of alternating hard and soft strata steeply inclined from the

horizontal.

11118855.. ccrrooookkeedd--hhoollee ccoouunnttrryy

a geographical area in which the subsurface formations are so arranged that

it is difficult to drill a hole straight through them. (See crooked hole.)

11118866.. ccrroossss tthhrreeaadd

to screw together two threaded pieces without the threads of the pieces

having been aligned properly.

11118877.. ccrroosssshheeaadd

the block in a mud pump that is guided to move in a straight line and serves

as a connection between the pony rod and connecting rod.

11118888.. CCRROOSSSSOOVVEERR

A stile; a step-and-platform unit to provide access to a work platform or an

elevated crossing. See Stile.

11118899.. ccrroossssoovveerr jjooiinntt

a length of casing with one thread on the field end and a different thread in

the coupling, used to make a changeover from one thread to another in a

string of casing.

Page 152: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

151151

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11119900.. ccrrooww''ss nneesstt

an elevated walkway where employees work (as the top of a derrick or

refinery tower).

11119911.. CCRROOWWBBAANN CCOONNNNEECCTTIIOONN

A humorous reference to an assembly of pipe fittings so far out of alignment

that a crowbar is required to force them to fit.

11119922.. ccrroowwnn

1. the top of a piston. 2. the crown block or top of a derrick or mast.

11119933.. CCRROOWWNN BBLLOOCCKK

A stationary pulley system located at the top of the derrick used for raising

and lowering the string of drilling tools; the sheaves and supporting members

to which the lines of the traveling block (q.v.) and hook are attached.

11119944.. CCrroowwnn--OO--MMaattiicc

a brand name for a special air-relay valve mounted near the crown that, when

struck by the traveling block, conveys air pressure to the air brakes of the

drawworks to prevent the traveling block from striking the crown.

11119955.. CCRROOWWNN PPLLAATTFFOORRMM

A platform at the very top of the derrick that permits access to the sheaves of

the crown block and provides a safe area for work involving the gin pole

(q.v.).

11119966.. ccrruuddee ooiill

unrefined liquid petroleum. It ranges in gravity from 9' to 55' API and in color

from yellow to black, and it may have a paraffin, asphalt, or mixed base. If a

crude oil, or crude, contains a sizable amount of sulfur or sulfur compounds, it

is called a sour crude; if it has little or no sulfur, it is a sweet crude. In

Page 153: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

152152

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

addition, crude oils may be referred to as heavy or light according to API

gravity, the lighter oils having the higher gravities.

11119977.. CCRRUUDDEE OOIILL,, BBUUYY--BBAACCKK

See Buy-back Crude Oil.

11119988.. CCRRUUDDEE OOIILL,, RREEDDUUCCEEDD

See Reduced Crude Oil.

11119999.. CCRRUUDDEE OOIILL,, VVOOLLAATTIILLEESS--LLAADDEENN

A crude oil stream carrying condensate, natural gasoline, and butane.

Sometimes it is convenient and economical to move certain natural gas liquids

to refineries by injecting them into crude oil pipelines to be pumped with the

crude,

11220000.. CCRRUUDDEE SSTTIILLLL

A primary refinery unit., a large vessel in which crude oil is heated and

various components are taken off by distillation.

11220011.. CCRRUUMMBB BBOOSSSS

A person responsible for cleaning and keeping an oil field bunkhouse supplied

with towels, bed linen, and soap, a construction camp housekeeper.

11220022.. CCRRUUMMBB OOUUTT

To shovel out the loose earth in the bottom of a ditch; also to square up the

floor and side of the ditch in preparation for laying of pipe.

11220033.. ccrryyooggeenniiccss

the study of the effects of very low temperatures.

11220044.. ccuu

cubic.

Page 154: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

153153

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11220055.. CCUUBBEESS

Short for cubic inch displacement; CID (q.v.),

11220066.. ccuubbiicc cceennttiimmeetteerr

(cm3) a metric measure of volume; one one-hundredth of a cubic meter. It is

approximately equal to 0.061 in.3'

11220077.. CCuubbiicc FFoooott

A unit of measurement for volume. It represents a volume one foot long, by

one foot wide, by one foot deep. Natural gas is measured in cubic feet, but

the measurements are usually expressed in terms of Bcf, Tcf, Mcf, or Quads.

11220088.. ccuubbiicc mmeetteerr

(M3) a metric measure of volume, equal to approximately 1.31 yd'.

11220099.. CCUULLTTIIVVAATTOORR WWRREENNCCHH

Any square-jawed, adjustable wrench that is of poor quality or worn out. See

Knuckle Buster.

11221100.. CCUUPP

Disc with edges turned at right angles to the body used on plungers in certain

kinds of pumps discs of durable plastic or other tough. pliable material used

on pipeline pigs or scrapers to sweep the line.

11221111.. CCUUPPGGRREEAASSEE

Originally, a grease used in compression cups (q.v.) but today the term refers

to grease having a calcium fatty-acid soap base. See Grease.

11221122.. ccuurree

to age cement under specified conditions of temperature and pressure.

Page 155: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

154154

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11221133.. ccuusshhiioonn ))الوسادة المائيةالوسادة المائية((

a column of water or drilling fluid placed inside drill pipe or tubing to prevent

it from being crushed by the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid in the annulus

of the wellbore. Usually the pipe or tubing is full of fluid, but in certain

operations it is necessary to run the pipe or tubing nearly empty to maintain

less pressure inside the pipe than in the annulus. In such cases, a cushion

may be needed to prevent collapse of the pipe.

11221144.. ccuutt

a petroleum fraction. cut oil an oil that contains water, usually in the form of

an emulsion; also called wet oil.

11221155.. CCUUTT OOIILL

Crude oil partially emulsified with water; oil and water mixed in such a way as

to produce an emulsion in which minute droplets of water are encased in a

film of oil. In such case the water, although heavier, cannot separate and

settle to the bottom of a tank until the mixture is heated or treated with a

chemical. See Roll a Tank.

111221177.. CCUUTT PPOOIINNTTSS

The temperatures at which various distilling products are separated out of the

charge stock. One cut point is the temperature at which the product begins to

boil or vaporize, the initial boiling point The other cut point is the temperature

at which the product is completely vaporized; this is the end point.

11221188.. CCUUTTTTIINNGG OOIILLSS

Special oils used to lubricate and cool metal-cutting tools.

11221199.. CCUUTTTTIINNGG TTOORRCCHH

A piece of oxyacetylene welding and cutting equipment; a hand-held burner

to which the oxygen and acetylene hoses are attached. The gases when

Page 156: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

155155

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

ignited by the welder's lighter produce a small, intense flame that "cuts"

metal by melting it. See Welding Torch.

11222200.. CCUUTTTTIINNGGSS

Chips and small fragments of rock as the result of drilling that are brought to

the surface by the flow of the drilling mud as it is circulated. Cuttings are

important to the geologist who examines them for information concerning the

type of rock being drifted.(See Sample.)

11222211.. ccyycclliicc sstteeaamm iinnjjeeccttiioonn

a method of producing heavy viscous hydrocarbons. Steam is injected in

preset cycles into the reservoir, where it heats the hydrocarbons, making

them less viscous and able to flow into the wellbore.

11222222.. CCYYCCLLIINNGG ((OOFF GGAASS))

Return to a gas reservoir of gas remaining after extraction of liquid

hydrocarbons for the purpose of maintaining pressure in the reservoir, and

thus increasing the ultimate recovery of liquids from the reservoir.

11222233.. CCYYCCLLIINNGG PPLLAANNTT

An oil field installation that processes natural gas from a field, strips out the

gas liquids, and returns the dry gas to the producing formation to maintain

reservoir pressure.

11222244.. ccyycclloonniittee

a powerful, high-explosive material (cyclo-trimethylene-trinitramine) used as

the main charge in jet perforating guns; also called RDX. (See jet-perforate.)

11222255.. ccyylliinnddeerr

the unit of an internal-combustion engine in which combustion and

compression take place.

Page 157: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

156156

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11222266.. ccyylliinnddeerr lliinneerr

a removable, replaceable sleeve that fits into a cylinder. When the sliding of

the piston and rings wears out the liner, it can be replaced without the block

having to be replaced.

11222277.. CCYYLLIINNDDEERR SSTTOOCCKK

A class of highly viscous oils so called because originally their main use was in

preparation of products to be used for steam cylinder lubrication.

11222288.. CCYYLLIINNDDEERR,,OOIILL

Oils used to lubricate the cylinders ad valves of steam engines.

Page 158: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

157157

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11222299.. DD && PP PPLLAATTFFOORRMM

A drilling and production platform. Such an offshore platform is a large

structure with room to drill and complete a number of wells; as many as 60

have been drilled from a large platform by the use of directional drilling

techniques. When many wells are producing from a single platform, the oil

can be treated (put through oil-water separators), measured and pumped

ashore, as though the platform were simply a land lease. The production from

single-well platforms is usually piped, along with other wells on the offshore

lease, to a production platform for treatment and pumping ashore. See

Directional Drilling.

11223300.. DD&&AA

dry and abandoned; used in drilling reports.

11223311.. DDAARRCCYY''SS LLAAWW

During experimental studies on the flow of water through consolidated sand

filter beds, Henry D'Arcy, in 1856, formulated a law which boars his name.

D'Arcy's Law states that the velocity of a homogenous fluid in a porous

medium is proportional to the pressure gradient and inversely proportional to

the fluid's viscosity. This law has been extended to describe, with certain

limitations, the movement of other fluids including miscible fluids in

consolidated rocks and other porous substances.

111223333.. DDaaiillyy ddrriilllliinngg rreeppoorrtt

a record made each day of the operations on a working drilling rig. (See

driller's report.)

Page 159: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

158158

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11223344.. DDAAMMPPIINNGG SSUUBB

Essentially, a downhole "shock absorber" for a string of drilling tools; a 6 to 8-

foot-long device, a part of the drill assembly, that acts to dampen bit vibration

and impact loads during drill operations. Damping subs are of the same

diameter as the drill pipe into which they are screwed to form a part of the

drill string.

11223355.. ddaarrccyy

a unit of measure of permeability. A porous medium has a permeability of 1

darcy when a pressure of 1 atmosphere on a sample 1 cm long and 1 cm' in

cross-section will force a liquid of 1-cp viscosity through the sample at the

rate of 1 cm' per second. The permeability of reservoir rocks is usually so low

that it is measured in millidarcy units.

11223366.. ddaayy ttoouurr

(pronounced "day tower") a period of 8 to 12 daylight hours worked by a

drilling or workover crew when equipment is being run around the clock.

11223377.. DDAAYY--WWOORRKK BBAASSIISS

Refers to a drilling contract in which the work of drilling and completing a well

is paid for by the days required for the job instead of by the feet drilled. See

also Turnkey Contract.

11223388.. ddaayywwoorrkk rraatteess

the basis for payment on drilling contracts when footage rates are suspended

(as when the drilling rig is used in taking extra cores, logging, or other

activities that delay actual drilling). The compensation for use of the rig at

daywork rates is usually included in the drilling contract.

11223399.. DDCC

direct current. drill collar; used in drilling reports.

Page 160: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

159159

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11224400.. DDCC--DDCC RRIIGG

See Drill Rig, Electric.

11224411.. DDEEAADD LLIINNEE

The anchored end of the drilling line that comes down from the crown block

through a fixed sheave at ground level, called a dead-!line anchor, and onto a

storage drum. When stringing up the drilling line, the big traveling block is set

on the rig floor and the free end of the line is threaded over the crown block

and through the traveling block a sufficient number of times to lift the

anticipated load with a good margin of safety. The free end is then attached

to the draw works drum which is rotated until one layer of the line is spooled

on. The traveling block is then hoisted into the derrick. The other end of the

threaded or reeved line is the dead line or, one might say, the anchored fine.

See Fast Line.

11224422.. DDEEAADD OOIILL

Crude oil containing no dissolved gas when it is produced.

11224433.. DDEEAADD WWEELLLL

A well that will not flow, and in order to produce must be put on the pump.

11224444.. ddeeaaddlliinnee

the drilling line from the crown-block sheave to the anchor, so called because

it does not move. Compare fast line.

11224455.. ddeeaaddlliinnee ttiiee--ddoowwnn aanncchhoorr

a device to which the deadline is attached, securely fastened to the mast or

derrick substructure.

11224466.. ddeeaaddmmaann

a buried anchor to which guy wires are tied to steady the derrick, mast,

stacks, and so on.

Page 161: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

160160

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11224477.. DDEEAADDMMAANN CCOONNTTRROOLL

A device for shutting down an operation should the attendant become

incapacitated. The attendant using such a device must consciously exert

pressure on a hold-down handle or lever to work the job. When pressure is

relaxed owing to some emergency, the operation will automatically come to a

halt.

11224488.. ddeeaaddwweeiigghhtt ttoonn

(dwt) a unit of capacity of tank ships equal to the difference in tons between

the ship's displacement when unloaded and when loaded.

11224499.. ddeeaaddwwoooodd

in an oil storage tank, the ladders, braces, piping, and other internal fixtures

that reduce the oil capacity of a tank. Their total volume is deducted from the

tank volume when it is being strapped or calibrated.

11225500.. DDEECCAANNTTIINNGG CCEENNTTRRIIFFUUGGEE

See Centrifuge, Decanting.

11225511.. ddeecckk

(nautical) floor.

11225522.. DDEECCKKBBLLOOCCKK

A pulley or sheave mounted in a steel frame which is securely fixed to the

metal deck of a ship or barge. Deck blocks which lie horizontal to the vessel's

deck are for horizontal pulls with hawser or cable.

11225533.. ddeeccoonnttaammiinnaannttss

materials added to cements or cement slurries to counteract the effects of

contamination.

11225544.. ddeeeepp ddrriilllliinngg

Page 162: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

161161

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

any drilling project that is deeper than average for a given area or period in

time.

11225555.. DDEEEEPP RRIIGG

A specially designed drifting derrick built to withstand the extreme hook loads

of ultra-deep (20,000 to 30,000-foot) wells. Deep rigs, in addition to extra-

strong structural members, have massive substructures 25 to 35 feet high to

accommodate the large and tall blowout preventer stacks flanged to the

wellhead. Hook loads on deep rigs often exceed 800 tons. 1,600,000 pounds.

11225566.. ddeeeepp--wweellll ppuummpp

a production pump designed for service in a deep well.

11225577.. ddeeeeppeenn

to increase the depth of a well. Deepening is generally a workover operation

carried out to produce from a deeper formation or to control excessive gas

found in the upper levels of a reservoir.

11225588.. ddeeeeppwwaatteerr ddrriilllliinngg

offshore drilling operations in relatively deep oceans or seas. It presents a

number of special problems related to water depth.

11225599.. DDEEFFIICCIIEENNCCYY GGAASS

The difference between a quantity of gas a purchaser is obligated by contract

either to take or pay for if not taken and the amount actually taken.

11226600.. ddeefflleeccttiioonn

a change in the angle of a wellbore. In directional drilling, it is measured in

degrees from the vertical.

11226611.. ddeeffllooccccuuttaattiioonn

the dispersion of solids that have stuck together in drilling fluid, usually by

means of chemical thinners. (See flocculation.)

Page 163: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

162162

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11226622.. ddeeffooaammeerr

any chemical that prevents or lessens frothing or foaming in another agent.

11226633.. ddeeggaasssseerr

the equipment used to remove unwanted gas from a liquid, especially from

drilling fluid.

11226644.. DDEEGGAASSSSIINNGG DDRRIILLLLIINNGG MMUUDD

An important part of well drilling operations is keep the drilling mud free of

entrained gas, buobles that enter the mud as it circulates downhole through

gaseous formations. One of the three functions of mud is to provide sufficient

hydrostatic head to control a kick when high-pressure oil or gas is

encountered. When mud of a certain density is circulated, it can become

infused with gas to an extent that although the volume of mud may increase

the density is severely reduced. To guard against this dangerous situation

occurring, the mud is degassed at the surface. Several kinds of equipment get

the gas out, but all have one aim in commo to make it possible for the gas

bubbles to free themselves. One method flows the mud over wide sheets so

the slurry is no more than one-eighth to three eighths thick so the bubbles

may come to the surface and escape. Another method sprays the mud

against a baffle in a spray tank which squeezes out the gas. A third method

directs the mud through a vacuum tank where, under reduced atmospheric

pressure, the bubbles of gas expand and break out of the slurry.

11226655.. ddeeggrreeee--ddaayy

a unit of temperature and time, computed per day, equivalent to the

difference between a 65 F base and a daily mean temperature (when the

latter is less than 65 F). The total of degree-days for a given period of time

can be used to estimate energy requirements such as the amount of fuel oil

needed to heat a building.

Page 164: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

163163

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11226666.. ddeeggrreeeess AAPPII

(.API) a unit of measurement of the American Petroleum Institute that

indicates the weight, or gravity, of oil. (See API gravity.)

111226688.. ddeehhyyddrraattee

to remove water from a substance. Dehydration of crude oil is normally

accomplished by emulsion treating with emulsion breakers. The water vapor

in natural gas must be removed to meet pipeline requirements; a typical

maximum allowable water-vapor content is 7 LB per Mk.

11226699.. DDEEHHYYDDRRAATTOORR,, NNAATTUURRAALL GGAASS

A tank or tower through which gas is run to remove entrained water. A

common method of gas dehydration is through ,he use of various glycols -

diethylene, triethylene, and tetraethylene. Dehydration is accomplished by

contact of the wet gas with pure or "lean" glycol solution. Gas is led In to the

bottom of a trayed or packed column in the presence of the glycol solution.

As the gas percolates upward through the solution, the lean glycol absorbs

the entrained water, and dry gas is taken off at the top of the lower. Gas

must be extremely dry to meet pipeline specifications; it may not contain

more than 7 pounds of water per million standard cubic feet.

11227700.. ddeellaayy rreennttaall

a payment, usually made annually in lieu of drilling to keep a lease valid.

11227711.. DDeelliinneeaattiioonn WWeellll

Well drilled after a discovery well to determine the areal extent of a reservoir.

11227722.. DDEELLIINNEEAATTIIOONN WWEELLLLSS

Wells drilled outward from a successful wildcat well to determine the extent of

the oil find, the boundaries of the productive formation. See Development

Wells.

Page 165: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

164164

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11227733.. ddeelliivveerryymmaann

a shipper's representative who takes delivery of oil from a pipeline company

at a terminal or junction.

11227744.. ddeemmeetthhaanniizzeerr

(See rich-oil demethanizer.)

11227755.. DDEEMMUULLSSIIFFIIEERR

A chemical used to "break dowi" crude oil/water emulsions. The chemical

reduces the surface tension of the film of oil surrounding the droplets of

water. Thus freed, the water settles to the bottom of the tank.

11227766.. ddeemmuullssiittyy

to resolve an emulsion, especially of water and oil, into its components. (See

emulsion treating.)

11227777.. DDEEMMUURRRRAAGGEE

The charge incurred by the shipper for detaining a vessel, freight car, or

truck. High loading rates for oil tankers are of utmost importance in order to

speed turnaround and minimize demurrage charges.

11227788.. DDeennssiilloogg

(See density log.)

11227799.. ddeennssiittyy

the weight of a substance per unit of volume. For instance, the density of a

drilling mud may be 10 ppg, 74.8 lb/ftl, or 1.2 kg/liter. Specific gravity or API

gravity is also a measure of density.

11228800.. ddeennssiittyy lloogg

a special radioactivity log for open-hole surveying that responds to variations

in the specific gravity of formations. It is a contact log (i.e., held against the

Page 166: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

165165

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

wall of the hole). It emits neutrons and then measures the secondary gamma

radiation that is scattered back to the detector in the instrument. The density

log is an excellent porosity-measuring device, especially for shaly sands.

Some trade names for it are Gamma-Gamma Density Log, Formation Density

Log, and Densilog.

11228811.. DDEENNSSMMOORREE,, AAMMOOSS

The man who first devised a method of shipping crude oil by rail. In 1865 he

mounted two "iron banded" wooden tanks on a railway flatcar. The tanks or

tubs holds total of 90 barrels. Densmore's innovation was the forerunner of

the "unit train" for hauling oil and products, and the latest development, Tank

Train (q.v.).

11228822.. ddeepplleettee

to exhaust a supply. An oil and gas reservoir is depleted when most or all

recoverable hydrocarbons have been produced.

11228833.. DDEEPPLLEETTIIOONN AALLLLOOWWAANNCCEE

See Percentage Depletion.

11228844.. DDEEPPOOSSIITT

An accumulation of oil or gas capable of being produced commercially.

11228855.. ddeeppoossiittiioonnaall eennvviirroonnmmeenntt

the conditions under which a series of rock strata were laid down.

Depositional environments are divided into five groups marine (ocean-borne),

aeolian (wind-borne), alluvial (river-borne), deltaic (borne by a river at its

delta), and interdeltaic (between river deltas).

Page 167: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

166166

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11228866.. DDeeppoossiittiioonnaall FFaacciieess

A three dimensional body of rock that is differentiated from others by its

unique physical attributes such as rock type(s), fossils, bedding structures,

position in the rock layers, the manner in which it was deposited and the like.

111228888.. ddeepprreecciiaattiioonn

decrease in value of property (as a rig) due to normal wear or the passing of

time. By including a charge for depreciation, a contractor can accumulate

funds to replace a rig when it is worn out.

11228899.. DDEEPPRROOPPAANNIIZZEERR

A unit of a processing plant where propane, a liquid hydrocarbon, is from

natural gas.

11229900.. ddeepptthh

1. the distance to which a well is drilled, stipulated in a drilling contract as

contract depth. Total depth is the depth after drilling is finished. 2. on

offshore drilling rigs, the distance from the baseline of a rig or ship to the

uppermost continuous deck.

11229911.. ddeepptthh iinn

the depth of the wellbore when a new bit is run in. (See depth out.)

11229922.. ddeepptthh oouutt

the depth of the wellbore when a bit is pulled out of the hole. (See depth In.)

11229933.. ddeepptthhoommeetteerr

a device used to measure the depth of a well or depth at a specific point in a

well (as to the top of a 1'ner or to a fish) by counting the turns of a calibrated

wheel rolling on a wireline as it is lowered into or pulled out of a well.

11229944.. ddeerrrriicckk

Page 168: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

167167

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

a large load-bearing structure, usually of bolted construction. In drilling, the

standard derrick has four legs standing at the corners of the substructure and

reaching to the crown block. The substructure is an assembly of heavy beams

used to elevate the derrick and provide space to install blowout preventers,

casingheads, etc. Because the standard derrick must be assembled piece by

piece, it has largely been replaced by the mart, which can be lowered and

raised without disassembly.

11229955.. DDEERRRRIICCKK BBAARRGGEE

A type of work boat on which a large crane is mounted for use offshore or

other over-water work. The larger derrick or crane barges are self propelled

and are, in effect, a boat or ship with full-revolving crane, a helicopter pad,

and tools and equipment for various tender work. A crane

11229966.. DDEERRRRIICCKK FFLLOOOORR

The platform (usually 10 feet or more above the ground) of a derrick on

which drilling oprations are carried o rig floor.

11229977.. DDEERRRRIICCKK,, PPUUMMPPIINNGG

In the early days, before the widespread use of portable units for pulling and

reconditioning a well, the original derrick, used for drilling, was often replaced

by a smaller, shorter derrick called a pumping derrick or pumping rig. Well

workovers could be done with these rigs; the well also could be pumped by

pumping jack or by a walking beam.

11229988.. DDEERRRRIICCKKMMAANN

A member of the drilling crew who works up in derrick on the tubing board,

racking tubing or drillpipe as it is pulled from the well and unscrewed by other

crow members on the derrick floor.

Page 169: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

168168

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11229999.. ddeessaalltt

to remove dissolved salt from crude oil. Sometimes fresh water is injected

into the crude stream to dissolve salt for removal by electrostatic treaters.

11330000.. DDEESSAALLTTIINNGG PPLLAANNTT

An installation that removes salt water and crystalline salt from crude oil

streams. Some plants use electrostatic precipitation; others employ chemical

processes to remove the salt.

11330011.. ddeessaannddeerr

a centrifugal device used to remove fine particles of sand from drilling fluid to

prevent abrasion of the pumps. A desander usually operates on the principle

of a fast-moving stream of fluid being put into a whirling motion inside a

cone-shaped vessel.

11330022.. ddeessiiccccaanntt

a substance able to remove water from another substance with which it is in

contact. It may be liquid (as triethylene glycol) or solid (as silica gel).

11330033.. DDEESSIICCCCAANNTT DDRRYYIINNGG

The use of a drying agent to remove moisture from a stream of air or gas. in

certain product pipelines great effort is made to remove all water vapor

before putting the line in service. To accomplish this, desiccant-dried air or an

inert gas is pumped through the line to absorb the moisture that may be

Present even in the ambient air in the line.

11330044.. ddeessiiggnn ffaaccttoorr

the ratio of the ultimate load a vessel or structure will sustain to the safe

permissible load placed on it. Such safety factors are incorporated into the

design of casing, for example, to allow for unusual burst, tension, or collapse

stresses.

Page 170: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

169169

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11330055.. ddeessiiggnn wwaatteerr ddeepptthh

1. the vertical distance from the ocean bottom to the nominal water level plus

the height of astronomical and storm tides. 2. the deepest water in which an

offshore drilling rig can operate.

11330066.. ddeessiilltteerr

a centrifugal device, similar to a desander, used to remove very fine particles,

or silt, from drilling fluid to keep the amount of solids in the fluid to the lowest

possible level. The lower the solids content of the mud is, the faster the rate

of penetration.

11330077.. DDEESSIILLTTEERR -- DDEESSAANNDDEERR

A filtering device on a drifting well's mud system that removes harmful

abrasive material from the mud stream.

11330088.. DDeesskk aanndd DDeerrrriicckk CClluubb

an association of women employed in the petroleum and allied industries. As

of January 1979, there are 103 clubs throughout the United States and

Canada. The principal function of the group is that of providing informational

and educational programs for the enlightenment of its members about the

industry they serve. Membership ranges from secretaries through managers

and directors of companies.

11330099.. ddeessuullffuurriizzee

to remove sulfur or sulfur compounds from oil or gas.

11331100.. DDEETTEERRGGEENNTT OOIILLSS

lubricating oils containing additives that retard the formation of gums,

varnishes, and other harmful engine deposits. The detergents act to keep all

products of oxidation and other foreign matter in suspension which permits it

to be removed by the engine's filtering system.

Page 171: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

170170

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11331111.. ddeettoonnaattiioonn

1. an explosion. 2. the knock or ping produced when fuel of too low an

octane rating is used in the engine. Compare preignition.

11331122.. DDEETTRRIIUUSS

Fragments of disintegrated rock; an accumulation of material as the result of

the wearing away or erosion of rock. See Talus.

11331133.. DDEETTRROOIITT IIRROONN

A humorous reference to a large, old car or truck.

11331144.. DDEEVVEELLOOPPMMEENNTT

The drilling and bringing into production of wells in addition to the discovery

well on a lease. The drilling of development wells may be required by the

express or implied covenants of a lease.

11331155.. DDEEVVEELLOOPPMMEENNTT CCLLAAUUSSEE

The drilling and delay-rental clause of a lease also, express clauses specifying

the number of development wells to be drilled.

11331166.. ddeevveellooppmmeenntt wweellll

1. a well drilled in proven territory in a field to complete a pattern of

production. 2. an exploitation well.

11331177.. DDEEVVEELLOOPPMMEENNTT WWEELLLLSS

Wells drilled in an area already proved to be productive.

11331188.. DDEEVVIIAATTEEDD HHOOLLEE

A well bore which is off the vertical either by design or accident. All wells are

off the vertical, some considerably farther off than others. In drilling a

15,000-foot hole, for example, through many types of hard and soft lions, it is

not unusual to have such a deviation that the actual bottom of the hole is

Page 172: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

171171

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

2,000 feet or so away from the well location, and on someone else's lease.

This can be litigious business if the other lease owner gets picky about it.

Deviated or crooked holes as they are commonly referred to are more

expensive to drill than a straight hole for several reasons. For example, to

reach a particular formation at 10,000 feet, a crooked hole, on a severe Angle

from the vertical, may have to be dug several hundred to 1,000 feet farther.

In addition to more drilling time it would also mean 1,000 feet more casing

and an equal amount of tubing to complete the well. Every effort is made to

drill a straight hole. But there are times when drilling at an angle from the

vertical serves a useful purpose. And the technique for digging such a hole is

quite advanced. See Slant-hole Technique.

11331199.. ddeevviiaattiioonn

the inclination of the wellbore from the vertical. The angle of deviation, angle

of drift, or drift angle is the angle in degrees that shows the variation from

the vertical as revealed by a deviation survey.

11332200.. ddeevviiaattiioonn ssuurrvveeyy

an operation made to determine the angle from which a bit has deviated from

the vertical during drilling. There are two basic deviation survey, or drift

survey, instruments one reveals the angle of deviation only; the other

indicates both the angle and direction of deviation.

11332211.. DDEEWW PPOOIINNTT

The temperature at which water vapor condensed Out of at 14.7psia. (pound

per square inch absolute) or at sea level.

11332222.. ddeeww--ppooiinntt rreeccoorrddeerr

a device used by gas transmission companies to determine and record

continuously the dew point of the gas.

Page 173: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

172172

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11332233.. DDFF

derrick floor; used in drilling reports.

11332244.. ddiiaaggeenneessiiss

the chemical and physical changes that sediments undergo (after deposition,

compaction, cementation, recrystallization, and sometimes replacement) that

result in lithification.

11332255.. ddiiaammeetteerr

the distance across a circle measured through its center. In the measurement

of pipe diameters, the inside diameter is that of the interior circle and the

outside diameter that of the exterior circle.

11332266.. ddiiaammoonndd bbiitt

a drilling bit that has a steel body surfaced with industrial diamonds. The

rotation of the extremely hard diamonds cuts the surface of the rock.

11332277.. ddiiaattoommaacceeoouuss eeaarrtthh

an earthy deposit made up of the siliceous cell walls of one-celled marine

algae called diatoms, used as an admixture for cement to produce a low-

density slurry.

11332288.. DDIIEE

A replaceable, hardened steel piece; an insert for a wrench or set of tongs

that bites into the pipe as the toot is closed on the pipe; a tong key. Also, in

the plural, dies are cutters for making threads on a bolt or pipe.

11332299.. ddiiee ccoollllaarr

a collar or coupling of tool steel, threaded internally, that is used to retrieve

pipe from the well on fishing jobs; the female counterpart of a taper tap. The

die collar is made up on the drill pipe and lowered into the hole until it

contacts the lost pipe. Rotation of the die collar on top of the pipe cuts

Page 174: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

173173

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

threads on the outside of the pipe, providing for a firm attachment. The pipe

is then retrieved from the hole.

11333300.. ddiieelleeccttrriicc

a substance that is an insulator, or nonconductor, of electricity.

111333322.. ddiieelleeccttrriicc ccoonnssttaanntt

the values of dielectricity assigned to substances. A substance that is a good

insulator has a high dielectric constant, while a poor insulator has a low one.

The dielectric constant of oil is lower than that for water, and upon this

principle a net-oil computer operates.

11333333.. ddiieesseell--eelleeccttrriicc ppoowweerr

the power supplied to a drilling rig by diesel engines driving electric

generators, used widely offshore and gaining popularity onshore.

11333344.. ddiieesseell eennggiinnee

a high-compression, internal-combustion engine used extensively for

powering drilling rigs. In a diesel engine air is drawn into the cylinders and

compressed to very high pressures; ignition occurs as fuel is injected into the

compressed and heated air. Combustion takes place within the cylinder above

the piston, and expansion of the combustion products imparts power to the

piston.

11333355.. DDIIEESSEELL FFUUEELL

A fuel made of the light gas-oil range of refinery products. Diesel fuel and

furnace oil are virtually the same product. Self-ignition is an important

property of diesel fuel, as the diesel engine has no spark plugs; the fuel is

ignited by the heat of compression within the engine's cylinders. See Diesel

Engine; also Cetane Number.

Page 175: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

174174

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11333366.. DDIIEESSEELL,, RRUUDDOOLLPPHH

The German mechanical engineer who invented the internal combustion

engine that bears his name.

11333377.. DDIIEESSEELLIINNGG

The tendency of some gasoline engines to continue running after the ignition

has been shut off. This is often caused by improper fuel or carbon deposits in

the combustion chamber hot enough to ignite the gasoline sucked into the

engine as it makes a few revolutions after being turned off.

11333388.. ddiiffffeerreennttiiaall

the difference in quantity or degree between two measurements or units. For

example, the pressure differential across a choke is the variation between the

pressure on one side and that on the other. (See differential pressure.)

11333399.. ddiiffffeerreennttiiaall ffiillll--uupp ccoollllaarr

a device used in setting casing. It is run near the bottom of the casing to

automatically admit drilling fluids into the casing as needed so it sinks rather

than floats in the well.

11334400.. ddiiffffeerreennttiiaall ffiillll--uupp sshhooee

a device similar to a differential fill-up collar, except it is run on the bottom of

the casing and is incorporated into the guide shoe.

11334411.. ddiiffffeerreennttiiaall pprreessssuurree

the difference between two fluid pressures; for example, the difference

between the pressure in a reservoir and in a wellbore drilled in the reservoir,

or between atmospheric pressure at sea level and at 10,000 ft. (See

differential pressure.)

Page 176: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

175175

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11334422.. ddiiffffeerreennttiiaall--pprreessssuurree ggaauuggee

a pressure-measuring device actuated by two or more pressure-sensitive

elements that act in opposition to produce an indication of the difference

between two pressure sources.

11334433.. ddiiffffeerreennttiiaall--pprreessssuurree ssttiicckkiinngg

a condition in which the drill stem becomes stuck against the wall of the

wellbore because part of the drill stem (usually the drill collars) has become

embedded in the filter cake. Necessary conditions for differential pressure

sticking, or wall sticking, are a permeable formation and a pressure

differential across a nearly impermeable filter cake and drill stem.

11334444.. DDIIGGGGEERR

One who digs or drills a well; a driller.

11334455.. DDIIGGGGIINNGG TTOOOOLLSS

Hand tools used in digging a ditch, i.e., shovels, picks, mattocks, spades.

11334466.. DDIILLLLPPIIPPEE

Heavy, thick-walled steel ripe used in rotary drilling to turn the drill bit and to

provide a conduit for the drilling mud. Joints of drillpipe are about 30 feet

long.

11334477.. ddiipp

(See formation dip.)

11334488.. ddiipp lloogg

a survey of a wellbore with a dip meter, made to determine the direction-and

angle of dip of certain formations exposed to the wellbore.

11334499.. ddiippmmeetteerr ssuurrvveeyy

Page 177: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

176176

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

an oil-well-surveying method that determines the direction and angle of

formation dip in relation to the borehole. It records data that permit

computation of both the amount and direction of formation dip relative to the

axis of the hole. It also provides information about the geologic structure of

the formation.

11335500.. DDIIRRCCTTIIOONNAALL DDRRIILLLLIINNGG

The technique of drilling at an angle from the vertical by deflecting the drill 1

wells are drilled for a number of reasons to develop an offshore lease from

one drilling platform; to reach a pay zone beneath land where drilling cannot

be done, e.g. , beneath a railroad, cemetery, a lake; and to reach the

production zone of a burning well to flood the formation. See Killer Well.

11335511.. ddiirreecctt ccoonnnneeccttiioonn

a straightforward connection that makes the speeds of a prime mover and a

driven machine identical.

11335522.. ddiirreeccttiioonnaall ddrriilllliinngg

intentional deviation of a wellbore from the vertical. Although wellbores are

normally drilled vertically, it is sometimes necessary or advantageous to drill

at an angle from the vertical. Controlled directional drilling makes it possible

to reach subsurface areas laterally remote from the point where the bit enters

the earth. It involves the use of turbodrills, DynaDrills, whipstocks, or other

deflecting tools.

11335533.. ddiirreeccttiioonnaall hhoollee

a wellbore intentionally drilled at an angle from the vertical. (See directional

drilling.)

Page 178: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

177177

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11335544.. ddiirreeccttiioonnaall ooppeerraattoorr

a practical or trained technician who supervises rig operations relating to

directional drilling, usually employed by a company specializing in this service.

11335555.. ddiirreeccttiioonnaall ssuurrvveeyy

a logging method that records hole drift, or deviation from the vertical, and

direction of the drift. A single shot directional survey instrument makes a

single photograph of a compass reading of the drift direction and the number

of degrees the hole is off vertical. A multi shot survey instrument obtains

numerous readings in the hole as the device is pulled out of the well. (See

directional drilling.)

11335566.. DDIIRRTTYY CCAARRGGOO

Bunker fuel and other block residual oils.

11335577.. ddiissccoonnffoorrmmiittyy

an unconformity in which formations on opposite sides of it are parallel.

11335588.. ddiissccoonnttiinnuuoouuss pphhaassee

(See continuous phase and internal phase)

11335599.. DDIISSCCOOVVEERRYY WWEELLLL

An exploratory well that encounters a new and previously untapped

petroleum deposit a successful wildcat well. A discovery well may also open a

new horizon in an established field.

11336600.. DDIISSCCOOVVEERRYY WWEELLLL AALLLLOOWWAABBLLEE

An allowable above that of wells in a settled field. Some states allow the

operators of a discovery well to produce at the maximum efficiency rate

(MER) until the costs of the well have been recovered in oil or gas.

Page 179: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

178178

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11336611.. ddiissppaattcchheerr

an employee responsible for scheduling movement of oil through pipelines.

11336622.. ddiissppeerrssiioonn

a suspension of extremely fine particles in a liquid (such as colloids in a

colloidal solution).

11336633.. ddiissppllaacceemmeenntt

the weight of fluid (as water) displaced by a freely floating body such as an

offshore drilling rig, exactly equal to the weight of the body.

11336644.. ddiissppllaacceemmeenntt fflluuiidd

in oil-well cementing, the fluid, usually drilling mud or salt water, that is

pumped into the well behind the cement to force the cement out of the

casing and into the annulus.

11336655.. ddiissppllaacceemmeenntt mmeetteerr

a meter in which a piston is actuated by the pressure of a measured volume

of liquid and the volume swept by the piston is equal to the volume of the

liquid recorded.

11336666.. ddiissppllaacceemmeenntt pplluunnggeerr

a device used to pump liquids, usually at high pressures, with an action

similar to that of a piston but one-sided.

11336677.. ddiissppllaacceemmeenntt rraattee

a measurement of the speed with which a volume of cement slurry or mud is

pumped down the hole.

11336688.. ddiissppoossaall wweellll

a well into which salt water is pumped, usually part of a salwater-disposal

system.

Page 180: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

179179

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11336699.. ddiissssoocciiaattiioonn

the splitting up of a compound of two or more simple molecules, atoms, or

ions. For example, hydrochloric acid dissociates into hydrogen and chlorine

molecules, or ions, in water.

111337711.. DDIISSSSOOLLVVEEDD GGAASS

Gas contained in solution with the crude oil in the reservoir. See Solution Gas.

11337722.. DDIISSSSOOLLVVEEDD--GGAASS DDRRIIVVEE

The force of expanding gas dissolved in the crude oil in the formation that

drives the oil to the well bore and up to the surface through the production

11337733.. DDIISSTTIILLLLAATTEE

quid hydrocarbons, usually water-white or pale straw color, and of high API

gravity (above 60') recovered from wet gas by a separator that condenses the

liquid out of the gas stream. See Condensate. (Distillate is an older term for

the liquid today, it is called condensate or natural gasoline.)

11337744.. DDIISSTTIILLLLAATTEE FFUUEELL OOIILLSS

A term denoting products of refinery distillation sometimes referred to middle

distillates, i.e.. kerosene, diesel fuel, home heating oil,

11337755.. ddiissttiillllaattiioonn

the process of driving off gas or vapor from liquids or solids, usually by

heating, and condensing the vapor back to liquid to purify, fractionate, or

form new products. (See distillate.)

11337766.. DDIISSTTIILLLLAATTIIOONN SSYYSSTTEEMM

A small, temporary "refinery" (200 to 1,000 b/d) set up at a remote drifting

site to make diesel fuel and low-grade gasoline from available crude oil for

the drilling engines and auxiliary equipment.

Page 181: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

180180

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11337777.. ddiissttrriibbuuttiioonn

the apportioning of daily production rates to wells on a lease. Because there

are many wells on a lease, such production is apportioned on the basis of

periodic tests rather than on the individual receiving and gauging of oil at

each well.

11337788.. ddiittcchh

a trench or channel made in the earth,usually to bury pipeline, cable, etc. On

a drilling rig, the mud-flow channel from the conductor-pipe outlet is often

called a ditch. (See mud-return line.)

11337799.. DDIITTCCHHIINNGG MMAACCHHIINNEE

See Trencher.

11338800.. ddiivveerrtteerr

a system used to control well blowouts encountered at relatively shallow

depths and to protect floating rigs during blowouts by directing the flow away

from the rig.

11338811.. DDIIVVEERRTTEERR SSYYSSTTEEMM

An assembly of nipples and air-actuated valves welded to a well's surface or

conductor casing for venting a gas kick (q.v.) encountered in relatively

shallow offshore wells. In shallow wells there is often insufficient overburden

pressure around the base of the conductor casing to prevent the gas from a

substantial kick from blowing out around the casing. When a kick occurs, the

blowout preventer is closed and the valves of the diverter system open to

vent the gas harmlessly to the atmosphere.

11338822.. DDIIVVEESSTTIITTUURREE

Specifically as it relates to the industry, to break up, to fragment an

integrated oil company into individual, separate companies, each to be

Page 182: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

181181

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

permitted to operate only within a single phase of the oil business

exploration. production, transportation, refining or marketing.

11338833.. DDIIVVIISSIIOONN OORRDDEERR

A contract of sale to the buyer of crude oil or gas directing the buyer to pay

for the product in the proportions set forth in the contract. Certain amounts of

payment go to the operator of the producing property, the royalty owners,

and others having an interest in the production. The purchaser prepares the

division order after determining the basis of ownership and then requires that

the several owners of the oil being purchased execute the division order

before payment for the oil commences.

11338844.. ddkk

dark; used in drilling reports.

11338855.. ddllee nniippppllee

a device similar to a die collar but with external threads.

11338866.. DDMMWWDD

or MWD Downhole measurement while drilling (q.v.).

11338877.. DDOOCCTTOORR SSWWEEEETT

A term used to describe certain petroleum products that have been treated to

remove sulfur compounds and mercaptans that are the sources of unpleasant

odors. A product that has been so treated is said to be "sweet to the doctor

test."

11338888.. DDOOCCTTOORR TTEESSTT

A qualitative method of testing light fuel oils for the presence of sulfur

compounds and mercaptans, substances that are potentially corrosive and

impart an objectionable odor to the fuel when burned.

Page 183: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

182182

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11338899.. DDOOGG FFTT

To do less than one's share of work; to hang back to drag one's feet.

11339900.. DDOOGG HHOOUUSSEE

table, one-room shelter (usually made of fight tank iron) at a well site for the

convenience and protection of the drilling crew, geologist, and others. The

doghouse serves lunchroom, change house, dormitory, and storage room for

small supplies and ,records.

11339911.. DDOOGG RROOBBBBEERR

A loyal aid or underling who does disagreeable or slightly unorthodox

(shady)jobs for his boss; a master of the "midnight requisition"

11339922.. ddoogghhoouussee

1. a small enclosure on the rig floor used as an office for the driller or as a

storehouse for small objects.

2. any small building used as an office or for storage.

11339933.. DDOOGGLLEEGG

A deviation in the direction of a ditch or the bore hole of a well; a sharp bend

in a joint of pipe. See Key Seat.

11339944.. ddooll

dolomite; used in drilling reports.

11339955.. ddoollllyy

(See pipe dolly.)

11339966.. ddoolloo

dolomite; used in drilling reports.

Page 184: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

183183

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11339977.. ddoolloommiittee

a type of sedimentary rock similar to limestone but rich in magnesium

carbonate, sometimes a reservoir rock for petroleum.

11339988.. ddoommee

a geologic structure resembling an inverted bowl; a short anticline plunging

on all sides. (See salt dome.)

11339999.. ddoommee--rrooooff ttaannkk

a storage tank with a dome-shaped roof affixed to the shell.

11440000.. DDOOOODDLLEE BBUUGG

A witching device; a twig or branch of a small tree (poach is favored by some

witchers) which when held by an "expert" practitioner as he walks over a plot

of land is supposed to bend down locating a favorable place to drill a well; a

popular term for any of the various geophysical prospecting equipment.

11440011.. ddooooddlleebbuugg

(slang) 1. the seismograph used in prospecting for potential oil-bearing

geological structures. 2. any of the various devices used in searching for

petroleum deposits.

11440022.. DDOOOORR MMAATTSS

Colloquial term used in the early days to describe small tracts, 1120 of an

acre, just large enough to accommodate an oil derrick. The concept of

pooling (q.v.) had not yet been accepted.

11440033.. ddoooorr sshheeeett

a plate at the base of a tank shell or wall that is removed to allow the tank

tone cleaned.

Page 185: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

184184

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11440044.. ddooppee

a lubricant for the threads of oil-field tubular goods.

11440055.. DDOOPPEE CCHHOOPPPPEERR

A machine for removing tar and asphalt coatings from line pipe. The pipe is

placed in the chopper where guillotine-like blades cut through the dope but

do not damage the pipe. The chunks of coating fall onto a conveyor belt and

are carried away from the job.

11440066.. DDOOPPEE GGAANNGG

Workers who clean and apply a coat of enamel primer to a pipeline in

preparation for coating with a tar-based anticorrosion material and wrapping

with tough paper bandage. On large pipeline projects, a machine rides the

pipe, cleaning it with rotating metal brushes and then on a pimer. A second

machine, also riding the pipe, coats and wraps the line in one operation.

11440077.. ddoouubbllee

a length of drill pipe, casing, or tubing, consisting of two joints screwed

together. Compare thribble and fourble.

11440088.. DDOOUUBBLLEE--AACCTTIINNGG PPUUMMPP

A reciprocating pump (plunger pump) with two sets of suction and discharge

valves permitting it to pump fluid during the forward and backward

movement of each plunger. (Single-action pumps discharge on the for. ward

stroke and draw in fluid on the return stroke.)

11440099.. ddoouubbllee bbooaarrdd

the derrickman's working platform, or monkeyboard, when located at a height

in the derrick or mast equal to two lengths of pipe joined together. (See

thribble board and fourble board.)

Page 186: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

185185

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11441100.. ddoouubbllee--ddrruumm hhooiisstt

a device, consisting of two reels on which wire rope is wound, that provides

two hoisting drums in the assembly. The main drum is used for pulling tubing

or drill pipe; the second drum is used for swabbing. (See hoist.) a pipe

incorporating twice as many safety design factors as normally used.

11441111.. DDOOUUBBLLEESS

Drillpipe and tubing pulled from the well two joints at a time. The two joints

make a stand (q.v.)of pipe that is set back and racked in the derrick. Three.

joint stands are called "thribbles," fours are "fourbles."

11441122.. TTDDOOUUBBLLIINNGG YYAARRDD TT

An area convenient to a large pipeline construction project where line pipe is

welded together in two-joint lengths preparatory to being transported to the

job and strung along the right of way.

111441144.. ddoouugghhnnuutt

a ring of wedges or a threaded, tapered ring that supports a string of pipe.

11441155.. DDOOWWNN IINN TTHHEE BBIIGG HHOOLLEE

A slang expression meaning to shift down into the lowest low gear.

11441166.. DDOOWWNNCCOOMMEERR

A pipe in which the flow of liquid or gas is downward.

11441177.. ddoowwnnhhoollee

pertaining to the wellbore.

11441188.. DDOOWWNNHHOOLLEE MMEEAASSUURREEMMEENNTT WWHHIILLEE DDRRIILLLLIINNGG

A dowhole "real time" data gathering and transmitting system that sends

information from the drill bit to the surface by one of several means. The data

transmitted by some form of telemetry-hardwire or electronics or hydraulic

Page 187: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

186186

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

impulse-includes drilling angle and rate, temperature, type formation, and

condition of the bit. The MWD system is the most advanced yet developed to

keep the driller and geologist informed on conditions several thousand feet

downhole.

11441199.. ddoowwnnhhoollee mmuudd mmoottoorr

a turbodrill or DynaDrill.

11442200.. DDOOWWNNSSTTRREEAAMM

Refers to facilities or operations performed after those at the point of

reference. For example, refining is downstream from production operations,

marketing is downstream from refining.

111442222.. ddoowwnnttiimmee

the period during which an item of equipment cannot be operated because of

ongoing repair or maintenance.

11442233.. DDOOWWSSIINNGG RROODDSS

See Doodle Bug.

11442244.. DDOOZZEERR

Bulldozer, a crawler-type tractor equipped with a hydraulically operated blade

for excavating and grading.

11442255.. DDPP

drill pipe; used in drilling reports.

11442266.. ddrraafftt

the vertical distance between the bottom of a vessel floating in water and the

waterline.

Page 188: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

187187

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11442277.. ddrraafftt mmaarrkkss

pl numbers placed on the sides or ends of a floating offshore drilling rig to

indicate its draft.

11442288.. ddrraagg bbiitt

(See bat and fishtail bit.)

11442299.. DDRRAAGG LLIINNEE

A type of large excavating machine made with a long boom over which a line

runs down to a clamshell bucket. The bucket at the end of the fine is swung

into position and is then dragged into the material to be moved or dug out.

11443300.. DDRRAAGG UUPP

To draw the wages one has coming and quit the job an expression used in

the oil fields by pipeline construction workers and temporary or day la. borers.

11443311.. DDRRAAIINNAAGGEE

Migration of oil or gas in a reservoir owing to a pressure reduction caused by

production from wells drilled into the reservoir. Local drainage is the

movement of oil and gas toward the well bore of a producing well.

11443322.. ddrraaiinnaaggee rraaddiiuuss

the area of a reservoir in which a single well serves as a point for drainage of

reservoir fluids.

11443333.. DDRRAAIINNAAGGEE TTRRAACCTT

A lease or tract of land, usually offshore, immediately adjacent to a tract with

proven production; an offshore Federal lease contiguous to producing

property whose subsurface geologic structure. is a continuation of the

producing acreage and therefore more or less valuable as a source of

additional oil or gas,

Page 189: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

181888

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11443344.. DDRRAAIINNAAGGEE UUNNIITT

The maximum area in an oil pool or field that may be drained efficiently by

one well so as to produce the maximum amount of recoverable oil or gas in

such an area.

11443355.. DDRRAAKKEE CCOOLL.. EEDDWWIINN LL..

The man who drilled the country's first oil well near Titusville, Pennsylvania, in

1859 to a depth of 69 1/2 feet using crude cable-tool equipment.

11443366.. DDrraakkee wweellll

the first U.S. well drilled in search of oil. Some 69 feet deep, it was drilled

near Titusville, Pa., and completed in 1859.

11443377.. DDRRAAWW WWOORRKKSS

The collective name for the hoisting drum, cable, shaft, clutches. power take

off, brakes and other machinery used on a drilling rig. Draw works are located

on one side of the derrick floor, and serve as a power-control center for the

hoisting gear and rotary elements of the drill column.

11443388.. ddrraawwddoowwnn

1. the difference between static and flowing bottomhole pressures. 2. the

distance between the static level and the pumping level of the fluid in the

annulus of a pumping well.

11443399.. DDRRAAWWIINNGG TTII IIEE FFIIRREESS

Shutting dowry a refinery unit in preparation for a turnaround (q.v.).

drawworks

the hoisting mechanism on a drilling rig. It is essentially a large winch that

spools off or takes in the drilling line and thus raises or lowers the drill stem

and bit.

Page 190: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

189189

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11444400.. DDRREERRRRIICCKK FFLLOOOORR

Derrick floor; the area where the driller and his crew work.

11444411.. ddrreessss

to sharpen or repair items of equipment (as drilling bits and tool joints).

11444422.. DDRREESSSS--UUPP CCRREEWW

A right-of-way gang that cleans up after the construction crews have

completed their work. The dress-up crew smooths the land, plants trees,

grass, and builds fences and gates.

11444433.. DDRREESSSSEERR SSLLEEEEVVEE

A slip-type collar that connects two lengths of plain-end (threadless) pipe.

This type sleeve connection is used on small-diameter, low-pressure fines.

11444444.. ddrriifftt

to move slowly out of alignment, off center, or out of register. 2. to gauge or

measure pipe by means of a mandrel passed through it to ensure the passage

of tools, pumps, etc.

11444455.. ddrriifftt aannggllee

(See deviation.)

11444466.. ddrriifftt iinnddiiccaattoorr

a device dropped or run down the drill stem on a wireline to just above the bit

to measure the inclination of the well off vertical at that point. It does not

measure the direction of inclination.

11444477.. DDRRIIFFTT MMAANNDDRREELL

A device used to check the size of casing and tubing before it is run. The drift

mandrel (jack rabbit) is put through each joint of casing and tubing to make

certain the inside diameters are sizes specified for the particular job.

Page 191: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

190190

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11444488.. ddrriifftt ssuurrvveeyy

(See deviation survey.)

111445500.. DDRRIIFFTTIINNGG TTHHEE PPIIPPEE

Testing casing or tubing for roundness; making certain there are no kinks,

bends, or flat places in the pipe by use of a drift mandrel (q.v.) or jack rabbit.

Pipe must be of proper diameter throughout to be able to run downhole tools

such as packers, plugs, etc.

11445511.. ddrriigg

drilling, used in drilling reports.

11445522.. ddrriillll

to bore a hole in the earth, usually to find and remove subsurface formation

fluids such as oil and gas.

11445533.. ddrriillll aahheeaadd

to continue drilling operations.

11445544.. ddrriillll aarroouunndd

1. to deflect the wellbore away from an obstruction in the hole. 2. (slang) to

get the better of someone (as, "He drilled around me and got the promotion.

11445555.. ddrriillll bbiitt

(See bit.)

11445566.. DDRRIILLLL BBIITT RROOTTAARRYY

The tool attached to the lower end of the drilipipe; a heavy steel "head" c

quipped with various types of cutting or grinding teeth, some are fixed, some

turn on bearings. A hole in the bottom of the drill permits the flow of drilling

mud being pumped down through the drillpipe to wash the cuttings to the

surface and also cool and lubricate the bit.connector between drillpipe and

Page 192: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

191191

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

bit. Originally, the drill collar was a means of attaching the drill bit to the

drillpipe and to strengthen the lower end of the drill column which is subject

to extreme compression. torsion, and bending stresses. Now the drill collar is

used to concentrate a heavy mass of metal near the lower end of the drill

column.

111445588.. DDRRIILLLL BBIITT,, DDIIAAMMOONNDD

See Diamond Drill Bit.

111446600.. DDRRIILLLL BBIITT,, DDRRAAGG

A type of old-style drilling tool in which the cutting tooth or teeth were the

shape of a fish tail. Drilling was accomplished by the tearing and gouging

action of the bit, and was efficient in soft formations the forerunner of the

modern, three-cone roller bit.

11446611.. DDRRIILLLL BBIITT,, FFIISSHH--TTAAIILL

A drag bit. See Drill Bit, Drag.

11446622.. DDRRIILLLL BBIITT,, MMIILLLL--TTOOOOTTHH

A bit with cutting teeth integral to the metal of the cones of the bit; a non

insert bit. Mill-tooth bits a re used in relatively soft formations found at

shallow pepths.

111446644.. ddrriillll ccoollllaarr

a heavy, thick-walled tube, usually steel, used between the drill pipe and the

bit in the drill stem to weight the bit in order to improve its performance.

11446655.. DDRRIILLLL CCOOLLLLAARR,, SSQQUUAARREE

A type of drill collar whose cross section is square instead of circular as in a

more conventional collar. Square drill collars are used to prevent or minimize

the chances of becoming hung up or stuck in a dogleg downhole. The square

corners on the collar, which is located just above the drill bit in the string, act

Page 193: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

192192

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

as a reamer and to tend to keep the hole passable for the drillpipe,Drill collars

were once a few feet long and weighed 400 or 500 pounds. Today, because

of increased bit pressure and rapid rotation, collars are made up in 1,000-foot

lengths and weigh 50-100 tons.

11446666.. DDrriillll CCoorreess,, CCoorreess

A cylindrical sample of rock obtained by drilling with a hollow donut-shaped

bit and pipe.

11446677.. ddrriillll iinn

to penetrate the productive formation after the casing is set and cemented on

top of the pay zone.

11446688.. ddrriillll oouutt

to remove with the bit the residual cement that normally remains in the lower

section of casing and the wellbore after the casing has been cemented.

11446699.. ddrriillll ppiippee

the heavy seamless tubing used to rotate the bit and circulate the drilling

fluid. joints of pipe 30 ft long are coupled together by means of tool joints.

11447700.. DDRRIILLLL RRIIGG,, DDCC--DDCC

See Drilling Rig, Electric.

11447711.. ddrriillll sshhiipp

a ship constructed to permit a well to be drilled from it at an offshore

location. While not as stable as other floating structures (as a

semisubmersible), drill ships, or ship shape, are capable of drilling exploratory

wells in relatively deep waters. They may have a ship hull, a catamaran hull,

or a trimaran hull.

11447722.. ddrriillll ssiittee

the location of a drilling rig.

Page 194: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

193193

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

111447744.. ddrriillll sstteemm

the entire length of tubular pipes, composed of the kelly, the drill pipe, and

drill collars, that make up the drilling assembly from the surface to the bottom

of the hole.

11447755.. DDrriillll SSttrriinngg

A string of individual joints of drill pipe that extend from the bit to the kelly

pipe. The drill string carries the mud down to, and rotates, the drill bit.

11447766.. ddrriillll ttoo ggrraanniittee

to drill a hole until basement rock is encountered, usually in a wildcat well. If

no hydrocarbon-bearing formations are found above the basement, the well is

assumed to be dry.

11447777.. ddrriillll uunnddeerr pprreessssuurree

to carry on drilling operations while maintaining a seal (usually with a rotating

head) to prevent the well fluids from blowing out. Drilling under pressure is

advantageous in that the rate of penetration is relatively fast; however, the

technique requires extreme caution.

11447788.. DDRRIILLLL,, RROOTTAARRYY--PPEERRCCUUSSSSIIOONN

A drill bit that rotates in a conventional manner but at the same time acts as

a high-frequency pneumatic hammer. producing both a boring and a

fracturing action simultaneously. The hammer-like mechanism is located just

above the bit and is actuated by air, liquid, or high-frequency

11447799.. ddrriillll--ppiippee ccuutttteerr

a tool to cut drill pipe stuck in the hole. Tools that cut the pipe either

internally or externally, permitting some of it to be withdrawn, are available.

let cutoff or chemical cutoff also is used to free stuck pipe.

Page 195: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

194194

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11448800.. ddrriillll--ppiippee ffllooaatt

a valve installed in the drill stem that allows mud to be pumped down the drill

stem but prevents flow back up the drill stem; a check valve.

11448811.. ddrriillll--ppiippee pprreessssuurree

the amount of pressure exerted inside the drill pipe as a result of circulating

pressure, the entry of formation pressure into the well, or both.

11448822.. ddrriillll--ppiippee pprreessssuurree ggaauuggee

an indicator that is mounted on the mud-circulating system to measure the

amount of pressure in the drill stem.

11448833.. ddrriillll--ppiippee pprrootteeccttoorr

an antifriction device of rubber or steel attached to each joint of drill pipe to

minimize wear.

11448844.. ddrriillll--ppiippee ssaaffeettyy vvaallvvee

a special valve used to close off the drill pipe to prevent flow and having

threads to match the drill pipe in use.

11448855.. ddrriillll--sstteemm tteesstt

(See formation testing.)

11448866.. ddrriillllaabbllee

pertaining to packers and other tools left in the wellbore to be broken up later

by the drill bit. Drillable equipment is made of cast iron, aluminum, plastic, or

other soft brittle material.

11448877.. DDRRIILLLLEEDD SSOOLLIIDDSS

Rock particles broken and pulverized by the bit and picked up by the drilling

mud as it circulates. If the minute rock particles do not drop out in the mud

pits or are not removed by surface equipment, they add to the mud's density.

Page 196: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

195195

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

This condition can cause serious drilling and circulation problems. See Drilling

Mud Density.

11448888.. ddrriilllleerr

the employee directly in charge of a drilling or workover rig and crew. His

main duty is operation of the drilling and hoisting equipment, but he is also

responsible for the downhole condition of the well, operation of downhole

tools, and pipe measurements.

11448899.. ddrriilllleerr''ss BBOOPP ccoonnttrrooll ppaanneell

a series of controls on the rig floor that the driller manipulates to open and

close the blowout preventers.

11449900.. ddrriilllleerr''ss ccoonnssoollee

a metal cabinet on the rig floor containing the controls that the driller

manipulates to operate various functions of the drilling rig.

111449922.. ddrriilllleerr''ss lloogg

a record that describes each formation encountered and lists the drilling time

relative, to depth, usually in 5- to 10-ft intervals.

11449933.. ddrriilllleerr''ss ppaanneell

(See driller's console.)

11449944.. ddrriilllleerr''ss ppoossiittiioonn

the area immediately surrounding the driller's console.

11449955.. ddrriilllleerr''ss rreeppoorrtt

a record kept on the rig for each tour to show the footage drilled, drilling fluid

tests, bit record, and other noteworthy occurrences.

Page 197: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

196196

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11449966.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG AANNDD BBEELLLLIINNGG TTOOOOLL

A long, large-diameter. cylindrical drill with articulating cutting blades folded

into the body of the drill for digging holes for piling-in off shore installations

drilling, producing or production platforms The tool, two to four feet in

diameter, is so constructed that when it reaches the required depth of a few

hundred feet the hinged cutting blades are extended to cut out a bell-shaped

cavity at the bottom of the borehole. Piles then can be inserted and

cemented. This operation is "drilling in" the piling instead of the more

common method of driving the piling.

11449977.. ddrriilllliinngg bbaarrggee

(See barge.)

11449988.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG BBLLOOCCKK

An area composed of separate contiguous leaseholds rage enough to drill an

exploratory well. Before drilling such a well, particularly a deep well, the

operator will usually try to acquire a sizeable block of leases surrounding the

site of the proposed exploratory well.

11449999.. ddrriilllliinngg bbrreeaakk

a sudden increase in the rate of penetration by the drill bit. It sometimes

indicates that the bit has penetrated a high-pressure zone and thus warns of

the pos. sibility of a blowout.

11550000.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG CCOONNTTRRAACCTT

An agreement setting forth the items of major concern to both the operator

and drilling contractor in the drilling of a designated well at a given location

and at a specified time. One standard drilling contract form is the American

Petroleum Institute's (API); another is the American Association of Oil well

Drilling Contractors'(AAODC). See API Bid Sheet and Well Specifications

Page 198: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

197197

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11550011.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG CCOONNTTRRAACCTTOORR

A person or company whose business is drilling wells. Wells are drilled on a

per foot basis, others are contracted on a day rate. See Turnkey Contract

11550022.. ddrriilllliinngg ccoonnttrrooll

a device that controls the rate of penetration on a bit by maintaining a

constant weight of a predetermined magnitude on the bit. It is also called an

automatic driller or automatic drilling control unit.

11550033.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG CCOOSSTTSS,, IINNTTAANNGGIIBBLLEE

See Intangible Drilling Costs.

11550044.. ddrriilllliinngg ccrreeww

a driller, a derrickman, and two or more helpers who operate a drilling or

workover rig for one tour each day.

11550055.. ddrriilllliinngg eennggiinnee

an internal-combustion engine used to power a drilling rig. From two to six

engines are used on a rotary rig, fueled by diesel fuel, gasoline, or gas.

11550066.. ddrriilllliinngg eennggiinneeeerr

an engineer who specializes in the technical aspects of drilling.

11550077.. DDrriilllliinngg FFlluuiidd

Fluids continuously circulated down the wellbore, to cool and lubricate the

drill bit, lubricate the drill pipe, carry rock cuttings to the surface and control

down hole pressure.

11550088.. ddrriilllliinngg fflluuiidd aannaallyyssiiss

(See mud analysis.)

11550099.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG FFLLUUIIDD SSPPEECCIIAALLIISSTT

A mud engineer (q.v.).

Page 199: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

198198

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

111551111.. ddrriilllliinngg ffoorreemmaann

the supervisor of drilling or workover operations on a rig; also the tool pusher

or rig superintendent.

11551122.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG FFUUNNDD

A general term Cescribing a variety of organizations established to attract

venture capital to oil and gas exploration and development. Usually the fund

is established as a joint venture or limited partnership with minimum

investments of $5-$10,000. Such funds attract "high-bracket" persons who

will receive certain tax benefits.

11551133.. ddrriilllliinngg hheeaadd

a special rotating head that has a gear and pinion drive arrangement to allow

turning of the kelly simultaneously with scaling the kelly against well pressure.

11551144.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG HHEEAADD,, RROOTTAATTIINNGG

A heavy casing boiled to the top of the blowout present the casing through

which air or gas drilling is done. The kelly joint fits in the rotating element of

the drilling head. Compressed air, as the drilling fluid, enters the drillstring

through a flexible hose attached to the kelly. As the bit pulverizes the rock,

the chips are brought back up the annulus by the force of the high pressure

air and are vented through the blooie pipe to the burn pit.

11551155.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG IISSLLAANNDD

A man-made island constructed in water 10 to 50 feet deep by dredging up

the lake or bay bottom to make a foundation from which to drill wells. This

procedure is used for development drilling, rarely in wildcatting.

Page 200: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

199199

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11551166.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG JJAARRSS

A jointed section in a string of cable tools made with slack or play between

the joints. It the bit becomes lodged in the hole, the sudden jar or impact

developed by taking up of the slack in the jars aids in freeing the bit.

11551177.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG JJAARRSS,, HHYYDDRRAAUULLIICC

A toot used in the drillstring for imparting an upward or downward jar or jolt

to the drillpipe should it get stuck in ,he hole while drilling or making a trip.

The jars jolting action is initiated either by the weight or tension of the

drillstring which the driller can apply.

11551188.. ddrriilllliinngg lliinnee

a wire rope used to support the drilling tools.

11551199.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG LLOOGG

See Driller's Log.

11552200.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG MMAASSTT

A type of derrick consisting of two parallel legs, in contrast to the

conventional four-legged derrick in the form of a pyramid. The mast is held

upright by guy wires. This type mast is generally used on shallow wells or for

reconditioning work. An advanced type of deep-drilling rig employs a mast

like derrick of two principal members with a base as an integral part of the

mast.

111552222.. DDrriilllliinngg MMuudd

A common term for drilling fluids.

11552233.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG MMUUDD DDEENNSSIITTYY

The weight of drilling mud expressed in pounds per U.S. gallon or in pounds

per cubic foot. Density of mud is important because it determines the

hydrostatic pressure the mud will exert at any particular depth in the well. In

Page 201: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

200200

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

the industry, mud weight is synonymous with mud density. To "heavy up on

the mud" is to increase its density.

11552244.. ddrriilllliinngg ppaatttteerrnn

(See well spacing.)

11552255.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG PPEERRMMIITT

In states that regulate well spacing, a drilling permit is the authorization to

drill at a specified location; a well permit.

111552277.. ddrriilllliinngg ppllaattffoorrmm

(See platform.)

11552288.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG PPLLAATTFFOORRMM,, MMAATT--SSUUPPPPOORRTTEEDD

See Mat-supported Drilling Platform.

11552299.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG PPLLAATTFFOORRMM,, MMOONNOOPPOODD

See Monopod Drilling Platform.

11553300.. ddrriilllliinngg rraattee

the speed with which the bit drills the formation; the rate of Penetration.

11553311.. ddrriilllliinngg rreeccoorrddeerr

an instrument that records hook load, penetration rate, rotary speed and

torque, pump rate and pressure, mud flow, and so forth, during drilling.

11553322.. ddrriilllliinngg rriigg

(See rig.)

11553333.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG RRIIGG,, EELLEECCTTRRIICC

A drilling rig that receives its power from a system comprised of diesel

engine-DC generator-DC motor. A typical engine-generator-motor rig-up

would include fore such sets two for the mud pumps, one for the draw works

and rotary table and one somewhat smaller set for lighting and auxiliary

Page 202: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

201201

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

loads. Another type of electric rig uses the same power-flow system but the

generators are AC, whose current is converted to DC current to drive DC

motors for variable-speed drilling operations.

11553344.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG RRIIGG,, MMEECCHHAANNIICCAALL

The most common type of drilling rig is the mechanical compound rig.

Mechanical rigs use diesel engines coupled directly to the equipment or

through compound shafts to drive the rotary, draw works, and mud pumps.

Separate engine-AC generator sets Provide lighting and power for auxiliary

functions. See Drilling Rig, Electric.

11553355.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG RRIIGG,, SSPPLLIITT--LLEEVVEELL

A land rig design in which the diesel engines, gear compound, and draw

works are at or near ground level, 12 to 15 feet below and behind the rig

floor. On the rig floor are the cat works and the rotary table as on a

conventional rig. The power from the high-speed (1,800 rpm) diesel engines

is transmitted through clutches and compound to the rotary table through a

torque tube, rising at about a 45' angle to the gear and chain drive on the rig

floor.

11553366.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG SSPPOOOOLL

(1)The part of the draw works that holds the drilling fine; the drum of drilling

cable on which is spooled wire that is threaded over the crown block sheaves

and attached to the traveling block. (2) A flanged connector and installed

within the blowout preventer stack to which the mud access lines and choke

and kill lines are attached.

11553377.. ddrriilllliinngg tteemmppllaattee

(See temporary guide base.)

Page 203: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

202202

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11553388.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG TTEENNDDEERR

A barge-like vessel that acts as a supply ship for a small, offshore drilling

platform. The tender carries pipe, mud, cement, spare parts, and in some

instances provides crow quarters.

11553399.. ddrriilllliinngg uunniitt

the acreage allocated to a well when a regulatory agency grants a well

permit.

11554400.. DDRRIILLLLIINNGG,, IINNFFIILLLL

See Infill Drilling.

11554411.. DDRRIILLLLSSHHIIPP

A self-propelled vessel, a ship equipped with a derrick amidships for drilling

wells in deep water. A drillship is self-contained, carrying all of the supplies

and equipment needed to drill and complete a well.

11554422.. DDRRIILLLLSSTTEEMM

The drillpipe. In rotary drifting, the bit is attached to the drillstem or drift

column which rotates to "dig" the hole.

11554433.. DDRRIILLLLSSTTEEMM TTEESSTT

A method of obtaining a sample of fluid from a formation using a "formation-

tester tool" attached to the drillstem. The tool consists of a packer (q.v.) to

isolate the section to be tested and a chamber to collect a sample of fluid. If

the formation pressure is sufficient, fluid flows into the tester up the drillpipe

to the surface.

11554444.. DDRRIILLLLWWEELLLL

(DRILLSHIP) See Moonpool.

Page 204: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

203203

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11554455.. DDRRIIPP

A small in-line tank or condensing chamber in a pipeline to collect the liquids

that condense out of the gas stream. Drips are installed in low places in the

line and must be "blown" or emptied periodically.

11554466.. ddrriipp aaccccuummuullaattoorr

(See accumulator.)

11554477.. DDRRIIPP GGAASSOOLLIINNEE

Natural gasoline recovered at the surface of a well as the result of the

separation of certain of the liquid hydrocarbons dissolved in the gas in the

formation; gasoline recovered from a drip (q.v.) in a field gas line; casinghead

gasoline.

11554488.. DDRRIIPP OOIILLEERR

See Wick Oiler.

11554499.. DDRRIIVVEE

The energy or force present in an oil reservoir which causes the fluid to move

toward the wells borehole and up to the surface when the reservoir is

penetrated by the drill. A reservoir is very much like a pressure vessel; when

a well is drilled into the reservoir it is as if a valve were opened to vent the

pressure. There are several kinds of reservoir drives gas cap, solution gas,

water, and artificial drives (q.v.).

11555500.. ddrriivvee bbuusshhiinngg

a special device to fit the rotary bushing and transmit torque to the kelly and

simultaneously to permit vertical movement of the kelly to make hole. The

drive bushing may be square or hexagonal to fit the rotary opening or have

pins for transmitting torque. Also called the kelly bushing.

Page 205: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

204204

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11555511.. DDRRIIVVEE PPIIPPEE

A metal casing driven into the borehole of a well to prevent caving of the

walls and to shut off surface water. The drive pipe, first used in an oil well by

Colonel Drake, was the forerunner of the modern 'conductor or surface pipe.

See Casing.

11555522.. DDRRIIVVEE TTHHEE HHOOOOPPSS

To tighten the staves of a wooden stock tank by driving the metal bands or

hoops down evenly around the circumference of the tank. Early-day lease

tanks were made of redwood in the shape of a truncated cone (nearly

cylindrical). Metal bands like those on a wooden barrel held the staves

together, Once a year or so, the hoops had to be driven to tighten the seams

between the staves to prevent leaks. Today wooden tanks are used on leases

to handle salt water and other corrosive liquids. Their staves are held

together with steel rods equipped with turnbuckles for keeping the tank

watertight.

11555533.. ddrriivvee--iinn uunniitt

a type of portable servicing or workover rig that is self-propelled, using power

from the hoisting engines. Ale driver's cab and steering wheel are mounted

on the same end as the mast support; thus the unit can be driven straight

ahead to reach the wellhead. (See carrier rig.)

11555544.. DDRROOWWNNIINNGG

A colloquial term for the encroachment of water at the well bore into a

formation that once produced oil but now produces more and more water.

Page 206: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

205205

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11555555.. ddrruumm

1. a cylindrical steel container of 50 to 55 U.S. gal (200 liters) used to ship

refined products. 2. a cylinder around which wire rope is wound before being

attached to the drawworks.

11555566.. ddrryy ddrriilllliinngg

a drilling operation in which no fluid is circulated back up to the surface (often

resulting in lost circulation). However, the fluid is usually circulated into the

well to cool the bit. (See blind drilling.)

11555577.. ddrryy ggaass

a natural gas comprised primarily of light hydrocarbon vapors. Such vapors

tend not to liquefy under the temperatures and pressures usually encountered

in the reservoir or at the wellhead. 2. gas from which water has been

removed.

11555588.. ddrryy hhoollee

any well that does not produce oil or gas in commercial quantities. A dry hole

may flow water, gas, or even oil, but not enough to justify production.

11555599.. ddrryy ooiill

an oil that has been treated so that only small quantities of water and other

extraneous materials remain in it.

11556600.. ddrryy ssttrriinngg

the drill pipe from which drilling mud has been emptied as it is pulled out of

the wellbore.

11556611.. ddrryy wweellll

(See dry hole.)

Page 207: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

206206

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

111556633.. ddrryy--bbeedd ddeehhyyddrraattoorr

a collection of devices for removing water from gas in which two or more

beds of desiccant are used. The wet gas is sent through one bed for drying

while the other is prepared for later use.

11556644.. DDRRYY--HHOOLLEE MMOONNEEYY

Money paid by one or more interested parties (those owning land or a lease

nearby) to an operator who drills a well that is a dry hole. The well whether

successful or dry serves to "prove their land," providing useful information.

Before the well is drilled, the operator solicits dry hole "contributions" and in

return for financial assistance agrees to furnish certain information to the

contributors.

11556655.. DDRRYY--HHOOLLEE PPLLUUGG

A plug inserted in a well that is dry to seal off the formations that were

penetrated by the borehole. This treatment prevents salt water, often

encountered in "dry holes," from contaminating other formations. See

Plugging a Well.

11556666.. DDRRYYTTRREEEE

A Christmas tree installed on land or above water as distinguished from a

"wet tree," one installed on the sea bed or under water.

11556677.. DDSSTT

Drill Stem Test. A downhole test of the productive capacity of a well through

drill pipe up to the surface to obtain samples of gases and fluids and

determine their rate of sustained flow.

11556688.. DDUUAALL CCOOMMPPLLEETTIIOONN

The completion of a well In two separate producing formations, each at

different depths. Wells sometimes are completed in three or even four

Page 208: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

207207

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

separate formations with four strings of tubing inserted in the casing. This is

accomplished with packers (q.v.) that seal off all formations except the one to

be produced by a particular string of tubing.

111557700.. DDUUAALL DDIISSCCOOVVEERRYY

A well drilled into two commercial pay zones, two separate producing

formations, each at a different depth.

11557711.. DDUUAALL--FFUUEELL EENNGGIINNEESS

Engines equipped to run on liquid as well as gaseous fuel. Stationary engines

in the field have modifications made to their carburetors that permit them to

operate either on gasoline or natural gas. In some installations, when the

gasoline supply is used up, the engine is switched to natural gas

automatically.

11557722.. DDUUBBAAII SSTTOORRAAGGEE TTAANNKKSS

A specially designed. underwater storage tank the shape of an inverted

funnel, built by Chicago Bridge & iron for Dubai Petroleum Company. The

tanks have no bottoms and rest on the sea floor supported on their rims. Oil

from fields on shore is pumped into the top of the tanks under pressure

forcing the sea water out the bottom. The offshore tanks which are more

than 100 feet tall also serve as single-point moorings for tankers taking on

crude.

11557733.. DDUUBBBBSS,, CCAARRBBOONN PPEETTRROOLLEEUUMM

Mr. Dubbs, a petroleum chemist developed a cracking process that found

wide acceptance in the 1920s, and was almost as popular as the Burton still

which was developed for Standard Oil Company of Indiana.

Page 209: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

208208

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11557744.. DDUUCCKK''SS NNEESSTT

Colloquial term for a standby drilling mud tank or pit used to hold extra mud,

or as an overflow in the event of a gas "kick" (q.v.).

11557755.. DDUULLLLSS

Drill bits badly worn or have lost Inserts or have broken teeth.

11557766.. DDUUMMPP

Any small pumping device used on construction jobs or other temporary

operations.

11557777.. dduummpp bbaaiilleerr

a bailing device with a release valve, usually of the disk or flapper type, used

to place or spot material (as cement slurry) at the bottom of the well.

11557788.. DDUUMMPP FFLLOOOODDIINNGG

An unusual secondary recovery technique that uses water from a shallow

water bed above the producing pay to I food the oil-producing interval. The

water from the aquifer (q.v.) enters the injection string by its own pressure.

The weight of the hydrostatic column (water column) produces the necessary

force for it to penetrate the oil formation, pushing the oil ahead of it to the

producing wells in the field.

11557799.. DDUUMMPP GGAASS

Gas delivered under a dump gets contract, i.e., a gas purchase and delivery

contract that does not call for the delivery of a specified amount of gas but

which does call for delivery of surplus gas after meeting the terms of a firm

gas contract.

Page 210: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

209209

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11558800.. dduummpp mmeetteerr

a liquid-measuring device consisting of a small tank with narrowed sections at

top and bottom that automatically fills and empties itself and records the

number of dumps.

11558811.. dduummpp ttaannkk

a calibrated metering tank designed to automatically release an accurate

volume of liquid; also called a measuring tank.

11558822.. dduummpp vvaallvvee

the discharge valve through which oil and water are discharged from

separators, treaters, and so on. It is usually a motor valve, but may be a

liquid-level controller as well.

11558833.. DDUUMMPPBBOOXX

A heavy wooden or metal box where the contents of a cable-tool well's bailer

are emptied. The end of the bailer is lowered into the box which pushes the

dart upwards, unseating the ball valve and permitting the water, mud, and

rock cuttings to empty into the box and slush-pit launder (q.v.).

11558844.. dduupplleexx ppuummpp

a reciprocating pump having two pistons or plungers, used extensively as a

mud pump on drilling rigs.

11558855.. DDUUSSTTEERR

A dry hole; a well that encounters neither gas nor liquid at total depth.

11558866.. dduuttcchhmmaann

1. the portion of a stud or screw that remains in place after the head has

inadvertently been twisted off. 2. a tool-joint pin broken off in the drill-pipe

box or drill collar box.

Page 211: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

210210

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11558877.. ddwwtt

deadweight ton.

11558888.. DDyynnaa--DDrriillll

a downhole motor driven by drilling fluid that imparts rotary motion to a

drilling bit connected to the tool, thus eliminating the need to turn the entire

drill stem to make hole. The Dyna-Drill, a trade name, is used in straight and

directional drilling.

11558899.. DDyynnaafflleexx ttooooll

the trade name for a directional drilling tool that deflects the drilling assembly

off vertical without having to be pulled from the hole. The device that causes

the tool to be deflected can be caught and retrieved with a wireline.

11559900.. ddyynnaammiicc ppoossiittiioonniinngg

a method by which a floating offshore drilling rig is maintained in position

over an offshore well location. Generally, several motors called thrusters are

located on the hull(s) of the structure and are actuated by a sensing system.

A computer to which the system feeds signals then directs the thrusters to

maintain the rig on location.

11559911.. DDYYNNAAMMIICC SSTTAATTIIOONNIINNGG

A method of keeping a drill ship or semisubmersible drilling platform on

target, over the hole dying drilling operations where the water is too deep for

the use of anchors. This is accomplished by the use of thrusters (q.v.)

activated by underwater sensing devices that signal when the vessel has

moved a few degrees off its drilling station.

11559922.. ddyynnaammoommeetteerr

1. a device used to measure the brake horsepower of a prime mover. 2. As

applied to a sucker-rod pumping, the dynamometer indicates a variation in

Page 212: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

211211

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

load on the polished rod as the rod string reciprocates. A continuous record of

the result of forces acting along the axis of the polished rod is provided on a

dynamometer card, from which an analysis is made of the performance of the

well-pumping equipment.

11559933.. EE..PP.. LLUUBBRRIICCAANNTTSS

Extreme pressure lubricating oils and greases which contain substances added

to prevent metal to metal contact in highly loaded gears and turntables.

11559944.. EE99MM33

Billion cubic metres.

11559955.. EEAARRNNEESSTT MMOONNEEYY

A sum of money paid to bind a financial transaction prior to the signing of a

contract; hand money.

11559966.. EEaasseemmeenntt

a right that one individual or company has on anther's land. In the petroleum

industry, it usually refers to the permission given by a landowner for a

pipeline or access road to be laid across his property.

11559977.. EEAASSYY DDIIGGGGIINNGG

A soft job; an assignment of work that can be handled without much exertion.

11559988.. EEccoollooggyy

the study of living things and their relation to their environment.

11559999.. EECCOONNOOMMIICC DDEEPPLLEETTIIOONN

The reduction in the value of a wasting asset (q.v.) by removing or producing

the minerals.

11660000.. EEddggee wweellll

a well on the outer fringes of a productive subsurface formation.

Page 213: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

212212

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11660011.. EEddggeewwaatteerr

the water that touches the edge of the oil in the lower horizon of a formation.

111660033.. EEffffeeccttiivvee ppeerrmmeeaabbiilliittyy

the permeability of a rock to a fluid when the saturation of the fluid is less

than 100 percent.

11660044.. EEffffeeccttiivvee ppoorroossiittyy

the percentage of the bulk volume of a rock sample that is composed of

interconnected pore spaces that allow the passage of fluids through the

sample. (See porosity.)

11660055.. EEFFFFLLUUEENNTT

The discharge or outflow from a manufacturing or processing plant; out fall;

drainage.

11660066.. EELLAASSTTOOMMEERR

Any of various elastic materials or substances resembling rubber. The

petrochemical industry has produced many types of elastomers that are used

for gasket material, guides, swab cups, valve seats, machinery vibration-

absorber mounts, etc. Elastomers are highly resistant to chemical

decomposition (hydrolysis) in the presence of hydrocarbons which make them

desirable for use in the petroleum industry, much more so than natural

rubber.

11660077.. EEllbbooww

a fitting that allows two pipes to be joined together at an angle of less than

180', usually 90' or 45'.

11660088.. EElleecc.. lloogg

electric log; used in drilling reports. (See electric well log.)

Page 214: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

213213

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11660099.. EELLEECCTTRRIICC ((WWEELLLL)) LLOOGG

An electrical survey of a well's borehole before it is cased, which reflects the

degree of resistance of the rock strata to electric current. From the results of

the survey, geologists are able to determine the nature of the rock penetrated

by the drill and some indication of its permeability.

11661100.. EElleeccttrriicc ddeehhyyddrraattiioonn

(See emulsion breaker.)

11661111.. EElleeccttrriicc ddrriivvee

(See electric rig.)

11661122.. EElleeccttrriicc rriigg

a drilling rig on which the energy from the power source is distributed to the

various rig components through electrical conductors as opposed to

distribution by mechanical transmission. Such a rig has an electric drive.

Electric survey (ES) (See electric well log.)

11661133.. EELLEECCTTRRIICC TTRRAACCIINNGG

See Heat Tracing.

11661144.. EElleeccttrriicc wweellll lloogg

a record of certain electrical characteristics of formations traversed by the

borehole, made to identify the formations, determine the nature and amount

of fluids they contain, and estimate their depth. It is also called an electric log

or electric survey.

11661155.. EELLEECCTTRRIICC WWEELLLL LLOOGGGGIINNGG

The procedure of lowering electrical instruments into the well bore to lest the

density and other characteristics of rock formations penetrated.

Page 215: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

214214

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11661166.. EElleeccttrroocchheemmiiccaall ttrreeaatteerr

(See electrostatic treater.)

11661177.. EElleeccttrroollyyssiiss

the decomposition of a chemical compound, brought about by the passage of

an electrical current through the compound or through the solution containing

the compound. Corroding action of stray currents is caused by electrolysis.

(See corrosion.)

11661188.. EElleeccttrroollyyttee

a chemical that, when dissolved in water, dissociates into positive and

negative ions, thus increasing its electrical conductivity. (See dissociation.)

11661199.. EElleeccttrroommoottiivvee ffoorrccee ((eemmff))

1. the force that drives electrons and thus produces an electric current. 2. the

voltage or electric pressure that causes an electric current to flow along a

conductor.

11662200.. EElleeccttrroommoottiivvee sseerriieess

a list of elements arranged in order of activity (tendency to lose electrons).

The following metals are so arranged magnesium, beryllium, aluminum, zinc,

chromium, iron, cadmium, nickel, tin, copper, silver, and gold. If two metals

widely separated in the list (e.g., magnesium and iron) are placed in an

electrolyte and connected by a metallic conductor, an electromotive force is

produced. (See corrosion.)

11662211.. EElleeccttrroossttaattiicc ttrreeaatteerr

a vessel that receives emulsion flows and resolves the emulsion to oil, water,

and usually gas, by using heat, chemicals, and a high-voltage electric field.

This field, produced by grids placed perpendicular to the flow of fluids in the

Page 216: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

215215

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

treater, aids in breaking the emulsion. (See emulsion treating.) The

electrostatic treater is also called the Chemelectric or electrochemical treater.

11662222.. EElleemmeenntt

one of more than 100 simple substances that consist of atoms of only one

kind and that either singly or in combination make up all matter. For example,

the simplest element is hydrogen, and one of the most abundant elements is

carbon. Some elements such as radium and uranium are radioactive.

11662233.. EElleevv..

elevation; used in drilling reports.

11662244.. EElleevvaatteedd ttaannkk

a vessel above a datum line (usually ground level).

11662255.. EElleevvaattoorr bbaallllss

the linkage between the elevator and traveling block.

11662266.. EElleevvaattoorr lliinnkkss

a device that connects the tubing elevators and traveling block.

11662277.. EElleevvaattoorrss

a set of clamps that grip a stand, or column, of casing, tubing, drill pipe, or

sucker rods, so that the stand can be raised or lowered into the hole.

11662288.. EELLKK HHIILLLLSS

Located in the lower end of the San Joaquin Valley of California, Elk Hills is a

major part of the U.S. Naval Petroleum Reserves, and is classed as one of the

world's giant petroleum fields. Teapot Dome in Wyoming and the North Slope

in Alaska are two other large Naval Petroleum; Reserves. Elk Hills was set

aside as a U.S. oil reserve in 1909 by President Taft upon recommendation of

the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Page 217: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

216216

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11662299.. EElllliippttiiccaall ttaannkk

a tank that has an elliptical cross section.

11663300.. EEMMBBAAYYMMEENNTT

A large identation of a coastline; a bay. An embayed coastline.

11663311.. EEmmff

electromotive force.

11663322.. EEMMIINNEENNTT DDOOMMAAIINN

The right of a government body or public utility (common carrier) to take

private property for public use by condemnation proceedings (q.v.)

11663333.. EEmmuullssiiffiieedd wwaatteerr

water so thoroughly combined with oil that special treating methods must be

applied to separate it from the oil. Compare free water.

11663344.. EEmmuullssiioonn

a mixture in which one liquid, termed the dispersed phase, is uniformly

distributed (usually as minute globules) in another liquid, called the

continuous phase or dispersion medium. In an oil-water emulsion, the oil is

the dispersed phase and the water the dispersion medium; in a water-oil

emulsion, the reverse holds. A typical product of oil wells, water-oil emulsion

also is used as a drilling fluid.

111663366.. EEmmuullssiioonn bbrreeaakkeerr

a system, device, or process used for breaking down an emulsion and

rendering it into two or more easily separated compounds (as water and oil).

Emulsion breakers may be (1) devices to heat the emulsion, thus achieving

separation by lowering the viscosity of the emulsion and allowing the water to

settle out; (2) chemical compounds, which destroy weaken the film around

each globule of water, thus uniting all the drops; (3) mechanical devices such

Page 218: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

217217

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

as settling tanks and wash tanks; or (4) electrostatic treaters, which use an

electric field to cause coalescence of the water globules. This is also called

electric dehydration.

11663377.. EEmmuullssiioonn tteesstt

a procedure carried out to determine the proportions of sediment and

dispersed compounds in an emulsion. Such tests may range from elaborate

distillation conducted in laboratories to simple and expedient practices used in

the field.

11663388.. EEMMUULLSSIIOONN TTRREEAATTEERR

A tall cylindrical vessel, a type of oil heater for "breaking down" oil-water

emulsions with heat and the addition of certain chemicals, Emulsion treaters

have a gas-fired furnace at the bottom of the vessel to heat 'he stream of oil

piped through from the well to the stock tanks; a heater-treater.

11663399.. EEmmuullssiioonn ttrreeaattiinngg

the process of breaking down emulsions to separate oil from water or other

contaminants. Treating plants may use a single process or a combination of

processes to effect demulsification, depending upon what emulsion is being

treated.

111664411.. EEMMUULLSSIIOONN,, CCRRUUDDEE OOIILL--WWAATTEERR

Very small droplets of water suspended in a volume of crude oil, each droplet

surrounded or encased in a film of oil. The water. although heavier than oil,

cannot settle to the bottom of the tank until, through the application of heat

or mixing with a chemical, the surface tension of the film of oil is reduced

sufficiently to free the water droplets. When this occurs the small droplets join

others to form larger ones which have enough mass or weight to settle to the

bottom.

Page 219: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

218218

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11664422.. EEnnccrrooaacchhmmeenntt

(See water encroachment.)

11664433.. EENNDD PPOOIINNTT

The point indicating the end of an operation or the point at which a certain

definite change is observed. In the analysis of liquids such as gasoline, the

end point is the temperature at which the liquid ceases to distill over. End

points are of value in predicting certain performance characteristics of

gasoline.

11664444.. EENNDD PPRROODDUUCCTTSS

Material, substances, goods for consumer use finished products.

11664455.. EENNDD UUSSEE

Ultimate use; consumption of a product by a commercial or industrial

customer.

11664466.. EENNDD--OO

The command given by one worker to another or to a group to lift together

and move an object forward; a signal to "put out" in a big lift.

11664477.. EENNDDOOTTHHEERRMMIICC

Refers to a process or chemical reaction that requires the addition of heat to

keep it going. Exothermic is the reverse a process or reaction that once begun

gives off beat.

11664488.. EENNEERRGGYY SSOOUURRCCEESS

Petroleum, coal, hydropower, nuclear, geothermal (q.v.), synthetic fuels

(q.v.), tides, solar, wind.

Page 220: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

219219

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11664499.. EENNEERRGGYY VVAALLUUEE OOFF PPEETTRROOLLEEUUMM && PPRROODDUUCCTTSS

Million BTU per barrel crude oil, 5.6 distillate fuel oil, 5.8; residual fuel oil, 6.3;

gasoline, 5.3; kerosene, 5.7 petroleum coke, 6.0; and asphalt, 6.6. BTU per

cubic foot dry natural gas, 1,031 wet gas, 1, 110.

11665500.. EENNGGIINNEE HHOOUUSSEE

On a cable- tool rig the engine house held the steam-powered drilling engine,

Attached to the engine house was the belt hall which housed the wide, fabric

belt which transmitted power from the engine to the band wheel.

11665511.. EENNGGIINNEE,, HHOOTT--PPLLUUGG

See Hot-plug Engine.

11665522.. EEnngglleerr ddiissttiillllaattiioonn

a test that determines the volatility of a gasoline by measuring the

percentage of the gasoline that can be distilled at various temperatures.

11665533.. EENNHHAANNCCEEDD OOIILL RREECCOOVVEERRYY

Sophisticated recovery methods for crude oil which go beyond the more

conventional secondary recovery techniques of pressure maintenance and

water-flooding. Enhanced recovery methods now being used include micellar

surfactant (q.v.), steam drive, polymer, miscible hydrocarbon, C02, and steam

soak. EOR methods are not restricted to secondary or oven tertiary projects.

Some fields require the application of one of the above methods even for

initial recovery of crude oil.

11665544.. EEnnhhaanncceedd rreeccoovveerryy

a method or methods applied to depleted reservoirs to make them productive

once again. After an oil well has reached depletion, a certain amount of oil

remains in the reservoir, which enhanced recovery is targeted to produce.

(See secondary recovery and tertiary recovery.)

Page 221: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

220220

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11665555.. EENNRRIICCHHEEDD--GGAASS IINNJJEECCTTIIOONN

A secondary recovery method involving the injection of gas rich in

intermediate hydrocarbons or enriched by addition of propane, butane, or

pentane on the surface or in the well bore as the gas is injected.

11665566.. EEnntthhaallppyy

the heat content of fuel. A thermodynamic property, it is the sum of the

internal energy of a body and the product of its pressure multiplied by its

volume (i.e., H = U + pV).

11665577.. EENNTTIITTLLEEMMEENNTTSS PPRROOGGRRAAMM

A program instituted in 1974 by the federal government to equalize the

access to domestic crude by all U.S. refiners-crude oil which was price

controlled substantially below world price. The reasoning was that

disproportionate access to inexpensive domestic crude would cave an unfair,

advantage to some refiners, those with a large supply of price oil. The

program's aim was to make available Controlled to each refiner the same

fraction of low-priced oil. Refiners With more price controlled oil than a

calculated national average were required to buy entitlements. Refiners with a

lower than average amount of price controlled oil could sell entitlement. The

buying and selling of entitlement was between traditional slippers and

purchasers. For example, if Gulf oil were the traditional supplier of crude oil to

Bradford Refining Co., and Gulf had available a larger percent of Price-

controlled oil than the national average and Bradford had Tees than the

average, Bradford could se11 its entitlement for crude-cost equalization to

Gulf and Gulf would be required to buy them. In effect, Gulf, the traditional

supplier, would pay to Bradford Refining a certain amount of money for each

barrel of uncontrolled crude oil it had to buy in the world market

Page 222: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

221221

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11665588.. EENNTTRRAAIINNEEDD OOIILL

Oil occurring as part of the gas steam, but as a relatively small percentage of

total flow. Special separators are used to remove the liquid from the gas

stream.

11665599.. EEnnttrrooppyy

a measure of the amount of energy used internally in a system and

unavailable to do mechanical work. The complex concept of entropy carries

implications of the randomness of any system, mechanical, chemical, or

physical.

11666600.. EENNTTRRYY PPOOSSIITTIIOONN

A starting job with a company usually sought by young man or man and

woman just out of school who wishes to get into the business at whatever

level with the expectation of president in due time.

11666611.. EEnnvviirroonnmmeennttss ooff ddeeppoossiittiioonn

(See depositional environment.)

11666622.. EEOORR

Enhanced oil recovery (q.v.).

11666633.. EEPPAA

Environmental Protection Agency.

11666644.. EEQQUUIITTYY CCRRUUDDEE

In cases where a concession is owned jointly by a host government and an oil

company, the crude produced which belongs to ,lie oil company is known as

equity crude, as opposed to buy-back (participation) crude. The cost of equity

crude is calculated according to the price. See Buyback Crude Oil.

Page 223: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

222222

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11666655.. EErroossiioonn

the process by which material (as rock or soil) is worn away or removed (as

by wind or water).

11666666.. EErroossiioonn ddrriilllliinngg

the high-velocity ejection of a stream of drilling fluid from the nozzles of a jet

bit to remove rock encountered during drilling. Sometimes sand or steel shot

is added to the drilling fluid to increase its erosive capabilities.

11666677.. EESS

electric survey. (See electric well log.)

11666688.. EESSCCAAPPEE BBOOOOMMSS

Devices used on offshore drilling or production platforms for emergency

escape of personnel in the event of a fire or explosion. They consist of

counterweighted arms supporting a buoyant hold. When the arms are

snapped loose from the platform, they fall outward, the head descending to

the water. The workers then slide down a lifeline to the floating head.

Escarpment a cliff or relatively steep slope that separates level or gently

sloping areas of land.

11666699.. EESSCCRROOWW MMOONNEEYY

See Suspense Money.

11667700.. EEsstt..

estimated; used in drilling reports.

11667711.. EEtt..aallss..

And others; unnamed participants or interest holders in a deal or a contract;

et al. made plural and used colloquially by oil men.

Page 224: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

223223

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11667722.. EEtthhaannee

a light hydrocarbon, C2H6, found in natural gas. It is a gas at atmospheric

conditions. A simple hydrocarbon associated with petroleum. Ethane is a gas

at ordinary atmospheric conditions.

11667733.. EETTHHAANNOOLL

Alcohol; one component oil gasohol (q.v.).

11667744.. EEtthhyylleennee ggllyyccooll

a colorless liquid used as antifreeze and as a dehydration medium in

removing water from gas. (See glycol dehydrator.)

11667755.. EEvvaappoorraattee

a sedimentary rock (as gypsum or salt) that originates from the evaporation

of seawater in enclosed basins.

11667766.. EEvvaappoorraattiioonn lloossss

a loss to the atmosphere of petroleum fractions through evaporation, usually

while the fractions are in storage or in process. (See vaporization.)

11667777.. EEVVAAPPOORRAATTIIOONN PPIITT

An excavation dug to contain oil field salt water or brine which is disposed of

by evaporation, Great amounts of salt water are produced with crude oil in

some oil fields, particularly older ones.

11667788.. EEvveenn kkeeeell

on a ship or floating offshore drilling rig, the balance when the plane of

flotation is parallel to the design waterline; that is, when there is no heel to

either side.

11667799.. EEvveenniinngg ttoouurr

(See tour.)

Page 225: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

224224

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11668800.. EExxcceellssiioorr

a fibrous material used as a filtering element in the hay section of heaters or

heater-treaters.

11668811.. EExxcchhaannggeerr

a piping arrangement that permits certain properties of one fluid to be

transferred to another fluid as they travel counter current to one another. In

the heat exchanger of an emulsion-treating unit, heat from the outgoing clean

oil is transferred to the incoming well fluid, cooling the oil and heating the

well fluid.

11668822.. EExxhhaauusstt mmaanniiffoolldd

a piping arrangement, immediately adjacent to the engine, that collects

burned gases from the engine and channels them to the exhaust pipe.

11668833.. EExxhhaauusstt vvaallvvee

the cam-operated mechanism through which burned gases are ejected from

an engine cylinder.

11668844.. EEXXOOTTHHEERRMMIICC

Refers to a process or chemical reaction that gives off heat. Endothermic is

the reverse; a process or reaction that requires the addition of heat to keep ft

going.

11668855.. EExxppaannddeedd ppeerrlliittee

a siliceous volcanic rock that is finely ground and subjected to extreme heat.

The resulting release of water leaves the rock particles considerably expanded

and thus more porous. Expanded perlite is sometimes used in cement to

increase its yield without changing its properties.

11668866.. EEXXPPAANNSSIIOONN FFIITT

See Shrink Fit.

Page 226: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

225225

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11668877.. EExxppaannssiioonn jjooiinntt

a device used to connect long lines of pipe to allow the pipe joints to expand

or contract as the temperature rises or falls. A section of piping constructed in

such a way as to allow for expansion and contraction of the pipe connections

without damaging the joints. Specially fabricated. accordion-like fittings are

used as expansion joints in certain in. plat hookups where there are severe

temperature changes.

11668888.. EExxppaannssiioonn lloooopp

a full loop built into a pipeline to allow for expansion and contraction of the

line. A circular loop (360" bend) put in a Pipeline to absorb expansion and

contraction caused by heating and cooling. without exerting a strain on Pipe

or valve connections.

11668899.. EEXXPPAANNSSIIOONN RROOOOFF TTAANNKK

A storage or working tank (q.v.) with a root made like a slip joint. As the

vapor above the crude oil or volatile product expands with the heat of the

day, the roof-and-apron section of the tank gas to expand without any loss to

the atmosphere. The telescoping roof as it moves up and down, maintains a

gastight seal with the inner wall of the tank.

11669900.. EExxppeennddaabbllee gguunn

a perforating gun that consists of a metal strip upon which are mounted

shaped charges in special capsules. After firing, nothing remains of the gun

but debris. (See gun-perforate.)

11669911.. EExxppeennddaabbllee-- rreettrriieevvaabbllee gguunn

a perforating gun that consists of a hollow, cylindrical carrier, into which are

placed shaped charges. Upon detonation, debris created by the exploded

Page 227: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

226226

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

charges falls into the carrier and is retrieved when the gun is pulled out of the

hole; however, the gun cannot be reused. (See gun-perforate.)

11669922.. EExxppllooiittaattiioonn

the development of a reservoir to extract its oil.

11669933.. EEXXPPLLOOIITTAATTIIOONN WWEELLLL

A development well; a well drilled in an area proven to be Productive. See

Infill Drilling. a well drilled to permit more effective extraction of oil from a

reservoir. It is sometimes called a development well.

11669944.. EExxpplloorraattiioonn

the search for reservoirs of oil and gas, including aerial and geophysical

surveys, geological studies, core testing, and the drilling of wildcats.

11669955.. EEXXPPLLOORRAATTIIOONN AACCTTIIVVIITTIIEESS

The search for oil and gas. Exploration activities include aerial surveying.

geological studies, geophysical surveying, coring, and drilling of wildcat wells.

11669966.. EEXXPPLLOORRAATTIIOONN VVEESSSSEELL

A seagoing, sophisticated research ship equipped with seismic gravit, and

magnetic systems for gathering data on undersea geologic structures. On the

more advances , vessels of this type there are onboard Processing and

interpretation capabilities for the information gathered as the vessel cruises

on the waters of the Outer Continental Shelf around the world.

11669977.. EExxpplloorraattiioonn wweellll

a wildcat.

11669988.. EExxpplloorraattoorryy WWeellll

A well in an area where petroleum has not been previously found or one

targeted for formations above or below known reservoirs.

Page 228: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

227227

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11669999.. EExxpplloossiimmeetteerr

an instrument used to measure the concentration of combustible gases in the

air. It also is called a gas sniffer.

11770000.. EEXXPPLLOOSSIIOONN--PPRROOOOFF MMOOTTOORRSS

A totally enclosed electric motor with no outside air in contact with the motor

windings; an enclosed brushless motor. Cooling is by conduction through the

frame and housing.

11770011.. EEXXPPLLOOSSIIVVEE FFRRAACCTTUURRIINNGG

Using an explosive charge in the bottom of the well to fracture the formation

to increase the flow of oil or gas. See Well Shooter.

11770022.. EEXXPPLLOOSSIIVVEE WWEELLDDIINNGG

A method of welding is which a shaped explosive charge is used to "fast-

expand" the end of a section of pipe into the bore of a special steel sleeve to

form a solid bond. The shaped charge is inserted into the end of the pipe over

which the sleeve is placed. When the charge is detonated the force expands

the pipe's outer circumference forcibly to the sleeves inner circumference

making a secure, pressure-tight bond. This welding technique creates little

heat which, for certain jobs, is more desirable than fusion welding in which

both pieces of metal must be heated to a high temperature.

11770033.. EExxtteennddeerr

a substance put in drilling mud to increase viscosity without adding clay or

other thickening material.

11770044.. EEXXTTEENNSSIIOONN TTEESSTT

See Outpost Well.

Page 229: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

228228

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11770055.. EEXXTTEERRNNAALL CCAASSIINNGG PPAACCKKEERR

A device used on the outside of a well's casing to seal off formations or to

protect certain zones. Often used downhole in conjunction with cementing.

The packer is run on casing and when at the proper depth, it may be

expanded against the wall of the borehole hydraulically or by fluid pressure

from the well.

11770066.. EExxtteerrnnaall ccuutttteerr

a fishing tool containing metal-cutting knives that is lowered into the hole and

over the outside of a length of pipe to cut it. The severed portion of the pipe

can then be brought to the surface.

11770077.. EExxtteerrnnaall pphhaassee

(See continuous phase)

11770088.. EExxtteerrnnaall uuppsseett

an extra-thick wall at the threaded end of drill pipe or tubing. Externally upset

pipe does not have a uniform diameter throughout its length but is enlarged

at each end. Compare internal up. set.

11770099.. EExxttrraaccttiioonn ppllaanntt

a plant equipped to remove liquid constituents from casinghead gas or wet

gas.

11771100.. EExxttrruussiivvee rroocckkss

igneous rocks formed when lava poured out on the earth's surface.

11771111.. EEYYEEBBAALLLL

To align pipe connections or a temporary construction with the eye only; to

inspect carefully.

Page 230: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

229229

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11771122.. FF ddeeggrreeee FFaahhrreennhheeiitt..

(See Fahrenheit scale.)

11771133.. FFAABBRRIICCAATTEEDD VVAALLVVEE

A type of valve or other fitting that is built and welded together from wrought

iron and forged steel pieces to make a particularly strong high-pressure valve.

Most valves are steel Castings with bodies, bonnets and packing glands cast

separately and assembled.

11771144.. ffaacciieess

part of a bed of sedimentary rock that differs significantly from other parts of

the bed.

11771155.. FFAACCIINNGG MMAACCHHIINNEE,, PPIIPPEE

A device for beveling or putting a machined face on the ends of large

diameter line pipe. The facing machine essentially is a revolving disc-chuck

holding a number of cutting tools. The chuck is held in alignment against the

pipe end by a Hydraulically actuated mandrel inserted into the pipe similar to

internal line-up clamps used to align pipe for welding. The facing machine is

transported and brought into position by a modified boomcat.

11771166.. FFaahhrreennhheeiitt ssccaallee

a temperature scale devised by Gabriel Fahrenheit, in which 321 represents

the freezing point and 212" the boiling point of water at standard sea-level

pressure. Fahrenheit degrees may be converted to centigrade degrees by

using the following formula 'C = 5/9 ('F - 32)

11771177.. FFAAIILL--SSAAFFEE

Said of equipment or a system so constructed that, in the event of failure or

malfunction of any part of the system, devices are automatically activated to

stabilize or secure the safety of the operation.

Page 231: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

230230

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11771188.. FFAAIIRRLLEEAADD

A guide for ropes or lines on a ship to prevent chafing; a sheave supported by

a bracket protruding from the cellar deck of a semisubmersible drilling

platform over which an anchor cable runs. Some large floating platforms have

anchor lines made up of lengths of chain and cable.

11771199.. ffaaiirrlleeaaddeerr

a fitting or device used to maintain or alter the direction of a rope or chain so

that it leads directly to a sheave or drum without causing undue friction.

11772200.. FFAAIIRRWWAAYY

A shipping lane established by the U.S. Coast Guard in Federal offshore

waters. Permanent structures such as drilling and production platforms are

prohibited in a fairway which significantly curtails oil activity in some offshore

areas.

11772211.. FFaannnn VV--GG mmeetteerr

a device used to record and measure at different speeds the flow properties

of plastic fluids (as the viscosity and gel strength of drilling fluids).

11772222.. FFAANNNNIINNGG TTHHEE BBOOTTTTOOMM ((OOFF TTHHEE BBOORREEHHOOLLEE))

Drilling with very weight on the drill bit in the hope of preventing the bit from

drifting from the vertical and drilling a crooked hole. Fanning the bottom,

however, is considered detrimental to the drillstring, by some authorities, as

reduced weight on the bif causes more tension on the drill. pipe, resulting in

pipe and collar fatigue.

11772233.. ffaarrmm bboossss

an oil company supervisor who controls production activities within a limited

area.

Page 232: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

231231

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11772244.. FFAARRMM--IINN

An arrangement whereby one oil operator "buys in" or acquires an interest in

a lease or concession owned by another operator on which oil or gas has

been discovered or is being produced. Often farm-ins are negotiated to assist

the original owner with development costs and to secure for the buyer a

source of crude or natural gas. See Farm-out Agreement.

11772255.. FFAARRMM--OOUUTT

The name applied to a leasehold held under a farm-out agreement (q.v.).

11772266.. FFAARRMM--OOUUTTAAGGRREEEEMMEENNTT

A form of agreement between oil operators whereby the owner of a lease

who is not interested in drilling at the time agrees to assign the lease or a

portion of it to another operator who wishes to drill the acreage. The assignor

may or may not retain an interest (royalty or production payment) in the

production.

11772277.. FFAARRMMEERR''SS OOIILL

An expression meaning the landowner's share of the oil from a well drifted on

his property royalty, usually one-eighth of the produced oil free of any

expense to the landowner.

11772288.. FFAARRMMEERR''SS SSAANNDD

A colloquial term for "the elusive oil-bearing stratum which many landowners

believe lies beneath their land, regardless of the results of exploratory wells."

11772299.. ffaasstt lliinnee

the end of the drilling line that is affixed to the drum or reel of the

drawworks, so called because it travels with greater velocity than any other

portion of the line.

Page 233: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

232232

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11773300.. FFAATT OOIILL

The absorbent oil enriched by gasoline fractions in an absorption plant. After

absorbing the gasoline fractions, the gasoline is removed by distillation '

leaving the oil "lean" and ready for further use to absorb more gasoline

fractions from the natural gas stream.

11773311.. ffaatthhoomm

a measure of ocean depth in countries using the English system of

measurement, equal to 6 ft or 1.83 m.

11773322.. ffaattiigguuee

the tendency of a metal under repeated cyclic loading to break at a stress

considerably less than its tensile strength as indicated in a static test.

11773333.. ffaauulltt

a break in subsurface strata. Often strata on one side of the fault line have

been displaced (upward, downward, or laterally) relative to their original

positions.

11773344.. ffaauulltt ppllaannee

a surface along which faulting has occurred

11773355.. ffaauulltt ttrraapp

a subsurface hydrocarbon trap created by faulting, which causes an

impermeable rock layer to be moved opposite the reservoir bed.

11773366.. FFEEAA

Federal Energy Agency

11773377.. FFEEDDEERRAALLLLEEAASSEE

An oil or gas lease on Federal land issued under the Act of February 25. 1920,

and subsequent legislation.

Page 234: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

233233

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11773388.. FFEEEE

The title or owner ship of land; short for "owned in fee." The owner of the fee

holds title to the land.

11773399.. FFEEEE RROOYYAALLTTYY

The lessor's share of oil and gas production; landowner's royally.

11774400.. FFEEEE SSIIMMPPLLEE

Land or an estate held by a person in his own right without restrictions.

11774411.. ffeeeedd ooffff

to lower the bit continuously or intermittently by allowing the brake to

disengage and the drum to turn. The feed-off rate is the speed with which the

cable is unwound from the drum.

11774422.. FFEEEEDD OORR FFEEEEDDSSTTOOCCKK

Crude oil other hydrocarbons that are the basic materials for a refining or

manufacturing process.

11774433.. FFEEEEDDEERR LLIINNEE

A pipeline; a lathering fine lied into a trunk line.

11774444.. FFEEMMAALLEE CCOONNNNEECCTTIIOONN

A pipe, rod, or tubing coupling with the threads on the inside.

11774455.. FFEERRCC

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

11774466.. FFHHAACCJJOOBB

See Hydraulic Fracturing.

11774477.. ffiibbrroouuss mmaatteerriiaall

any tough, stringy material of threadlike structure used to prevent loss of

circulation or to restore circulation in porous or fractured formations.

Page 235: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

234234

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11774488.. FFIIEELLDD

The area encompassing a group of producing oil and gas wells; a pool. An oil

field may include one or more pools, and have wells producing from several

different formations at different depths. A roughly contiguous grouping of

wells in an identified area. Some of the early prolific fields were; East Texas.

Seminole, Cushing, Oklahoma City, and West Texas. Large areas that used to

be designated as fields are now identified as districts, e.g. Appalachian Mid-

Continent, Gulf Coast. Rocky Mountain and Permian Basin.

11774499.. FFIIEELLDD BBUUTTAANNEESS

A raw mix of natural gas ids; the product of gas processing plants in the field.

Raw mix streams are sent to fractionating plants where the various

components-butane, propane, hexane, and others-are separated. Some

refineries are capable of using field butanes as 10 to 15 percent of charge

stock.

11775500.. FFIIEELLDD CCOOMMPPRREESSSSIIOONN TTEESSTT

A test to determine the gasoline content of casing-head or wet gas.

11775511.. FFIIEELLDD PPOOTTEENNTTIIAALL

The producing capacity of a field during a 24-hour period. In order to

establish a field allowable for prorationing purposes by a state regulatory

commission, a field it was necessary to set equitable production levels,

11775522.. ffiieelldd pprroocceessssiinngg

the processing of oil and gas in the field before delivery to a major refinery or

gas plant, including separation of oil and gas, separation of water from oil and

from gas, and removal of liquid hydrocarbons.

Page 236: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

235235

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

111775544.. ffiieelldd PPuummpp

a pump installed in a field to transfer oil from a lease tank to a central

gathering station near a main pipeline.

11775555.. FFIIEELLDDTTAANNKKSS

Stock tanks (q.v.).

11775566.. FFIIHH

fluid in hole; used in drilling reports.

11775577.. ffiillll tthhee hhoollee

to pump drilling fluid into the wellbore while the pipe is being withdrawn in

order to ensure that the wellbore remains full of fluid even though the pipe is

withdrawn. Filling the hole lessens the danger of blowout or of caving of the

wall of the wellbore.

11775588.. ffiilllleerr mmaatteerriiaall

a material added to a cement or cement slurry to increase its yield.

11775599.. ffiilltteerr

a porous medium through which a fluid is passed to separate it from material

suspended in it.

11776600.. FFIILLTTEERR CCAAKKEE

A plaster-like coating on the borehole resulting from the solids in the drilling

fluid adhering and building up on the wall of the hole. The buildup of "cake"

can cause serious drilling problems including the sticking of the drillpipe. See

Differential-pressure Sticking.

11776611.. ffiilltteerr lloossss

the amount of fluid that can be delivered through a permeable filter medium

after being subjected to a differential pressure for a specified time.

Page 237: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

236236

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11776622.. ffiilltteerr pprreessss

a device used in the testing of physical properties of drilling mud. (See mud.)

11776633.. ffiillttrraattee

a fluid that has been passed through a filter.

111776655.. ffiillttrraattiioonn

the process of filtering a fluid.

11776666.. ffiillttrraattiioonn lloossss

the escape of the liquid part of a drilling mud into permeable formations.

111776688.. FFIILLTTRRAATTIIOONN--LLOOSSSS QQUUAALLIITTYYOOFF MMUUDD

A drilling-mud quality measured by putting a water-base mud through a filter

cell. The mud solids deposited on the filter is filter cake (q.v.) and is a

measure of the water-loss quality of the drilling mud. Mud mixtures with low

water loss are desirable for most drilling operations.

111777700.. ffiinnaall ssqquueeeezzee pprreessssuurree

the fluid pressure at the completion of a squeeze-comenting operation.

11777711.. ffiinnee

a fragment or particle of rock or mineral that is too minute to be treated as

ordinary coarse material.

11777722.. FFIINNEESS

Minute particles of a solid substance rock, coat, or catalytic material-too small

to be used or handled efficiently, and that must be removed by screening.

11777733.. FFIINNGGEERR BBOOAARRDD

A rack high in the derrick made to support. in orderly fashion, the upper ends

of the tubing stands that are pulled from the well and set back (q.v.) in the

derrick.

Page 238: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

237237

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11777744.. FFIINNGGEERR PPIIEERR

A jetty or bridge-type structure extending from the shore out into a body of

water to permit access to tankers and other vessels where water depth is not

sufficient to allow docking at the shore.

111777766.. ffiinnggeerrbbooaarrdd

a rack that supports stands of pipe being stacked in a derrick or mast.

111777788.. FFIINNGGEERRIINNGG

Rivulet-like infiltration of water or gas into an oil-bearing formation as a result

of failure to maintain reservoir pressure, or as the result of taking oil in excess

of maximum efficiency rates (MER) (q.v.). See Channel.

11777799.. ffiirree

to start and maintain the Fire in a boiler or heater.

11778800.. ffiirree fflloooodd

in situ combustion.

11778811.. FFIIRREE FFLLOOOODDIINNGG

See In Situ Combustion.

11778822.. ffiirree ppooiinntt

the temperature at which a petroleum product burns continuously after being

ignited. (See flash point.)

11778833.. ffiirree wwaallll

a structure erected to contain petroleum or a petroleum-fed fire in case a

storage vessel ruptures or collapses. Usually a dike is built around a

petroleum storage tank and a steel or stone wall put up between the prime

movers and the oil pumps in a pipeline pumping station.

Page 239: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

238238

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11778844.. FFIIRREE--TTRRIIMMMMEEDD ((VVAALLVVEESS AANNDD FFLLAANNGGEESS))

A designation for valves, flanges, and other fitting's made to withstand an

accidental fire in a plant or process unit. Fire-trimmed valves, when subjected

to fire from whatever cause, will not be damaged to the extent that they will

leak and thereby add to the emergency. Such valves and flanges have metal

gaskets and staffing boxes with specially formulated fire resistant packing or

are fitted with metal-to-metal seals.

11778855.. FFIIRREE--WWAATTEERR SSUUPPPPLLYY

A pond or tank containing water used exclusively for fire-fighting.

11778866.. ffiirreemmaann

the member of the crew on a steam-powered rig who is responsible for care

and operation of the boilers. Compare motorman.

11778877.. FFIIRRIINNGG LLIINNEE

In pipeline construction, the part of the project where the welding is being

done. Ahead of the firing line or the "front end," there may be some

preparatory or alignment welding. This is true for extra-large diameter pipe,

At the front end the pipe is lined up end-to-end by sideboom tractors.

brought into perfect alignment by internal line-up clamps, tack welded in

position, and then a root run or first pass or course of metal is laid on by a

welder. The firing line is where two or more filler Passes and the final or cap

pass are made.

11778888.. FFIIRRMM GGAASS

Gas required to be delivered and taken under the terms of a firm gas

purchase contract. Firm gas is priced higher than dump gas (q.v.).

11778899.. FFiisshh

An object lost (or stuck) in the wellbore obstructing operations.

Page 240: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

239239

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11779900.. FFiisshhiinngg

Operations to recover a fish.

11779911.. FFIISSHHIINNGG JJOOBB

The effort to recover tools, cable, pipe, or other objects from the well bore

which may have become detached while in the well or been dropped

accidentally into the hole. Many special and ingeniously designed fishing fools

are used to recover objects lost downhole.

11779922.. ffiisshhiinngg ttooooll

a tool designed to recover equipment lost in the well.

11779933.. FFIISSHHIINNGG TTOOOOLLSS

Special instrument used in recovering objects lost in a well. Although there

are scores of standard tools used in fishing jobs, some are specially designed

to retrieve particular objects. There a variety of spears, harpoon-like tools

which are forced into the end of a section of tubing, casing or drill-pipe; there

are overshots with internal lugs or teeth which are forced over the end of lost

pipe; and junk baskets for retrieving smaller objects such as lost drill bit

cones, small slips, and other steel, nondrillable objects.

11779944.. FFIISSHHPPRROOOOFF

Describes an item of equipment used in or over the well's borehole without

parts-screws, lugs, wedges or dogs-that can come loose, tall into the well,

and have to be fished out. See Captured Bolt

111779966.. ffiisshhttaaiill bbiitt

a drilling bit with cutting edge's of hard alloys; also called a drag bit. First

used when the rotary system of drilling was developed about 1900, it is still

useful in drilling soft formations.

Page 241: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

240240

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

111779988.. ffiissssuurree

a crack or fracture in a subsurface formation.

111880000.. FFIITTTTIINNGGSS

Small pipes (nipples). couplings, elbows, unions. tees, swages used to make

up a system of piping.

11880011.. FFIITTTTIINNGGSS,, TTRRAANNSSIITTIIOONN

See Transition Fittings.

11880022.. FFIIVVEE--SSPPOOTT WWAATTEERRFFLLOOOODD PPRROOGGRRAAMM

A secondary recovery operation where four input or injection wells are located

in a square pattern with the production well in the center, a layout similar to a

five-of-spades playing card. The water from the tour injection wells moves

through the formation flooding the oil toward the production well.

11880033.. FFIIXXEEDD--BBEEPP,, CCAATTAALLYYSSTT

A catalyst in a reactor vessel through which the liquid being treated drips or

percolates through the bed of catalyst material. In other methods, the

catalyst is mixed thoroughly with the feed stock as it is pumped into the

reactor vessel.

11880044.. ffll

abbr. flowed or flowing; used in drillingreports.

11880055.. ffllaagg

1. a piece of cloth, rope, or nylon strand used to mark the wireline when

swabbing or bailing. 2. an indicator of wind direction used when drilling or

performing a workover where hydrogen sulfide (sour) gas may be

encountered. 1. to signal or attract attention. 2. in swabbing or bailing, to

attach a piece of cloth to the wire rope to enable the operator to estimate the

position of the swab or bailer in the well.

Page 242: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

241241

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11880066.. FFLLAAGG TTHHEE LLIINNEE

To lie pieces of cloth on the swab line at measured intervals to be able to tell

how much fine is in the hole when coming out with the line.

11880077.. FFLLAAMMBBEEAAUU LLIIGGHHTT

A torch used in the field for the disposal of casing-head gas produced with oil

when the gas is without a market or is of such small quantity as to make it

impractical to gather for commercial use. The use of flambeau lights is now

regulated under state conservation laws.

11880088.. FFLLAAMMEE AARRRREESSTTOORR

A safety device on a vent line of a storage or stock tank that, in the event of

lightning or other ignition of the venting vapor. will prevent the flame from to

the vapor inside the tank. Flame arrestors have a "membrane" of fine-mesh

screen across the vent opening. The vapor venting from the tank may be

ignited but the flame will not flash through the fine screen into the tank. Just

as the old-fashioned miners lamps, with their open flames encased in a fine-

mesh screen, could be used in a gassy mine, the tank flame arrestor is

effective for the same reason the fine screen "breaks up" and cools the flame

at the surface of the screen preventing the ignition of the vapor behind the

screen.

111881100.. FFLLAAMMEE SSNNUUFFFFEERR

An attachment to a tank's vent line that can be manually operated to snuff

out a flame at the mouth of the vent line a metal clapper-like valve that may

be closed by pulling on an attached fine.

Page 243: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

242242

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11881111.. FFLLAAMMEE--JJEETT DDRRIILLLLIINNGG

fling technique that uses rocket fuel to burn a hole through rock strata. This

leaves a ceramic-like sheath on the walls of the borehole, eliminating the

need for casing.

11881122.. FFLLAAMMMMAABBLLEE ((IINNFFLLAAMMMMAABBLLEE))

Term describing material which can easily be ignited. Petroleum products with

a flash point (q.v.) of 80.'F. or lower are classed as flammable. The use of the

word "inflammable" which means flammable but thought by some people to

mean nonflammable has fallen into disuse because of the confusion and the

potential hazard of someone mistaking the prefix "in" for "non."

11881133.. FFLLAANNGGEE

(1)A type of pipe coupling made in two halves. Each half is screwed or welded

to a length of pipe and the two halves are then bolted together joining the

two lengths of pipe. (2) A rim extending out from an object to provide

strength or for attaching another object.

11881144.. ffllaannggee uunniioonn

a device in which two matching flanges are used tojoin the ends of two

sections of pipe.

11881155.. ffllaannggee uupp

1. to use. flanges to make final connections on a piping system. 2. (slang) to

complete any operation as, "They flanged up the meeting and went home."

111881177.. ffllaannggeedd oorriiffiiccee ffiittttiinngg

a two-piece orifice fitting with flanged faces that are bolted together.

Page 244: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

243243

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11881188.. FFLLAARREE

(1)To burn unwanted gas through a pipe or stack. (Under conservation laws,

the flaring of natural gas is illegal.) (2) The f lame from a flare; the pipe or

the stack itself.

11881199.. ffllaarree ggaass

gas or vapor that is flared.

111882211.. FFLLAARREE,, SSMMOOKKEELLEESSSS

See Smokeless Flare.

11882222.. FFLLAASSHH CCHHAAMMBBEERR

A refinery vessel into which a process stream is charged or pumped and

where lighter products flash off or vaporize and are drawn off at the top. The

remaining heavier fractions are drawn off at the bottom of the vessel.

11882233.. FFLLAASSHH OOFFFF

To vaporize from heated charge stock; to distill.

11882244.. ffllaasshh ppooiinntt

the temperature at which a petroleum product ignites momentarily but does

not burn continuously. Compare fire point.

11882255.. ffllaasshh sseett

a premature thickening or setting of cement slurry that makes it unpumpable.

111882277.. fflleexx jjooiinntt

a device that provides a flexible connection between the riser pipe and the

subsea blowout preventers. By accommodating lateral movement of a mobile

offshore drilling rig, flex joints help to prevent a buildup of abnormal bending

load pressure.

Page 245: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

244244

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11882288.. FFLLEEXXIIBBLLEE CCOOUUPPLLIINNGG

A connecting link between two shafts that allows for a certain amount of

misalignment between the driving and driven shaft without damage to

bearings. Flexible couplings dampen vibration and provide a way to make

quick hook ups of engines and pumps which is useful in field operations.

11882299.. FFLLOOAATT

(1)A long, flat-bed trailer the front end of which rests on a truck, the rear end

on two dual-wheel axles. Floats are used in the oil fields for transporting long,

heavy equipment.

(2) The buoyant element of a fluid-level shut off or control apparatus. An

airtight canister or sphere that floats on liquids and is attached to an arm that

moves up and down, actuating other devices as the liquid level rises and falls.

111883311.. ffllooaatt ccoollllaarr

a special coupling device, inserted one or two joints above the bottom of the

casing string, that contains a check valve to permit fluid to pass downward

but not upward through the casing. The float collar prevents drilling mud from

entering the casing while it is being lowered, allowing the casing to float

during its descent and also decreasing the load on the derrick. The float collar

also prevents a backflow of cement during the cementing operation.

11883322.. ffllooaatt sshhooee

a short, heavy, cylindrical steel section with a rounded bottom, attached to

the bottom of the casing string. It contains a check valve and functions

similarly to the float collar but also serves as a guide shoe for the casing.

11883333.. ffllooaatt sswwiittcchh

a switch in a circuit that is opened or closed by the action of a j7oat and that

maintains a predetermined level of liquid in a vessel.

Page 246: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

245245

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11883344.. ffllooaatt vvaallvvee

a drill-pipe float.

11883355.. FFLLOOAATTEERR

(1) A barge-like drilling platform used in relatively shallow offshore work,(2)

Any offshore drilling p14tform without a fixed base, e.g. semisubmersibles

Drill ships, Drill barges.

11883366.. ffllooaattiinngg ooffffsshhoorree ddrriilllliinngg rriigg

(See floater.)

11883377.. ffllooaattiinngg rrooooff

a tank covering that rests on the surface of a hydrocarbon liquid in the tank

and rises and falls as the liquid level rises and falls. Use of a floating roof

eliminates vapor space above the liquid in the tank and conserves light

fractions of the liquid.

11883388.. FFLLOOAATTIINNGG RROOOOFF TTAANNKK

A storage tank with a flat roof that floats on the surface of the Oil thus

reducing evaporation to a minimum. The roof rests on a series of pontoons

whose buoyancy supports the roof proper; a floater.

11883399.. ffllooaattiinngg ttaannkk

a tank with its main gate valve open to the main line at a station. Oil may

thus enter or leave the tank as pumping rates in the main line vary.

11884400.. FFLLOOAATTIINNGG TTHHEE CCAASSIINNGG

A method of lowering casing into very deep boreholes when there exists the

danger of the casing joints because of the extreme weight or tension on the

upper joints. In floating the hole is filled with fluid and the casing is plugged

before being lowered into the hole. The buoyant effect of the hollow column

Page 247: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

246246

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

of casing displacing the fluid reduces the weight and the tension on the upper

joints. When the casing is in place, the plug is drilled out.

11884411.. ffllooccccuullaattiioonn

a property of contaminants or special additives to a drilling fluid that causes

the solids to coagulate.

11884422.. fflloooodd

1. to drive oil from a reservoir into a well by injecting water under pressure

into the reservoir formation. (See water J7ood.) 2. to drown out a well with

water.

11884433.. ffllooooddaabbllee lleennggtthh

the length of a ship or mobile offshore drilling rig that may be flooded without

its sinking below its safety or margin line, usually a few inches below the

freeboard deck.

11884444.. FFLLOOOODDIINNGG

The use of water injected into a production formation or resevoir to increase

oil recovery. See Secondary Recovery; Micellar-surfactant Flooding; Tertiary

Recovory.

11884455.. FFLLOOOODDIINNGG,, DDUUMMPP

See Dump Flooding.

11884466.. FFLLOOOORR MMEENN,,

Members-of the drilling crew (usually two) who work on the derrick floor.

11884477.. fflloooorrmmaann

a drilling crew member whose work station is on the derrick floor. On rotary

drilling rigs, there are at least two floormen on each crew, but three or more

are used on most rigs.

Page 248: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

247247

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

111884499.. fflloottaattiioonn cceellll

a large, cylindrical tank in which water that is slightly oil-contaminated is

circulated to be cleaned before it is disposed of overboard or in a disposal

well. Since oil droplets cling to rapidly rising gas, usually a device such as a

bubble tower is installed in the cell to permit the introduction of gas into the

water.

11885500.. ffllooww

a current or stream of fluid.

11885511.. FFLLOOWW BBEEAANN

A drilled plug in the flow line at the wellhead that controls the oil flow to

desired rate. Flow beans are drilled with different-sized holes for different

flow rates.

111885533.. ffllooww bbyy hheeaaddss

to produce intermittently.

11885544.. FFLLOOWW CCHHAARRTT

A replaceable, paper chart on which flow rates are recorded by an actuated

arm and pen of a flow meter.

11885555.. FFllooww LLiinnee

Subsea pipeline connecting satellite wells and/or platforms to a central

production platform.

11885566.. FFLLOOWW NNIIPPPPLLEE

A choke; a heavy steel nipple put in the production string of tubing that

restricts the flow of oil to the size of the orifice in the nipple. It is usual to

report a new well's production as a flow of a certain number of barrels per

day through a choke of a certain size, e.g., 16/64 in., 9/64 in. etc; a flow

plug.

Page 249: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

248248

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11885577.. FFLLOOWW SSHHEEEETT

A diagrammatic drawing showing the sequence of refining or manufacturing

operations in a plant.

11885588.. FFLLOOWW SSTTRRIINNGG

The string of casing or tubing through which oil from a well flows to the

surface. Also Oil string. pay string; capital string; production string.

111886600.. FFLLOOWW TTAANNKK

A single unit that acts as an oil and gas separator, an oil heater, and an oil

and water treater.

11886611.. FFLLOOWW,, PPLLAASSTTIICC

See Plastic Flow; also Turbulent Flow.

11886622.. FFLLUUIIDD CCAATTAALLYYTTIICC CCRRAACCKKIINNGG UUNNIITT

A large refinery vessel for processing reduced crude, naphthas or other

intermediates in the presence of a catalyst. Catalytic cracking is regarded as

the successor to thermal cracking as it produces less gas and highly volatile

material; it provides a motor spirit of 10-15 octane numbers higher than that

of the thermally cracked product. The process is also more effective in

producing isoparaffins and aromatics which are of high antiknock value.

11886633.. FFLLUUIIDD EENNDD ((OOFF AA PPUUMMPP))

The end of the pump body where the valves (suction and discharge) and ,he

pump cylinders are located. The fluid end of a reciprocating pump is

accessible by removing the cylinder heads which exposes the pistons or pump

plungers. The cylinders or liners in most pumps are removable and can be

changed for others with larger or smaller internal diameters. Inserting smaller

liners and pistons permits pumping at higher pressure but at a reduced

volume.

Page 250: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

249249

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11886644.. FFLLUUIIDD LLEEVVEELL

The distance between the wellhead and the point to which the fluid rises in

the well.

11886655.. FFLLUUIIDD LLOOSSSS

A condition downhole in which a water-base drilling mud loses water in a

highly permeable zone causing the solids in the drilling fluid to build up on the

wall of the borehole. This buildup of mud solids can result in stuck pipe,

which often arises when the hydrostatic head or mud pressure is consider

ably higher than the formation pressure.

11886666.. FFLLUUIIDDIICCSS

Pertains to the use of fluids (and air) in instrumentation. Fluidics is defined as

"engineering science pertaining to the use of fluid-dynamic phenomena to

sense, control, process information, and actuate." Fluidics provide a reliable

system far less expensive than explosion-proof installations required with

electrical instrumentation on offshore rigs.

11886677.. FFLLUUSSHH PPRROODDUUCCTTIIOONN

The high rate of I low of a good well immediately after it is brought in.

11886688.. FFLLUUSSHHIINNGG OOIILLSS

Oils or compounds formulated for the purpose of removing used oil,

decomposed matter, metal cuttings, and sludge from lubricating passages

and engine parts.

11886699.. FFLLUUXXIINNGG

To soften a substance with heat so that it will flow; to lower a substance's

fusing point.

Page 251: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

250250

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11887700.. FFOOLLDDIINNGG

Buckling or other deformation of rock strata caused by movement of the

earth's crust.

11887711.. FFOOOOTT VVAALLVVEE

A type of check valve (q.v.) used on the "fool" or lower end of a suction pipe

riser to maintain the column of liquid in the riser when the liquid is being

drawn upward by a pump.

111887733.. FFOOOOTT--PPOOUUNNDD

A unit of energy or work equal to the work done in raising one pound the

height of one foot against the force of gravity.

11887744.. FFOOOOTTAAGGEE CCOONNTTRRAACCTT

A contract for the drilling of a well in which the drilling contractor is paid on a

footage basis as the well is taken down. Sometimes the price per foot

changes as the well progresses and different formations are encountered.

11887755.. FFOORRCCEE MMAAJJEEUURREE CCLLAAUUSSEE

A lease clause providing that cessation or failure of production shall not cause

automatic termination of the leasehold, and that the performance of lessee's

covenants shall be excused when the failure of production or performance of

covenants is owing to causes set forth in the clause. Such clauses usually list

acts of God; adverse weather; compliance with federal, state, or municipal

laws; wars; strikes; and other contingencies over which the lessee has no

control.

11887766.. FFOORRCCEEDD DDRRAAFFTT BBUURRNNEERR

Crude oil disposal equipment on offshore platforms. The burner, mounted on

a boom or an extension of the deck, burns crude oil during testing operations.

Page 252: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

251251

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

Gas, air and water manifolded with the test-crude stream result in complete

combustion of the oil.

111887788.. FFOORRCCEEPPUUMMPP

A barrel pump a portable, hand-operated, one-cylinder pump for moving

limited amounts of liquid, pumping out sump pits, or transferring oil or water

from one small tank to another. The pump has one horizontal barrel and a

plunger attached to a vertical handle. When moved back and forth, the

handle, attached to a fulcrum at the base of the pump, actuates the plunger

111888800.. ffoorree aanndd aafftt

the lengthwise measurement of a mobile offshore drilling rig or ship.

11888811.. FFOORREEIIGGNN TTAAXX CCRREEDDIITT

Taxes paid a foreign government by a U.S. company on its overseas oil

operations that are creditable against taxes owed the U.S. government.

Production sharing by a U.S. company with a foreign government or one of its

agencies represents oil royalty payments, not taxes creditable in the U.S.

according to the Internal Revenue Service.

111888833.. FFOORREEIIGGNN TTRRAADDEE ZZOONNEE

An area in the United States where imported oil, reduced crude, or

intermediates are processed.

11888844.. FFOORRMMAATTIIOONN

A sedimentary bed or series of beds sufficiently alike or distinctive to form an

identifiable geological unit.

11888855.. ffoorrmmaattiioonn bboouunnddaarryy

the horizontal limits of a formation.

Page 253: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

252252

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

111888877.. ffoorrmmaattiioonn ddaammaaggee

the reduction of permeability in a reservoir rock caused by the invasion of

drilling fluid and treating fluids to the section adjacent to the wellbore. It is

often called skin.

11888888.. FFoorrmmaattiioonn DDeennssiittyy LLoogg

a trade name for density log.

11888899.. ffoorrmmaattiioonn ddiipp

the angle at which a formation bed inclines away from the horizontal.

11889900.. ffoorrmmaattiioonn ffrraaccttuurriinngg

a method of stimulating production by increasing the permeability of the

producing formation. Under extremely high hydraulic pressure, A fluid (as

water, oil, alcohol, dilute hydrochloric acid, liquefied petroleum gas, or foam)

is pumped downward through tubing or drill pipe and forced into the

perforations in the casing. The fluid enters the formation and parts or

fractures it. Sand grains, aluminum pellets, glass beads, or similar materials

are carried in suspension by the fluid into the fractures. These are called

propping agents or proppants. When the pressure is released at the surface,

the fracturing fluid returns to the well, and the fractures partially close on the

proppants, leaving channels for oil to flow through them to the well. This

process is often called a frac job.

11889911.. ffoorrmmaattiioonn pprreessssuurree

the pressure exerted by fluids in a formation, recorded in the hole at the level

of the formation with the well shut in. It is also called reservoir pressure or

shut-in bottomhole pressure.

Page 254: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

253253

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11889922.. ffoorrmmaattiioonn ssttrriikkee

the horizontal direction of a formation bed as measured at a right angle to the

dip of the bed.

11889933.. ffoorrmmaattiioonn tteessttiinngg

the gathering of data on a formation to determine its potential productivity

before installing casing in a well. The conventional method is the drill stem

test. Incorporated in the drill-stem testing tool are a packer, valves or ports

that may be opened and closed from the surface, and a pressure-recording

device. The tool is lowered to bottom on a string of drill pipe and the packer

set, isolating the formation to be tested from the formations above and

supporting the fluid column above the packer. A port on the tool is opened to

allow the trapped pressure below the packer to bleed off into the drill pipe,

gradually exposing the formation to atmospheric pressure and allowing the

well to produce to the surface, where the well fluids may be sampled and

inspected. From a record of the pressure readings, a number of facts about

the formation may be inferred.

11889944.. ffoorrmmaattiioonn wwaatteerr

the water originally in place in a formation. (See connate water.)

11889955.. ffoorrmmiicc aacciidd

a simple organic acid used for acidizing oil wells, stronger than acetic acid but

much less corrosive than hydrofluoric or hydrochloric acid. It is usually used

for high-temperature wells. (See acidize.)

11889966.. FFOORRMMUULLAATTIIOONN

The product of a formula, i.e., a plastic, blended oils, gasolines any material

with two or more components or ingredients.

Page 255: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

254254

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11889977.. ffoorrwwaarrdd aadd

in the direction of the bow on offshore drilling rigs.

111889999.. ffoossssiill

the remains or impressions of a plant or animal of past geological ages that

have been preserved in or as rock.

11990000.. FFOOSSSSIILL EENNEERRGGYY

Energy derived from crude oil, natural gas, and coal; also shale oil and oil

recovered from tar sands. Fossil energy by implication is the energy derived

from sedimentary beds containing the fossilized remains of marine plants and

animals; and thus oil, gas, and coal were derived from organisms living in

eons past.

11990011.. FFOOSSSSIILL FFUUEELL

See Fossil Energy.

11990022.. ffoouunnddaattiioonn ppiillee

the first casing or conductor string (generally with a diameter of 30 to 36 in.)

set when drilling a well from an offshore drilling rig. It prevents sloughing of

the ocean-floor formations and is a structural support for the permanent

guide base and blowout preventers.

11990033.. FFOOUURR--CCYYCCLLEE EENNGGIINNEE

An internal combustion engine in which the piston completes four strokes-

intake, compression, power, and exhaust-for each complete cycle. The Otto-

cycle engine., four-stroke cycle engine.

111990055.. ffoouurr--wwaayy ddrraagg bbiitt

a drag bit with four blades. (See big and fishtail bit.)

Page 256: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

255255

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11990066.. ffoouurrbbllee

a section of drill pipe, casing, or tubing consisting of four joints screwed

together.

11990077.. ffoouurrbbllee bbooaarrdd

the working platform of the derrickman (the monkeyboard) when it is located

at a height on the derrick approximately equal to four lengths of pipe joined

together. (See double board and thribble board.)

11990088.. FFPP

flowing pressure; used in drilling reports.

11990099.. FFPPCC

Federal Power Commission, an agency of the Federal government; a

regulatory body having to do with oil and gas matters such as pricing and

trade practices. As of 1977 the FPC has been superceded by the FERC, the

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission which has taken over the duties and

responsibilities of Federal Power Commission along with other agencies in the

field of energy.

111991111.. ffrraacc

fractured; used in drilling reports.

11991122.. ffrraacc jjoobb

(See formation fracturing.)

11991133.. ffrraaccttiioonn

one component of a mixture of hydrocarbons. Methane is the predominant

fraction in natural gas.

Page 257: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

256256

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

111991155.. ffrraaccttiioonnaattee

to separate single fractions from a mixture of hydrocarbon fluids, usually by

distillation.

11991166.. ffrraaccttiioonnaattiinngg ccoolluummnn

a vessel or tower in a gas plant in which fractionation occurs. (See

fractionate.)

11991177.. FFRRAACCTTIIOONNAATTOORR

A tall, cylindrical refining vessel where liquid feedstocks are separated into

various components or fractions.

11991188.. ffrraaccttuurree

a crack or crevice in a formation, either natural or induced.

11991199.. ffrraaccttuurree aacciiddiizziinngg

a procedure by which acid is forced into a formation under pressure high

enough to cause the formation to crack. The acid acts on certain kinds of

rocks, usually carbonates, to increase the permeability of the formation.

Compare matrix acidizing.

11992200.. ffrraaccttuurriinngg

(See formation fracturing.)

11992211.. ffrraaccttuurriinngg

(See formation fracturing.)

11992222.. FFRRAASSCCHH,, HHEERRMMAANN

A Canadian chemist who developed a process for the use of sour crude for

making kerosene. The frasch process opened the market for sour crude from

Ohio and Canada just when it was thought the production from Pennsylvania

Page 258: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

257257

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

and West Virginia fields had peaked and the country was running low on

sweet crude for kerosene and gasoline.

11992233.. FFRREEEE MMAARRKKEETT PPRRIICCEE

Oil prices not subject to controls by the government; world prices. See Posted

Price.

11992244.. FFRREEEE RRIIDDEE

An interest in a well's oil and gas production free of any expense of that

production; a royalty interest.

11992255.. ffrreeee wwaatteerr

the water produced with oil. It usually settles out within rive minutes when

the well fluids become stationary in a settling space within a vessel. Compare

emulsified water.

11992266.. ffrreeee--ppooiinntt IInnddiiccaattoorr

a tool designed to measure the amount of stretch in a string of stuck pipe and

to indicate the deepest point at which the pipe is free. The free point indicator

is lowered into the well on a conducting cable. Each end of a strain gauge

element is anchored to the pipe wall by friction springs or magnets, and, as

increasing strain is put on the pipe, an accurate measurement of its stretch is

transmitted to the surface. The stretch measurements indicate the depth at

which the pipe is stuck.

11992277.. ffrreeee--wwaatteerr kknnoocckkoouutt

(FWKO) a vertical or horizontal vessel into which oil or emulsion is run in

order to allow any water not emulsified with the oil (free water) to drop out.

11992288.. ffrreeeebbooaarrdd

the vertical distance between the waterline and the freeboard deck on a ship,

boat, or floating off shore drilling rig.

Page 259: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

258258

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11992299.. ffrreeeebbooaarrdd ddeecckk

the uppermost continuous deck on a ship or mobile offshore drilling rig

equipped with a permanent means of closing all openings to the water.

11993300.. FFRREEEEZZEE BBOOXX

An enclosure or a water pipe riser that is exposed to the weather, The freeze

box or frost box surrounding the pips is filled with sawdust manure or other

insulating materia1.

11993311.. FFRREEOONN

A trademark applied to a group of halogenated hydrocarbons, having one or

more florine atoms in the molecule; a refrigerant.

11993322.. ffrreesshh wwaatteerr

water that has little or no salt dissolved in it.

11993333.. ffrreesshhwwaatteerr mmuudd

(See mud.)

11993344.. FFRREESSNNOO SSLLIIPP

A type, of horse-drawn, earth-moving or cutting scoop with curved runners or

supports on the sides, and a single long handle used to guide the scoop blade

into the earth or material being moved.

11993355.. ffrriiccttiioonn

resistance to movement created when two surfaces are in contact. When

friction is present, heat is produced.

11993366.. ffrriiccttiioonn lloossss

a reduction in the pressure of a fluid caused by its motion against an enclosed

surface (as a pipe). As the fluid moves through the pipe, friction between the

Page 260: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

259259

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

fluid and the pipe wall creates a pressure loss. The faster the fluid moves. the

greater the losses are.

11993377.. FFRROOSSTTUUPP

Icing of pipes and flow equipment at the wellhead of a high-pressure gas

well. The cooling effect of the expanding gas, as pressure is reduced, causes

moisture in the atmosphere to condense and freeze on the pipes.

111993399.. fftt

foot.

11994400.. fftt--llbb

foot-pound.

111994422.. fftt//mmiinn

feet per minute.

11994433.. fftt//ss

feet per second.

11994444.. fftt22

square foot.

1111994466.. fftt33

cubic foot.

11994477.. fftt33--llbb

cubic feet per pound.

11994488.. fftt33//bbbbll

cubic feet per barrel.

11994499.. fftt33//dd

cubic feet per day.

Page 261: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

260260

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11995500.. fftt33//ss

cubic feet per second.

11995511.. ffttll//mmiinn

cubic feet per minute.

111995533.. ffuueell iinnjjeeccttoorr

a mechanical device that sprays fuel into a cylinder of an engine, used

extensively in diesel engines and to some extent in spark-ignition engines.

11995544.. FFUUEELL--AAIIRR RRAATTIIOO

The ratio of fuel to air by weight in an explosive mixture which is controlled

by the carburetor in an internal combustion engine.

11995555.. FFUUEELLOOIILL

Any liquid or liquefiable petroleum product burned for the generation of heat

in a furnace; or for the generation of power in an engine, exclusive of oils

with a flash point below 100"F

11995566.. FFUULLLL BBOORREE

Designation for a valve, ran or other fitting whose opening is as large in cross

section as the pipe, casing or tubing it is mounted on.

11995577.. ffuullll--ggaauuggee bbiitt

a bit that has maintained its original diameter.

11995588.. ffuullll--ggaauuggee hhoollee

a wellbore drilled with a full-gauge bit.

11995599.. ffuullll--llooaadd ddiissppllaacceemmeenntt

the displacement of a mobile offshore drilling rig or ship when floating at its

deepest design draft.

Page 262: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

261261

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11996600.. FFUULLLLEERR''SS EEAARRTTHH

A fine, clay-like substance used in certain types of oil filters.

11996611.. FFUULLLLYY IINNTTEEGGRRAATTEEDD

Said of a company engaged in all phases of the oil business, i.e., production,

transportation, refining, marketing. See Integrated Oil Company.

111996633.. ffuunnggiibbllee

relating or pertaining to petroleum products with characteristics so similar

that they can be mixed together, or commingled.

11996644.. ffuunnnneell vviissccoossiittyy

viscosity as measured by the Marsh funnel, based on the number of seconds

it takes for 1,000 cm' of drilling fluid to flow through the funnel.

11996655.. FFUURRFFUURRAALL

An extractive solvent of extremely pungent odor, used extensively in refining

a wide range of lubricating oils and diesel fuels; a liquid aldehyde.

11996666.. FFUURRNNAACCEE OOIILL

No. 2 heating oil; light gas oil that can be used as diesel fuel and for

residential heating; Two oil; distillate fuel.

11996677.. FFUUSSIIBBLLEE PPLLUUGG

A fail-safe device; a plug in a service line equipped with a seal that will melt

at a predetermined temperature releasing pressure that actuates shut. down

devices; a meltable plug.

11996688.. FFWWKKOO

free-water knockout.

Page 263: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

262262

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11996699.. gg

gram.

11997700.. GG&&OOCCMM

gas- and oil-cut mud; used in drilling reports.

11997711.. GG.. MM.. PP..

Gallons of gasoline per 1,000 cubic feet of natural gas produced.

11997722.. GG..SS..AA..

Geological Society of America.

111997744.. ggaaggee

variation of gauge.

11997755.. ggaall

gallon.

11997766.. ggaall//mmiinn

gallons per minute.

11997777.. GGAALLLL

To damage or destroy a finished metal surface, as a shaft journal, by moving

contact with a bearing without sufficient lubrication. To chafe by friction and

heat as two pieces of metal are forcibly rubbed together in the absence of

lubrication.

11997788.. ggaalllloonn

(gal) a unit of measure of liquid capacity that equals 3.785 liters and has a

volume of 231 in.3' A gallon of water weighs 8.34 lb at 60 F. The imperial

gallon, used in Great Britain, is equal to approximately 1.2 U.S. gal.

Page 264: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

263263

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11997799.. ggaammmmaa ppaarrttiiccllee

a short, highly penetrating X ray emitted by radioactive substances during

their spontaneous disintegration. The measurement of gamma particles

(sometimes called gamma rays) is the basis for a number of radioactivity well-

logging methods.

11998800.. GGAAMMMMAA RRAAYY

Minute quantities of radiation emitted by substances that are radioactive.

Subsurface rock formations emit radiation quantum that can be detected by

well-logging devices, and which indicate the relative densities of the

surrounding rock.

11998811.. GGAAMMMMAA RRAAYY LLOOGGGGIINNGG

See Natural Gamma Ray Logging.

11998822.. GGAAMMMMAA RRAAYY--GGAAMMMMAA RRAAYY LLOOGGGGIINNGG

A well-logging technique wherein a well's borehole is bombarded with gamma

rays from a gamma ray emitting device to induce output signals that are then

recorded and transmitted to the surface. The gamma ray signals thus picked

up indicate to the geologist the relative density of the rock formation

penetrated by the well bore at different levels.

11998833.. GGaammmmaa--GGaammmmaa DDeennssiittyy LLoogg

a trade name for a density log.

11998844.. ggaammmmaa--rraayy ddeetteeccttoorr

a device that is capable of sensing and measuring the amount of gamma

particles emitted by certain radioactive substances.

11998855.. ggaammmmaa--rraayy lloogg

(See radioactivity well logging.)

Page 265: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

264264

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11998866.. GGAANNGG PPUUSSHHEERR

A pipeline foreman; the man who runs a pipeline or a connection gang a

pusher. gang pusher the supervisor of a roustabout crew or a foreman in

charge of a pipeline crew.

11998877.. GGAANNGG TTRRUUCCKK

A light or medium-sized flat-bed truck carrying a portable doghouse or man

rack where the pipeline repair crew rides to and from the job. The pipeliners

toots are carried in compartments beneath the bed of the truck.

11998888.. ggaarrbbuutttt RROODD

garbot, or garbutt rod a short rod on the lower end of the traveling valve of a

rod pump. It is attached to the standing valve and used to pull the valve out

of its scat when repairs are needed.

11998899.. ggaass

oil contact the point or plane in a reservoir at which the bottom of a gas sand

is in contact with the top of an oil sand.

11999900.. ggaass aanncchhoorr

a tubular, perforated device attached to the bottom of a sucker-rod pump

that helps to prevent gas lock. The device works on the principle that gas,

being lighter than oil, rises. As well fluids enter the anchor, the gas breaks out

of the fluid and exits the anchor through perforations near the top. The

remaining fluids enter the pump through a mosquito bill (a tube within the

anchor), which has an opening near the bottom. In this way, all or most of

the gas escapes before the fluids enter the pump. device for the bottom-hole

separation of oil and gas in a pumping well. The gas anchor (a length of

tubing about 5 feet long) is inside a barrier pipe with perforations at the

upper end. Oil in the annulus between the well's casing and tubing enters

Page 266: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

265265

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

through the perforations and is picked up by the pump; the gas goes out

through the casing to the wellhead.

11999911.. GGAASS BBOOTTTTLLEESS

The cylindrical containers of oxygen and acetylene used in oxyacetylene

welding. Oxygen bottles are tall and slender with a tapered top; acetylene

bottles are shorter and somewhat larger in diameter.

11999922.. GGAASS BBUUSSTTEERR

A drilling mud/gas separator, a surge chamber on the mud-flow line where

entrained gas breaks out and is vented to a flare line; the gas-free mud is

returned to the mud tanks or mud pits.

11999933.. GGAASS CCOONNDDEENNSSAATTEE

Liquid hydrocarbons present in casinghead gas that condense upon being

brought to the surface formerly distillate, now condensate, Also casinghead

gasoline; white oil.

11999944.. GGAASS CCOONNDDEENNSSAATTEE,, RREETTRROOGGRRAADDEE

See Retrograde Gas Condensate.

111999966.. GGAASS DDIISSTTIILLLLAATTEE

See Distillate,

11999977.. GGAASS DDRRIILLLLIINNGG

The use of gas as a drilling fluid. See Air Drilling. gas drilling (See air drilling.)

11999988.. ggaass ddrriivvee

the use of the energy that arises from gas compressed in a reservoir to move

crude oil to a wellbore. Gas drive is also used in a form of secondary

recovery, in which gas is injected into input wells to sweep remaining oil to a

producing well.

Page 267: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

266266

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

11999999.. GGAASS EENNGGIINNEE

A two or four-cycle internal combustion engine that runs on natures gas a

stationary field engine. Before the electrification of oil fields, all pumping wells

and small pipeline booster stations were powered by stationary gas engines.

Hundred of thousands of stripper wells are pumped by small gas engine,

attended by lease pumpers who not only are practical machanics but are

experienced production men as well.

22000000.. GGAASS IINNJJEECCTTIIOONN

Natural gas injected under high pressure into a producing reservoir through

an input or injection well as part of a pressure maintenance, secondary

recovery, or recycling operation.

222000022.. GGAASS IINNJJEECCTTIIOONN WWEELLLL

A well through which gas under high pressure, is injected into a producing

formation to maintain reservoir pressure.

22000033.. GGAASS KKIICCKK

See Kick.

22000044.. GGAASS LLIIFFTT

A method of lifting oil from the bottom of a well to the surface by the use of

compressed gas. The gas is pumped into the hole and at the lower end of the

tubing it becomes a part of the fluid in the well. As the gas expands, it lifts

the oil to the surface. gas lift the process of raising or lifting fluid from a well

by injecting gas down the well through tubing or through the tubing-casing

annulus. Injected gas aerates the fluid to make it exert less pressure than the

formation does; consequently, the higher formation pressure forces the fluid

out of the wellbore. Gas may be injected continuously or intermittently,

Page 268: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

267267

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

depending on the producing characteristics of the well and the arrangement

of the gas-lift equipment.

22000055.. GGAASS LLIIQQUUIIDDSS

See LPG. GAS LOCK a condition sometimes encountered in a pumping well

when dissolved gas, released from solution during the upstroke of the

plunger, appears as free gas between the valves. If the gas pressure is

sufficient, the standing valve is "locked" shut and, consequently, no fluid

enters the tubing. condition that can exist in an oil pipeline. when elevated

sections of the line are filled with gas. The gas, because of its compressibility

and penchant for collecting in high places in the line, effectively blocks the

gravity flow of oil. Gas lock can also occur in suction chambers of

reciprocating pumps. The gas prevents the oil from flowing into chambers and

must be vented or bled off.

22000066.. GGAASS MMEEAASSUURREEMMEENNTT,, SSTTAANNDDAARRDD

A method of measuring volumes of natural gas by the use of conversion

factors of standard pressure and temperature. The standard pressure is 14.65

pounds per square inch; the standard temperature is 60'F One standard cubic

foot of gas is the amount of gas contained in one cubic foot of space at a

pressure of 14.65 psia at a temperature of 60 F. Using the conversion table,

natural gain, at any temperature and pressure can be converted to standard

cubic feet, the measurement by which gas is usually bought, sold and

transported.

22000077.. GGAASS MMEETTEERR,, MMAASSSS--FFLLOOWW

See Mass-flow Gas Meter.

Page 269: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

268268

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22000088.. ggaass ppllaanntt

an installation in which natural gas is processed to prepare it for sale to

consumers. A gas plant separates desirable hydrocarbon components from

the impurities in natural gas.

222001100.. ggaass rreegguullaattoorr

an automatically operated valve that, by opening and closing in response to

pressure, permits more or less gas to flow through a pipeline and thus

controls the pressure. A pressure-reducing device on gas take-off piping that

can be set to deliver a supply of gas a, a predetermined pressure. For

example a regulator can be adjusted to permit a flow of gas at a pressure of

8 or 10 ounces per square inch from a gas main carrying 100 pounds per

square inch.

22001111.. GGaass RReesseerrvvooiirr

A rock stratum that forms a trap for the accumulation of crude oil and natural

gas.

22001122.. ggaass ssaanndd

a stratum of sand or porous sand. stone from which natural gas is obtained.

222001144.. ggaass sshhooww

the gas that appears in drilling. fluid returns, indicating the presence of a gas

zone.

22001155.. GGAASS SSNNIIFFFFEERR

A colloquial term for a sensitive electronic device that detects the presence of

gas or other hydrocarbons in the stream of drilling mud returning from

downhole.

22001166.. ggaass ttuurrbbiinnee

(See compressor.)

Page 270: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

269269

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22001177.. GGAASS WWEELLDDIINNGG

Welding with oxygen and acetylene or with oxygen and another gas. See

Oxyacetylene Welding.

22001188.. ggaass wweellll

a well that primarily produces gas.

22001199.. GGAASS,, IINNTTEERRRRUUPPTTIIBBLLEE

See Interruptible

22002200.. GGAASS,, LLIIQQUUEEFFIIEEDD PPEETTRROOLLEEUUMM

See Liquefied Petroleum Gas.

22002211.. GGAASS,, UUNNAASSSSOOCCIIAATTEEDD

See Unassociated Gas; also Associated Gas.

22002222.. GGAASS,, UUNNCCOONNVVEENNTTIIOONNAALL NNAATTUURRAALL

See Unconventional Natural Gas.

22002233.. GGAASS--CCAAPP AALLLLOOWWAABBLLEE

A production allowable granted an operator who shuts in a well producing

from a gas cap of an oil-producing reservoir. The allowable is transferable to

another lease in the same field. The shutting in of the gas-cap producer

preserves the reservoir pressure which is essential to good production

practice.

22002244.. GGAASS--CCAAPP DDRRIIVVEE

The energy derived from the expansion of gas in a free state above the oil

zone which is used in the production of oil. Wells drilled into the oil zone

cause a release of pressure which allows the compressed gas in the cap to

expand and move downward forcing the oil into the well bores of the

producing wells. gas-cap drive drive energy supplied naturally (as a reservoir

Page 271: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

270270

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

is produced) by the expansion of gas in a cap overlying the oil in the

reservoir. (See reservoir-drive mechanism.)

22002255.. GGAASS--CCAAPP FFIIEELLDD

A gas-expansion reservoir in which some of the gas occurs as free gas rather

than in solution. The free gas will occupy the highest portion of the reservoir.

When wells are drilled to lower points on the structure, the gas will expand

forcing the oil down-dip and into the well bores.

22002266.. ggaass--ccuutt mmuudd

a drilling mud having entrained formation gas that gives the mud a

characteristically fluffy texture. Because a large amount of gas in mud lowers

its density, gas-cut mud often must be treated to lessen the chance of a

blowout. Drilling mud aerated or charged with gas from formations downhole.

The gas forms bubbles in the drilling fluid seriously affecting drilling

operations, sometimes causing loss of circulation.

22002277.. ggaass--iinnppuutt wweellll

a well into which gas is injected for the purpose of maintaining or

supplementing pressure in an oil reservoir.

22002288.. GGAASS--LLIIFFTT GGAASS

Natural gas used in a gas-lift program of oil production. Lift gas is usually first

stripped of liquid hydrocarbons before it is injected into the well. And because

it is a "working gas" as opposed to commercial gas, its cost per thousand

cubic feet (MCF) is considerably less. Gas lift and commercial gas commingle

when produced, so when the combined gas is stripped of petroleum liquids

only the formation gas is credited with the recovered liquids. This is necessary

for oil and gas royalty purposes.

Page 272: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

271271

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

222003300.. ggaass--lliifftt mmaannddrreell

a device installed in the tubing string of a gas-lift well onto which or into

which a gas-lift valve is fitted. There are two common types of mandrels. In

the conventional gas-lift mandrel, the gas-lift valve is installed as the tubing is

placed in the well. Thus, to replace or repair the valve, the tubing string must

be pulled. In the sidepocket mandrel, however, the valve is installed and

removed by wireline while the mandrel is still in the well, eliminating the need

to pull the tubing to repair or replace the valve.

22003311.. ggaass--lliifftt vvaallvvee

a device installed on a gas-lift mandrel, which in turn is put on the tubing

string of a gas-lift well. Tubing and casing pressures cause the valve to open

and close thus allowing gas to be injected into the fluid in the tubing to cause

the fluid to rise to the surface.

22003322.. GGAASS--OOIILL RRAATTIIOO

The number of cubic feet of natural gas produced with a barrel of oil. The

ratio is expressed 5001 or 10001, whatever the volume of gas measured at

the well that is produced per barrel of oil. A high gas-to-oil ratio is extremely

undesirable because the pressure in a reservoir, the propulsive force to move

the oil in the formation to the boreholes, is being depleted. And with the

reservoir pressure gone, a great percentage of the oil may not be

recoverable, except by a costly secondary recovery program. gas-oil ratio

(GOR) is a measure of the volume of gas produced with oil, expressed in

cubic feet per barrel or cubic meters per metric ton.

22003333.. ggaass--ttrraannssmmiissssiioonn ssyysstteemm

the central or trunk pipeline system by means of which dry natural gas is

transported from field gathering stations or processing plants to the industrial

or domestic fuel market. Well pressure is supplemented at intervals along the

Page 273: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

272272

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

transmission line by compressors to maintain a strong enough flow to move

the gas to its destination.

22003344.. GGAASSBBOOXX

Colloquial term for a mud-gas separator at a drilling well. See Degassing

Drilling Mud.

22003355.. GGAASSCCAAPP

The portion of an oil-producing reservoir occupied by free gas; gas in a free

state above an oil zone. gas cap a free-gas phase overlying an oil zone and

occurring within the same producing formation as the oil. (See reservoir.)

22003366.. GGAASSIIFFIICCAATTIIOONN

Converting a solid or a liquid to gas; converting a solid hydrocarbon such as

coal or oil shale to commercial gas; the manufacture of synthetic gas from

other hydrocarbons See Synthetic Gas.

22003377.. ggaasskkeett

a material (as paper, cork, asbestos, or rubber) used to seal two essentially

stationary surfaces. thin, fibrous material used to make the union of two

metal parts pressure tight. Ready-made gaskets are sheathed in very thin,

soft metal, or they may be made exclusively of metal, or of specially

formulated rubber.

22003388.. GGAASSOOHHOOLL

A mixture of 90 percent gasoline and 10 percent alcohol.' a motor fuel.

Gasohol was first marketed in the late 1970s as a way to stretch available

gasoline stocks by using surplus agricultural products to make ethanol or

grain alcohol.

Page 274: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

273273

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22003399.. GGAASSOOIILL

A refined fraction of crude oil somewhat heavier than kerosene, often used as

diesel fuel.

22004400.. ggaassoolliinnee

a volatile, flammable liquid hydrocarbon refined from crude oils and used

universally as a fuel for internal. combustion, spark-ignition engines.

222004422.. GGAASSOOLLIINNEE PPLLAANNTT

A compressor plant where natural gas is stripped of the liquid hydrocarbons

usually present in wellhead gas.

22004433.. GGAASSOOLLIINNEE,, MMAARRIINNEE WWHHIITTEE

See Marine White gasoline.

22004444.. GGAASSOOLLIINNEE,, RRAAWW

The untreated gasoline cut from the distillation of crude oil natural gasoline; a

gasoline similar to motor fuel but lower in octane and highly unstable,

22004455.. GGAASSSSEERR

A commercial, natural-gas well.a well that produces natural-gas.

22004466.. GGAASSTTUURRBBIINNEE

A rotary engine whose power is derived from the thrust of expanding gases

on blades or vanes on a spindle within the body of the engine. As natural gas

enters the combustion chamber it is ignited, and as it instantaneously

expands, it creates a powerful thrust that is directed against the vanes of the

turbine, causing rotation of the spindle furnishing power to an attached pump

or compressor.

222004488.. GGAATTEE

Short for gate valve, common term for all pipeline valves.

Page 275: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

274274

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22004499.. GGAATTEE VVAALLVVEE

A pipeline valve made with a wedge-shaped disk or "tongue" which is moved

from open to closed (up to down) by a threaded valve stem. Some valves

have stems, which remain in the valve bonnet (do not rise) and when they

are rotated by the valve wheel screw into the disk, raising the disk and

opening the valve. Other valves have a rising stem (q.v.) which firmly

attached to the wedge. The valve stem is threaded and when the threaded

valve wheel is turned the stem rises through the wheel, raising the disk to

open position.

22005500.. GGAATTEE,, BBAACCKKFFLLOOWW

A type of swing-check valve made so the clapper's position may be changed

from open to closed by an externally mounted handle. The handle is attached

to the clapper's fulcrum shaft which protrudes through the side of the valve

body. When the clapper is closed (resting on its seat in a normal position),

fluid can flow in one direction only; when open (raised from its seat by the

handle), fluid can flow in the opposite direction.

22005511.. GGAATTHHEERRIINNGG FFAACCIILLIITTIIEESS

Pipelines and pumping units used to bring oil or gas from production leases

by separate lines to a central point, i.e., a tank farm, or a trunk pipeline.

22005522.. ggaatthheerriinngg lliinnee

a pipeline, usually of small diameter, used in gathering crude oil from the field

to a main pipeline.

22005533.. ggaatthheerriinngg ssyysstteemm

the pipelines and other equipment needed to transport oil, gas, or both from

wells to a central point-the gathering station-where there is the accessory

equipment required to deliver a clean and salable product to the market or to

Page 276: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

275275

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

another pipeline. An oil-gathering system includes oil and gas separators,

emulsion treaters, gathering tanks, and similar equipment. A gas-gathering

system includes regulators, compressors, dehydrators, and associated

equipment. See Gathering Facilities.

222005555.. ggaauuggee

1. to measure the quantity of oil in a tank. 2. to use a bit gauge to check the

size of the bit. (See undergauge bit, innage gauge, outage gauge.)

22005566.. GGAAUUGGEE HHAATTCCHH

An opening in the roof of a stock or storage tank, fitted with a hinged lid,

through which the tank may be gauged and oil simples taken. See Hitch.

22005577.. GGAAUUGGEE HHOOLLEE

A gauge hatch (q.v.).

22005588.. GGAAUUGGEE LLIINNEE

A reel of steel measuring tape, with a bob attached, held in a frame equipped

with handle and winding crank used in gauging the liquid level in tanks. To

prevent striking sparks, the bob is made of brass or other non. sparking

material or sheathed in a durable plastic. The tip of the bob is point zero on

the gauge column.

22005599.. ggaauuggee pprreessssuurree

the amount of pressure exerted on the interior walls of a vessel by the fluid

contained in it (as indicated by a pressure gauge). Gauge pressure,

abbreviated as psig (pounds per square inch gauge), plus atmospheric

pressure equals absolute pressure.

22006600.. GGAAUUGGEE,, TTIICCKKEETT

A run ticket (q.v.).

Page 277: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

276276

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

222006622.. ggaauuggeerr

a pipeline representative for the sale or transfer of crude oil from the

producer to the pipeline. He samples and tests the crude oil to determine

quantity and quality, and uses a calibrated, flexible-steel tape with a plumb

bob at the end to measure the oil in the tank.

22006633.. GGAAUUGGEERR,, FFIIEELLDD

A person who measures the oil in a stock or lease tank, records the

temperature, checks the sediment content, makes out a run ticket. and turns

the oil into the pipeline. A gasger the pipeline company's agent and, in effect,

"buys" the tank of oil for his company,

22006644.. GGAAUUGGEETTAANNKK

A tank in which the production from a well or a lease is measured.

22006655.. GGAAUUGGEETTAAPPPP

Gauge line (q.v.).

22006666.. ggaauuggiinngg hhaattcchh

the opening in a tank or other vessel through which measuring and sampling

are performed.

22006677.. ggaauuggiinngg ttaabblleess

tables prepared by engineers to show the calculated number of barrels for

any given depth of liquid in a tank. 'They are sometimes called strapping

tables. (See strap.)

22006688.. ggaauuggiinngg ttaappee

a metal tape used to measure the depth of liquid in a tank.

22006699.. GGCC

gas cut; used in drilling reports.

Page 278: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

277277

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22007700.. GGCCMM

gas-cut mud; used in drilling reports.

22007711.. GGEEAARRBBOOXX

The enclosure or case containing a gear train or assembly of reduction gears;

the case containing a pump's pinion and ring gears.

22007722.. GGEEAARRPPUUMMPP

See Pump, Gear.

22007733.. GGEELL

A viscous substance, a jelly-like material used in well stimulation and

formation fracturing to suspend sand or other proppants in the fracturing

medium. Gelling agents are mixed with water or light oil to form an emulsion

that will carry a quantity of sand for various well workover procedures. a

semisolid, jellylike state assumed by some colloidal dispersions at rest. When

agitated, the gel converts to a fluid state. (See gel strength and thixotrophy.)

22007744.. ggeell cceemmeenntt

a cement or cement slurry that has been modified by the addition of

bentonite.

222007766.. ggeell ssttrreennggtthh

a measure of the ability of a colloidal dispersion to develop and retain a gel

form, based on its resistance to shear. The gel strength, or shear strength, of

a drilling mud determines its ability to hold solids in suspension. Sometimes

bentonite and other colloidal clays are added to drilling fluid to increase its gel

strength. (See gel, shearometer, and thixotrophy.)

Page 279: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

278278

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22007777.. GGEEOOCCHHEEMMIICCAALL PPRROOSSPPEECCTTIINNGG

Exploratory methods that involve the chemical analysis of rocks and

subsurface water for the presence of organic matter associated with oil and

gas deposits

22007788.. GGEEOOCCHHEEMMIISSTTRRYY

The science of chemistry applied to oil and gas exploration. By analyzing the

contents of subsurface water for presence of organic matter associated with

oil deposits, geochemistry has proved to be an important adjunct to geology

and geophysics in exploratory work.

22007799.. GGEEOODDEESSYY

The branch of science concerned with the determination of the size and

shape of the earth and the precise location of points on the earths surface.

222008811.. GGEEOOLLOOGGIICC CCOOLLUUMMNN

The vertical range of sedimentary rock from the basement rock (q.v.) to the

surface.

22008822.. GGEEOOLLOOGGIICC EERRAASS

See Geologic Time Scale.

22008833.. GGEEOOLLOOGGIICC PPEERRIIOODDSS

See Geologic Time Scale.

22008844.. GGEEOOLLOOGGIICC TTIIMMEE SSCCAALLEE

According to authorities in the study of the earth, the Paleozoic Era

represents the oldest rocks whose ages are 225 to 600 million years old the

next title next era is the Mesozoic with rocks 75 to 225 million years old; the

most recent era, the Cenozoic, has rocks from the present to 75 million years

old. Dividing these eras are periods. Beginning with the they are Cambrian,

Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Mississippian, Pennsylvanian and Permian, all

Page 280: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

279279

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

in the Paleozoic Era. In the Mesozoic Era are the Triassic, Jurassic and

Cretaceous Periods. In the youngest era Cenozoic are the Tertiary and

Quaternary. Geologists have divided the Quarternary Period, identifying the

earlier epoch of the Quarternary Period as Pleistocene. Geologic time scale

the long periods of time dealt with and identified by geology. Geologic time is

divided into eras (Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Cambrian, and Precambrian), which are

subdivided into periods and epochs. When the age of a type of rock is

determined, it is assigned a place in the scale and thereafter referred to as

Mesozoic rock of the Triassic period and so on.

22008855.. GGEEOOLLOOGGIICCAALL SSTTRRUUCCTTUURREE

Layers of sedimentary rocks which have been displaced from their normal

horizontal position by the forces of nature. Folding, fracturing faulting (the

place where the strata have fractured and slipped by one another) are

geological structures that often form structural traps that are logical places to

find accumulations of oil and gas - and water.

22008866.. ggeeoollooggiisstt

a scientist who procures and interprets data pertaining to the strata of the

earth's crust.a person trained in the study of the earth's crust. A petroleum

geologist, In contrast to a hard-rock geologist, is primarily concerned with

sedimentary rocks where most of the world oil has been found. In general the

work of a petroleum geologist consists in searching for structural traps

favorable to the accumulation of oil and gas. In addition to deciding on

location to drill he may supervise the drilling, particularly with regard to

coring, logging, and running tests.

22008877.. GGEEOOLLOOGGIISSTT,, HHYYDDRROODDYYNNAAMMIICCSS

A geologist specializing in the study of the mechanics of fluids in underground

formations. His work involves analysis of the test data, the interpretation of

Page 281: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

280280

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

fluid pressure from drilling wells and well logs, and applying his findings to

the solution of problems associated with oil and gas well exploration and

development.

22008888.. GGEEOOLLOOGGRRAAPPHH

A device on a drilling rig to record the drilling rate or rate of penetration

during each 8-hour tour. Geolograph a trade name for a patented device that

automatically records the rate of penetration and depth during drilling.

geology the science that relates to the study of the structure, origin, history,

and development of the earth and its inhabitants as revealed in the study of

rocks, formations, and fossils.

22008899.. GGEEOOLLOOGGYY

The science that deals with the history of the earth and its life as recorded in

the rocks.

22009900.. GGEEOOMMEETTRRYY OOFF AA RREESSEERRVVOOIIRR

A phrase used by petroleum and reservoir engineers meaning the shape of

reservoir of oil or gas.

222009922.. ggeeoopphhoonnee

an instrument that detects vibrations passing through the earth's crust, used

in conjunction with seismography. (See seismograph.) Geophones are often

called jugs.sensitive sound detecting instruments used in conducting seismic

surveys. A series of geophones are placed on the ground at intervals to detect

and transmit, to an amplifier-recording system, the reflected sound waves

created by explosions set off in the course of seismic exploration work.

22009933.. GGEEOOPPHHYYSSIICCAALL CCAAMMPP

Temporary headquarters Established in the field for geophysical teams

working the area. In addition to providing living quarters and a store of

Page 282: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

281281

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

supplies, the camp has facilities for processing geophysical data gathered on

the field trips.

22009944.. GGeeoopphhyyssiiccaall SSuurrvveeyy

Searching and mapping the subsurface structure of the earth's crust using

geophysical methods (e.g. seismic) to locate probable reservoir structures

capable of producing commercial quantities of natural gas and/or crude oil.

22009955.. GGEEOOPPHHYYSSIICCAALL TTEEAAMM

A group of specialists working together to gather geophysical data. Their work

consists of drilling shot holes, placing explosive charges, setting out or

stringing geophones, detonating shot charges, and reading and interpreting

the results of the seismic shocks set off by the explosive charges.

22009966.. GGEEOOPPHHYYSSIICCSS

The application of certain familiar physical principles-magnetic attraction,

gravitational pull, speed of sound waves, the behavior of electric currents-to

the science of geology.

22009977.. ggeeoopprreessssuurree

abnormally high pressure exerted by some subsurface formations. The deeper

the formation lies, the higher the pressure it exerts on a wellbore drilled into

it.

22009988.. ggeeoossyynncclliinnee

a part of the earth's surface that sank over a long period of time, forming a

trough hundreds of miles long and tens of miles wide. Thousands of feet of

sedimentary and volcanic rock were formed in it over millions of years.

22009999.. ggeeootthheerrmmaall ggrraaddiieenntt

the increase in the temperature of the earth that follows increasing distance

from the surface. It averages about 1 F per 60 ft but may be considerably

Page 283: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

282282

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

higher.The increase in temperature of the earth the deeper a hole is drilled.

The rate of increase in geothermal temperature is approximately one degree

Fahrenheit for each 55 feet of depth or more than 1OO'F. per mile of hole. In

very deep wells, the bottom-hole temperature is so hot (400 to SOO'F) that

special drilling mud formulations must be used. Plain water cannot be used

because the water in the returning drilling mud would vaporize, turn to steam

at the surface.

22110000.. GGEEOOTTHHEERRMMAALL PPOOWWEERR GGEENNEERRAATTIIOONN

The use of underground, natural heat sources, i.e., superheated water from

deep in the earth, to generate steam to power turboelectric generators.

22110011.. ggeeootthheerrmmaall rreesseerrvvooiirr

1. a subsurface layer of rock containing steam or hot water that is trapped in

the layer by overlying impermeable rocks. 2. a subsurface layer of rock that is

hot but contains little or no water. Geothermal reservoirs are a potential

source of energy.

22110022.. ggeerroonniimmoo

(See safety slide.)

222110044.. GGiillssoonniittee

a naturally occurring solid hydrocarbon belonging to the asphalt group. A

granular form of Gilsonite is sometimes used as a cement additive to prevent

lost ciruculation.A solid hydrocarbon with the general appearance of coal;

uintaite; a black, lustrous form of asphalt that, when treated and refined,

yields gasoline, fuel oil, and coke. Found in deposits in Utah.

Page 284: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

283283

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22110055.. ggiimmbbaall

a mechanical frame that permits an object mounted into it to remain in a

stationary or near stationary position regardless of movement of the frame.

Gimbals are often used offshore to counteract undesirable wave motion.

22110066.. GGIINN PPOOLLEE

(1) An A-frame made of sections of pipe mounted on the rear of a truck bed

that is used as a support or fixed point for the trucks winch line when lifting

or hoisting. (2) A vertical frame on the top of the derrick, spanning the crown

block, providing a support for hoisting. (3) A mast (q.v,).

22110077.. ggiinn--ppoollee ttrruucckk

a truck equipped with hoisting equipment and a pole or arrangement of poles

for use in lifting heavy machinery.

22110088.. GGIIRRBBIITTOOLL PPRROOCCEESSSS

A process used to "sweeten" sour gas by removing the hydrogen sulfide

(HB2BS).

22110099.. GGIIRRTT

One of the braces between the legs of a derrick; a supporting member. girt

none of the horizontal braces between the legs of a derrick.

22111100.. GGLL

ground level; used in drilling reports.

22111111.. ggllaanndd

a device used to form a seal around a reciprocating or rotating rod (as in a

pump) to prev6nt fluid leakage.

Page 285: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

284284

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22111122.. gglloobbee vvaallvvee

(See valve.)A type of pipeline valve that shuts off as the stem, rotated by the

hand wheel, moves a mating part downward onto a ground seat that is

integral to the valve body.

22111133.. ggllyyccooll

1. ethylene glycol. 2. any of the large class of dihydroxy alcohols (as

propylene glycol).

222111155.. ggllyyccooll ddeehhyyddrraattoorr

a processing unit used to remove all or most of the water from gas. Usually a

glycol unit includes a tower, in which the wet gas is put into contact with

glycol to remove the water, and a reboiler, which heats the wet glycol to

remove the water from it so it can be recycled.A facility for removing minute

particles of water from natural gas not removed by the separator.

222111177.. ggoo iinn tthhee hhoollee

to lower the drill stem into the wellbore.

22111188.. GGOO--DDEEVVIILL

A pipeline scraper, a cylindrical, plug-like device equipped with scraper

blades, rollers, and wire brushes used to clean the inside of a pipeline of

accumulations of wax, sand, rust, and water. When inserted in the line, the

go-devil is pushed along by the oil pressure. Also a missile dropped into the

well bore to detonate an explosive charge or to jar a downhole tool into

operation.a scraper with self-adjusting spring blades that is pumped through

a pipeline to clear away accumulations and deposits. to drop or pump a

device down a borehole, usually through the drill pipe or tubing.

Page 286: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

285285

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22111199.. ggoonnee ttoo wwaatteerr

pertaining to a well in which production of oil has decreased and production

of water has increased (e.g., "the well has gone to water"). A well in which

the production of oil has decreased and the production of water has increased

to the point where the well is no longer profitable to operate.

22112200.. GGOOOOSSEENNEECCKK

A nipple in the shape of an inverted U attached to the top of the swivel (q.v.)

and to which the mud hose is attached.the curved connection between the

rotary hose and swivel.

22112211.. GGOOOOSSIINNGG GGRRAASSSS

Cutting grass and weeds around the lease or tank farm, shaving the grass off

the ground with a sharp hoe-like tool, leaving the ground clean.

222112233.. GGOORR

Gas-oil ratio (q.v.).

222112255.. ggoovveerrnnoorr

any device that limits or controls the speed of an engine.

22112266.. ggppmm

gallons per minute.

22112277.. ggrr

gray; used in drilling reports.

22112288.. ggrraabbeenn

a block of the earth's crust that has slid downward between two faults; the

opposite of a horst.

Page 287: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

286286

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22112299.. GGRRAABBLLEE OOIILL WWEELLLL PPUUMMPP

A patented. drum-and-cable pumping unit that can be installed in a wellhead

cellar. The unit raises and lowers the pumping rods by winding and unwinding

cable on a drum or spoof. The low profile of the pumping unit makes it ideal

for use in populated areas, and to protect the beauty of the landscape.

22113300.. GGRRAADDIIEENNTTSS ((TTEEMMPPEERRAATTUURREE AANNDD PPRREESSSSUURREE))

The rates of increase or decrease of temperature or pressure are defined as

gradients; the rate of regular or graded ascent or descent.

22113311.. ggrraamm

(g)a unit of metric measure of mass and weight equal to 1/1,000 kg and

nearly equal to 1 cm' of water at its maximum density.

22113322.. ggrraamm mmoolleeccuullaarr wweeiigghhtt

(See molecular weight.)

22113333.. ggrraanniittee

an igneous rock composed primarily of feldspar, quartz, and mica. It usually

does not contain petroleum.

22113344.. GGRRAANNNNYYHHOOLLEE

The lowest, most powerful gear on a truck.

22113355.. GGRRAANNNNYYKKNNOOTT

A knot tied in such a way as to defy untying an improperly tied square knot;

·hatchet knot.

22113366.. GGRRAASSSS RROOOOTTSS

Said of a refinery or other installation built from the ground up as contrasted

to a plant merely enlarged or modernised.

Page 288: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

287287

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22113377.. ggrraassss--rroooottss rreeffiinneerryy

a refinery built from the ground up as opposed to an addition or modification

of an existing one.

22113388.. GGRRAAVVEELL IISSLLAANNDD

In some locations (in shallow water near shore) in the Arctic gravel is lands,

40 to 50 in diameter, are constructed to make a foundation area from which

to drill exploratory wells. Gravel is dredged from the sea bottom or

transported from a nearby liver or delta and dumped into holes cut in the ice.

See Drilling Island. also 1ce Platform.

22113399.. ggrraavveell ppaacckk

a mass of very fine gravel placed around a slotted liner in a well.

22114400.. ggrraavveell ppaacckkiinngg

a method of well completion in which a slotted or perforated liner is placed in

the well and surrounded by small sized gravel. The well is enlarged by under-

reaming at the point where the gravel is packed. The mass of gravel excludes

sand from intruding in the well but allows continued rapid production.Using

gravel to fill the cavity created around a well bore as it passes through the

producing zone to prevent caving or the incursion of sand and to facilitate the

flow of oil into the well bore.

22114411.. GGRRAAVVEEYYAARRDD SSHHIIFFTT

A tour of work beginning at midnight and ending at 8 a.m. In pipeline

operations, the graveyard shift is customarily from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Hoot-owl

shift.

22114422.. ggrraavveeyyaarrdd ttoouurr

the shift of duty on a drilling rig that starts at or about midnight. (See tour.)

Page 289: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

288288

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22114433.. ggrraavviimmeetteerr

an instrument used to detect and measure minute differences in the earth's

gravitational pull at different locations to obtain data about subsurface

formations. geophysical instrument used to measure the minute variations in

the earth's gravitational pull at different locations. To the geophysicist, these

variations indicate certain facts about subsurface formations.

22114444.. GGRRAAVVIINNGG DDOOCCKK

A dry dock; a dock that can accept ships into an enclosure. When the water is

pumped out, the ship is left high and dry for repairs.

222114466.. GGRRAAVVIITTYY

(1)The attraction of the earth's mass for bodies or objects at or near the

surface. (2) Short for specific gravity; API gravity. (3) To flow through a

pipeline without the aid of a pump; to be pulled by the force of gravity.the

attraction exerted by the earth's mass on objects at its surface; the weight of

a body.(See API gravity and specific gravity.)

22114477.. ggrraavviittyy ddrraaiinnaaggee

the movement of oil in a reservoir toward a wellbore resulting from the force

of gravity. In the absence of water drive or effective gas drive, gravity

drainage is an important source of energy to produce oil. It is also called

segregation drive.

22114488.. GGRRAAVVIITTYY DDRRIIVVEE

A natural drive occurring where a well is drilled at a point lower than

surrounding areas of producing formations causing the oil to drain downhill

into the well bore. If the reservoir rock is highly permeable and dips sharply

toward the well there is usually good oil recovery.

Page 290: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

289289

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22114499.. GGRRAAVVIITTYY LLIINNEE

A pipeline that carries oil from a lease tank to pumping station without the

use of mechanical means; a line that transports liquid from one elevation to a

lower elevation by the force of gravity alone.

22115500.. GGRRAAVVIITTYY MMAAPPSS

Results of reconnaissance gravity surveys display of gravity measurements

taken in an area. See Gravimeter.

22115511.. GGRRAAVVIITTYY SSEEGGRREEGGAATTIIOONN

The separation of water from oil, or heavy from lighter hydrocarbons by the

force of gravity, either in the producing zone or by gravity in the separators

after production; the stratification of gas, oil, and water according to their

densities.

22115522.. GGRRAAVVIITTYY SSTTRRUUCCTTUURREE

An offshore drilling and production platform made of concrete and of such

tremendous weight that it is held securely on the ocean bottom without the

need for piling or anchors. One of the world's largest gravity structures is

located off the Scottish coast in the North Sea. Its general configuration is

that of a column mounted on a large circular base which has storage for 1

million barrels of crude. The base is 450 feet in diameter; the column is 180

feet in diameter and the overall height of the structure is about 550 feet.

22115533.. GGRREEAASSEE

(1) A lubricating substance (solid or semisolid) made from lubricating oil and

a thickening agent. The tube oils may be very light or heavy cylinder oils; the

thickening agent (usually soaps) may be any material that when mixed with

oil will produce a grease structure. (2) Colloquial for crude oil.

Page 291: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

290290

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22115544.. GGRREEEENN OOIILL

A paraffin-base crude oil. Asphalt-base crudes are sometimes referred to as

black oil.

22115555.. ggrreeeennssaanndd

a sand that contains considerable quantities of glauconite, a greenish mineral

composed of potassium, iron, and silicate, which gives the sand its color and

name.

22115566.. ggrriieeff sstteemm

(obsolete) kelly; kelly joint. grind out to test for the presence of water in oil

by use of a centrifuge.Kelly joint; the top joint of the rotary drill string that

works through the square hole in the rotary table. As the rotary table is

turned by the drilling engines, the grief stem and the drillpipe are rotated.

Grief stems are heavy, thick-walled tubular pieces with squared shoulders that

are made to fit into the hole in the rotary table.

222115588.. GGRRIINNDD OOUUTT

Colloquial for centrifuge; to test samples of crude oil or othe, liquid for

suspended material-water, emulsion, sand-by use of a centrifuge machine.

22115599.. ggrrnn

green; used in drilling reports.

22116600.. ggrroossss pprroodduuccttiioonn

the total production of oil from a well or lease during a specified period of

time.

22116611.. GGRROOSSSS PPRROODDUUCCTTIIOONN TTAAXX

A severance tax (q.v.); a tax usually imposed by a state, at a certain sum per

unit of mineral removed (barrels of oil, thousands or millions of cubic feet of

gas or tons of coal, sulphur, sand, and gravel).

Page 292: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

291291

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

222116633.. ggrroossss ttoonnnnaaggee

the entire interior capacity of a ship or mobile offshore drilling rig expressed

in tons equal to 100 ft2.

22116644.. ggrroouunndd bblloocckk

a wireline sheave, or pulley, fastened to the ground anchor that changes a

horizontal pull on a wireline to a vertical pull (as when swabbing with a

derrick over a well). (See block.)

22116655.. GGRROOUUNNDD--SSEEAATT UUNNIIOONN

A pipe coupling made in two parts; one half is convex, the other had concave

in shape, and booth ground to fit. A threaded ring holds the halves together,

pressuretight Used on small-diameter piping.

22116666.. GGRROOUUPPSSHHOOTT

Geophysical expiration performed for several individuals or companies on a

cost-sharing basis. The companies share the information as well as the cost.

This type arrangement is usually for offshore seismic surveys in which several

companies are planning to submit bids for offshore Leases offered in a

government lease sale.

22116677.. GGRROOUUTT

(1)A concrete mixture used to fill in around piling, caissons, heavy machinery

beds, and foundation work. (2) To stabilize and make permanent Grout is

usually a thin mixture that can be worked into crevices and beneath and

around structural forms.to force sealing material into a soil, sand, or rock

formation to stabilize it. the sealing material used in grouting.

22116688.. GGRROOWWLLEERRBBOOAARRDD

See Lazy Board.

Page 293: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

292292

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22116699.. GGRRUUBB SSTTAAKKEE AAGGRREEEEMMEENNTT

An agreement whereby one person undertakes to prospect for oil and agrees

to hand over to the person who furnishes the money or supplies a certain

proportionate interest in the oil discovered. This type of agreement is

common for solid minerals but is not often used in oil prospecting.

22117700.. gguuaarrdd

a metal shield placed around moving parts of machinery to lessen or avoid

the chance of injury to personnel.In the oil field, guards are used on

equipment such as belts, power-transmission chains, drums, flywheels and

drive shafts.

22117711.. gguuiiddee bbaassee

(See temporary guide base and permanent guide base.)

22117722.. gguuiiddee ffoossssiill

the petrified remains of plants or animals, useful for correlation and age

determination of the rock in which they were fount.

22117733.. gguuiiddee sshhooee

a short, heavy, cylindrical steel section, filled with concrete and rounded at

the bottom and placed at the end of the casing string. It prevents the casing

from snagging on irregularities in the borehole as it is lowered. A hole in the

center of the shoe allows drilling fluid to pass up into the casing while it is

being lowered and cement to pass out during cementing operations. A

22117744.. gguuiiddeelliinneess

lines, usually four, attached to the temporary guide base and permanent

guide base that help to accurately position equipment (as blowout preventers)

on the seafloor when a well is drilled offshore.

Page 294: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

293293

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22117755.. GGuullllyy,, tthhee

A major submarine canyon indenting the seaward edge of the Scotian Shelf,

which separates Banquereau and Sable Island Banks.

22117766.. GGUUMM BBOOOOTTSS

Rubber boots, the kind you pull on like a cowboy boot.

22117777.. GGUUMMBBOO

A heavy, sticky mud formed downhole by certain shales when they become

wet from the drilling fluid.any relatively sticky formation (as clay) encountered

in drilling.

22117788.. gguunn bbaarrrreell

a settling tank used to separate oil and water in the field. After emulsified oil

is heated and treated with chemicals, it is pumped into the gun barrel, where

the water settles out and is drawn off and the clean oil flows out to storage.

Gun barrels have largely been replaced by unified heater-treater equipment

but are still common, especially in older fields.

22117799.. GGUUNN PPEERRFFOORRAATTIIOONN

A method of putting holes in a well's casing downhole in which explosive

charges lowered into the hole propel steel projectiles through the casing wall.

(Casing is perforated to permit the oil from the formation to enter the well.)

22118800.. gguunn--ppeerrffoorraattee

to create holes in casing and cement set through a productive formation. A

common method of completing a well is to set casing through the oil-bearing

formation and cement it. A perforating gun is then lowered into the hole and

fired to detonate high-powered jets or shoot steel projectiles (bullets) through

the casing and cement and into the pay zone. The formation fluids flow out of

Page 295: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

294294

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

the reservoir through the perforations and into the wellbore. (See jet-

perforate.)

22118811.. GGUUNNKK

The collection of dirt, paraffin, oil, mill scale, rust, and other debris that is

cleaned out of a pipeline when a scraper or a pig is put through the line.

22118822.. gguunnkk ssqquueeeezzee

a bentonite and diesel-oil mixture that is pumped down the drill pipe to mix

with drilling mud being pumped up the annulus. The stiff, puttylike material is

squeezed into lost-circulation zones to isolate them from the wellbore.

222118844.. gguusshheerr

an oil well that has come in with such great pressure that the oil jets out of

the well like a geyser. In reality, a gusher is a blowout and is extremely

wasteful of reservoir fluids and drive energy. In the early days of the oil

industry, gushers were common, and many times were the only indications

that a large reservoir of oil and gas had been struck.A well that comes in with

such great pressure that the oil blows out of the wellhead and up into the

derrick, like a geyser. With improved drilling technology, especially the use of

drilling mud to control downhole pressures, gushers are rare today. See

Blowout.

222118866.. gguuyy lliinnee

a wireline attached to a mast or derrick to stabilize it. The lines that provide

the main support for the structure are load guys; the lines attached to ground

anchors for lateral support are wind guys.

222118888.. GGUUYY WWIIRREE

A cable or heavy wire used to hold a pole or mast upright. The end of the guy

wire is attached to a stake or a deadman (q.v.).

Page 296: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

295295

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22118899.. gguuyy--lliinnee aanncchhoorr

a buried weight or anchor to which a guy line is attached. (See dead-man.)

22119900.. GGYYPP

Boiler scale; a residue or deposit from "hard water," water with high

concentrations of minerals. Pipe and vessels handling hard water become

gypped up as the minerals form a hard, rock-like layer on the inner surfaces

Gypsum.

22119911.. ggyyppssuumm

a naturally occurring crystalline form of hydrous calcium sulfate. (See calcium

sulfate and anhydrite.)

22119922.. ggyyrroossccooppiicc ssuurrvveeyyiinngg iinnssttrruummeenntt

a device used to determine direction in and angle at which a wellbore is

drifting off the vertical. Unlike a magnetic surveying instrument, a gyroscopic

instrument obtains direction and is not affected by magnetic irregularities that

may be caused by casing or other ferrous metals. (See directional survey and

directional drilling.)

Page 297: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

296296

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

222119944.. hh

hour.

22119955.. HH22SS

Hydrogen sulfide (q.v.).

22119966.. HHAABBEENNDDUUMM CCLLAAUUSSEE

The clause in a lease setting forth the duration of the lessee's interest in the

property. An habendum clause might read, "it is agreed that this lease shall

remain in force for a term of five years from this date and for as long

thereafter as oil or gas, of whatever kind, or either of them is produced or

drilling operations are continued as hereinafter provided." The primary term in

this case is 5 years. See Primary Term.

22119977.. HHAALLFF SSOOLLEE

A metal patch for a corroded section of pipeline. The patch is cut from a

length of pipe of the same diameter as the one to be repaired. Half solos can

be from six to 12 feet in length and are placed over the pitted or corroded

section of the pipe and welded in place with a bead around the entire

perimeter of the half sole.

22119988.. hhaallff--lliiffee

the amount of time needed for half of a quantity of radioactive substance to

decay or transmute into a nonradioactive substance. Half-lives range from

fractions of seconds to millions of years.

222220000.. hhaammmmeerr ddrriillll

a drilling tool that, when placed in the drill stem just above a rollercone bit,

delivers high-frequency percussion blows to the rotating bit. Hammer drilling

Page 298: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

297297

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

combines the basic features of rotary and cable-tool drilling (i.e., bit rotation

and percussion). to use such a tool.

22220011.. hhaammmmeerr tteesstt

a method of locating thick-walled, corroded sections of pipe by striking the

pipe with a hammer. When struck, a corroded section resounds differently

than a noncorroded section.

222220033.. hhaanndd

a worker in the oil industry, especially one in the field.

22220044.. HHAANNDD MMOONNEEYY

See Earnest Money.

22220055.. hhaannddrraaiill

a railing or pipe along a passageway or stair that serves as a support or

guard.

22220066.. HHAANNDDYY

Hand-tight; a pipe connection or nut that can be unscrewed by hand.

22220077.. HHAANNGG AA WWEELLLL OOFFFF

To disconnect the pull-rod line from a pumping jack or pumping unit being

operated from a central power (q.v.). On a lease with a number of stripper

wells, the pumper knows each well and how long it should be pumped. As a

result he may "hang a well off" after six hours of pumping, others after 12

hours or so. Strippers which make 10 barrels or less of oil a day rarely are

pumped 24 hours a day.

222220099.. hhaanngg rrooddss

to suspend sucker rods in a derrick or mast on rod hangers rather than place

them horizontally on a rack.

Page 299: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

298298

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

222221111.. HHAANNGG TTHHEE RROODDSS

To pull the pump rods out of the well and hang them in the derrick on rod

hangers. On portable pulling units, the rods are hung outside the derrick. On

shallow wells with short strings of rods, they may be pulled from the well by a

simple pulling unit consisting only of a guyed mast. If this is the case, the

rods are pulled, unscrewed and layed down, i.e., layed out horizontal on a

rack.

22221122.. HHAANNGGEERR,, RROODD

See Rod Hanger.

22221133.. HHAANNGGIINNGG IIRROONN

A colloquial expression for the job of Assembling a high-pressure, heavy. duty

blowout preventer stack or production tree. Some of the valve assemblies

weigh thousands of pounds or more so they must be hoisted into place,

aligned, and bolted to their mating piece.

22221144.. hhaarrdd bbaannddiinngg

hard facing.

222221166.. hhaarrdd ffaacciinngg

an extremely hard material, usually crushed tungsten carbide, that is applied

to the outside surfaces of tool joints, drill collars, stabilizers, and other rotary

drilling tools to minimize wear when they are in contact with the wall of the

hole.

22221177.. hhaarrdd hhaatt

a metal or hard plastic helmet worn by oil-field workers to minimize the

danger of being injured by falling objects.

Page 300: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

299299

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22221188.. hhaarrdd wwaatteerr

water that contains dissolved compounds of calcium, magnesium, or both.

Compare soft water.

222222200.. HHAARRDDBBAANNDDIINNGG

Laying on a coating or surface of super-hard metal on a softer metal part at a

point or on an area of severe wear or abrasion. Putting a hard surface on a

softer metal by welding or other metallurgical process. Where it may be

impractical or prohibited by structural constraints to manufacture a part from

the harder metal, a coaching or hard-surfacing of the part is a practical

solution. Also called hardfacing.

22222211.. HHAARRDDFFAACCIINNGG

See Hardbanding.

22222222.. HHAARRDDWWAARREE

(1) Electronic and mechanical components of a computer system, e.g. storage

drums, scanners, printers, computers. (2) Mechanical equipment, parts, tools.

22222233.. HHAARRDDWWAARREECCLLOOTTHH

A type of galvanized metal screen that can be bought in hole sizes. e.g. 1/8,

1/4, 1/2 inch, etc. The holes are square.

22222244.. HHAARRDDWWIIRREE ((TTEELLEEMMEETTRRYY))

Describes a system of communication or information transmission using

electric wire from point to point instead of electronic or wireless transmission.

22222255.. HHAATT--TTYYPPEE FFOOUUNNDDAATTIIOONN

A metal base or foundation i@, the shape of an inverted, rectangular cake

pan. Hat-type foundations are used for small pumps and engines or other

installations not requiring solid, permanent foundations.

Page 301: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

300300

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22222266.. hhaattcchh

1. an opening in the roof of a tank through which a gauging line may be

lowered to measure its contents. 2. -the opening from the deck into the cargo

space of ships.

22222277.. HHAATTCCHHEETT KKNNOOTT

A knot that defies untying and so must be cut; a granny knot.

222222299.. HHAAUULLAASSSS

An inelegant term meaning to leave a place with all haste; vamoose; split.

222223311.. HHAAWWSSEERR

A large-diameter hemp or nylon rope for towing, mooring, or securing a ship

or barge.

22223322.. hhaayy sseeccttiioonn

a section of a heater or a heater-treater that is filled with fibrous material

through which oil and water emulsions are filtered.

222223344.. hhaayyrraacckk

(obsolete) a rack used to hold pipe on a derrick; a fingerboard.

22223355.. hhaazzaarrdd

an object or condition, related to equipment, site, or envirorlment, that

presents or causes a risk of accident or fire.

22223366.. hheeaadd

a quantity of fluid that flows out of a well intermittently rather than

continuously; hydraulic head.

22223377.. HHEEAADD WWEELLLL

A well that makes its best production by being pumped or flowed

intermittently. Such a well lacks sufficient gas pressure to flow steadily and

Page 302: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

301301

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

must wait for the tubing to load up with oil until enough gas accumulates to

force the oil up the tubing and out to the tanks. If the well cannot accumulate

enough gas pressure to overcome the hydrostatic head, represented by the

column of oil in the tubing, the well must be pumped.

22223388.. hheeaadd wweellll ppuulllleerr

crew chief.

22223399.. HHEEAADD,, HHYYDDRROOSSTTAATTIICC

See Hydrostatic Head.

HHEEAADDAACCHHEE POST

A frame over a truck cab that prevents pipe or other material being hauled

from failing on the cab; a sot under the walking beam to prevent it from

failing on the drilling crew when it is disconnected from the crank and pitman

(q.v.).

22224400.. HHEEAADDAACCHHEEII

A warning cry given by a fellow worker when anything is accidentally dropped

or fails from overhead toward another worker.

22224411.. HHEEAADDEERR

A large-diameter pipe into which a number of smaller pipes are

perpendicularly welded or screwed; a collection point for oil or gas gathering

lines, See Manifold.

22224422.. hheeaaddggaattee

the gate valve nearest the pump or compressor on oil or gas lines.

HEADING

An Intermittent or unsteady flow of oil from a well. This type of flow is often

caused by a lack of gas to produce a steady flow thus allowing the well's

tubing to load up with oil until enough gas accumulates to force the oil out.

Page 303: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

302302

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22224433.. hheeaatt eexxcchhaannggeerr

(See exchanger.)

22224444.. HHEEAATT EEXXCCHHAANNGGEERR,, FFIINNNNEEDD TTUUBBEE

Small-diameter pipe or tubing with thin metal fins attached to the outer

circumference for cooling water and other liquids or gases. Finned tube

exchangers cool by giving up heat from the surface of the fins to the

atmosphere in a manner similar to an automobile radiator. Heat exchangers

are not only for cooling but for heat recovery systems as well. In some plants

finned tube exchangers are built in ductwork through which the exhaust gas

of a turbine flows at 800'F. Oil or process liquids are pumped through the

exchanger tubes to use the waste heal, to heat the process stream or to

make steam.

22224455.. HHEEAATT EEXXCCHHAANNGGEERR,, HHAAIIRRPPIINN

A type of shell and tube exchanger with tubes inside a 12 to 18-inch diameter

shell which may extend 20 to 30 feet and then doubles back the same

distance like a hairpin. Hairpin exchangers may have bare or finned tubes

inside the shelf.

22224466.. HHEEAATT EEXXCCHHAANNGGEERR,, PPLLAATTEE

A relatively low-pressure heat exchanger that uses thin-walled plates as its

heat transfer elements. Because of its thin walls, plate exchangers exhibit a

much higher heat transfer coefficient thin tie more Conventional Shell and

tube exchangers. However, because of their less-sturdy construction there are

pressure limits to their use.

22224477.. HHEEAATT EEXXCCHHAANNGGEERR,, SSHHEELLLL AANNDD TTUUBBEE

A common type of industrial heat exchanger with a "bundle" of small-

diameter pipes (tubes) inside a long, cylindrical steel shell. The tubes (50 to

Page 304: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

303303

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

100 in small units, several hundred in larger ones) run parallel to the shell

and are supported, equidistant, by perforated steel end plates. The space

inside the shell not filled with tubes carries the cooling water or other liquid.

The liquid to he cooled is pumped through the tubes. Heat exchangers act not

only as a cooling apparatus but are often used as a waste heat recovery

system. Heat normally lost to a cooling medium can be used to heat a stream

22224488.. HHEEAATT PPIIPPEE,, GGRRAAVVIITTYY RREETTUURRNN

A type of passive heat exchanger (requiring no external energy source) that

draws heal from a heat source and gives up heat to a heat sink, the

atmosphere in most cases. In its basic form a heat pipe consists of a closed

tube (the shell) two to six inches in diameter and as long as need be. The

shell has a porous wick made of fine metal mesh in the inside circumference

extending from top to bottom. The shell also contains a quantity of working

liquid which may be anhydrous ammonia, liquid metals, glycerine, methanol,

or acetone. Heat taken in or absorbed at the lower end of the boat pipe, the

end in contact with the heat source, cause,, the liquid to evaporate and move

up the pipe as a vapor. The dissipation of the heat at the upper end

condenses the vapor which, as a liquid, moves back down the pipe in the wick

by gravity or capillary action. The continuous cycle of vaporization and

condenation within the closed pipe makes the heat pipe an efficient, natural-

convection heat transfer loop. On the trans-Alaska pipeline, thousands of heat

pipes were installed along the big line to maintain the frozen soil around the

vertical support members.

22224499.. HHEEAATT TTAAPPEE

An electrical heating element made in the form of an insulated wire or tape

used as a tracer line to provice heat to a pipeline or instrument piping. The

heat tape is held in direct contact with the piping by a covering of insulation.

Page 305: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

304304

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22225500.. HHEEAATT TTRRAACCIINNGG

The paralleling of instrumentation, product or heavy crude oil, lines with

small-diameter steam piping or electrical heat tape to keep the fines from

freezing or to warm the product or instrument fluid sufficiently to keep them

flowing freely. Heat tracing lines. whether steam or electrical tape, are

attached parallel to the host piping and both are covered with insulation.

22225511.. HHEEAATTEERR

(1)An installation used to heat the stream from high-pressure gas and

condensate wells (especially in winter) to prevent the formation of hydrates, a

residue which interferes with the operation of the separator. (2) A refinery

furnace.

222225533.. HHEEAATTEERR,, PPIIPPEELLIINNEE

An installation fitted with heating coils or tubes for heating certain crude oil to

keep it "thin" enough to be pumped through a pipeline. Crudes with high pour

points (congealing at ordinary temperatures) must be heated before they can

be moved by pipeline.

22225544.. hheeaatteerr--ttrreeaatteerr

a vessel that heats an emulsion and removes water and gas from the oil to

raise it to a quality acceptable for pipeline transmission. A heater-treater is a

combination of a heater, free-water knockout, and oil and gas separator.

222225566.. hheeaavvee

the vertical motion of a ship or floating offshore drilling rig.

222225588.. hheeaavvee ccoommppeennssaattoorr

a device that moves with the heave of a floating offshore drilling rig to

prevent the bit from being lifted off the bottom of the hole and then dropped

Page 306: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

305305

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

back down (i.e., to maintain constant weight on the bit). It is used with

devices such as bumper subs. (See motion Compensator.)

22225599.. HHEEAAVVYY BBOOTTTTOOMMSS

A thick, back ,residue left over from the refining process after all lighter

fractions are off. Heavy bottoms are used for residual fuel and/or asphalt.

222226611.. HHEEAAVVYY CCRRUUDDEE OOIILL

Crude oil of 20' API gravity or less, There are perhaps billions of barrels of

heavy oil still in place in the U.S. which require special production techniques,

notably steam injection or steam soak, to extract them from the underground

formations. Because heavy crude oil is more costly to produce, it and other

types of oil are eligible for free market or world prices.

22226622.. HHEEAAVVYY EENNDDSS

In refinery parlance, heavy ends are the heavier fractions of refined oil fuel

oils, tubes, paraffin, and asphalt-remaining after the lighter fractions have

been distilled off. See Light Ends.

22226633.. HHEEAAVVYY FFUUEELL OOIILL

A residue of crude oil refining processes. The product remaining after the

lighter fractions-gasoline, kerosene, lubricating oils, wax, and distillate fuels-

have been extracted from the crude; residual fuel oil.

22226644.. HHEEAAVVYY MMEETTAALL

Spent uranium or tungsten. Heavy metal is used to make drill tools to add

weight to the drill assembly. Drill collars made of heavy metal weigh twice as

much as those made of steel, and are used to stablize the bit and to force it

to make a straighter hole, with less deviation from the vertical.

Page 307: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

306306

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22226655.. HHEEAAVVYY OOIILL PPRROOCCEESSSS ((HHOOPP))

A steam injection process developed by a subsidiary of Barber Oil Corporation

in which steam is injected through horizontal lines into subsurface oil sands

containing heavy oil, oil of 20" API gravity or less. Conventional steamflooding

employs vertical holes through which steam is injected. In the horizontal

method, a seven-loot diameter shaft is drilled into the relatively shallow

formation. After it is cased, workman construct a concrete cavern 25 feet in

diameter and 20 feet high. From this work area, lateral holes are drilled

several hundred feet in all directions. Perforated pipe is inserted in the drilled

holes to carry steam. The steam, injected under pressure, soaks the

formation. causing the highly viscous oil to separate from the sand and flow

into the laterals after the steam injection is halted.

22226666.. hheeaavvyy wweeiigghhtt ddrriillllppiippee

drill pipe having thicker walls and longer tool-joints than usual as well as an

integral wear pad in the middle. Several joints of this pipe may be placed in

the drill stem between drill collars and regular drill pipe to reduce the chances

of drill pipe fatigue or failure.

22226677.. HHEEAAVVYY--WWAALLLL DDRRIILLLLPPIIPPEE

Drillpipe with thicker walls than regular drilipipe. Heavy-wall is sometimes

used in the drillstring to reduce the number of larger diameter and stiffer drill

collars. This is true in directional drilling and even in straight holes in certain

areas of the country. Some of the advantages of heavy-wall pipe over drill

collars are Heavy-wall can be handled at the rig floor by regular drillpipe

elevators and slips and can be racked in the rig like regular pipe.

222226699.. HHEECCTTAARREE

A metric unit of land measurement equal to 1 0,000 square meters or 2.47

acres. Abbreviation - ha.

Page 308: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

307307

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

222227711.. hheeeell

the inclination of a ship or floating offshore drilling rig to one side caused by

wind, waves, or shifting weights on board.

22227722.. HHeelliiddeecckk

A landing area for helicopters.

22227733.. HHEEPPTTAANNEE

A liquid hydrocarbon of the paraffin series. Although heptane is a liquid at

ordinary atmospheric conditions, it is sometimes present in small amounts in

natural gas.

222227755.. hheerrttzz

a unit of frequency measurement equal to one cycle per second. hexane a

saturated hydrocarbon of the paraffin series; one of the heavy m& in a

hydrocarbon mixture.

22227766.. HHEEXXAANNEE

A hydrocarbon traction of the paraffin series. At ordinary atmospheric

conditions hexane is a liquid but often occurs in small amounts in natural gas.

22227777.. HHGGOORR

high gas-oil ratio; used in drilling reports.

22227788.. HHHHPP

Hydraulic horsepower a designation for a type of very-high-pressure plunger

pump used in downhole operations such as cementing, hydrofracturing, and

acidizing.

Page 309: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

308308

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22227799.. HHII--BBOOYY

A skid-mounted or wheeled tank with a hand-operated pump mounted on top

used to dispense kerosene, gasoline, or lubricating oil to small shops and

garages.

22228800.. HHIIDDEE TTHHEE TTHHRREEAADDSS

To make up (tighten) a joint of screw pipe until all the threads on the end of

the joint are screwed into the collar, hiding the threads and making a

leakproof connection.

22228811.. HHIIGGHH

A geological term for the uppermost part of an inclined structure where the

likelihood of finding oil is considered to be the greatest. As oil and gas tend to

accumulate at the top of underground structures, traps and domes, the

higher up on the structure a well is drilled the better the chances of

encountering oil and avoiding the underlying water.

22228822.. HHIIGGHH BBOOTTTTOOMM

A condition in a field stock tank when BS&W (basic sediment and water) has

accumulated at the bottom of the tank to a depth making it impossible to

draw out the crude oil without taking some of the BS with it into the pipeline.

When this condition occurs the operator (lease pumper) must have the tank

cleaned before the pipeline company will run the tank of oil.

22228833.. HHIIGGHH--PPRREESSSSUURREE GGAASS IINNJJEECCTTIIOONN

Introduction of gas into a reservoir in quantities exceeding the volumes

produced in order to maintain reservoir pressure high enough to achieve

mixing between the gas an 1 reservoir oil. See Solution Gas.

Page 310: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

309309

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

222228855.. hhiigghh--pprreessssuurree ssqquueeeezzee cceemmeennttiinngg

the forcing of cement slurry into a well at the points to be sealed with a final

pressure equal to or greater than the formation breakdown pressure. (See

squeeze cementing.)

22228866.. HHIISSTTOORRYY OOFF AA WWEELLLL

A written account of all aspects of the drilling, completion, and operation of a

well. (Well history is required in some states.) Well histories include

formations encountered, depths. size and amount of casing, mud program,

any difficulties, coring record, cementing and perforating. etc.

22228877.. HHOOCCMM

heavily oil-cut mud; used in drilling reports.

222228899.. hhooggggiinngg

the distortion of the hull of an offshore drilling rig when the bow and stern

are lower than the middle caused by wave action or unbalanced or heavy

loads.

22229900.. hhooiisstt

an arrangement of pulleys and wire rope or chain used for lifting heavy

objects; a winch or similar device; the drawworks.

222229922.. hhooiissttiinngg ccaabbllee

the cable that supports the drill pipe, swivel, hook, and traveling block on a

rotary drilling rig.

22229933.. HHOOIISSTTIINNGG DDRRUUMM

A powered reel holding rope or cable for hoisting and pulling a winch. See

Draw Works.

Page 311: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

310310

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22229944.. hhooiissttiinngg pplluugg

a plug with extended shoulder surfaces screwed into the ends pf drill collars

to permit a safe lifting with elevators; also called a lifting sub or lifting nipple.

22229955.. HHOOLLDD DDOOWWNN//HHOOLLDD UUPP

Oscillating anchoring devices or supports for a shackle-rod line to hold the rod

line to the contour of the land it traverses. The devices are timbers or lengths

of pipe hinged to a deadman or overhead support at one end, the other end

attached to and supposing the moving rod line.

22229966.. hhoolldd--ddoowwnn

a mechanical arrangement that prevents the upward movement of certain

pieces of equipment installed in a well. A sucker-rod pump may use a

mechanical hold-down for attachment to a seating nipple.

22229977.. hhoollee

the borehole. (See also mousehole and rathole.)

22229988.. HHOOLLEE OOPPEENNEERR

A type of reamer used to increase the diameter of the well bore below the

casing. The special tool is equipped with cutter arms that are expanded

against the wall of the hole and by rotary action reams a larger diameter hole.

22229999.. hhoolliiddaayy

a gap or void in coating on a pipeline or in paint on a metal surface.

222330011.. hhoolliiddaayy ddeetteeccttoorr

an electrical device used to locate a weak place, or holiday, in coatings on

pipelines and equipment.

Page 312: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

311311

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22330022.. HHOOLLIIDDAAYYSS

Breaks or I laws in the protective coating of a joint of line pipe. Holidays are

detected by electronic testing devices as the pipe is being laid. When

detected, the breaks are manually coated. See Jeeping.

22330033.. hhoollllooww ccaarrrriieerr gguunn

a perforating gun consisting of a hollow, cylindrical metal tube into which are

loaded shaped charges or bullets. Upon detonation, debris caused by the

exploding charges falls into the carrier to be retrieved with the reusable gun.

22330044.. hhoommoocclliinnee

a series of beds dipping in the same direction.

22330055.. hhoonneeyyccoommbb ffoorrmmaattiioonn

a stratum of rock that contains large void spaces; a cavernous or vugular

formation.

22330066.. HHOOOOKK

The hook attached to the frame of the rig's traveling block (q.v.) and which

engages the bail of the swivel in drilling operations. See Hook-load Capacity.

22330077.. HHOOOOKK BBLLOOCCKK

A pulley or shrive mounted in wooden or metal frame to which a hook is

attached. A hook block may have more than one sheave mounted in the

frame a traveling block (q.v.).

22330088.. hhooookk llooaadd ccaappaacciittyy

the nominal rated load capacity of a portable hoist and mast arrangement,

usually calculated by an API formula.

Page 313: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

312312

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22330099.. hhooookk--wwaallll ppaacckkeerr

a packer equipped with friction blocks or drag springs and slips and designed

so that rotation of the pipe unlatches the slips. The friction springs pre. vent

the slips and hook from turning with the pipe and assist in advancing the slips

up a tapered sleeve to engage the wall of the outside pipe as weight is put on

the packer. It is also called a wall-hook packer.

22331100.. HHOOOOKKSS

Pipe-laying tongs named for the shape of the pipe-gripping head of the

scissors-like wrench.

22331111.. HHOOOOKKUUPP

To make a pipeline connection to a tank, pump, or a well. The arrangement

of pipes, nipples, flanges, and valves in such a connection.

22331122.. hhooppppeerr

a large funnel through which solid materials may be passed and n-mixed with

a liquid injected through a connection at the bottom. The hopper is used to

mix cement slurry, combine clay and oil or water to make drilling fluid, and so

on.

22331133.. HHOORRIIZZOONN

A zone of a particular formation; that part of a formation of sufficient porosity

and permeability to form a petroleum reservoir.

22331144.. HHOORRIIZZOONNTTAALL AASSSSIIGGNNMMEENNTT

The assignment of an interest in oil or gas above or below a certain depth in

a well, or an assignment can specify a particular formation.

22331155.. HHOORRIIZZOONNTTAALL DDIIRREECCTTIIOONNAALL DDRRIILLLLIINNGG

Drilling with a specially designed slant rig (q.v.) at an angle from the

horizontal beneath a stream, canal. or ship channel. This type of directional

Page 314: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

313313

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

drilling has been perfected and is used to make pipeline crossings where

dredging a trench across a waterway is too costly or too disruptive of ship

traffic and a bridge or A-frame supported line is prohibited by the authorities.

22331166.. HHOORRIIZZOONNTTAALL IINNTTEEGGRRAATTIIOONN

Refers to the condition in which a diversified company has resources or

investments other than its principal business, and from which it makes a

profit. Specifically, an oil company is said to be horizontally integrated when,

besides oil and gas holdings. it owns coal deposits, is into nuclear energy, oil

shale and geothermal energy. See Vertical Integration.

222331188.. hhoorrssee hheeaadd

the curved section on the oil-well end of the walking beam of a beampumping

unit from which the bridle is suspended.

22331199.. HHOORRSSEEFFEEEEDD

An old oil field term for unexplainable expense account items in the days of

the teamster and line rider who were given an allowance for horse feed.

Expenses that needed to be masked in anonymity were simply listed "horse

feed."

222332211.. HHOORRSSEEPPOOWWEERR

A unit of power equivalent to 33,000 foot-pounds a minute or 745.7 watts of

electricity.

22332222.. HHOORRSSEEPPOOWWEERR,, IINNDDIICCAATTEEDD AANNDD BBRRAAKKEE

See Indicated and Brake Horsepower.

22332233.. hhoorrsstt

a block of the earth's crust that has been raised up between two faults; the

opposite of a graben.

Page 315: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

314314

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22332244.. HHOORRTTOONNSSPPHHEERREE

A spherical steel tank for the storage, under pressure, of volatile petroleum

products, e.g. gasoline, and LP-gases; also Hortonspheroid, a flattened

spherical tank, resembling somewhat a tangerine in shape. As vessels

subjected to high internal pressures tend to take the shape of a sphere. the

tanks designed to hold liquid or gases under pressure are made spherical or

nearly so to handle internal pressures of several hundred pounds per square

inch safely, without distortion and undue stress.

22332255.. HHOOTT FFOOOOTTIINNGG

Installing a heater at the bottom of an input well to increase the flow of

heavy crude oil from the production wells. See Hot-fluid Injection.

222332277.. hhoott ooiill

oil produced in violation of state regulations or transported interstate in

violation of federal regulations.

22332288.. HHOOTT OOIILL ((FFOORRIIEEGGNN))

A term applied to oil produced by a host country after the host country

confiscates the assets of a foreign oil company.

22332299.. HHOOTT PPAASSSS

A term describing a "bead" or course of molten metal laid down in welding a

pipeline. The hot pass is the course laid down on top of the stringer bead,

which is the first course in welding a pipeline. See Pipeline Welding.

22333300.. hhoott ssppoott

an abnormally hot place on a casing coupling when a joint is making up. It

usually indicates worn threads on the pipe and in the coupling.

Page 316: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

315315

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22333311.. HHOOTT TTAAPPPPIINNGG

Making repairs or modifications on a tank, Pipeline, or other installation

without shutting down operations. See Tapping and Plugging Machine.

22333322.. HHOOTT--FFLLUUIIDD IINNJJEECCTTIIOONN

A method of thermal oil recovery, in which hot fluid (water, gas, or steam) is

injected into a formation to increase the flow of low-gravity crude to

production wells.

22333333.. HHOOTT--HHEEAADD EENNGGIINNEE

A hot-plug engine (q.v.); at "semidiesel."

22333344.. hhoott--ooiill ttrreeaattmmeenntt

the treatment of a producing well with heated oil to melt accumulated

paraffin in the tubing and annulus.

22333355.. HHOOTT--PPLLUUGG EENNGGIINNEE

A stationary diesel-cycle engine that is started by first heating an alloy-metal

plug in the cylinder head that protrudes into the firing chamber. The hot plug

assists in the initial ignition of the diesel fuel until engine reaches operating

speed and temperature. Afterwards the plug remains hot, helping to provide

heat for ignition, hot-tube engine hot head See Somidiesel.

22333366.. HHOOUUDDRRYY,, EEUUGGEENNEE JJ..

A pioneer in developing the use of catalysts in cracking crude oil. Houdry, a

wealthy Frenchman, was a World War 1 hero and auto racer. It is said his

interest in cars fed him to experiment with more efficient methods of refining

and to work with various catalysts until he perfected the catalytic cracking

process that bears his name. Although there are several cracking processes in

use today, Houdry's work is credited with ushering in the era of catalytic

cracking. See Hydrocracking.

Page 317: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

313166

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22333377.. HHOOUUSSEE BBRRAANNDD ((GGAASSOOLLIINNEE))

An oil company's regular gasoline; a gasoline bearing the company's name.

222333399.. HHOOVVEERRCCRRAAFFTT

See Air Cushion Transport.

222334411.. hhpp

horsepower.

222334433.. hhpp--hh

horsepower-hour.

22334444.. HHRRMMNNGG TTHHEE HHOOOOKKSS

Working on a pipeline, screwing in joints of pipe using pipe tongs. an

expression used by the tong crew of a pipeline gang. The tong crews on

large-diameter screw pipelines (up to about 12-inch pipe) hit the hooks in

perfect rhythms. With three sets of tongs on the joint being screwed in, each

large tong, run by two or three men, made a stroke every third beat of the

collar pecker's hammer (q.v.) until the joint was nearly screwed in. Then the

three tongs, with all six t)r nine men. hit together to "hide the threads," to

tighten the joint the final and most difficult round.

22334455.. hhuuffff--aanndd--ppuuffff iinnjjeeccttiioonn

(slang) cyclic steam injects.

22334466.. hhuullll

the framework of a vessel including all decks, plating, columns, and so on but

excluding machinery.

22334477.. HHUUMMPPHHRREEYYSS,, DDRR..RR..EE..

A petroleum chemist who worked with Dr.W.M. Burton in developing the first

commercially successful petroleum cracking process using heat-and pressure.

Page 318: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

317317

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22334488.. HHUUNNDDRREEDD--YYEEAARR SSTTOORRMM CCOONNDDIITTIIOONNSS

A specification for certain types of offshore installations-production and

drilling platforms, moorings, and offshore storage facilities-is that they be

built to withstand winds of 125 miles an hour and "hundred-year storm

conditions"; the biggest blow on record.

22334499.. hhuunnttiinngg

a surge of engine speed to a higher number of revolutions per minute (rpm)

followed by a drop to normal speed without manual movement of the throttle.

It is often caused by a faulty or improperly adjusted governor.

222335511.. HHUURRRRYY--UUPP SSTTIICCKK

The name given to the length of board with a hole in one end which the

cable-toot driller used to turn the T-screw at the end of the temper screw

(q.v.) when the walking beam was in motion. This enabled the driller to

perform the job of letting out the drilling line easily and rapidly.

22335522.. HHyyddrraaffrraacc

the copyrighted name of a method of hydraulic fracturing to increase

productivity.

22335533.. hhyyddrraattee

a hydrocarbon and water compound that is formed under reduced

temperature and pressure in gathering, compression, and transmission

facilities for gas. Hydrates often accumulate in troublesome amounts and

impede fluid flow. They resemble snow or ice. to enlarge by taking water on

or in.

22335544.. hhyyddrraatteedd lliimmee

calcium hydroxide; a dry powder obtained by treating quicklime with enough

water to satisfy its chemical affinity for water. Chemical symbol is Ca(OH)B2B.

Page 319: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

318318

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22335555.. hhyyddrraauulliicc ccoonnttrrooll ppoodd

a device used on offshore drilling rigs to provide a way to actuate and control

subsea blowout preventers from the rig. Hydraulic lines from the rig enter the

pods, through which fluid is sent toward the preventers. Usually two pods,

painted different colors, are used, each to safeguard and back up the other.

22335566.. hhyyddrraauulliicc ccoouupplliinngg

a fluid connection between a prime mover and the machine it drives that uses

the action of liquid moving against blades to drive the machine.

22335577.. hhyyddrraauulliicc fflluuiidd

a liquid of low viscosity (as light oil) that is used in systems actuated by liquid

(as the brake system in a modern passenger car).

22335588.. HHYYDDRRAAUULLIICC FFRRAACCTTUURRIINNGG

A method of stimulating production from a formation of low permeability by

inducing fractures and fissures in the formation by applying very high fluid.

pressure to the face of the formation. forcing the strata apart, Various

Patented techniques. using the same principle, are employed by oil field

service companies.

22335599.. hhyyddrraauulliicc hheeaadd

the pressure caused by tne weight of a column of liquid upon a unit area

expressed by the height or distance of the liquid above the point at which the

pressure is measured. Although head refers to distance or height, it is used to

express the pressure resulting from the weight of a body of liquid since the

weight is directly proportional to the height.

222336611.. hhyyddrraauulliicc ppuummpp

a device that lifts oil from wells without the use of sucker rods. (See hydraulic

pumping.)

Page 320: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

319319

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

222336633.. hhyyddrraauulliicc ppuummppiinngg

a method of pumping oil from wells by using a downhole pump without

sucker rods. Subsurface hydraulic pumps consist of two reciprocating pumps

coupled and placed in the well. One pump functions as an engine and drives

the other pump (the production pump). Surface power is supplied from a

standard engine-driven pump. The downhole engine is operated by clean

crude oil under pressure (power oil) that is drawn from a power-oil or settling

tank by a triplex plunger pump. If a single string of tubing is used, power oil

is pumped down the tubing string to the pump, which is seated in the string,

and a mixture of power oil and produced fluid is returned through the casing-

tubing annulus. If two parallel strings are used, one supplies the power oil to

the pump while the other returns the exhaust and produced oil to the surface.

The hydraulic pump may be used to pump several wells from a central source

and has been used to lift oil from depths of more than 10,000 ft.

22336644.. hhyyddrraauulliicc rraamm

a cylinder and piston device that uses hydraulic pressure for pushing, lifting,

or pulling. It is commonly used to raise portable masts from a horizontal to a

vertical position, for leveling a production rig at an uneven location, or for

closing a blowout preventer against pressure.

22336655.. HHYYDDRRAAUULLIICC WWOORRKKOOVVEERR UUNNIITT

A type of workover unit that is used on high-pressure wells where it may be

necessary to snub the pipe out of the hole and back in the hole when the

workover is completed. See Snubbing.

22336666.. HHyyddrriill

the registered trademark of a prominent manufacturer of oil-field equipment,

especially the annular blowout preventer.

Page 321: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

320320

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22336677.. hhyyddrroo--tteesstt

to apply hydraulic pressure to check for leaks in tubing or tubing couplings,

usually as the tubing is being run in the well. If water leaks from any place in

the tubing, either the joint of tubing, the coupling, or both are replaced.

22336688.. HHyyddrrooccaarrbboonn

An organic compound containing only carbon and hydrogen. Hydrocarbons

often occur in petroleum products, natural gas, and coals.

22336699.. hhyyddrrooccaarrbboonnss

organic compounds of hydrogen and carbon, whose densities, boiling points,

and freezing points increase as their molecular weights increase. Although

composed only of two elements, hydrocarbons exist in a variety of

compounds because of the strong affinity of the carbon atom for other atoms

and for itself. Ale smallest molecules of hydrocarbons are gaseous; the largest

are solids.

22337700.. hhyyddrroocchhlloorriicc aacciidd

a compound commonly used to acidize carbonate rocks, prepared by mixing

hydrogen chloride gas in water. It is also known as muriatic acid. Chemical

symbol is HCI.

22337711.. hhyyddrroocciioonnee

(See desander.)

22337722.. HHYYDDRROOCCRRAACCKKAATTEE

The main product from the hydrocracking process (q.v.); gasoline blending

components.

22337733.. HHYYDDRROOCCRRAACCKKIINNGG

A refining process for converting middle-boiling or residual material to high-

octane gasoline, reformer charge stock, jet fuel and/or high-grade fuel oil.

Page 322: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

321321

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

Hydrocracking is an efficient, relatively low-temperature process using

hydrogen and a catalyst. The process is considered by some refiners as a

supplement to the basic catalytic cracking process.

222337755.. hhyyddrrooccyycclloonnee

(See desander.)

22337766.. HHYYDDRROODDYYNNAAMMIICCSS

A branch of science that deals with the cause and effect of regional

subsurface migration of fluids.

22337777.. hhyyddrroofflluuoorriicc--hhyyddrroocchhlloorriicc aacciidd

(See mud acid.)

22337788.. hhyyddrrooggeenn ssuullffiiddee

a gaseous compound,H2S, of sulfur and hydrogen commonly found in

petroleum, which causes the foul smell of sour petroleum fractions. It is

extremely poisonous and corrosive.

22337799.. HHYYDDRROOGGEENN SSUULLFFIIDDEE ((HH22SS))

An odorous and noxious compound of sulfur found in "sour" gas. See Sour

Gas.

222338811.. hhyyddrroommaattiicc

hydromatic brake.

22338822.. hhyyddrroommaattiicc bbrraakkee

a device mounted on the end of the drawworks shaft of a drilling rig that

serves as an auxiliary to the mechanical brake when pipe is lowered into the

well. The braking is achieved by a runner or impeller turning in a housing

filled with water.

Page 323: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

322322

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22338833.. HHYYDDRROOMMEETTEERR

An instrument designed to measure the specific gravity of liquids; a glass tube

with a weighted lower tip that causes the tube to float partially submerged.

The API gravity of a liquid is read on a graduated stem at the point

intersected by the liquid.

22338844.. hhyyddrroopphhiilliicc

a substance that tends to adsorb water.

22338855.. hhyyddrroopphhoobbiicc

a substance that tends to repel water.

22338866.. HHYYDDRROOPPHHOONNEESS

Sound-detecting instruments used in underwater seismic exploration

activities. Hydrophones are attached to a cable towed by the seismic vessel.

Sound waves generated by blasts from an air gun reflect from formations

below the seabottom and are picked up by the hydrophones and transmitted

to the mother ship.

22338877.. HHyyddrroopprreessssuurree

The pressure on any rock at a given depth based on a hydrostatic head.

222338899.. hhyyddrroossttaattiicc hheeaadd

the pressure exerted by a body of water at rest. The hydrostatic head of fresh

water is 0.433 per foot of height. Those of other liquids may be determined

by comparing their gravities with the gravity of water. (See pressure

gradient.)

22339900.. HHYYDDRROOSSTTAATTIICC TTEESSTTIINNGG

Filling a pipeline or tank with water under pressure to test for tensile strength,

its ability to hoir, a certain pressure without rupturing. Water is used for

testing because it is noncompressible so if the pipe or tank does rupture there

Page 324: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

323323

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

is no potentially dangerous expansion of the water as would be the case if a

gas under very high pressure were used.

22339911.. HHYYPPEERRBBAARRIICC WWEELLDDIINNGG ((EEXXCCEESSSSIIVVEE--PPRREESSSSUURRFF

WWEELLDDIINNGG))

Welding on the sea bottom "in the dry" but under many atmospheres of

pressure (compression). In hyperbaric welding of undersea pipelines, a large

frame is lowered into the water and clamped to the pipeline. Then an open-

bottomed, box-like enclosure is placed in the center of the frame over the

pipe. Power lines and life-support umbilicals are connected to the box. The

sea water is displaced with breathing-gas mixtures for the diver-welders

permitting them to do their work in the dry but high-pressure atmosphere.

222339933.. HHZZ

hertz.

222339955.. II--EESS

induction survey.

22339966.. II..CC..CC..

Interstate Commerce Commission.

222339988.. II..MM..PP

Indicated horsepower.

22339999.. IIAADDCC

International Association of Drilling Contractors.

222440011.. IICCCC

the Interstate Commerce Commission, a federal board that has jurisdiction

over interstate pipelines.

Page 325: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

324324

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

222440033.. IICCEE PPLLAATTFFOORRMM

A man-made, thick platform of ice for drilling in the high Arctic. Sea water is

pumped onto the normal ocean ice, itself quite thick, where it freezes in the

minus 30' to 40'C, temperatures. The platform is built up a few inches at a

time with successive pumpings and freezing of the water until the ice is

calculated to be thick enough to support drilling operations with a 1,000 to

1,500-ton drillrig and auxiliary equipment. Ice platform technology was

pioneered by Panarctic Oil Ltd., a company with a great deal of experience in

Arctic exploration.

222440055.. IIDD

Inside diameter of a pipe or tube; initials used in specifying pipe sizes, e.g.

31/2-inch ID also CD, outside diameter, e.g. 5-inch OD.

22440066.. IIDDIIOOTT SSTTIICCKK

A shovel or other digging tool not requiring a great deal of training to

operate.

222440088.. iiddllee

to operate an engine without applying a load to it.

222441100.. iiddlleerr

a pulley or sprocket used with belt or chain drives on machinery to maintain

desired tension on the belt or chain.

22441111.. IIDDLLEERR GGEEAARR OORR WWHHEEEELL

A gear so called because it is usually located between a driving gear and a

driven gear, transmitting the power from one to the other. It also transmits

the direction of rotation of the driving to the driven gear. Without the idler or

the intermediate gear, the driving gear by directly meshing with the driven

Page 326: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

325325

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

gear reverses the direction of rotation. Idler wheels or pulleys are also fined

for tightening belts or chains or to maintain a uniform tension on them.

222441133.. iigg

igneous; used in drilling reports. (See igneous rock.)

22441144.. iiggnneeoouuss rroocckk

a rock mass formed by the solidification of material poured (when molten)

into the earth's crust or out on its surface. Granite is an igneous rock.

222441166.. IIGGNNIITTIIOONN MMAAGGNNEETTOO

An electric current generator used on stationary engines, in the field. A

magneto is geared to the engine and, once the engine is started either by

hand cranking or by a battery starter, the magneto continues to supply

electric current for the ignition system. Current is produced by an armature

rotating in a magnetic field created by permanent magnets.

22441177.. iiggnnoorraanntt eenndd

(slang) the heavier end of any device (as a length of pipe or a wrench).

222441199.. iillmmeenniittee

an iron-black mineral of composition FeTiO3 or FeO TiO2 with a specific

gravity of about 4.67, sometimes used for increasing the density of oil-well

cement slurries.

222442211.. iimmmmiisscciibbllee

not capable of mixing or being mixed (as oil and water).

222442233.. IIMMPPAACCTT WWRREENNCCHH

An air-operated wrench for use on nuts and bolts of large engines, valves.

and pumps. Impact wrenches have taken the place of heavy end. wrenches

and sledgehammers in tightening and loosening large nuts. A small version of

Page 327: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

326326

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

the impact wrench is the air-operated automobile lugwrench used at modern

service stations and garages.

22442244.. iimmppeennddiinngg bblloowwoouutt

early manifestation or indication of a blowout.

222442266.. iimmppeerrmmeeaabbllee

preventing the passage of fluid. A formation may be porous yet impermeable

if there is an absence of connecting passages between the voids within it.

(See permeability.)

22442277.. iimmpprreessssiioonn bblloocckk

a block with lead or another relatively soft material on the bottom of it, which

is made up on drill pipe or tubing at the surface, run into a well, and allowed

to rest on a tool or other object that has been lost in the well. When the block

is retrieved, the size, shape, and position of the fish are obtained from the

examination of the impression left in the lead, and an appropriate fishing tool

may be selected.

22442288.. iinn ssiittuu ccoommbbuussttiioonn

a method of enhanced recovery in which thermal energy is used to channel

crude oil to the producing wellbore. Air is introduced into the reservoir

through an injection well to support combustion, usually preheated at the

sand face of the well by a downhole heater. The oil in the formation is then

ignited, creating a burning front that moves outward radially. Air is continually

injected, combining with some hydrocarbons in the formation to maintain

combustion as well as supply thermal energy for the process.

22442299.. IINN--LLIINNEE EEQQUUIIPPMMEENNTT

Pumps, separators, heat exchanges integral to a process or processing chain;

in the line, not auxiliary or only supporting.

Page 328: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

327327

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22443300.. iinn

inch.

222443322.. iinn//sseecc

inches per second.

22443333.. iinn33

cubic inch.

22443344.. IINNCCEENNTTIIVVEE PPRRIICCIINNGG

Pricing above the going market price for a product that may be more costly to

produce. For example, gas found at great depths, geopressurized gas, coal-

seam gas (q.v.) may receive incentive pricing if it qualifies under the Natural

Gas Policy Act of 1978 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

regulations. Incentive pricing is often the difference between producing a

natural resource and not producing because of the high cost of production.

22443355.. iinncciippiieenntt bblloowwoouutt

(See ironing blowout.)

22443366.. IINNCCLLIINNOOMMEETTEERR

An instrument used downhole to determine the degree of deviation from the

vertical of a well bore at different depths; a drift indicator. There are several

types of drift indicators; one is the acid bottle inclinometer (q.v.), another is a

plumb bob encased in a small steel tube which on signal punches a hole in a

paper disk. When the instrument is retrieved, the distance from the center of

the disk the hole was punched by the free-swinging plumb bob indicates the

degree of drift or deviation from the vertical hole is being drilled.

Page 329: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

328328

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22443377.. IINNCCOORRPPOORREEAALL RRIIGGHHTTSS

Having no material body or form. Said of casements, bonds, or patents.

Rights that have no physical existence but that authorize certain activities or

interests.

22443388.. iinnddeeppeennddeenntt

a nonintegrated oil company whose operations are in the field of petroleum

production only excluding transportation, refining, and marketing.

22443399.. IINNDDEEPPEENNDDEENNTT PPRROODDUUCCEERR

(1) A person or corporation that produces oil for the market. having no

pipeline system or refinery. (2) An oil-country entrepreneur who secures

financial backing and drills his own well an independent operator.

Independent operators and small producing companies are credited with

finding most of the new oil fields. Once discoveries are made it is the large oil

companies that do most of the development work. Independents often lease

and drill on small parcels of land, land either overlooked by the majors or

thought not worth fooling with until a discovery is made.

22444400.. iinnddeeppeennddeenntt wwiirree--rrooppee cceenntteerr

(IWRC) a type of construction of steel drilling lines or wire rope that provides

a separate wire rope to serve as a core for the drilling line and prevent it from

being crushed.

222444422.. IINNDDIICCAATTEEDD HHOORRSSEEPPOOWWEERR

Calculated horsepower; the power developed within the cylinder of an engine

which is greater than the power delivered at the drive shaft by the amount of

mechanical friction which must be overcome. See Brake Horsepower. An

engine's horsepower is calculated by using the bore, stroke, revolutions per

minute, and the number of cylinders.

Page 330: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

329329

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22444433.. IINNDDIICCAATTOORR PPAASSTTEE,, GGAASSOOLLIINNEE

A viscous material applied to a steel gauge line or gauge pole that changes

color when it comes in contact with gasoline, making it easy for the gauger to

read the height of gasoline in the tank.

222444455.. IINNDDIICCAATTOORR PPAASSTTEE,, WWAATTEERR

A paste material applied to a steel gauge line or wooden gauge pole that

changes color when immersed in water. It is used to detect the presence of

water in a tank of oil.

22444466.. iinndduuccttiioonn ssuurrvveeyy

(I-ES) an electrical well log in which the conductivity of the formation rather

than the resistivity is measured. Eddy currents are induced in the formations

by a transmitter coil through which an alternating current circulates. The

current sets up magnetic fields that induce voltages in a receiver coil. The

voltages are amplified and recorded on the surface. Because oil-bearing

formations are less conductive to electricity than water-bearing formations, an

induction survey, when compared with resistivity readings, can aid in

determination of oil and water zones. It is usually conducted in conjunction

with a regular electric survey (ES), and thus is shortened to I-ES.

222444488.. IINNDDUUSSTTRRIIAALL GGAASS

Gas purchased for resale to industrial users; interruptible gas (q.v.).

22444499.. iinneerrttiiaa

the tendency of an object having mass to resist a change in velocity.

22445500.. IINNFFIILLLL DDRRIILLLLIINNGG

Wells drilled to fill in between established producing wells on a ]erase a

drilling program to reduce the spacing between wells in order to increase

production from the lease.

Page 331: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

330330

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22445511.. iinnffiilllliinngg wweellll

a well drilled between known producing wells to better exploit the reservoir.

222445533.. IINNFFLLUUEENNTT

The flow of liquids or gas into a vessel or equipment. See Effluent.

22445544.. IINNFFOORRMMAATTIIOONN CCOONNSSOOLLEE,, DDRRIILLLLEERR

A bank of indicators, counters, and display dials showing weight of the drill-

string, weight on the drill bit, mud pump speed, mud pressure, engine speed,

etc., to keep the driller informed of all aspects of the drilling operation.

22445555.. IINNGGAAAA

Interstate Natural Gas Association of America.

222445577.. iinnhhiibbiitteedd aacciidd

an acid that has been chemically treated before acidizing, or acid fracturing, a

well to lessen its corrosive effect on the tubular goods and yet maintain its

effectiveness. (See acidize.)

222445599.. iinnhhiibbiitteedd mmuudd

a drilling fluid to which chemicals have been added to prevent it from causing

clay particles in a formation to swell and thus impair the permeability of a

productive zone. Salt is a mud inhibitor.

222446611.. iinnhhiibbiittoorr

an additive used to retard undesirable chemical action in a product; added in

small quantity to gasolines to prevent oxidation and gum formation, to

lubricating oils to stop color change, and to corrosive environments to

decrease corrosive action.

Page 332: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

331331

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22446622.. IINNHHIIBBIITTOORRSS

A substance that slows down a chemical reaction. An inhibitor's role is the

reverse of a catalyst's. Inhibitors are sometimes used to interfere with a

chemical reaction somewhere along the process train.

222446644.. iinniittiiaall ppootteennttiiaall

(IP) the early production of an oil well, recorded after testing operations and

recovery of load oil and used as an indicator of the maximum ability of a well

to produce on completion without subsequent reservoir damage.

222446666.. iinniittiiaall sseett

the point at which a cement slurry begins to harden, or set up, and is no

longer pumpable.

222446688.. iinniittiiaall ssttaabbiilliittyy

the stability of an offshore drilling rig when upright or with a small angle of

heel.

22446699.. iinnjjeecctteedd ggaass

a high-pressure gas injected into a formation to maintain or restore reservoir

pressure; gas injected in gas-lift operations.

22447700.. IInnjjeeccttiinngg

Injecting water or gas into the reservoir for the purpose of maintaining

reservoir pressure, maximizing oil recovery and conserving resources.

22447711.. IInnjjeeccttiioonn

The process of pumping gas or water into an oil-producing reservoir to

provide a driving mechanism for increased oil production.

Page 333: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

332332

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22447722.. iinnjjeeccttiioonn ppaatttteerrnn

the spacing and pattern of wells in a secondary recovery or pressure-

maintenance project determined from the location of existing wells, type of

offset operations used, reservoir size and shape, and cost of drilling new

wells. Common injection patterns include line drive, five spot, seven spot,

nine spot, and peripheral.

222447744.. iinnjjeeccttiioonn ppuummpp

a chemical feed pump that injects chemical reagents into a flow-line system,

at a rate proportional to that of the flow of the well fluid, to treat emulsions.

Operating power may be derived from electric motors or gas-driven,

diaphragm-operated motors or by linkage with the walking beam of a

pumping well.

222447766.. iinnjjeeccttiioonn wweellll

a well in which fluids have been injected into an underground stratum to

increase reservoir pressure.

222447788.. IINNLLAANNDD BBAARRGGEE RRIIGG

A drilling rig mounted on a barge-like vessel for use in shallow water or

swampy locations. Barge rigs are not self-propelled and must be towed or

pushed by a towboat. In addition to all necessary drilling equipment, such

barges have crew quarters.

222448800.. IINNNNAAGGEE GGAAUUGGEE

A measure of the quantity of oil in a tank calculated on the basis of the depth

of oil in the tank; the most common method of gauging a tank. See Outage

Gauge.

Page 334: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

333333

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22448811.. IINNNNOOVVAATTOORR''SS RROOYYAALLTTYY

A type of overriding royalty paid to the person instrumental in bringing a

company to a concession from a foreign government British a fixer's royalty.

See Overriding Royalty.

22448822.. IINNPPUUTT WWEELLLL

A well used for injecting water or gas into a formation in a secondary

recovery or pressure main

22448833.. iinnssiiddee bblloowwoouutt pprreesseenntteerr

a valve installed in the drill stem to prevent a blowout inside the stem. Flow is

thus possible only downward, allowing mud to be pumped in but preventing

any flow back up the stem.

tenance operation.

22448844.. iinnssiiddee ccuutttteerr

(See internal cutter.)

22448855.. IINNSSPPEECCTTIIOONN PPLLAATTEE

A flat metal plate fitted with a gasket and bolted over an opening in the

gearbox of a pump or the crankcase of an engine. By removing the plate an

inspection of the gears or crank and connecting-rod bearings can be made.

On large, multicylinder engines, inspection windows are large enough to

permit a mechanic to enter the crankcase to inspect or "change out" a

bearing.

22448866.. iinnssttrruummeennttaattiioonn

a device or assembly of devices designed for one or more of the following

functions to measure operating variables (as pressure, temperature, rate of

flow, speed of rotation, etc.); to indicate these phenomena with visible or

audible signals; to record them; to control them within a predetermined

Page 335: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

334334

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

range; and to stop operations if the control fails. Simple instrumentation

might consist of an indicating pressure gauge only. In a completely automatic

system, the desired range of pressure, temperature, and so on is

predetermined and preset.

22448877.. iinnssuullaattiinngg ffllaannggee

a flange equipped with plastic pieces to separate its metal parts, thus

preventing the inflow of electric current. Insulating flanges are often used in

cathodic protection systems to prevent electrolytic corrosion and are

sometimes installed when a flowline is being attached to a wellhead.

22448888.. iinnttaakkee vvaallvvee

the cam-operated mechanism on an engine through which air and sometimes

fuel are admitted to the cylinder.

22448899.. IINNTTAANNGGIIBBLLEE DDRRIILLLLIINNGG CCOOSSTTSS

Expenditures made by an operator for labor, fuel, repairs, hauling, and

supplies used in drilling and completing a well for production. Intangible costs

include also the construction of derricks, tanks, pipelines on the lease,

buildings, and preparation of the drillsite, but do not include the material or

equipment. The rule of thumb is, do the items for which expenditures were

made have salvage value? If not they qualify under the tax laws as intangible

drilling costs.

22449900.. IINNTTAANNGGIIBBLLEESS

Short for intangible drilling costs (q.v.).

22449911.. IINNTTEEGGRRAATTEEDD OOIILL CCOOMMPPAANNYY

A company engaged in all phases of the oil business, i.e., production,

transportation. refining, and marketing; a company that handles its own oil

from wellhead to gasoline pump.

Page 336: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

335335

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22449922.. iinntteeggrraattiinngg oorriiffiiccee mmeetteerr

an orifice meter with an automatic integrating device. It is constructed so that

the product of the square roots of each of the differential and static pressures

is recorded on the chart. The products are continuously totaled and shown on

a counter index. When the product total is multiplied by the orifice flow

constant, the rate of flow is directly determined.

22449933.. IINNTTEEGGRRAATTIIOONN,, HHOORRIIZZOONNTTAALL

See Horizontal Integratio also Vertical Integration.

22449944.. IINNTTEERREESSTT IINN AANN OOIILL OORR GGAASS WWEELLLL

See Operating Interest; also Working Interest.

22449955.. IINNTTEERRFFAACCEE

The point or are a where two dissimilar products or grades of crude oil meet

in a pipeline as they are pumped, one behind the other. In a packed or full-

line pumping under pressure the integrity of the interface is well maintained.

In simple English, this means that there is surprisingly little mixing of the two

batches of produc

22449966.. iinntteerrmmiitttteerr

a regulation device used in production of a flowing well. The well flows wide

open (not through a choke) for short periods several times a day and is then

closed in.

22449977.. iinntteerrmmeeddiiaattee ccaassiinngg ssttrriinngg

the string of casing set in a well after the surface casing to keep the hole

from caving. Sometimes the blowout preventers can be attached to it. The

string is sometimes called protection casing. Intermittent gas lift (See gas

lift.)

Page 337: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

336336

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22449988.. IINNTTEERRMMEEDDIIAATTEE SSTTRRIINNGG

See Casing.

22449999.. iinntteerrmmiitttteerr

a regulation device used in production of a flowing well. The well flows wide

open (not through a choke) for short periods several times a day and is then

closed in.

22550000.. iinntteerrnnaall ccuutttteerr

a fishing tool, containing metal-cutting knives, that is lowered into the inside

of a length of pipe stuck in the hole to cut the pipe. The severed portion of

the pipe can then be returned to the surface.

22550011.. iinntteerrnnaall pphhaassee

the fluid droplets or solids that are dispersed throughout another liquid in an

emulsion. Compare continuous phase.

22550022.. iinntteerrnnaall pprreevveenntteerr

an inside blowout preventer.

22550033.. iinntteerrnnaall uuppsseett

an extra-thick inside wall on the end of tubing or drill pipe at the point where

it is threaded to compensate for the metal removed in threading. Unlike

conventional drill pipe, which has the extra thickness on the outside, drill pipe

with intermal upset has a uniform, straight wall outside. Compare external

upset.

22550044.. iinntteerrnnaall--ccoommbbuussttiioonn eennggiinnee

a heat engine in which the pressure necessary to produce motion of the

mechanism results from the ignition or burning of a fuel-air mixture within the

engine cylinder.

Page 338: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

337337

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22550055.. iinntteerrnnaall--uuppsseett ppiippee

tubular goods in which the pipe walls at the threaded end are thickened

(upset) on the inside to provide extra strength in the tool joints. Thus the

outer wall of the pipe is the same diameter throughout its length. Upset

casing is normally run at the top of long strings in deep operations.

22550066.. iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall SSII mmeettrriicc ssyysstteemm

a system of measure based on the metric system and described and

maintained by the General Conference on Weights and Measures. It provides

an international standard of measurement to be followed when certain

customary units, both U.S. and metric, eventually are phased out of

international trade operations.

22550077.. TTIINNTTEERRRRUUPPTTIIBBLLEE GGAASS

A gas supply, usually to industrial plants and large commercial firms, that can

be curtailed or interrupted during emergencies or supply shortages in order to

maintain service to domestic customers.

22550088.. IINNTTEERRSSTTAATTEE OOIILL CCOOMMPPAACCTT

A compact between oil-producing states negotiated and approved by

Congress in 1935, the purpose of which is the conservation of oil and gas by

the prevention of waste. The Compact provides no power to coerce but relies

on voluntary agreement to accomplish its objectives. Originally, there were six

states as members; today, there are nearly 30.

22550099.. iinntteerrssttiiccee

a pore space in a reservoir rock.

22551100.. iinntteerrssttiittiiaall wwaatteerr

water contained in the interstices of a reservoir rock. In reservoir engineering,

it is synonymous with connate water.

Page 339: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

338338

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22551111.. iinnttrruussiivvee rroocckk

an igneous rock that, while molten, penetrated into or between other rocks

and solidified.

22551122.. iinnvvaaddeedd zzoonnee

an area within a permeable rock adjacent to a wellbore into which a filtrate

(usually water) from the drilling mud has passed, with consequent partial or

total displacement of the fluids originally present in the zone.

22551133.. iinnvveerrtt eemmuullssiioonn

an emulsion of water in oil (i.e., the water is dispersed as droplets throughout

the oil). Compare reverse emulsion.

22551144.. iinnvveerrtt--ooiill mmuudd

an oil mud used for drilling or workover, made up of soaps, lignite, asphaltic

materials, and 10 to 50 percent water. In the resulting fluid, the water is

dispersed throughout the oil in small droplets to form a tight emulsion.

Sometimes it is called an invert-emulsion mud or an invert-oil-emulsion mud.

(See oil mud and oil-base mud.)

22551155.. iioo

a hydrogen atom or a molecule of other compounds that is either charged

positively (a action) or negatively (an anion). IP 1. initial potential. 2. initial

production,- used in drilling reports.

22551166.. IIoocccc

Interstate Oil Compact Commission.

22551177.. IIOOSSAA

International Oil Scouts Association.

Page 340: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

339339

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22551188.. IIPPAAAA

the Independent Petroleum Association of America, an organization of

independent oil and gas producers headquartered in Tulsa, Okla. Its work is

chiefly concerned with the relationships between the oil industry and the

public and government

22551199.. iirrnnppeelllleerr

a set of mounted blades (as the rotor of a centrifugal pump) used to impart

motion to a fluid.

22552200.. IIrrrreedduucciibbllee WWaatteerr SSaattuurraattiioonn

In a sufficiently thick and homogenous hydrocarbon reservoir this represents

the minimum possible water saturation.

22552211.. IISSAA

the Instrument Society of America, a group that sets standards for

instruments made and used in the U.S.

22552222.. IISSOO

A prefix denoting similarity. Many organic substances, although composed of

the same number of the same atoms. appear in two, three, or more varieties

or isomers which differ widely in physical and chemical properties. In

petroleum fractions there are many substances that are similar, differing only

in specific gravity, for example, isooctane, isobutane, isopentane, and many

other isomers.

22552233.. iissooggoonniicc lliinnee

an imaginary line on a map that joins places on the earth's surface at which

the variation of a magnetic compass needle from true north is the same. This

variation, which may range from 0 to 30 or more degrees either east or west

Page 341: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

340340

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

of true north, must be compensated for to obtain an accurate reading of

direction.

22552244.. IISSOOMMEERRIIZZAATTIIOONN

A refinery process for converting chemical compounds into their isomers, i.e.,

rearranging the structure of the molecules without changing their size or

chemical composition.

22552255.. IISSOOMMEERRSS

Compounds having the same composition and the same molecular weight but

differing in properties.

22552266.. iissooppaacchh mmaapp

a geological map of subsurface strata showing the various thicknesses of a

given formation underlying an area. It is widely used in calculating reserves

and in planning secondary-recovery projects.

22552277.. IISSOOPPAACCHHOOUUSS MMAAPP

A geological map a that shows the thickness and conformation of

underground formations; used in determining underground oil and gas

reserves.

22552288.. IISSOOPPEENNTTAANNEE

A high-octane blending stock for automotive gasoline.

22552299.. IISSOOTTHHEERRMMAALL

At constant temperature. When a gas is expanded or compressed at a

constant temperature, the expansion or compression is isothermal. Heat must

be added to expanding gas and removed from compressing gas to keep it

isothermal.

22553300.. IIWWRRCC

inclement wire-rope center.

Page 342: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22553311.. JJ--44 FFUUEELL

A designation for highly refined kerosene used as fuel for jet engines.

22553322.. JJ--ttooooll

a sleeve receptacle with a fitted, male element that has pins that fit into

milled J-shaped slots on the sleeve. The short sides of the J-slots provide a

shoulder for supporting weight on the pins of the male element. When the

male element is lowered and turned relative to the sleeve, the pins slide in

the slot towards the long side of the J, which is open-ended. The pins may

thus be raised out, releasing weight that may be supported by the sleeve.

The releasing procedure is called "unjaying the tool."

22553333.. JJAACCKK

An oil well pumping unit powered by a gasoline engine. electric motor, or rod

line from a central power. The pumping jack's walking beam provides the up

and down motion to the well's pump rods.

22553344.. JJAACCKK BBOOAARRDD

A wood or metal prop used to support a joint of line pipe while another joint

is being screwed into it. Jack boards have metal spikes inserted at intervals to

support the pipe at different levels. a device used to support the end of a

length of pipe while another length is being screwed onto the pipe. It is

sometimes referred to as a stabbing jack.

22553355.. JJAACCKK RRAABBBBIITT

A device that is put through casing or tubing before it is run to make certain it

is the proper size inside and outside; a drift mandrel.

22553366.. jjaacckk--uupp

a jack-up drilling rig.

Page 343: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

342342

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22553377.. jjaacckk--uupp ddrriilllliinngg rriigg

an offshore drilling structure with tubular or derrick legs that support the deck

and hull. When positioned over the drilling site, the bottoms of the legs rest

on the seafloor. A jack-up rig is towed or propelled to a location with its legs

up. Once the legs are firmly positioned on the bottom, the deck and hull

height are adjusted and leveled.

22553388.. JJAACCKK--UUPP RRIIGG

A barge-like, floating platform with legs at each corner that can be lowered to

the sea bottom to raise or "jack up" the platform above the water. Towed to

location offshore, the legs of the jack-up rig are in a raised position, sticking

up high above the platform. When on location, the legs are run down

hydraulically or by individual electric motors.

22553399.. JJaacckkeett

Offshore platform consisting of a framework of tubular members with a deck

(or decks) on top and piles driven through the framework to fix the structure

to the sea bed.

22554400.. JJAACCKKEETT,,OOFFFFSSHHOORREE PPLLAATTFFOORRMM

See Platform Jacket.

22554411.. jjaacckkkknniiffee mmaasstt

a structural-steel, opensided tower raised vertically by special lifting tackle

attached to the traveling block. (See mast.)

22554422.. jjaacckkkknniiffee rriigg

a drilling rig that has jack-knife mast instead of a standard derrick.A mast-

type derrick whose supporting legs are hinged at the base. When the rig is to

be moved. it is lowered or laid down intact and transported by truck.

Page 344: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

343343

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22554433.. jjaacckksshhaafftt

a short shaft that is usually set between two machines to provide increased or

decreased flexibility and speed.An intermediate; haft in the power train. Jack

shafts usually are relatively short and often are splined.

22554444.. JJAAMM NNUUTT

A nut used to jam and lock another nut securely in place; the second and

locking nut on a stud bolt. After the first nut is threaded and tightened on a

stud, a second nut is tightened down on the first nut to prevent it from

working loose.

22554455.. jjaarr

a percussion tool operated mechanically or hydraulically to deliver a heavy

hammer blow to objects in the borehole. jars are used to free objects stuck in

the hole or to loosen tubing or drill pipe that is hung up. Blows may be

delivered downward or upward, the jar being controlled at the surface. to

apply a heavy blow to the frill stem by use of a jar.

22554466.. jjaarr aacccceelleerraattoorr

a hydraulic tool used in conjunction with a jar and made up on the fishing

string above it to increase the power of the hammer blow

22554477.. JJAARRSS

A tool for producing a jarring impact in cable-toot drilling, especially when the

bit becomes stuck in the hole. Cable-tool jars (part of the drillstring) are

essentially a pair of elongated, interlocking steel links with a couple of feet of

"play" between the links. When the drilling line is slacked off, the upper link of

the jars moves down into the lower link. When the line is suddenly tightened

the upper link moves upward engaging the lower link with great force that

usually frees the stuck bit. See Bumper Sub, Fishing.

Page 345: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

344344

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22554488.. JJEEEEPPIINNGG

Refers to the operation of inspecting pipe coating with the aid of electronic

equipment. An indicator ring is passed over the pipe which caries, an electric

charge. If there is a break or holiday (q.v.) in the protective coating a signal is

transmitted through the indicator ring to an alarm.

22554499.. jjeerrkk lliinnee

a short rope used on the cathead of the drilling rig to tighten pipe-joints by

pulling on the makeup longs.

22555500.. JJEERRKKEERR

A line connects the bandwheel crank to the drilling cable. As the crank

revolves, the drilling fine is jerked (pulled up and released suddenly)

providing an up and down motion to the spudding tools on a cable tool rig.

22555511.. jjeett

1. a hydraulic device operated by pump pressure to clean mud pits and tanks

in rotary drilling and to mix mud components. 2. in a perforating gun using

shaped charges, a highly penetrating, fast-moving stream of exploded

particles that cuts a hole in the casing, cement, and formation.

22555522.. jjeett bbiitt

a drilling bit having nozzles through which drilling fluid is directed in a

highvelocity stream to improve the efficiency of the bit at the bottom of the

hole.

22555533.. jjeett ccuuttooffff

a procedure for severing pipe stuck in a well by detonating special shaped-

charge explosives similar to those used in jet perforating. The explosive is

lowered into the pipe to the desired depth and detonated. The force of the

Page 346: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

345345

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

explosion makes radiating horizontal cuts around the pipe, and the severed

portion of the pipe is retrieved. (See jet-perforate.)

22555544.. JJEETT FFUUEELL

A specially refined grade of kerosene used in jet propulsion engines.

22555555.. jjeett gguunn

an assembly, including a carrier and shaped charges, that is used in jet

perforating. (See jet-perforate.)

22555566.. JJEETT MMIIXXEERR ((CCEEMMEENNTT))

A device consisting of a hopper to which a water supply under pressure is

connected. Sacks of cement are opened and dumped one at a time into the

hopper. The high-pressure water is jetted through the lower part of the

hopper, mixing with the dry cement to form a slurry for pumping downhole to

cement the casing in a well or for a squeeze job. See Squeeze a Well.

22555577.. jjeett oouutt

to use a jet to clean out the cellar, slush pit, and so forth.

22555588.. jjeett ppuummpp

a pump that operates by means of a jet of steam, water, or other fluid that

imparts motion and subsequent pressure to a fluid medium.

22555599.. jjeett--ppeerrffoorraattee

to burn a hole through the casing with a shaped charge of high explosives

instead of a gun that fires projectiles. The loaded charges are lowered into

the hole to the desired depth. Once detonated, the charges emit short,

penetrating jets of high-pressure gases that cut holes in the casing and

cement and some distance into the formation. Formation fluids then flow into

the wellbore through the perforations. (See bullet perforator and gun-

perforate.)

Page 347: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

346346

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22556600.. JJEETTSSLLEEDD

An underwater trenching machine for burying a pipeline below the sea floor.

The patented jet sled straddles the pipeline and scours out the seabed

material ahead and beneath the line with a sears of high-pressure jets of sea

water. The power is supplied by a series of high-pressure pumps aboard an

accompanying jet barge. The jetted water, at .1,200 psi, is directed ahead

and below the fine and literally cuts a ditch in the sea floor into which the line

is laid.

22556611.. JJEETTTTEEDD--PPAARRTTIICCLLEE DDRRIILLLLIINNGG

A method of drilling in hard rock formations using steel pellets forced at high

velocity from openings in the bottom of the drill bit. The jetted particles are

used with air drilling. The small steel pellets after striking and chipping the

rock are returned to the surface by the force of the returning drilling air,

along with the rock which has been pulverized. Jetted particle drilling has

been used more or less experimentally and has not had wide acceptance.

22556622.. JJEETTTTIINNGG

Injecting gas into a subsurface formation for the purpose of maintaining

reservoir pressure.

22556633.. JJEETTTTIINNGG TTHHEE PPIITTSS

A method of removing cuttings, drilled rock fragments from the bottom of the

working mud pits. This is done with a suction hose that derives its partial

vacuum from a jet nozzle arrangement, a type of venturi (q.v.) through which

"clean" drilling mud is pumped at high pressure and velocity. At the waist of

the venturi the stream's velocity is increased even more and the pressure at

this point is substantially reduced, creating enough vacuum to draw in,

through an attached hose, the cutting from the bottom of the working pit in

Page 348: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

347347

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

the manner of a vacuum cleaner. As the chips are drawn Into the hose, they

are discharged in the reserve pits.

22556644.. JJEETTTTYY

A pier (q.v.).

22556655.. JJOOCCKKEEYY

An experienced and proficient driver of largo trucks or earth-moving

equipment.

22556666.. JJOOIINNTT

A length of pipe, casing, or tubing usually from 20 to 30 feet long. On drilling

rigs, drillpipe and tubing are run the first time (lowered into the hole) a joint

at a time; when pulled out of the hole and stacked in the rig, they are usually

pulled two, three, or four at a time depending upon the height of the derrick.

These multiple-joint sections are called stands (q.v.).a single length (30 ft) of

drill pipe or of drill collar,casing, tubing, or rod that has threaded connections

at both ends. Several joints screwed together constitute a stand of pipe. (See

double, thribble, and fourble.)

22556677.. JJOOIINNTT AADDVVEENNTTUURREE

See Joint Venture.

22556688.. jjooiinntt mmoovveemmeenntt

the shipment of a tender of oil through the facilities of one or more pipeline

companies.

22556699.. jjooiinntt ttaarriiffff

a rate sheet issued jointly by two or more companies setting forth charges for

moving oil over the facilities of each.

Page 349: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

348348

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22557700.. JJOOIINNTT VVEENNTTUURREE

A business or enterprise entered into by two or more partners. Joint venture

1easing is a common practice. Usually the partner with the largest interest in

the venture will be the operator. See Consortium.

22557711.. JJOOUURRNNAALL

That part of a rotating shaft that rests and turns in the bearing; the weight

bearing segment of the shaft.

22557722.. JJOOUURRNNAALLBBOOXX

A metal housing that supports and protects a journal bearing. See Journal.

22557733.. jjuugg

(See geophone.)

22557744.. jjuugg hhuussttlleerr

(slang) the member of a seismograph crew who places the geophones.One

who carries and places geophones in seismic work. Geophones are strung

along the ground over an area where seismic shots are to be made by jug

hustlers.

22557755.. JJUUMMBBOO BBUURRNNEERR

A flare used for burning waste gas produced with oil when there is no ready

market or the supply of gas is too small or temporary to warrant a pipeline. A

special kind of jumbo burner is used on offshore drilling platforms to burn oil

and gas when a well is being tested or in the event of an emergency. Out on

the water there is no place to put the oil during a test or when a well is

allowed to blow to clean the hole so the oil has to be burned. The big burner,

mounted on a boom or an extension of the platform deck, is equipped with

air and water jets around the perimeter of the burner nozzle. When oil is

burned the air and water jets are turned on which results in the complete

Page 350: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

349349

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

combustion of the of oil. Without the high-pressure air and water jets to

aerate and supply oxygen the oil would not burn completely; some of the oil

would fall to the water below and present a real hazard. Jumbo burner or

forced-draft burner.

22557766.. JJUUMMBBOOIIZZIINNGG

A technique used to enlarge an oil tanker's carrying capacity by cutting the

vessel in two amidships and inserting a section between the halves.

22557777.. jjuunniioorr oorriiffiiccee ffiittttiinngg

a one-piece orifice fitting without flanges.

22557788.. jjuunnkk

metal debris lost in a hole. junk may be a lost bit, pieces of a bit, milled

pieces of pipe, wrenches, or any relatively small object that impedes drilling

and must be fished out of the hole. to abandon (as a nonproductive well).

22557799.. JJUUNNKK BBAASSKKEETT

A type of fishing tool used to retrieve small objects lost is in the borehole or

down the casing, such objects as small slipe, drilling cones off the bit, tools,

etc. The basket is lowered into the hole and by the turbulence set up by

pumping of the drilling mud the lost object is washed into the basket.a device

made up on the bottom tom of the drill stem to cut a core into the bottom of

the hole on which junk rests. As the core is cut, the junk enters a barrel in the

tool and is held by metal projections, or catchers. When the basket is brought

back to the surface, the junk is removed with the core.

22558800.. JJUUNNKK MMIILLLLSS

Drill bits with specially hardened, rough cutting to grind and pulverize

downhole "junk" material or nonretrievable tools or equipment such as

millable packers and the like. After the junk has been ground or broken up

Page 351: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

350350

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

into small pieces, the pieces can be circulated the surface by the drilling mud

or bypassed by the regular drillstring.

22558811.. jjuunnkk ssuubb

a tool run just above the bit or mill in the drill stem to catch small, non

drillable objects circulating in the annulus.

Page 352: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22558822.. KK

The abbreviation for kilo, one thousand. In certain employment ads, notably

petroleum industry ads, the letter K is used instead of three zeros in giving

salary ranges, e.g., 25K to 60K, also $25K - $60K. To the ad writer this is

scientific shorthand meant to catch the eye of the no-nonsense engineer or

technical person. degree Kelvin. (See &kelvin temperature scale.)

22558833.. KKBB

kelly bushing; used in drilling reports.

22558844.. kkeeeell

a centerline strength member running fore and aft along the bottom of a

floating offshore drilling rig, forming the backbone of the structure.

22558855.. KKeellllyy

the heavy steel member, four- or sixsided, suspended from the swivel

through the rotary table and connected to the topmost joint of drill pipe to

turn the drill stem as the rotary table turns. It has a bored passageway that

permits fluid to be circulated into the drill stem and up the annulus, or vice

versa.

22558866.. kkeellllyy bbuusshhiinngg

a device fitted to the rotary table, through which the kelly passes and by

means of which the torque of the rotary table is transmitted to the kelly and

to the drill stem. Also called the drive bushing.

22558877.. kkeellllyy ccoocckk

a valve installed between the swivel and the kelly. When a high-pressure

backflow begins inside the drill stem, the valve is closed to keep pressure off

the swivel and rotary hose.A blowout preventer built inside a three-foot

section of sleet tubing inserted in the drillstring above the kelly. A kelly cock is

also inserted in the string below the kelly joint in some instances.

Page 353: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

352352

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22558888.. KKEELLLLYY HHOOSSEE

See Mud Hose.

22558899.. KKEELLLLYY JJOOIINNTT

The first and the sturdiest joint of the drill column; the thick-walled, hollow

steel forging with two flat sides and two rounded sides that fit into a square

hole in the rotary table which rotates the kelly joint and the drill column,

Attached to the top of the kelly or grief stem (q.v.) are the swivel and mud

hose.

22559900.. KKEELLLLYY SSAAFFEETTYY VVAALLVVEE

See Kelly Cock.

22559911.. KKEELLLLYY SSAAVVEERR SSUUBB

See Kelly Valve, Lower.a saver sub that fits in the drill stem between the kelly

and drill pipe. The threads of the drill pipe mate with those of the saver,

minimizing wear on the kelly.

22559922.. KKEELLLLYY SSPPIINNNNEERR

A mechanism attached to the swivel that spins the kelly joint in and out of the

first joint of drillpipe after the kelly has been broken out, unloosened. The

spinner saves time in unscrewing and again in screwing in when a joint of

drillpipe must be added to the string,a pneumatically-operated device

mounted on top of the kelly that, when actuated, causes the kelly to turn or

spin. It is useful when the kelly or a joint of pipe attached to it must be spun

up, i. e., rotated rapidly in order to make up the kelly or pipe in another joint

of pipe.

22559933.. KKEELLLLYY VVAALLVVEE,, LLOOWWEERR

An automatic valve attached to the lower end of the kelly joint that opens and

closes by mud pump pressure. The purpose of the valve is to prevent the

Page 354: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

353353

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

mud in the kelly joint from pouring out on the derrick floor each time the kelly

is disconnected from the drillpipe. When the mud pump is stopped, the kelly

valve automatically closes. After a joint of drillpipe is added to the String and

the kelly is made up tight, the pumps are started and the mud pressure opens

the kelly valve and drilling resumes. The automatic valve saves valuable mud,

keeps the rig floor dry, and speeds up the job of making a connection.

22559944.. KKeellvviinn tteemmppeerraattuurree ssccaallee

a temperature scale with the degree interval of the centigrade scale and the

zero point at absolute zero. On the Kelvin scale, water freezes at 273' and

boils at 373'. (See absolute temperature scale.)

222559966.. KKEERROOGGEENN

A bituminous material occurring in certain shales which yield a type of oil

when heated. See Kerogen Shales.

22559977.. KKEERROOGGEENN SSHHAALLEESS

Commonly called oil shales, kerogen shales contain material neither

petroleum nor coal but an intermediate bitumen material with some of the

properties of both. Small amounts of petroleum are usually associated with

kerogen shales but the bulk of the oil is derived from heating the shale to

about 660'F. Kerogen is identified as a pyrobitumen.

22559988.. KKEERROOSSEENNEE,, RRAAWW

Kerosene-cut from the distillation of crude oil, not treated or "doctor tested"

to improve odor and color.

22559999.. kkeerroossiinnee

a light, flammable hydrocarbon fuel or solvent. It is also spelled kerosene, but

"kerosine" is preferred by the API to parallel "gasoline".

Page 355: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

354354

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22660000.. KKEEYY

(1) A tool used in pulling or running sucker rods of a pumping oil well; a

hook-shaped wrench that fits the square shoulder of the rod connection. Rod

wrenches are used in pairs; one to hold back-up and the other to break out

and unscrew the rod. (2) A slender metal piece used to fasten a pulley wheel

or gear onto a shaft. The key fits into slots (keyways) cut in both the hub of

the wheel and the shaft.

22660011.. KKEEYYBBEEDD

The stratum chosen for contouring or making tin isopachous map, If as it is

hoped, other strata conform to the key bed, then an accurate contouring of

the key bed well indicate the subsurface strata.

22660022.. KKEEYYSSEEAATT

A section of the well bore deviating abruptly from the vertical causing drilling

tools to hang up; a shoulder in the borehole. 1. a channel or groove cut in the

side of the hole parallel to the axis of the hole. Key seating results from the

dragging of pipe on a sharp bend in the hole. 2. a groove cut in a shaft or

pulley bore parallel to the axis.

22660033.. KKEEYYSSEEAATTIINNGG

A condition downhole when the drill collar or another part of the drillstring

becomes wedged in a section of crooked hole, particularly a dogleg which is

an abrupt deviation from the vertical or the general direction of the hole

being drilled.

22660044.. KKEEYYWWAAYY

A groove or slot in a shaft or wheel to hold a key (q.v.).

22660055.. kkgg

kilogram.

Page 356: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

355355

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22660066.. KKhh

This symbol is used in petrophysical and reserves calculations to represent

the maximum permeability of a rock formation.

22660077.. kkiicckk

an entry of water, gas, oil, or other formation fluid into the wellbore. It occurs

because the pressure exerted by the column of drilling fluid is not great

enough to overcome the pressure exerted by the fluids in the formation

drilled. If prompt action is not taken to control the kick or kill the well, a

blowout will occur.Pressure from downhole in excess of that exerted by the

weight of the drilling mud, causing loss of circulation. If the gas pressure is

not controlled by Increasing the mud weight, a kick can violently expel the

column of drifting mud resulting in a blowout.

22660088.. kkiicckk ooffff

1. to bring a well into production,usually by injecting gas. 2. in workover

operations, to swab a well to restore it to production. 3. to deviate a wellbore

from the vertical.

22660099.. KKIICCKK,, WWAATTEERRFFLLOOOODD

See Waterflood Kick.

22661100.. KKIICCKKIINNGG DDOOWWNN AA WWEELLLL

A primitive method of drilling a shallow well using manpower (leg power). In

oil's very early days, a pole made from a small tree was used to support the

drilling line and bit in the hole. The driller with his foot in a stirrup to the line

would kick downward causing the pole to bend and the bit to hit the bottom

of the hole. The green sapling would spring back, lifting the bit ready for

another "kick" by the driller.

Page 357: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

356356

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22661111.. kkiicckkooffff ppooiinntt

(KOP) the depth in a vertical hole at which a deviated or slant hole is started;

used in directional drilling.

22661122.. kkiicckkooffff pprreessssuurree

the gas pressure required to kick off a well, usually greater than that required

to maintain the well in production.

22661133.. KKIICCKKOOUUTT CCLLAAUUSSEE

In some purchase contracts for oil and gas a clause that permits the

purchaser, under certain conditions, to renegotiate the contract. Usually the

conditions concern pricing or market availability.

22661144.. KKIIEERR,, SSAAMMUUAALL MM..

In the early 1850s, Kier was skimming crude oil from the water of his salt

wells in Pittsburgh, Pa., and selling it as Kier Rock Oil. a medicinal cure-all

Soon he had more oil than he could peddle in bottles so he became interested

in refining. With the assistance of J.C. Booth, a Philadelphia chemist who

designed a crude, coal-fired still, Kier began refining kerosene. By 1859 and

the advent of Drake's well, there were nearly a hundred small, one-vessel

refineries around the country making kerosene for use in a new lamp that had

been invented.

22661155.. kkiillll

1. in drilling, to prevent a threatened blowout by taking suitable preventive

measures (e.g., to shut in the well with the blowout preventers, circulate the

kick out, and increase the weight of the drilling mud). 2. in production, to

stop a well from producing oil and gas so that reconditioning of the well can

proceed.

Page 358: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

357357

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22661166.. kkiillll aa wweellll

1. to bring under control a well that is threatening to blow out. 2. to circulate

water and mud into a completed well before starting well-servicing

operations. To overcome downhole pressure in a drilling well by the use of

drilling mud or water. One important function of drilling mud is to maintain

control over any downhole gas pressures that may be encountered. It gas

pressure threatens to cause loss of circulation or a blowout, drilling mud is

made heavier (heavied-up) by the addition of special clays or other material.

See Kick.

22661177.. kkiillll lliinnee

a high-pressure line that connects the mud pump and the well and through

which heavy drilling fluid can be pumped into the well to control a threatened

blowout.

22661188.. kkiillll sshheeeett

a printed form that contains blank spaces for recording information about

killing an impending blowout, provided to remind personnel of the necessary

steps to take to kill a well.

22661199.. KKIILLLLEERR WWEELLLL

A directional well drilled near an out-of-control well to "kill" it by flooding the

formation with water or mud. Wells that have blown out and caught fire are

often brought under control in this manner it other means tail.

22662200.. kkiinneemmaattiicc VViissccoossiittyy

the absolute viscosity of a fluid divided by the density of the fluid at the

temperature of the viscosity measurement.

Page 359: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

358358

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22662211.. kkiinnkk

a loop in a wire rope that, having been pulled tight, causes permanent

distortion of the wire rope.

22662222.. KKNNOOCCKK--OOFFFF PPOOSSTT

A post through which a rod line moves as it operates a pumping jack. When

the well is to be hung off (shut down), a block is inserted between the rod-

line hook and the knock-off post which interrupts the line's forward

movement putting slack in the line so that the hook may be disengaged.

22662233.. KKNNOOCCKKOOUUTT

A tank or separator vessel used to separate or "knock out" water from a

stream of oil.

22662244.. kknnoocckkoouutt ddrrooppss

(slang) a slugging compound.

22662255.. kknnoott

a unit of speed equal to 1 nautical mile, or 6,020.20 feet, per hour. It is also

equal to about I'A statute miles per hour.

22662266.. kknnoowwlleeddggee bbooxx

(slang) the cupboard or desk in which the driller keeps the various records

pertaining to a drilling operation. The drilling crew's name for the place the

driller keeps his orders and reports; smart box.

22662277.. KKNNUUCCKKLLEE BBUUSSTTEERR

A wrench so worn or of such poor quality that it will not hold when under the

strain of heavy work.

Page 360: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

359359

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22662288.. KKNNUUCCKKLLEE JJOOIINNTT

A universal joint (q.v.); a type of early drilling tool hinged on a movable joint

so that the drill could be deflected at an angle from the vertical. a deflection

tool, placed above the drill bit in the drill stem, with a ball and socket

arrangement that allows the tool to be deflected at an angle; used in

directional drilling. A knuckle joint is useful in fishing operations because it

allows the fishing tool to be deflected to the side of the hole where a fish may

have come to rest.

22662299.. KKOO

kicked off; used in drilling reports.(See kick off.)

22663300.. KKOOPP

kickoff point.

22663311.. KKOORRTT NNOOZZZZLLEE

A type of ship's propeller that rotates within a cylindrical cowling which

concentrates the thrust of the propeller. This produces a nozzle effect as the

water is jetted from the cowling. Kort nozzles are installed on some tugboats

and drilling-tender vessels to increase their maneuverability and response.

22663322.. kkVV

kilovolt.

22663333.. kkWW

kilowatt.

22663344.. kkwwhh

KWH, kw-h kilowatt-hour.

Page 361: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry
Page 362: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22663355.. LLAACCTT

lease automatic custody transfer. A LACT unit is an automated system for

measuring and transferring oil from a leasegathering system into a pipeline.

22663366.. LLAACCTT uunniitt

(See lease automatic custody transfer, and LACT.)

22663377.. llaammiinnaarr ffllooww

a smooth flow of fluid in which no cross flow of fluid particles occurs between

adjacent stream lines.

22663388.. llaanndd

1. the area of a partly machined surface (as with grooves or indentations)

that is left smooth. 2. the area between the grooves into which the rings fit

on a piston.

22663399.. llaanndd ccaassiinngg

to install casing so it is supported in the casinghead by slips. The casing is

usually landed in the casinghead at exactly the position in which it was

hanging when the cement plug reached its lowest point.

22664400.. LLAANNDDEEDD CCOOSSTT ((OOFF OOIILL))

The cost of a barrel of imported oil off loaded at a U.S, port. Landed cost

includes all foreign taxes and royalties plus cost of transportation.

22664411.. LLAANNDDIINNGG CCAASSIINNGG

Lowering a string of casing into the hole and setting it on a shoulder of rock

at a point where the diameter of the borehole has been reduced. The

beginning of the smaller diameter hole forms the shoulder on which the

casing is landed.

22664422.. llaannddiinngg ddeepptthh

the depth to which the lower end of casing extends in the hole when casing is

landed.

Page 363: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

362362

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22664433.. llaannddmmaann

a person in the petroleum industry who negotiates with landowners for land

options, oil-drilling leases, and royalties and with producers for the pooling of

production in the Field; also called leasernan.

22664444.. LLAANNDDOOWWNNEERR RROOYYAALLTTYY

A share of the gross production of the oil and gas on t property by the

landowner without bearing any of the cost of producing the oil or gas. The

usual landowner's royalty is one-eighth of gross production.

22664455.. llaapp

an interval in the cased hole where the top of a liner overlaps the bottom of a

string of casing.

22664466.. LLAAPP--WWEELLDDEEDD PPIIPPEE

Line pipe or casing made from a sheet of steel which is formed on a mandrel.

The two edges, tapered to half normal thickness, are 1a,oped over and

welded. See Seamless Pipe.

22664477.. llaasstteennggaaggeedd tthhrreeaadd

the last pipe thread that is actually screwed into the coupling thread in

making up a joint of drill pipe, drill collars, tubing, or casing. If the pipe

makes up perfectly, it is also the last thread cut on the pipe.

22664488.. llaattcchh oonn

to attach elevators to a section of pipe to pull it out of or run it into the hole.

22664499.. LLAATTEERR

A metric unit of volume 1.057 U.S. quarts; 61.02 cubic inches.

Page 364: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

363363

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22665500.. LLAATTEERRAALL LLIINNEESS

Pipelines that tie into a trunk line; laterals are of smaller diameter and are laid

as part of a gathering system or a distribution system. In an oil field, laterals

bring oil or gas from individual leases or tank batteries to the booster station

and the trunk line.

22665511.. llaatteexx cceemmeenntt

an oil-well cement composed of latex, cement, a surfactant, and water and

characterized by its high-strength bond with other materials and its resistance

to contamination by oil or drilling mud.

22665522.. llaayy bbaarrggee

a barge used in the construction and placement of underwater pipelines.

joints of pipe are welded together and then lowered off the stern of the barge

as it moves ahead.

22665533.. llaayy ddoowwnn ppiippee

to pull drill pipe or tubing from the hole and place it in a horizontal position on

a pipe rack. Compare set back.

22665544.. LLAAYY TTOONNGGSS

See Pipe Tongs.

22665555.. LLAAYY--DDOOWWNN RRAACCKK

A storage area for tubing and drillpipe that are removed from a well and laid

down rather than set back and racked vertically in the derrick.

22665566.. LLAAYY--DDOOWWNN TTHHEE TTUUBBIINNGG

To pull the tubing from the well, a joint at a time, and remove it from the

derrick floor to a nearby horizontal pipe rack. As each joint is unscrewed from

Page 365: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

364364

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

the string, the lower end of the joint is placed on a low cart and pulled out to

the rack as the driller lowers the pipe which is held up by the elevators.

22665577.. llaayyeerr

a bed, or stratum, of rock.

22665588.. llaayyiinngg ddoowwnn

(See lay down pipe.)

22665599.. LLAAZZYY BBEENNCCHH

A bench on which workers, when not working, may rest. A perch from which

a work operation may be observed by workers or loafers.

22666600.. LLAAZZYY BBOOAARRDD

A stout board with a handle used to support the end of a pipeline while

another length of pipe is screwed into it. On small lines. the man operating

the lazy board or "granny" board usually handles the back-up wrench which

holds one joint of pipe firm while another joint is being screwed in.

22666611.. llbb

pound.

22666622.. llbb//fftt33

pounds per cubic foot.

22666633.. LLBB//LLBB

Pound per pound. In a refining process, the ratio of ingredients to be mixed

or introduced to the process.

Page 366: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

365365

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22666644.. LLBBSS--HH22OO//MMMMSSCCFF

Pounds of water per million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of natural gas. The

designation of water content for large volumes of gas. See PPM/VVT.

22666655.. LLCCCCVV

Large crude-carrying vessels tankers from 100,000 to 500,000 dead. weight

tons capable of transporting 2.5 to 3.5 million barrels of oil in one trip.

Cruising speed of LCCVs is 12 to 18 knots overall length, about 1,200 feet;

draft when fully loaded, more than 80 feet.

22666666.. lleeaadd lliinnee

the pipe through which oil or gas flows from the well to additional equipment

on the lease.

22666677.. LLEEAADD LLIINNEESS

Lines through which production from individual wells is run to a tease tank

battery.

22666688.. lleeaadd ttoonnggss

(pronounced "leed") the pipe tongs suspended in the derrick and operated by

a wireline connected to the breakout cathead. They are also called breakout

tongs.

22666699.. lleeaadd--ttoonngg mmaann

the crew member who operates lead tongs during hoisting of the drill pipe.

22667700.. lleeaakk--ooffff tteesstt

a gradual pressurizing of the casing after the blowout preventers have been

installed to permit estimation of the casing burst point.

Page 367: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

366366

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22667711.. LLEEAANN GGAASS

Natural gas containing little or no liquefiable hydrocarbons. See Wet Gas.

22667722.. lleeaann ooiill

a hydrocarbon liquid usually lighter in weight than kerosine and heavier than

paint thinner. In a gas-processing plant, lean oil is used in an absorber to

remove heavier hydrocarbons from natural gas.

22667733.. LLEEAASSEE

(1) The legal instrument by which a leasehold is created in minerals. A

contract that. for a stipulated sum, conveys to an operator the right to drill for

oil or gas. The oil lease is not to be confused with the usual lease of land or a

building. The interests created by an oil-country lease are quite different from

a realty lease.

(2) The location of production activity; oil installations and facilities; location

of oil field office, tool house, garages.

22667744.. lleeaassee aauuttoommaattiicc ccuussttooddyy ttrraannssffeerr

(LACT) automatic measurement and transfer of oil from a producer's tanks to

a connected pipeline, which circumvents the need for personnel to be present

at the site.

22667755.. LLEEAASSEE BBRROOKKEERR

A person whose business is securing leases for later sale in the hope of profit.

Lease brokers operate in areas where survey or exploration work is being

done.

Page 368: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

367367

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22667766.. LLEEAASSEE CCOONNDDEENNSSAATTEE

Liquid hydrocarbons produced with natural gas and separated from the gas at

the well or on the lease. See Condensate.

22667777.. LLEEAASSEE HHOOUUNNDD

Colloquial term for a person whose job is securing oil and gas leases from

landowners for himself or a company for which he works. See Landman.

22667788.. LLEEAASSEE LLIINNEESS

Gathering lines on a lease; usually small-diameter (2 to 4-inch) pipelines that

carry production from the lease wells to a central tank battery; lead fines.

22667799.. lleeaassee mmeetteerriinngg ssiittee

the point on a lease where the volume of oil produced from the lease is

measured, usually automatically.

22668800.. lleeaassee ooppeerraattoorr

(See pumper.)

22668811.. lleeaassee ttaannkk

(See production tank.)

22668822.. LLEEAASSEE TTAANNKKSS

A battery of two or more 100 to 500-barreitanks on a lease that receive the.

production from the wells on the lease. Pipeline connections are made to the

lease tanks for transporting the oil to the trunk line and thence to the

refinery.

22668833.. lleeaasseemmaann

(See landman.)

Page 369: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

368368

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22668844.. lleeeewwaarrdd

(nautical) downwind.

22668855.. LLEEFFTT--HHAANNDD TTHHRREEAADD

A pipe or bolt thread cut to be turned counterclockwise in tightening. Most

threads are right-hand, cut to be tightened by turning clockwise. Nipples with

one kind of thread on one end, another on the other end, are referred to as

"bastard (q.v.) nipples."

22668866.. LLEEGGAALL SSUUBBDDIIVVIISSIIOONN

Forty acres; one-sixteenth of a section (square mile).

22668877.. LLEEGGSS,, OOIILL DDEERRRRIICCKK

The tour corner-members of the rig, held together by sway braces and girts.

22668888.. lleennss

1. a porous, permeable, irregularly shaped sedimentary deposit surrounded

by impervious rock. 2. a lenticular sedimentary bed that pinches out, or

comes to an end, in all directions.

22668899.. LLEESSSSEEEE

The person or company entitled, under a lease, to drill and operate an oil or

gas well.

22669900.. lleessssoorr

the conveyer of a lease (as an oil and gas lease).

Page 370: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

369369

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22669911.. lleevveell

1. the height or depth at which the top of a column of fluid is located (as the

level of fluid in a well). 2. a horizontally even surface. 3. a device used to

determine if a surface is horizontal.

22669922.. LLIIFFOO--FFIIFFOO--FFIILLOO

Last in first out; first in first out; first in fast out. Acronyms that designate the

sequence of movement in and out or the handling of crude oil and products in

inventory or held in storage.

22669933.. lliifftteerr--rrooooff ttaannkk

a tank whose roof rises and falls with the changes of pressure in the tank but

does not float on the product stored in it.

22669944.. LLIIFFTTIINNGG

(1) Refers to tankers and barges taking on cargoes of oil or refined product at

a terminal or transshipment point.

(2) Producing an oil well by mechanical means; pump, compressed air, or

gas.

22669955.. LLIIFFTTIINNGG CCOOSSTTSS

The costs of producing oil from a well or a lease,

22669966.. lliiffttiinngg nniippppllee

a short piece of pipe with a pronounced upset, or shoulder, on the upper end,

screwed into drill pipe, drill collars, or casing to provide a positive grip for the

elevators. It also is called a lifting sub or a hoisting plug.

22669977.. lliiffttiinngg ssuubb

(See hoisting plug and lifting nipple.)

Page 371: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

370370

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22669988.. LLIIGGHHTT CCRRUUDDEE

Crude oil that flows freely at atmospheric temperatures and has an API

gravity in the high 30s and 40s; a light-colored crude oil. See Heavy Crude

Oil.

22669999.. lliigghhtt ccrruuddee ooiill

a crude oil of relatively high API gravity (usually 40' or higher).

22770000.. lliigghhtt ddiissppllaacceemmeenntt

on mobile offshore drilling rigs, the weight of the rig with all permanently

attached equipment but without fuel, supplies, crew, ballast, drill pipe, and so

forth.

22770011.. LLIIGGHHTT EENNDDSS

The more volatile products of petroleum refining e.g. butane, propane,

gasoline.

22770022.. LLIIGGHHTT PPLLAANNTT

An early-day term for an installation on a lease or at a company camp (q.v.)

that provided electricity for fighting and small appliances. The light plant often

was simply a belt-driven D. C. generator run off one of the engines at a

pipeline pumping station or a pumping well's engine. The lights "surged" with

the power strokes of the engines and went out when an engine "went down,"

but the lights were far better than gas lights or none at all.

22770033.. lliigghhtteenniinngg hhoollee

a hole cut into a strengthening member that reduces its weight but does not

affect its strength significantly.

Page 372: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

371371

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22770044.. lliigghhttwweeiigghhtt cceemmeenntt

a cement or cement system that handles stable scurries having densities of

less than the optimum weight of neat cement.

22770055.. lliiggnnoossuullffoonnaattee

an organic drilling fluid additive derived from by-products of a papermaking

process using sulfite; added to drilling mud to minimize fluid loss and to

reduce the viscosity of the mud.

22770066.. lliimmbbeerr hhoollee

a hole cut in a structural member of a ship or offshore drilling rig, usually in a

tank, to allow water to pass through freely.

22770077.. LLIIMMEE

Colloquial for limestone.

22770088.. lliimmee mmuudd

a drilling mud that is treated with lime to provide a source of soluble calcium

in the filtrate in order to obtain desirable mud properties when drilling in shale

or clay formations.

22770099.. lliimmeessttoonnee

a sedimentary rock rich in calcium carbonate that sometimes serves as a

reservoir rock for petroleum.

22771100.. lliinnee

1. any length of pipe through which liquid or gas flows. 2. rope or wire rope.

3. electrical wire.

Page 373: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

372372

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22771111.. lliinnee ddrriivvee

in water-flooding, a pattern of injection wells designed to advance water to

the producing wells in the form of a frontal movement. (See waterflood.)

22771122.. LLIINNEE FFIILLLL AANNDD LLIINNEE PPAACCKK

Line fill The amount of gas or oil or product required to fill a new line before

deliveries can be made at take-off I points or the end of the fine. Line pack

The volume of gas or barrels or oil maintained in a trunk pipeline at all times

in order to maintain pressure and provide uninterrupted flow of gas or oil.

There are millions of barrels of oil and billions of cubic feet of gas in the

country's pipelines at ad times.

22771133.. LLIINNEE LLIISSTT

Instructions to the pipeline construction crews building a line across the land

of many property owners. The instructions list all owners, the length of line

across each property, and include any special restrictions such as "keep all

gates closed and in good repair" and "avoid at all costs damaging large

trees." The right-of-way man leaps make up the line list,

22771144.. lliinnee ppiippee

a steel or plastic pipe used in pipelines, gathering systems, flow lines, and so

forth.

22771155.. lliinnee ssccrraappeerr

(See pig.)

Page 374: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

373373

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22771166.. LLIINNEE,, GGAASS SSAALLEESS

Merchantable natural-gas line from a lease or offshore production processing

platform carrying gas that has had water and other impurities removed; a line

carrying pipeline gas (q.v.).

22771177.. LLIINNEE,, OOIILL SSAALLEESS

Merchantable crude-oil fine from a lease or offshore production processing

platform carrying oil that has had water and other impurities removed; a line

transporting pipeline oil, (q.v.).

22771188.. LLIINNEE--PPAACCKK GGAASS

Gas maintained in a gas transmission line at all times to maintain pressure

and effect uninterrupted flow of gas to customers at take-off points.

22771199.. LLIINNEERR

In drilling, a length of casing used downhole to shut off a water or gas

formation so drilling can proceed. Liners are also used to case a "thief zone"

(q.v.) where drilling fluid is being lost in a porous formation. A finer is also a

removable cylinder used in reciprocating pumps and certain types of internal-

combustion engines; a sleeve.

22772200.. lliinneerr bbaarrrreell

a pump barrel used for either tubing pumps or rod (insert) pumps. A full-

cylinder liner barrel consists of a steel jacket inside of which is a full-length

tube of cast iron or special alloy. The inner surface of the barrel is polished to

a mirrorlike finish to permit a fluid-tight seal between it and the plunger. In a

sectional liner barrel, the tube placed inside the steel jacket consists of a

Page 375: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

374374

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

series of sections placed end to end and held firmly in place by means of

threaded collars on the ends of the steel jacket.

22772211.. lliinneerr ccoommpplleettiioonn

a well completion in which a screen liner is used to obtain communication

between the reservoir and the wellbore.

22772222.. lliinneerr hhaannggeerr

a slip device that attaches the liner to the casing.

22772233.. lliinneerr llaapp

the distance that a liner extends into the bottom of a string of casing.

22772244.. LLIINNEEUUPP CCLLAAMMPPSS

A device that holds the ends of two joints of pipe together and in perfect

alignment for welding. Lineup clamps operate on the outside of the pipe and

are used on smaller diameter line pipe. Large-diameter pipe-20 to 36-inch and

over-are aligned by internal, hydraulically operated mandrel-like devices.

22772255.. LLIINNKKAAGGEE

A term used to describe an arrangement of interconnecting parts-rods, lovers,

springs, joints, couplings, pins-that transmit motion, power, or exert control.

22772266.. lliiqquueeffiieedd nnaattuurraall ggaass

(LNG) a liquid composed chiefly of natural gas (i.e., mostly methane). Natural

gas is liquefied to make it easier to transport if a pipeline is not feasible (as

across a body of water). Not as easily liquefied as LPG, LNG must be put

under low temperature and high pressure to become liquefied.

Page 376: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

375375

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22772277.. LLIIQQUUEEFFIIEEDD NNAATTUURRAALL GGAASS ((LLNNGG))

Natural gas that has been liquefied by severe cooling (-160'C.) for the

purpose of shipment and storage in high-pressure cryogenic tanks. To

transform the liquid to a useable gas, the pressure is reduced and the liquid is

warmed.

22772288.. lliiqquueeffiieedd nnaattuurraall--ggaass ccaarrrriieerr

(LNGC) a tank ship that is specifically designed to transport liquefied natural

gas.

lliiqquueeffiieedd ppeettrroolleeuumm ggaass

(LPG) a mixture of heavier, gaseous, paraffinic hydrocarbons, principally

butane and propane. These gases, easily liquefied at moderate pressures,

may be transported as liquids but converted to gases on release of the

pressure. Thus, liquefied petroleum gas is a portable source of thermal

energy that finds wide application in areas where it is impracticable to

distribute natural gas. It is also used as a fuel for internal-combustion engines

and has many industrial and domestic uses. Principal sources are natural and

refinery gas, from which the liquefied petroleum gases are separated by

fractionation.

22772299.. lliiqquuiidd

a state of matter in which the shape of the given mass depends on the

containing vessel, but the volume of the mass is independent of the vessel. A

liquid is a practically incompressible fluid. liquid-level controller any device

used to control the liquid level in a tank by actuating electric or pneumatic

switches that open and close the discharge valve or the intake valve, thus

maintaining the liquid at the desired level.

Page 377: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

376376

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22773300.. LLIIQQUUIIDD HHYYDDRROOCCAARRBBOONNSS

Petroleum components that are liquid at normal temperatures and

atmospheric pressure.

22773311.. lliiqquuiidd--lleevveell ggaauuggee

any device that indicates the level or quantity of liquid in a container.

lliiqquuiidd--lleevveell IInnddiiccaattoorr

a device connected to a vessel and coupled with either a float in the vessel or

directly with the fluid therein and calibrated to give a visual indication of the

liquid level in the tank.

22773322.. lliisstt

the position of a ship or offshore drilling rig that heels to one side because of

a shift in cargo, machinery, or supplies.

22773333.. lliitteerr

a unit of metric measure of capacity equal to the volume occupied by 1 kg of

water at 4 C and at the standard atmospheric pressure of 760 mm.

22773344.. lliitthhiiffiiccaattiioonn

the conversion of unconsolidated deposits into solid rock.

22773355.. LLiitthhoollooggiicc,, lliitthhoollooggyy

The physical character of a rock.

22773366.. lliitthhoollooggyy

the study of rocks, usually macroscopic. Also, the individual character of a

rock in terms of mineral composition, structure, and so forth.

Page 378: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

377377

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22773377.. LLIITTTTLLEE BBIIGG IINNCCHH PPIIPPEELLIINNEE

A 20-inch products pipeline built from East Texas to the Fact Coast during

World War 11 to solve the problem caused by tanker losses as the resume of

submarine warfare. After the war, the line was sold to a private gas

transmission company.

22773388.. LLIIVVEE OOIILL

Crude oil which contains dissolved natural gas when produced. A flowing well

always has dissolved gas, as it is the gas pressure which pushes the oil out of

the porous formation to the well bore and up to the surface. Pumping wells

may produce oil with a small amount of gas entrained in the production.

22773399.. llmm

lime; used in drilling reports.

22774400.. LLNNGG

See Liquefied Natural Gas.

22774411.. LLNNGGCC

liquefied natural-gas carrier.

22774422.. llooaadd

in mechanics, the weight or pressure placed on an object. The load on a bit

refers to the amount of the weight of the drill collars allowed to rest on the

bit. See weight on the bit. to engage an engine so it works. Compare idle.

22774433.. llooaadd bbiinnddeerr

a chain or cable with a latching device, used to secure loads (usually of pipe)

on trucks. It is also called boomer.

Page 379: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

378378

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22774444.. llooaadd gguuyy

(See guy line.)

22774455.. LLOOAADD OOIILL

Oil of any kind put back into a well for any purpose; e.g. hydraulic fracturing,

shooting, or swabbing.

22774466.. llooaaddiinngg rraacckk

the equipment used for transferring crude oil into tank cars.

22774477.. lloocc

location; used in drilling reports.

22774488.. LLOOCCAALL DDRRAAIINNAAGGEE

The movement of oil or gas toward the well bore of a producing well. See

Drainage.

22774499.. LLOOCCAATTIIOONN

The well site the place where a well is to be drilled or has been drilled; a well

spacing unit, e.g. "Two locations south of the discovery well..."

22775500.. LLOOCCAATTIIOONN DDAAMMAAGGEESS

Compensation paid by an operator to the owner of the land for damages to

the surface or to crops during the drilling of a well. Mud pits must be dug, a

surface leveled for tanks and rig, and access roads built, so there are always

some location damages to be paid.

Page 380: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

379379

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22775511.. lloogg

a systematic recording of data, as from the driller's log, mud log, electrical

well log, or radioactivity log. Many different logs are run in wells being

produced or drilled to obtain various characteristics of downhole formations.

22775522.. lloogg aa wweellll

to run any of the various logs used to ascertain downhole information about a

well.

22775533.. LLOOGG RROOAADD

See Cord Road.

22775544.. lloogg sshheeeett

a daily report sheet on which operating data is entered by gaugers,

dispatchers, and station engineers.

22775555.. LLOOGG,, SSAAMMPPLLEE

See Sample Log.

22775566.. llooggbbooookk

a book used by station engineers and gaugers to keep notes of current

operating conditions and other useful information.

22775577.. LLooggggiinngg

The systematic recording of data obtained from the driller's log and mud log

at the surface, and electrical and radioactive logs obtained from

instrumentation lowered into and retrieved from the drill hole after drilling.

Page 381: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

380380

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22775588.. LLOOGGGGIINNGG UUNNIITT

Well service wireline equipment for downhole well surveys. The spoof on

which the wire is wound is powered by a small engine to reel in the

thousands of feet of wire lowered into the hole with the logging tool.

22775599.. LLOONNGG SSTTRRIINNGG

See Production String.

22776600.. LLOOOOPPIINNGG AA LLIINNEE

The construction of a pipeline parallel to an existing line, usually in the same

right-of-way, to increase the throughput capacity of the system; doubling a

pipeline over part of its length, with the new section tied into the original line.

22776611.. LLOOOOSSEE--VVAALLVVEE TTRREEEE

The designation for a Christmas tree or production tree nippled up or made

up with individual valves as contrasted to solid-block tree valves, i.e., two or

more valves made in one compact steel block. A stacked, loose-valve tree.

22776622.. LLOOSSEE RREETTUURRNNSS

Refers to a condition in which less drilling mud is being returned from

downhole than is being pumped in at the top. This indicates that mud is being

lost in porous formations, crevices, or a cavern.

22776633.. lloossss ooff cciirrccuullaattiioonn

(See lost circulation.)

22776644.. lloosstt cciirrccuullaattiioonn

the loss of quantities of whole mud to a formation, usually in cavernous,

Fissured, or coarsely permeable beds, evidenced by the complete or partial

failure of the mud to return to the surface as it is being circulated in the hole.

Page 382: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

381381

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

Lost circulation can lead to a blowout and, in general, reduce the efficiency of

the drilling operation. It is also called lost returns.

22776655.. lloosstt hhoollee

a well that cannot be further drilled or produced because of a blowout,

unsuccessful fishing job, and so forth. lost pipe drill pipe, drill collars, tubing,

or casing that has become separated from the part of the pipe reaching the

surface, necessitating its removal before normal operations can proceed; a

fish.

22776666.. lloosstt rreettuurrnnss

(See lost circulation.)

22776677.. lloosstt--cciirrccuullaattiioonn mmaatteerriiaall

a substance added to cement slurries or drilling muds to prevent the loss of

cement or mud to the formation. (See bridging material.)

22776688.. llooww--pprreessssuurree ssqquueeeezzee cceemmeennttiinngg

the forcing of cement into the points in a well to be squeezed at a pressure

not exceeding the formation-breakdown pressure. (See squeeze cementing.)

22776699.. llooww--ssoolliiddss mmuudd

a drilling mud that contains a minimum amount of solid material (as sand, silt,

etc.) and is used in rotary drilling when possible because it can provide fast

drilling rates.

22777700.. LLOOWWBBOOYY

A low-profile, flat-bed trailer with multiple axles (6 to 10) for transporting

extra-heavy loads over relatively short distances. The many wheels and axles

serve to spread the weight of the trailer and its load over a large area to

Page 383: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

382382

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

avoid damaging streets and highways. The low bed makes it easier to load

and unload the heavy equipment it was designed to move.

22777711.. LLOOWWEERR IINN

To put a completed pipeline in the ditch. This is done with side-boom tractors

that lift the pipe in slings and carefully lower it into the ditch. The slings are

made of layers of heavy canvas or rubber-impregnated fabric so as not to

scuff or break the anticorrosion pipe coating which is applied to all buried

pipelines.

22777722.. LLPP--GGAASS DDRRIIVVEE

The injection of high-pressure enriched gas or an LPG slug to effect the

miscible displacement of oil. See Tertiary Recovery.

22777733.. LLPPGG

Liquefied petroleum gas; LP-gas; "bottled gas"; butane, propane and other

fight ends (q.v.) separated from natural gasoline or crude oil by fractionation

or other refining processes. At atmospheric pressure, liquefied petroleum

gases revert to the gaseous state. Liquid butane and propane or a mixture of

the two are used extensively in areas where there is no natural gas service.

When the valve on the "bottle" or small tank of butane, for example, is

opened, releasing the pressure on the liquid, a small quantity of liquid "boils"

or turns to a gas and can then be used just as natural gas for cooking or

heating.

22777744.. llss

limestone; used in drilling reports.

Page 384: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

383383

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22777755.. llssee

lease; used in drilling reports.

22777766.. LLUUBBEE OOIILL

Short for lubricating oil or lubricant. Also tube and tubes.

22777777.. LLUUBBRRIICCAATTIINNGG OOIILL,, MMUULLTTIIGGRRAADDEE

Specially formulated lubricating oil that flows freely in cold weather, and in

the heat of engine operation, maintains sufficient viscosity or "body" to

properly lubricate the engine e.g. 10-30 SAE.

22777788.. LLUUBBRRIICCAATTIIOONN SSYYSSTTEEMM,, GGRRAAVVIITTYY SSPPLLAASSHH

A type of lubrication system for relatively slow-moving machinery. The

crankcase of a pump, for example, contains the tube oil. As the crankshaft

22777799.. lluubbrriiccaattoorr

a specially fabricated length of casing or tubing usually placed temporarily

above a valve on top of the casing or tubing head. It is used to run tools or

substances into a producing well without having to kill the well and affords a

method of sealing off pressure while allowing a device such as a wireline to

pass into the well.

22778800.. LLUUBBRRIICCAATTOORR,, MMUUDD

A temporary hookup of pipes and valves for introducing additional, heavy

drilling mud into the well bore to control gas pressure. Through one or two

joints of large-diameter casing attached atop the wellhead, the heavy mud is

fed into the well bore, against pressure. as through a lubricator.

Page 385: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

384384

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22778811.. LLUUCCAASS,, CCAAPPTT.. AANNTTHHOONNYY FF..

It was Capt. Lucas' Spindletop gusher in 1901 (75,000 bbls/day) that ushered

in the modern oil age of large oil companies. John H. Galey and James M.

Guffey owned the Spindletop gusher located near Beaumont, Texas.

22778822.. LLUURRGGII PPRROOCCEESSSS

A process for the commercial gasification of coal which originated in

Germany.

22778833.. LLXXTT UUNNIITT

A low-temperature separator; a mechanical separator which uses refrigeration

obtained by expansion of gas from high pressure to low pressure to increase

recovery of gas-entrained liquids.

Page 386: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22778844.. mm

meter.

22778855.. mm22

square meter.

22778866.. mm33

cubic meter.

22778877.. mmAA

milliampere.

22778888.. mmaaccaarroonnii ssttrriinngg

a string of tubing of very small diameter.

22778899.. mmaaggmmaa

the hot, fluid matter within the earth's crust, capable of intrusion or extrusion,

that produces igneous rocks when cooled.

22779900.. MMaaggnnaafflluuxx

a trade name for the equipment and processes used for detecting cracks and

other surface discontinuities in iron or steel. A magnetic field is set up in the

part to be inspected, and a powder or paste of magnetic particles is applied.

The particles arrange themselves around discontinuities in the metal,

revealing defects.

mmaaggnneettiicc ssuurrvveeyyiinngg iinnssttrruummeenntt

a device used to determine the direction and drift of a deviated wellbore. It

uses a plumb bob, a magnetic compass, and photographic or mechanical

equipment to determine and record directional information. (See directional

survey and directional drilling.)

22779911.. MMAAGGNNEETTOO

See Ignition Magneto,

Page 387: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

386386

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22779922.. MMAAGGNNEETTOOMMEETTEERR

An instrument for measuring the relative intensity of the earth's magnetic

effect. Used to detect rock formations below the surface; in instrument used

by geophysicists in oil exploration work.

22779933.. mmaaiinn ddeecckk

the principal deck extending from front to back of a ship or offshore drilling

rig; the Texas deck.

22779944.. mmaaiinn lliinnee

a large-diameter pipeline between distant points; a trunk line.

22779955.. mmaakkee aa ccoonnnneeccttiioonn

to attach a joint of drill pipe onto the drill stem suspended in the wellbore to

permit deepening of the wellbore.

22779966.. mmaakkee aa hhaanndd

(slang) to become a good worker.

22779977.. mmaakkee aa ttrriipp

to hoist the drill stem out of the wellbore to perform one of a number of

operations such as changing bits, taking a core, and so forth, and then to

return the drill stem to the wellbore.

22779988.. mmaakkee hhoollee

to deepen the hole made by the bit; to drill ahead.

22779999.. MMAAKKEE IITT UUPP

To screw a pipe or threaded connection tight by the use of a wrench.

Page 388: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

387387

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22880000.. mmaakkee uupp

1. to assemble and join parts to form a complete unit (as to make up a string

of casing). 2. to screw together two threaded pieces. 3. to mix or prepare (as

to make up a tank of mud). 4. to compensate for (as to make up for lost

time).

22880011.. mmaakkee uupp aa jjooiinntt

to screw a length of pipe into another length of pipe.

22880022.. MMAAKKEE--UUPP TTOORRQQUUEE

The power necessary to screw a joint of pipe into another sufficiently tight to

hold and not loosen under working conditions.

22880033.. mmaakkeeuupp

intend to be added to a system (as makeup water used in mixing mud).

mmaakkeeuupp ccaatthheeaadd

the cathead used as a power source for screwing together joints of pipe.

22880044.. MMAAKKIINNGG HHOOLLEE

Progress in drilling a well, literally.

22880055.. MMAALLEE CCOONNNNEECCTTIIOONN

A pipe, rod, or coupling with threads on the outside circumference. male

connection a pipe, coupling, or tool that has threads on the outside so it can

be joined to a female connection.

22880066.. MMAANN RRAACCKK

A portable "doghouse" or cab mounted on a flat-bed truck for transporting

pipeline workers to and from the job.

Page 389: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

388388

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22880077.. mmaannddrreell

a cylindrical bar, spindle, or shaft around which other parts are arranged or

attached or that fits inside a cylinder or tube.

22880088.. mmaannhhoollee

a hole in the top or side of a tank through which a person can enter.A hole in

the side of a tank or other vessel through which a man can enter. Manholes

have fitted covers with gaskets that are kept bolted in place when the tank is

in use.

22880099.. MMAANNIIFFEESSTT

A document issued by a shipper invoicing oil or products transported by a

ship; a bill of lading.

22881100.. MMAANNIIFFOOLLDD

An area where pipelines entering and leaving a pumping station or tank farm

converge and that contains all valves for controlling the incoming and

outgoing streams. manifold an accessory system of piping to a main piping

system (or another conductor) that serves to divide a flow into several parts,

to combine several flows into one, or to reroute a flow to any one of several

possible destinations.

22881111.. mmaannoommeetteerr

a U-shaped piece of glass tubing containing a liquid (usually water or

mercury) that is used to measure the pressure of gases or liquids. When

pressure is applied, the liquid level in one arm rises while the level in the

other drops. A set of calibrated markings beside one of the arms permits a

pressure reading to be taken, usually in inches or millimeters.

Page 390: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

389389

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22881122.. MMAAPP,, BBAASSEE

A map that contain,.; latitude and longitude lines, land and political

boundaries, rivers, lakes, and major cities.

22881133.. MMAAPP,, RREELLIIEEFF

A model of an area in which variation in the surface is shown in relief; a

three-dimensional model of a surface area.

22881144.. MMAAPP,, SSUURRVVEEYY

A map containing geologic information of the surface and/or the subsurface.

22881155.. MMAAPP,, TTOOPPOOGGRRAAPPHHIICC

A map which shows in detail the physical features of an area of land,

including rivers, lakes, streams, roads.

22881166.. MMAARRGGIINNAALL SSTTRRIIKKEE

A discovery well on the border line between what is considered a commercial

and a noncommercial well; a step-out well that may have over-reached the

pool boundary.

22881177.. MMAARRGGIINNAALL WWEELLLL

A low-producing well, usually not subject to allowable regulations. a well that

is approaching depletion of its natural resource to the extent that any profit

from continued production is doubtful.

22881188.. MMAARRIINNEE OOIILL

Petroleum found by wells offshore or on the continental shelf.

Page 391: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

390390

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22881199.. mmaarriinnee rriisseerr ccoonnnneeccttoorr

a fitting on top of the subsea blowout preventers to which the riser pipe is

connected.

22882200.. mmaarriinnee rriisseerr ssyysstteemm

(See riser pipe.)string of specially designed steel pipes that extends down

from drillShip or floating platform to the subsea wellhead. Marine risers are

used to provide a return fluid-flow conductor between the well bore and the

drill vessel and to guide the drillstring to the wellhead on the ocean floor. The

riser is made up of several sections including flexible joints and a telescoping

joint to absorb the vertical motion of the ship caused by wave action.

MMAARRIINNEE WWHHIITTEE GGAASSOOLLIINNEE

Gasoline made for camp stoves, lanterns blow torches, boat Motors. Marine

white contains no tetraethyl lead or other additives that could clog the needle

vales of gasoline appliances.

22882211.. mmaarrkkeerr bbeedd

a distinctive, easily identified rock stratum, especially one used as a guide for

drilling.

22882222.. mmaarrll

a semisolid or unconsolidated clay, silt, or sand.

22882233.. MMAARRSSHH BBUUGGGGYY

A tractor-like vehicle whose wheels are fitted with extra-large rubber tires

inflated with air for use in swamps. The great, balloon-like tires are 10 or 12

feet high and two or three feet wide providing buoyancy as well as traction in

Page 392: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

391391

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

marshland. The marsh buggy is indispensable in exploration work in swampy

terrain.

22882244.. MMaarrsshh ffuunnnneell

a calibrated funnel used in field tests to determine the viscosity of drilling

mud.

22882255.. MMAASSSS--FFLLOOWW GGAASS MMEETTEERR

A gas meter that registers the quantity of gas in pounds which is then

converted to cubic feet. Mass-flow meter, which are somewhat more accurate

than orifice meters. are used in many refineries where large volumes of gas

are consumed.

22882266.. MMAASSTT

A simple derrick made of timbers or pipe held upright by guywires; a sturdy A

frame used for drilling shallow wells or for workover; a gin pole.a portable

derrick capable of being erected as a unit, as distinguished from a standard

derrick, which cannot be raised to a working position as a unit. For

transporting by land, the mast can be divided into two or more sections to

avoid excessive length extending from truckbeds on the highway.

22882277.. mmaasstteerr bbuusshhiinngg

an adapter used to reduce the size of the opening through the rotary table

and to fit the slips, for example. It may be split in two pieces or may be a

solid ring. Also called the rotary bushing. The large bushing that fits into the

rotary table of a drilling rig into which the ke1ly bushing fits. When kelly

bushing is lifted out of the master bushing, tapered slips are then inserted

around the drillpipe to hold it securely while another joint is added to the

drilistring.

Page 393: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

392392

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22882288.. MMAASSTTEERR GGAATTEE

A large valve on the wellhead used to shut In a well if it should become

necessary.

22882299.. mmaasstteerr vvaallvvee

(1). a large valve on the Christmas tree used to control the flow of oil and gas

from the well.

(2). the blind or blank rams of a blowout preventer.

22883300.. MMAATT--SSUUPPPPOORRTTEEDD DDRRIILLLLIINNGG PPLLAATTFFOORRMM

A self-elevating (jack-up) offshore drilling platform whose legs are attached to

a metal mat or substructure that rests on the sea floor when the legs are

extended.

22883311.. MMAATTIINNGG PPAARRTTSS

Two or more machine or equipment parts made to fit and/or work together,

e.g. piston and cylinder, pump plungers and liners or sucker rod box and pin.

22883322.. mmaattrriixx aacciiddiizziinngg

the procedure by which acid flow is confined to the natural permeability and

porosity of the formation, as opposed to fracture aridizing.

22883333.. MMAATTSSTTRRUUCCTTUURREE

The steel Platform placed on the sea floor as a rigid foundation to support the

legs of a jack-up drilling platform.

22883344.. MMAATTTTOOCCKK

A toot for digging in hard earth or rock. The head has two sharpened steel

blades; one is in the shape of a pick, the other the shape of a heavy adz.

Page 394: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

393393

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22883355.. mmaaxxiimmuumm aalllloowwaabbllee pprreessssuurree

the greatest pressure that may safely be applied to a structure or vessel.

Pressure in excess of this amount leads to failure or explosion.

22883366.. mmaaxxiimmuumm ccaappaacciittyy

the maximum output of a system or unit (as a refinery, gasoline plant,

pumping unit, or producing well).

22883377.. mmaaxxiimmuumm wwaatteerr

in oil-well cementing, the maximum ratio of water to cement that does not

cause the water to separate from the slurry on standing.

22883388.. MMAAYY RRAAKKEE

Another name for the finger board (q.v.) in the derrick of an oil well.

22883399.. MMccff

(Thousand Cubic Feet) Mcf stands for one thousand cubic feet. It is a unit of

measure that is more commonly used in the low volume sectors of the gas

industry such as stripper well production.

22884400.. MMccff//dd

1000 ft' of gas per day.

22884411.. mmdd

millidarcy. (See darcy.)

22884422.. MMEEAA

Short for monoethanolamine, an organic base used in refining operations to

absorb acidic gases in process streams. Also DEA, diethanolamine, another

common organic base.

Page 395: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

394394

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22884433.. mmeeaassuurree iinn

to obtain an accurate measurement of the depth reached in a well by

measuring the drill pipe or tubing as it is run into the well.

22884444.. mmeeaassuurree oouutt

to measure drill pipe or tubing as it is pulled from the hole, usually to

determine the depth of the well or the depth to which the pipe or tubing was

run.

22884455.. MMEEAASSUURREE,, UUNNIITTSS OOFF

LENGTH

22884466.. mmeeaassuurriinngg ttaannkk

a calibrated tank that, by means of weirs, float switches, pressure switches,

or similar devices, automatically measures the volume of liquid run in and

then released. Measuring tanks are used in LACT systems and may also be

referred to as metering tanks or dump tanks.

22884477.. mmeecchhaanniiccaall rriigg

a drilling rig in which the source of power is one or more internal-combustion

engines and in which the power is distributed to rig components through

mechanical devices (as chains, sprockets, clutches, and shafts). It is also

called a power rig.

22884488.. MMEERR

maximum efficiency rate.(of production) (q.v.).

22884499.. MMEERRCCAAPPTTAANN

Chemical compound, containing sulfur, present in certain refined products

that Impart objectionable odor to the product. mercaptan a chemical

Page 396: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

395395

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

compound similar to alcohol in which sulfur replaces the oxygen. Many

mercaptans have an offensive odor and are used as odor and in natural gas.

22885500.. mmeerrcchhaannttaabbllee ooiill

a crude oil in which the BS& W content is not in excess of that allowed by the

purchase, making it salable.(crude) of a quality as to be acceptable by a

pipeline system or other purchaser; crude oil containing no more than one

percent BS&W (q.v.).

22885511.. MMEERRCCUURRYY NNUUMMBBEERR

A measure of the free sulfur in a sample of naphtha. Mercury is mixed with a

sample and shaken, and the degree of discoloration in the sample is

compared with a standard to determine the mercury number.

22885522.. mmeettaacceenntteerr

a point located somewhere on a line drawn vertically through the crater of

buoyancy of the hull of a floating vessel with the hull in one position (e.g.,

level) and then another (e.g., inclined). When the hull inclines slightly to a

new position, the center of buoyancy of the hull also moves to a new position.

If a second line is drawn vertically through the new center of buoyancy, it

intersects the first line at a point called the metacenter. Location of the

metacenter is important because it affects the stability of floating vessels (as

mobile offshore drilling rigs).

22885533.. mmeettaammoorrpphhiicc rroocckk

a rock derived from preexisting rocks by mineralogical, chemical, and

structural alterations caused by processes within the earth's crust. Marble is a

metamorphic rock.

Page 397: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

396396

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22885544.. MMEETTAAMMOORRPPHHIISSMM

Changes in rock induced by pressure, heat, and the action of water that

results in a more compact and highly crystalline condition.

22885555.. mmeetteerr ((mm))

1. the fundamental unit of length in the metric system, equal to 3.28 ft, 39.37

in., or 100 cm. 2. a device used to measure and often record volumes,

quantities, or rates of flow of gases, liquids, or electric currents. to measure

quantities or properties of a substance.

22885566.. mmeetteerr ccaalliibbrraattiioonn

1. the operation by which meter readings are compared with an accepted

standard. 2. adjustment of a meter so that its readings conform to a standard

22885577.. mmeetteerr cchhaarrtt

a circular chart of special paper that shows the range of differential pressure

and static pressure and that is marked by the recording pens of a flow

meter.A replaceable paper chart for recording pressure or flow for a 24-hour

period. As the chart revolves on its spindle, an inked pen traces the variations

in pressure or volume.

22885588.. mmeetteerr pprroovveerr

a device used to check the accuracy of a meter. Meters are proved by passing

a known volume of fluid through them at a known rate and comparing this

volume with a standard. A typical prover used for checking meters is the bell

prover, which consists essentially of a bell, or piston, that is lowered into a

tank containing a known volume of fluid. As the bell is lowered, it displaces

the fluid and forces it through the meter to be tested. The rate at which the

Page 398: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

397397

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

bell drops is controlled, and thus the rate of flow through the meter can be

controlled. The piston prover is extensively used in LACT systems. It has a

calibrated tube containing a known volume of fluid. As the piston advances,

displacing the fluid in the tube and forcing it through the meter, the volume

passing through the meter is recorded. The reading is then compared with

the standard (the volume in the tube).

22885599.. mmeetteerr rruunn ppooiinntt

the point in a gas-gathering system at which a field measuring meter and

accessories are situated.

22886600.. mmeetteerriinngg sseeppaarraattoorr

a complete separator and volume meter integrated into a single vessel. Two-

phase units separate oil and gas and meter the oil; three-phase units

separate oil, water, and gas, and meter the oil and water.

22886611.. mmeetteerriinngg ttaannkk

(See measuring tank.)

22886622.. MMEETTHHAANNEE

The simplest saturated hydrocarbon; a colorless flammable gas; one of the

main constituents of illuminating gas. methane a light, gaseous, flammable

paraffin hydrocarbon, CH,,, with a boiling point of -258 F, that is the chief

component of natural gas and an important basic hydrocarbon for

petrochemical manufacture.

22886633.. MMeetthhaannee 8800..00%%

Ethane 7.0% Propane 6.0% Isobutane 1.5% Butane 2.5% Pentane plus 3.0%

In addition to these gases, natural gas may contain appreciable quantities of

Page 399: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

398398

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

nitrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, and contaminants (as hydrogen sulfide and

water vapor). Although gaseous at normal temperatures and pressures,

certain of the gases comprising the mixture that is natural gas are variable in

form and may be found either as gases or as liquids under suitable conditions

of temperature and pressure.

22886644.. mmeetthhaannee sseerriieess

the paraffin series of hydrocarbons.

22886655.. MMEETTHHAANNEE--RRIICCHH GGAASS PPRROOCCEESSSS

See MRG Process.

22886666.. MMEETTHHAANNOOLL

Methyl alcohol; a colorless, flammable liquid derived from methane (natural

gas).

22886677.. mmeettrriicc ssyysstteemm

a decimal system of weights and measures based on the meter as the unit of

length, the gram as the unit of weight, the cubic meter as the unit of volume,

the liter as the unit of capacity, and the square meter as the unit of area.

22886688.. MMEETTRRIICC SSYYSSTTEEMM CCOONNVVEERRSSIIOONN

Inches X 0.0254 = meters Feet X 0.305 = meters Miles X 1609.00 = meters

Miles X 1.609 = kilometers Millimeters X 0.03937 = inches Centimeters X

0.3937 = inches Meters X 39.37 = inches Meters X 3.281 = feet Kilometers X

0.621 = miles Sq. Centimeters x 0.155 = sq. inches Sq. Meters X 10.764 =

sq. feet Cu. Centimeters x 0.061 = cu. inches Liters X 0.2642 = gallons

Gallons X 3.78 = liters

Page 400: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

399399

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22886699.. mmgg

milligram.

22887700.. mmiiccaa

a silicate mineral characterized by sheet cleavage. Biotite is ferromagnesian

black mica, and muscovite is potassic white mica. Sometimes mica is used as

a lost-circulation material in drilling.

22887711.. MMIICCEELLLLAARR--PPOOLLYYMMEERR FFLLOOOODDIINNGG

See Micellar-Surfactant Flooding.

22887722.. MMIICCEELLLLAARR--SSUURRFFAACCTTAANNTT FFLLOOOODDIINNGG

A tertiary recovery technique; a method of recovering additional crude oil

from a field depleted by conventional means including repressuring and

waterflooding. Micellar-surfactant drive or flooding involves injecting water

mixed with certain chemicals @into the producing formation. The chemical

Solution reduces the surface tension of the oil clinging or adhering to the

porous rock thus "setting the oil free" to be pumped out with the flooding

solution. Such a project may have various names, e.g. micellar; micellar-

polymer; soluble-oil; petroleum sulfonate.

22887733.. MMIICCRROOBBAALLLLOOOONNSS

A foam blanket that floats on the liquid in storage tanks to reduce losses from

evaporation. The blanket is composed of billions of hollow, balloon like plastic

spheres containing a sealed-in gas-usually nitrogen. The spheres are almost

microscopic in size. When poured in sufficient quantity on top of crude oil or

refined products in a tank. they spread across the surface forming a dense

layer that is effective in reducing evaporation.

Page 401: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

400400

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22887744.. MMiiccrroolloogg

a trade name for a special electric-survey method in which three closely

spaced electrodes are pressed against the wall of the borehole to obtain a

measurement of formation characteristics next to the wall of the hole.

22887755.. mmiiccrroonn

one-millionth of a meter; a metric unit of measure of length equal to 0.001

MM.A unit of measure equal to one-thousandth of a millimeter. Fines (q.v.)

and other low-gravity solids in drilling mud are described as being so many

microns in size (10 microns, for example) and must be removed from the

circulating mud by the use of a desilting device.

22887766.. MMIICCTT

moving in cable tools; used in drilling reports.

22887777.. MMIIDD--CCOONNTTIINNEENNTT CCRRUUDDEE

Oil produced principally in Kansas, Oklahoma, and North Texas.

22887788.. MMIIDDDDLLEE DDIISSTTIILLLLAATTEESS

The term applied to hydrocarbons in the so-called middle range of refinery

distillatio e.g. kerosene, light diesel oil, heating oil, and heavy diesel oil.

22887799.. MMIIDDNNIIGGHHTT RREEQQUUIISSIITTIIOONN

Obtaining material without proper authority borrowing unbeknown to the

"lender"; swiping 'or a "good" cause.

22888800.. mmiiggrraattiioonn

the movement of oil from the area in which it formed to a reservoir rock

where it can accumulate.

Page 402: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

401401

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22888811.. MMIILLLL

To grind up to pulverize with a milling tool (q.v.). a downhole tool with rough,

sharp, extremely hard cutting surfaces for removing metal by grinding or

cutting. Mills are run on drill pipe or tubing to grind up debris in the hole,

remove stuck portions of drill stem or sections of casing for sidetracking, and

ream out tight spots in the casing. They are also called junk mills, reaming

mills, and so forth, depending on what use they have. P to use a mill to cut or

grind metal objects that must be removed from a well.

22888822.. MMIILLLL SSCCAALLEE

A thin layer or incrustation of oxide which forms on the surface of iron and

steel when it is heated during processing. Pipelines must be cleaned of mill

scale before being put in service carrying crude oil, gas or products. This is

done by running steel-bristle pigs and scrapers.

22888833.. MMIILLLLAABBLLEE

Said of material used downhole, i.e., packers, bridges. and plugs, "soft"

enough to be bored out or pulverized with milling tools.

22888844.. MMIILLLLIIDDAARRCCYY

A unit of permeability of a rock formation; one-thousandth of a darcy. See

Darcy.

22888855.. mmiilllliilliitteerr ((mmii))

one-thousandth of a liter. In analyzing drilling mud, this term is used

interchangeably with cubic centimeter (cm3). A quart equals 964 ml.

22888866.. MMIILLLLIINNGG

Page 403: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

402402

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

Cutting a "window" in a well's casing with a tool lowered into the hole on the

drillstring.

22888877.. mmiilllliinngg sshhooee

(See burn shoe and rotary shoe.)

22888888.. MMIILLLLIINNGG TTOOOOLL

A grinding or cutting fool used on the end of the drill column to pulverize a

piece of downhole equipment or to cut the casing.

22888899.. mmiilllliisseecc

millisecond.

22889900.. mmiinn

minute.

22889911.. mmiinneerraall rriigghhttss

the rights of ownership, conveyed by deed, of gas, oil, and other minerals

beneath the surface of the earth. In the U.S., mineral rights are the property

of the surface owner unless disposed of separately.

22889922.. MMIINNEERRAALL SSPPIIRRIITTSS

Common term for naphthas (solvents). those used for dry cleaning and paint

thinners.

22889933.. mmiinniiaattuurriizzeedd ccoommpplleettiioonn

a well completion in which the production casing is less than 4.5 in. in

diameter.

Page 404: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

403403

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22889944.. MMIINNIIMMUUMM TTEENNDDEERR

The smallest amount of oil or products a pipeline will accept for shipment.

Regulations set minimum tender amounts a common carrier pipeline is

required to take into its system and pump to destination.

22889955.. MMIINNIISSEEMMII

A scaled-down semisubmersible drilling platform built for service in relatively

shallow water.

22889966.. MMIIRR

moving in rig; used in drilling reports.

22889977.. mmiisscciibbllee ddrriivvee

a method of enhanced recovery in which various hydrocarbon solvents or

gases (as propane, LPG, natural gas, carbon dioxide or a mixture thereof) are

injected into the reservoir to reduce interfacial forces between oil and water

in the pore channels and thus displace oil from the reservoir rock.

22889988.. MMIISSCCIIBBLLEE FFLLOOOODD

A secondary or tertiary oil recover method in which two or more formation

flooding fluids are used, one behind the other. For example, C02 May be

injected into the formation followed by waterflooding. See Tertiary Recovery.

22889999.. MMIISSTT

Small, almost microscopic droplets of water entrained in natural gas. Such gas

must be treated to remove the water before it will be accepted by a gas

transmission pipeline.

Page 405: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

404404

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22990000.. mmiisstt ddrriilllliinngg

a drilling technique that uses air or gas, to which a foaming agent has been

added as a circulation medium.

22990011.. mmiisstt eexxttrraaccttoorr

a metal member used to remove moisture or condensable hydrocarbons from

a gas stream in an oil and gas separator. The moisture condenses on the

metal surface, and the liquid is removed from the separator along with other

separated liquids.

22990022.. mmiixx mmuudd

to prepare drilling fluids from a mixture of water or other fluids and one or

more of the various dry mud-making materials (as clay, weighting materials,

chemicals, etc.).

22990033.. mmiixxeedd ssttrriinngg

a combination string. (See casing string.)

22990044.. mmiixxiinngg ttaannkk

any tank or vessel used to mix components of a substance (as in the mixing

of additives with drilling mud).

22990055.. mmll

milliliter.

22990066.. mmmm

millimeter.

22990077.. mmmm22

square millimeter.

Page 406: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

405405

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22990088.. mmmm33

cubic millimeter.

22990099.. MMMMBBTTUUIIHHRR

Million BTU (British thermal units) per hour; rating used for large industrial

heaters and other large thermal installations such as furnaces and boilers.

22991100.. MMMMccff

million cubic feet; a common unit of measurement for large quantities of gas.

22991111.. MMMMOOTTUU,,$$

So many dollars per million BTU; a pricing formula in some gas purchase

contracts which is tied directly to formulas involving prices paid to No. 2 fuel

oil at specific locations in the U.S.

22991122.. MMMMssccff//dd

million standard cubic feet per day.

22991133.. MMMMsscctt

million standard cubic feet. The standard referred to is usually 60 F and 1

atmosphere (14.7 psi) of pressure but varies from state to state.

22991144.. MMOO

moving out; used in drilling reports.

22991155.. mmoobbiillee ooffffsshhoorree ddrriilllliinngg rriigg

a drilling rig used exclusively to drill offshore wells that floats upon the

surface of the water when being moved from one location to another. It may

or may not float once drilling begins. The drill ship, semisubmersible drilling

rig, and jack up drilling rig are all mobile rigs; a platform rig is not.

Page 407: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

406406

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22991166.. MMOOBBIILLEE PPLLAATTFFOORRMM

A self-contained, offshore drilling platform with the means for self propulsion.

Some of the larger semisubmersible drilling platforms are capable of moving

in the open sea at five to seven knots.

222991188.. MMOOCCKK--UUPP

A full-sized structural model built accurately to scale for study and testing of

an installation to be used or operated commercially. For deep-water, offshore

work mock-ups are made to simulate conditions in subsea well-head

chambers and sea-floor work areas.

22991199.. mmooddiiffiieedd cceemmeenntt

a cement whose proper - ties, chemical or physical, have been altered by

additives.

22992200.. MMOODDUULLEE

An assembly (q.v.) that is functional as a unit, and can be joined with other

units for increasing or enlarging the function; for example, a gas compressor

module; an electronic or hydraulic module.

22992211.. mmooll

mole.

22992222.. mmoollee

the quantity of a substance whose unit weight is numerically equal to the

molecular weight of the substance. For example, one mole of water (H*O) is

Page 408: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

407407

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

18 weight units (pounds, grams, tons, etc.) because the molecular weight of

water is 18 (two atoms of hydrogen, each of which is 1 unit; one atom of

oxygen, the weight of which is 16 units).

22992233.. mmoollee ppeerrcceenntt

the ratio of the number of moles of one substance to the total number of

moles in a mixture of substances multiplied by 100 (to put the number on a

percentage basis).

22992244.. mmoolleeccuullaarr wweeiigghhtt

the sum of the atomic weights in a molecule. For example, the molecular

weight of water, H*O, is 18 because the atomic weight of each of the

hydrogen molecules is 1 and the atomic weight of oxygen is 16.

22992255.. mmoolleeccuullee

the smallest part of a substance that can exist on its own. It usually consists

of a group of atoms that are either different (e.g., water, HzO, consists of two

atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen) or that are alike (e.g., hydrogen, Ha,

in which each molecule is made up of two atoms of hydrogen).

22992266.. mmoommeenntt

a turning effect created by a force, F, acting at a perpendicular distance, S,

from the center of rotation; the product of a force and a distance to a

particular axis or point.

22992277.. MMOONN

Motor Octane Number; the measure of a gasoline's antiknock qualities,

whether or not it will knock or ping in an engine with a given compression

Page 409: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

408408

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

ratio. Motor Octane number of a gasoline is determined by test engines run

under simulated conditions of load and speed. See Octane Rating.

22992288.. MMoonneell sstteeeell

a nickel-base alloy also containing copper, iron, manganese, silicon, and

carbon. Nontnagnetic drill collars are often made of this material.

22992299.. MMOONNEEYY LLEEFFTT OONN TTHHEE TTAABBLLEE

A phrase referring to the difference between the high and the second highest

bid made by operators or companies when bidding an Federal or state oil

leases. For example high bid, $1,000,000; second-highest bid, $750,000,

money left on the table, S250,000.

22993300.. mmoonniittoorr

an instrument that reports the performance of a control device or signals if

unusual conditions appear in a system. For example, a BS& W monitor

provides a mechanical means of preventing contaminated oil from entering

the pipeline by detecting the presence of excessive water and actuating

valves to divert the flow back to dehydration facilities.

22993311.. MMOONNKKEEYY BBOOAARRDD

A colloquial and humorous reference to the tubing board (q.v.) high in the

derrick. the derrickman's working platform. As pipe or tubing is run into or out

of the hole, the derrickman must handle the top end of the pipe, which may

be as high as 90 ft in the derrick or mast. The monkeyboard provides a small

platform to raise him to the proper height to be able to handle the top of the

pipe. (See double board, thribble board, and fourble board.)

Page 410: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

409409

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22993322.. MMOONNKKEEYY WWRREENNCCHH

An adjustable, square-jawed wrench whose adjusting screw collar is located

on the handle, and whose head can be used as a hammer a crude wrench

suitable for mechanical work of the roughest kind.

22993333.. MMOONNOOCCLLIINNEE

A geological term for rock strata that dip in one direction. When the crest of

an anticline (q.v.) is eroded away, a partial cross section of the strata making

up the fold is exposed at the earth's surface and the undisturbed lower flanks

form what are called monoclines.

22993344.. MMOONNOOPPOODD DDRRIILLLLIINNGG PPLLAATTFFOORRMM

A type of offshore drilling platform with a single, supporting leg. The design

of the monopod makes it effective in Arctic regions where thick, moving

bodies of ice present serious problems for more conventional platforms.

22993355.. mmoonnttmmoorriilllloonniittee

a clay mineral often used as an additive to a drilling mud. It is a hydrous

aluminum silicate capable of reacting with such substances as magnesium

and calcium. (See bentonite.)

22993366.. MMOOOONNPPOOOOLL

The opening in a drillship through which drilling operations are carried on; the

moonpool of drillwell is usually located amidship, with the derrick rising

above.a walled, round hole or well in the hull of a drill ship (usually in the

center) through which the drilling assembly and other assemblies pass while a

well is being drilled, completed, or abandoned from the drill ship.

Page 411: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

410410

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22993377.. mmoooorriinngg ssyysstteemm

equipment (as anchors, chain, wireline, buoys, etc.) by which a floating

offshore drilling rig is maintained on location at the drilling site.

22993388.. MMOOOORRIINNGG SSYYSSTTEEMM,, MMUULLTTIIBBUUOOYY

See Multibuoy Mooring System also SBM Single-buoy Mooring.

22993399.. MMOOOOSSEE AANNDD GGOOOOSSEE MMEENN

A humorous and somewhat sarcastic term for conservation (Environmental

Protection Agency) people who, by law, can shut down a drilling well or a

construction project to allow a rare or endangered species of bird to incubate

her eggs unmolested or migrating or mating moose to go about their

important business without being disturbed.

22994400.. MMOOPPEE PPOOLLEE

A lever; a pry pole usually made by cutting a small tree; used on pipeline

construction as an adjunct to the jack board and in lowering the pipeline into

the ditch.

22994411.. MMOORRMMOONN BBOOAARRDD

A broad, reinforced sled-like board with eye bolts on each end and a handle in

the center. Used to backfill a pipeline ditch using a team of horses or a tractor

pulling the board forward and a workman pulling it back into position for

another bite.

22994422.. MMOORRNNIINNGG RREEPPOORRTT

The report the tool pusher or drilling supervisor makes each morning after

assembling the drifting reports of the drillers under his supervision. The

report includes depths reached at the end of each tour, footage drilled,

Page 412: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

411411

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

formations penetrated, bit weights, rotary speeds, cores the taken, pump

speeds and pressures, and of the information of past 24 hours of operation.

22994433.. mmoorrnniinngg ttoouurr

(See tour.)

22994444.. mmoossqquuiittoo bbiillll

a tube mounted at the bottom of a sucker-rod pump and inside a gas anchor

to provide a conduit for well fluids (that contain little or no gas) into the

pump.

22994455.. mmootthheerr hhuubbbbaarrdd

(slang) a hinged, metal, cylindrical device placed around a joint of pipe as it is

being broken out during a trip out of the hole. It keeps mud from splashing

beyond the immediate area. It is also called a mud saver or a splash box.

22994466.. mmoottiioonn ccoommppeennssaattoorr

any device (as a bumper sub or heave compensator) that serves to maintain

constant weight on the bit in spite of vertical motion of a floating offshore

drilling rig.

22994477.. MMOOTTOORR SSPPIIRRIITT

A highly volatile fraction in petroleum refining; an ingredient of motor

gasoline.

22994488.. mmoottoorr vvaallvvee

a valve operated by power other than manual (i.e., hydraulic, electric, or

mechanical).

Page 413: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

412412

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22994499.. mmoottoorr--ggeenneerraattoorr rriigg

a drilling rig driven by electric motors with current supplied by engine-driven

generators at the rig.

22995500.. mmoottoorrmmaann

the crew member on a rotary drilling rig responsible for the care and

operation of drilling engines.

22995511.. mmoouusseehhoollee

an opening through the rig floor, usually lined with pipe, into which a length

of drill pipe is placed temporarily for later connection to the drill string. hole

drilled to the side of the well bore to hold the next joint of drillpipe to be

used. When this joint is pulled out and screwed onto the drilistring, another

joint of drillpipe is made ready and slipped into the mouse hole to await its

turn. See Rat Hole,

22995522.. mmoouusseehhoollee ccoonnnneeccttiioonn

the addition of a length of drill pipe or tubing to the active string. The length

to be added is placed in the mousehole, made up to the kelly, pulled out of

the mousehole, and subsequently made up into the string.

22995533.. mmoouusseettrraapp

a fishing tool used to recover a parted string of sucker rods from a well.

22995544.. MMPPaa

megapascal.

22995555.. mmpphh

miles per hour.

Page 414: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

413413

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22995566.. MMRRGG PPRROOCCEESSSS

Methane Rich Gas Process. MRG is a patented process (Japan Gasoline Co.) to

make synthetic natural gas from propane. Liquid propane is hydro-

desulfurized and gasified with steam at temperatures between 900' and

1000'F. The resulting gas mixture is methanated, scrubbed to remove C02,

dried, cooled, and fed to distribution lines.

22995577.. mmss

microsecond.

22995588.. MMssccff//DD

thousand standard cubic feet per day.

22995599.. MMuudd

see "Drilling Fluid"

22996600.. mmuudd aacciidd

a mixture of hydrofluoric acids and surfactants used to effect mud removal

from the wellbore.

22996611.. mmuudd aaddddiittiivvee

any material added to drilling fluid to change some of its characteristics or

properties.

22996622.. mmuudd aannaallyyssiiss

examination and testing of drilling mud to determine its physical and chemical

properties.

Page 415: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

414414

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22996633.. mmuudd bbaallaannccee

a beam balance consisting of a cup and a graduated arm carrying a sliding

weight and resting on a fulcrum, used to determine the density or weight of

drilling mud.

22996644.. MMUUDD BBAARRRREELL

A small bailer used to retrieve cuttings from the bottom of a cable tool drilling

well.

22996655.. mmuudd bbooxx

(See mother hubbard.)

22996666.. mmuudd ccaakkee

the sheath of mud solids that forms on the wall of the hole when the liquid

from the mud filters into the formation; also called well cake or filter cake.See

Filter Cake.

22996677.. mmuudd cciirrccuullaattiioonn

the act of pumping mud downward to the bit and back up to the surface by

normal circulation or reverse circulation.

22996688.. mmuudd ccoonnddiittiioonniinngg

the treatment and control of drilling mud to ensure that it has the proper gel

strength, viscosity, density, and so forth. Conditioning may include the use of

additives, the removal of sand and other solids, the removal of gas, the

addition of water, and other measures to prepare the mud for conditions

encountered in a specific well.

Page 416: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

415415

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22996699.. MMUUDD CCOOOOLLIINNGG TTOOWWEERR

In drilling in or near a geothermal reservoir, the drilling mud becomes

superheated and must be cooled to avoid flashing or vaporizing of the liquid

(water or oil) in the mud stream at the surface. Cooling also reduces the

thermal stress on the drill string.

22997700.. MMUUDD CCUUPP

A device for measuring drilling mud density or weight., a funnel-shaped cup

into which a measured quantity of mud is poured and allowed to run through,

against time.

22997711.. MMUUDD EENNGGIINNEEEERR

One who supervises the, preparation of the drilling mud, tests the physical

and chemical propertied of the slurry, and prepares reports detailing the mud

weight and additives used. A drilling fluid specialist. mud engineer a specialist

in drilling fluids, who combines knowledge of chemistry, engineering, and the

behavior of drilling fluids.

22997722.. MMuudd FFiillttrraattee

The fluid component of drilling mud which penetrates into a formation.

22997733.. mmuudd gguunn

a pipe that shoots a jet of drilling mud under high pressure into the mud pit

to mix additives with the mud.

22997744.. mmuudd hhooppppeerr

(See hopper.)

Page 417: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

416416

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22997755.. mmuudd hhoossee

a reinforced, flexible rubber tube through which drilling mud flows from the

standpipe to the gooseneck; also called the rotary hose.The flexible, steel-

reinforced, rubber hose connecting the mud pump with the swivel and kelly

joint on a drilling rig. Mud is pumped through the mud hose to the swivel and

down through the kelly joint and drillpipe to the bottom of the well.

22997766.. MMUUDD LLIINNEE

The sea or lake bottom; the interface between a body of water and the earth.

22997777.. mmuudd llooggggeerr

an employee of a mud-logging company who keeps the mud log.

22997788.. mmuudd llooggggiinngg

the recording of information derived from examination and analysis of

formation cuttings made by the bit and mud circulated out of the hole. A

portion of the mud is diverted through a gas-detecting device and examined

under ultraviolet light to detect the presence of oil or gas. Mud logging is

often carried out in a portable laboratory set up at the well.

22997799.. mmuudd mmaann

an employee of the company that supplies drilling mud to a drilling rig; a mud

engineer. He runs tests on the mud to ensure that it performs as it should,

advises the operator on what types of mud to use, and suggests changes that

may be made in the mud system to make the drilling more efficient.

22998800.. mmuudd mmoottoorr

(See Dyna-Drill and turbodrill)

Page 418: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

417417

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22998811.. mmuudd ooffff

1. to seal the hole against formation fluids by allowing the buildup of wall

cake. 2. to block off the flow of oil into the wellbore.

22998822.. MMUUDD PPIITTSS

Excavations near the rig into which drilling mud is circulated. Mud pumps

withdraw the mud from one end of a pit as the circulated mud, bearing rock

chips from the borehole, flows in at the other end. As the mud moves to the

suction line, the cuttings drop out leaving the mud "clean" and ready for

another trip to the bottom of the borehole. See Reserve Pit.a reservoir or

tank, usually made of steel plates, through which the drilling mud is cycled to

allow sand and fine sediments to settle out. Additives are mixed with mud in

the pit, and the fluid is temporarily stored there before being pumped back

into the well. Mud pits are also called shaker pits, settling pits, and suction

pits, depending on their main purpose.

22998833.. mmuudd ppuummpp

a large, reciprocating pump used to circulate the mud on a drilling rig, A

typical mud pump is a double- or tripleacting, two- or three-cylinder piston

pump whose pistons travel in replaceable liners and are driven by a

crankshaft actuated by an engine. A mud pump also is called a slush pump.A

large, reciprocating pump that circulates drilling mud in rotary drilling. The

duplex (two-cylinder) or triplex (three-cylinder) pump draws mud from the

suction mud pit and pumps the slurry downhole through the drillpipe and bit

and back up the borehole to the mud settling pits. After the rock cuttings

drop out in the settling pit, the clean mud gravitates into the suction pit

where it is picked up by the pump's suction line. In rotary drilling there are at

Page 419: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

418418

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

least twin mud pumps, sometimes more. In case of a breakdown or other

necessary stoppages, another pump can be immediately put on line.

22998844.. mmuudd rreeppoorrtt

a special form filled out by the mud man that records the properties of the

drilling mud used while a well is being drilled.

22998855.. mmuudd ssaavveerr

(See mother hubbard.)

22998866.. mmuudd ssccrreeeenn

a shale shaker.

22998877.. MMUUDD TTAANNKKSS

Portable metal banks to hold drilling mud. Mud tanks are used where it is

impractical to dig mud pits (q.v.) at the well site.

MMUUDD VVAALLVVEE,, AAUUTTOOMMAATTIICC

See Kelly Valve, Lower.

22998888.. mmuudd wweeiigghhtt

a measure of the density of a drilling fluid expressed as pounds per gallon

(ppg), pounds per cubic foot (ib/ft'), or kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m3).

Mud weight is directly related to the amount of pressure the column of drilling

mud exerts at the bottom of the hole.

22998899.. MMuudd--KKiill

a trade name for a chemical additive for Portland cement that reduces the

effect of contamination of cementing slurries by organic chemicals commonly

found in drilling muds.

Page 420: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

419419

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22999900.. MMUUDD--MMOOTTOORR DDRRIILLLLIINNGG

See Turbo drilling.

22999911.. mmuudd--rreettuurrnn lliinnee

a trough or pipe placed between the surface connections at the wellbore and

the shale shaker, through which drilling mud flows upon its return to the

surface from down the hole.

22999922.. mmuudd--wweeiigghhtt rreeccoorrddeerr

an instrument installed in the mud pits that has a recorder mounted on the

rig floor to provide a continuous reading of the mud weight.

22999933.. MMUUDDHHOOGG

A mud pump; a pump to circulate drilling mud in rotary drilling; slush pump.

22999944.. MMUUDDLLOOGG

A progressive analysis of the well-bore cuttings washed up from the bore hole

by the drilling mud. Rock chips are retrieved with the aid of the shale shaker

(q.v.) and examined by the geologist. a record of information derived from

examination of drilling fluid and drillbit cuttings. (See mud logging.)

22999955.. MMUUDDSSCCOOWW

A portable drilling-mud tank in the shape of a small barge or scow used in

cable-tool drilling when relatively small amounts of mud wore needed or in a

location when a mud pit was not practical. Also, a conveyance, a kind of large

sled for transporting pipe and equipment into a marshy location. The

mudscow is pulled by a crawler-type tractor which would not bog down as

would a wheeled vehicle.

Page 421: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

420420

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

22999966.. MMUUDDUUPP

In the early day; of rotary drilling and before the advent of accurate well

logging produciole formations could be mudded up (plastered over)by the

sheer weight of the column of drilling mud, so said the cable tool men who

were skeptical of the newfangled drilling method. Mudding up occurs also in

pumping wells. The mud may be from shaley portions of the producing

formation, from sections of uncased hole, or the residue of drilling mud. to

add solid materials (as bentonite or other clay) to a drilling fluid composed

mainly of clear water to obtain certain desirable properties.

22999977.. MMUULLEE SSKKIINNNNEERR

Forerunner to the truck driver; a driver of a team or span of horses or mules

hitched to an oil field wagon. Unhitched from the wagon, the team was used

to pull, hoist and do eathwork with a slip or Fresno (q.v.). The "skinner" got

his name from the ability to skin the hair off a mule s rump with a crack of

the long reins he used, appropriately called butt lines.

22999988.. mmuullee--hheeaadd hhaannggeerr

(See horse head.)

22999999.. MMUULLLLEETT

Humorous and patronizing reference to an investor with money to put into

the drilling of an oil well with the expectation of getting rich; a sucker; a

person who knows nothing about the oil business or the operator with whom

he proposes to deal.

Page 422: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

421421

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33000000.. MMUULLTTIIBBUUOOYY MMOOOORRIINNGG SSYYSSTTEEMM

A tanker loading facility with five or seven mooring buoys to which the vessel

is moored as it takes on cargo or bunkers (q.v.) from submerged hoses that

are lifted from the sea bottom. Submarine pipelines connect the pipeline-

ended manifold to the shore.

33000011.. MMUULLTTIIPPAAYY WWEELLLL

See Multiple Completion.

33000022.. MMUULLTTIIPPLLEE CCOOMMPPLLEETTIIOONN

The completion of a well in more than one producing formation. Each

production zone will have its own tubing installed, extending up to the

Christmas tree. From there the oil may be piped to separate tankage. See

Dual Completion. an arrangement for producing a well in which one wellbore

penetrate two or more petroleum-bearing formations that lie one over the

other. The tubing strings are suspended side by side in the production casing

string, each a different length and each packed off to prevent the

commingling of different reservoir fluids. Each reservoir is then produced

through its own tubing string.

33000033.. mmuullttiippllee wweellll--ppuummppiinngg ssyysstteemm

a method of lifting oil out of several wells in a field. A pump is placed at every

well; however, all the pumps are powered by a single prime mover (as an

engine or motor) instead of each pump being powered individually.

33000044.. MMUULLTTIIPPLLIIEERR

A device or linkage for increasing (or decreasing) the length of the stroke or

travel of a rod line furnishing power for pumping wells on a lease. A beam

Page 423: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

422422

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

which oscillates on a fulcrum and bearing to which is attached the rod line

from the power source (central power, q.v.) and a rod line to the pumping

well. By varying the distance from the fulcrum of the two rod-line

connections, the travel of the well's rod line can be lengthened or shortened

to match the stroke of the well's pump.

33000055.. mmuullttiisshhoott ssuurrvveeyy

(See directional survey.) muriatic acid hydrochloric acid.

33000066.. MMVV

millivolt.

33000077.. MMWWDD

Measurement While Drilling. A technique to determine the real-time position

of the drill bit in a directionally drilled well during the drilling process using

instrumentation placed near the bit.

Page 424: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

423423

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33000088.. NN SSTTAAMMPP

Designates equipment qualified for use in nuclear installations pipe, fittings,

pumps. valves, etc.

33000099.. NN..GG..AA..

Natural Gas Act. An Act of Congress that empowers the Federal Power

Commission to set prices and regulates the transportation of natural gas.

33001100.. NN..GG..PP..AA..

Natural Gas Processors Association. successor to the Natural Gasoline

Association of America.

333001122.. NN..PP..RR..AA..

National Petroleum Refiners Association.

33001133.. NNAACCEE

National Association of Corrosion Engineers.

33001144.. NNAAMMEEPPLLAATTEE RRAATTIINNGG

The manufacturers ratings as to speed (rpm), working pressure, horsepower,

type of fuel, voltage requirement, etc., printed or stamped on the makers

nameplates attached to pumps, engines, compressors, or electric motors. To

ensure proper and lasting performance of machines and equipment,

nameplate ratings are always heeded.

33001155.. NNAAMMIINNGG AA WWEELLLL

See Well Naming.

Page 425: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

424424

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33001166.. NNAAPPHHTT HHEENNEE--BBAASSEE CCRRUUDDEE OOIILL

Asphalt-base crude (q.v.).

33001177.. nnaapphhtthhaa

a volatile, flammable liquid hydrocarbon distilled from petroleum and used as

a solvent or fuel.

33001188.. nnaapphhtthheennee sseerriieess

the saturated hydrocarbon compounds of the general formula CnH2n. (as

ethylene or ethene, C2H4). (See hydrocarbons.)

33001199.. nnaapphhtthheennee--bbaassee ooiill

a crude oil that is characterized by a low API gravity and a low yield of

lubricating oils having a low pour point and a low viscosity index (compared

to paraffin-base oils). It is often called asphalt-base oil because the residue

from its distillation contains asphaltic materials but little or no paraffin wax.

33002200.. NNAATTIIOONNAALL PPEETTRROOLLEEUUMM RREESSEERRVVEE--AALLAASSKKAA

An area west of Prudhoe Bay field and south of Point Barrow containing

millions of acres set aside and held in reserve for national security purposes.

See Naval Petroleum Reserves.

33002211.. NNAATTIIVVEE GGAASS

Gas originally in place in an underground formation as opposed to gas

injected into the structure.

33002222.. NNAATTUURRAALL GGAAMMMMAA RRAAYY LLOOGGGGIINNGG

A procedure in which gamma rays naturally given off or emitted by rock

formations, cut through by the wells borehole, are measured. A radiation

detector is lowered into the hole and picks up gamma rays emitted by the

Page 426: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

425425

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

rock. The signals are transmitted to a recording device at the surface. See

Gamma Ray Logging.

33002233.. NNAATTUURRAALL GGAASS

Gaseous forms of petroleum consisting of mixtures of hydrocarbon gases and

vapors, the more important of which are methane, ethane, propane. butane,

pentane, and hexane; gas produced from a gas well.

33002244.. NNaattuurraall GGaass LLiiqquuiiddss

Liquids obtained during natural gas production, including ethane, propane,

butanes, and condensate.

33002255.. NNaattuurraall ggaass ppllaanntt

an installation in which natural gas is processed for recovery of natural gas

liquids, the heavier hydrocarbon components of natural gas, including

liquefied petroleum gases such as butane and propane.

33002266.. NNAATTUURRAALL GGAASS,, UUNNCCOONNVVEENNTTIIOONNAALL

See Unconventional Natural Gas.

33002277.. NNaattuurraall ggaassoolliinnee

the liquid hydrocarbons recovered from wet natural gas; casinghead gasoline.

33002288.. NNAAVVAALL PPEETTRROOLLEEUUMM RREESSEERRVVEESS

Areas containing proven oil reserves which were set aside for national

defense purposes by Congress in 1923. The Reserves, estimated to contain

billions of barrels of crude oil, are located in Elk Hills and Buena Vista,

California Teapot Dome, Wyoming and on the North Slope in Alaska.

33002299.. NNeeaatt cceemmeenntt

a cement with no additives other than water.

Page 427: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

426426

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33003300.. NNEEBB

National Energy Board

33003311.. NNeecckkiinngg

the tendency of a metal bar or pipe to taper to a reduced diameter at some

point when subjected to excessive longitudinal stress. (See bottleneck.)

33003322.. NNEEEEDDLLEE VVAALLVVEE

A valve A valve used on small, high-pressure piping where accurate control of

small amounts of liquid or gas is desired. The "tongue" of the valve is a rod

that tapers to a point and fits into a seat which permits fine adjustments as

when used with pressure gauges.

33003333.. NNEEOOPPRREENNEE

A rubber-like product derived from petroleum and compounded with natural

rubber to produce a substance highly resistant to chemicals and oils. W.

Carothers, lra Williams, A. Collins, and J. Kirby of the DuPont research

laboratory discovered neoprene first called polychloroprene.

33003344.. NNeett PPaayy

Refers to the sum of the productive intervals of a reservoir and is determined

by the application of cutoffs.

33003355.. NNeett PPaayy CCuuttooffffss

Specified limits of porosity, permeability, water saturation and shale volume

below which a formation would be unable to achieve or sustain commercial

production.

33003366.. NNeett PPaayy MMaapp

A contour map depicting net thickness' of hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs.

Page 428: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

427427

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33003377.. nneett pprroodduuccttiioonn

the amount of oil produced by a well or lease, exclusive of its BS& W content.

Net production is also called working-interest oil (i.e., the net oil produced by

all of its wells multiplied by the company's working interest in the wells).

33003388.. NNEETT PPRROOFFIITTSS IINNTTEERREESSTT

A share of gross production from a property, measured by the net profits

from the operation of the property. Such an interest is carved out of the

working interest and represents an economic interest in the oil and gas

produced from the property. Sometimes referred to as net royalty.

33003399.. NNEETT RREEVVEENNUUEE IINNTTEERREESSTT

A fractional share of the working interest not required to contribute to, nor

liable for, any part of the expense of drilling and completing the first well on

the property or lease. Net revenue is income from a property after all costs,

including taxes, royalties, and other assessments, have been paid.

33004400.. nneett ttoonnnnaaggee

the gross tonnage of a ship or mobile offshore drilling rig less all spaces that

are not or cannot be used for carrying cargo, expressed in tons equal to 100

ft3.

33004411.. nneett--ooiill ccoommppuutteerr

a system of electronic and mechanical devices that automatically determines

the amount of oil in a water and oil emulsion. One advantage of a net-oil

computer is that the water and oil do not have to be separated for it to

measure the volume of the oil.

Page 429: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

428428

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33004422.. NNEEUUTTRRAALL SSTTOOCCKK

Lubricating oil stock that has been dewaxed and impurities removed and can

be blended with bright stock (q.v.) to make good tube oil one of the many

fractions of crude oil that, owing to special properties, is ideal as a blending

stock for making high-quality tube oil.

33004433.. nneeuuttrroonn

a part of the nucleus of all atoms except hydrogen. Under certain conditions,

neutrons can be emitted from a substance when its nucleus is penetrated by

gamma particles from a highly radioactive source. This property is used in

neutron logging. (See radioactivity logging.)

33004444.. NNeeuuttrroonn LLiiffeettiimmee LLoogg

(NCL) a trade name for a pulsed-neutron survey.

33004455.. nneeuuttrroonn lloogg

(See radioactivity logging.)

33004466.. NNEEWW OOIILL

For the purposes of price regulation under the Emergency Petroleum

Allocation Act of 1973, new oil is the production from a property in excess of

production in 1972; all-subsequent production from a property producing in

1972. See Old Oil.

33004477.. NNeewwttoonniiaann fflluuiidd

a fluid in which the viscosity remains constant for all rates of shear if constant

conditions of temperature and pressure are maintained. Most drilling fluids

behave as non-Newtonian fluids as their viscosity is not constant but varies

with the rate of shear.

Page 430: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

429429

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33004488.. NNGGPPAA

Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978.

33004499.. nniippppllee

a tubular pipe fitting threaded on both ends and less than 12 in. long.

33005500.. nniippppllee cchhaasseerr

(slang) a crew member who procures and delivers tools and equipment for a

drilling rig.

33005511.. nniippppllee uupp

to bolt together various valves or fittings (as to nipple up the blowout

preventers or the Christmas tree).

33005522.. NNiittrroo sshhoooottiinngg

a formation stimulation process first used about a hundred years ago in

Pennsylvania. Nitroglycerine is placed in a well and exploded to fracture the

rock. Sand and gravel are usually placed above the explosive charge to

improve the efficiency of the shot. Today nitro shooting has been largely

replaced by formation fracturing.

33005533.. NNoobbllee MMeettaall ((CCaattaallyysstt))

A metal used in petroleum refining processes that is chemically inactive with

respect to oxygen.

33005544.. NNooiissee LLoogg

A sound detection system inside a logging tool designed to pick up vibrations

caused by flowing liquid or gas downhole. The device is used to check the

effectiveness of a squeeze job (q.v.), to estimate the gas flow from perforated

formations, etc.

Page 431: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

430430

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33005555.. NNoommiinnaattiioonnss

(1)The amount of oil a purchaser expects to take from afield as reported to a

regulatory agency that has to do with state proration. (2) Information given

to the proper agency of the Federal government or a state relative to tracts of

offshore acreage a person or company would like to see put up for bid at a

lease sale.

33005566.. NNoommooggrraapphh

A device used by engineers and scientists for making rapid calculations; a

graph that enables one, with the aid of a straightedge, to find the value of a

dependent variable when the values of two or more independent variables are

given.

33005577.. NNoonnaannee

a paraffin hydrocarbon, C9H20, that is liquid at atmospheric conditions. Its

boiling point is about 303.5 F (at 14.7 psi).

NNoonn DDrriilllliinngg LLeeaassee

A lease that grants lessee the customary rights relative to oil and gas under

the acreage but provides that a well shall not be drilled on the property.

Under such circumstances, production from beneath the property requires

that any drilling be done on other land. Non-drilling leases are usually granted

where surface installations or activities make the drilling of a well impractical

or incompatible.

33005588.. NNoonnffeerrrroouuss

Containing no iron; nonferrous tools, valves, or rods are made of other metal

or combination of metals, e.g., brass, copper, bronze, spent uranium, or

tungsten. Nonsparking tools are made of nonferrous metals, usually brass or

Page 432: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

431431

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

bronze, because they are softer and will not give off sparks when struck

against another piece of metal.

33005599.. NNoonnmmaaggnneettiicc ddrriillll ccoollllaarr

a drill collar made of an alloy (Monel) that does not affect the readings of a

magnetic compass placed within it to obtain subsurface indications of the

direction of a deviated wellbore. (See directional drilling.)

33006600.. NNoonnooppeerraattiinngg IInntteerreesstt ((IInn aa WWeellll))

An interest in an oil or gas well bearing no cost of development or operation;

the landowner's interest; landowner's royalty (q.v.).

33006611.. NNoonnooppeerraattoorr

The working interest owner or owners other than the one designated as

operator of the property; a "silent" working-interest owner.

33006622.. NNoonnppoorroouuss

containing no interstices; having no pores.

33006633.. NNoonnssppaarrkkiinngg TToooollss

Hand tools made of bronze or other nonferrous alloys for use in areas where

flammable oil or gas vapors may be present.

33006644.. nnoorrmmaall cciirrccuullaattiioonn

the smooth, uninterrupted circulation of drilling fluid down the drill stem, out

the bit, and up the annular space between the pipe and the hole, back to the

surface. (See mud circulation and reverse circulation.)

Page 433: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

432432

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33006655.. nnoorrmmaall ffoorrmmaattiioonn pprreessssuurree

formation fluid pressure equivalent to 0.465 psi per foot of depth from the

surface. If the formation pressure is 4,650 psi at 10,000 ft, it is considered

normal.

33006666.. NNoorrmmaalliizziinngg

a heat treatment applied to metal tubular goods to ensure uniformity of the

grain structure of the metal.

33006677.. NNPPRR

Naval Petroleum Reserves (q.v.).

33006688.. NNPPRR--AA

National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska

33006699.. NNPPSSHH

Net positive suction head.

33007700.. NNPPTT

National pipe thread; denotes standard pipe thread.

33007711.. NNSS

no show; used in drilling reports.

33007722.. NNUUMMBBEERR 22 FFUUEELL

Furnace oil; also Two oil, distillate fuel.

33007733.. NNUUTT CCUUTTTTIINNGG,, DDOOWWNN TTOO TTHHEE

The crucial point the vital move or decision; a "this is it" situation.

Page 434: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

433433

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33007744.. NNuuttaattiinngg mmeetteerr

a flow meter that operates on the principle of the positive displacement of

fluid by incorporating the wobbling motion of a piston or disk. (See positive

displacement meter.)

Page 435: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry
Page 436: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

435435

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33007755.. OO&&GG

oil and gas; used in drilling reports.

33007766.. OO&&GGCCMM

oil- and gas-cut mud; used in drilling reports.

33007777.. OO&&SS

Over and short (q.v.).

33007788.. OO&&SSWW

oil and salt water; used in drilling reports.

33007799.. OO--RRIINNGG

A circular rubber gasket used in flanges, valves, and other equipment for

making a joint pressure tight. 0-rings in cross section are circular and solid.

33008800.. OOAAPPEECC

Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries.

33008811.. OOBBJJEECCTTIIVVEE DDEEPPTTHH ((OOFF AA WWEELLLL))

The depth to which a well is to be drilled. Drilling contracts often state that

the hole shall be drilled to a specified depth or to a certain identifiable

formation, whichever comes first, e.g., "to 5,500 feet or the Skinner sand, the

objective depth."

33008822.. OOBBOO VVEESSSSEELL

A specially designed vessel for carrying ore and crude, both in bulk form. The

first oil and bulk ore tanker/carrier was launched in 1966 and used in handling

relatively small cargoes of oil and ore.

Page 437: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

436436

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33008833.. OOCC

oil cut; used in drilling reports.

33008844.. OOCCAAWW

Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union, a labor organization representing a

large number of the industry's refinery and other hourly workers.

33008855.. OOccccuuppaattiioonnaall SSaaffeettyy aanndd HHeeaalltthh AAddmmiinniissttrraattiioonn

(OSHA) an agency of the U.S. government that establishes and enforces

safety standards for industry employees.

33008866.. OOCCMM

oil-cut mud; used in drilling reports.

33008877.. OOCCSS

outer continental shelf

33008888.. ooccttaannee

a paraffin hydrocarbon, C&Hlg, that is a liquid at atmospheric conditions. Its

boiling point is 258 F (at 14.7 psi).

33008899.. OOCCTTAANNEE RRAATTIINNGG

A performance rating of gasoline In terms of antiknock qualities. The higher

the octane number the greater the antiknock quality; e.g., 94 octane gasoline

is superior in antiknock qualities to a gasoline of 84 octane.

33009900.. OODD

Outside diameter of pipe; CD and ID (inside diameter) are initials used in

specifying pipe sizes, e.g., 4 1/2-inch OD, 8 5/8-inch 10.

Page 438: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

437437

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33009911.. OODDOORRAANNTT

A chemical compound added to natural gas to produce a detectable,

unpleasant odor to alert householders should they have even a small leak in

the house piping. Odorants are used also in liquids or gases being stored or

transported to detect leaks.

33009922.. OOFF

open flow; used in drilling reports.

33009933.. OOFFFF TTHHEE SSHHEELLFF

Said of products or equipment that are ready and waiting at a supplier's

warehouse and can be taken "off the shelf" and shipped immediately. Refers

also to techniques and procedures that have been perfected and. are ready to

be employed on some job.

33009944.. ooffff--pprroodduuccttiioonn

shut in or temporarily unable to produce (of a well).

33009955.. OOFFFFLLOOAADDIINNGG

Another name for unloading; offloading refers more specifically to liquid cargo

crude oil and refined products.

33009966.. OOFFFFSSEETT WWEELLLL

(1) A well drilled on the next location to the original well. The distance from

the first well to the offset well depends upon spacing regulations and whether

the original well produces oil or gas. (2) A well drilled on one tract of land to

prevent the Drainage of oil or gas to an adjoining tract where a well is being

drilled or is already producing.

Page 439: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

438438

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33009977.. OOFFFFSSHHOORREE ""WWEELLLL NNOO.. 11""

The fist offshore well (out of sight of land) was drilled on November 14, 1947,

in the Gulf of Mexico, 43 miles south of Morgan City, Louisiana. By 1979,

more than 20,000 wells had been drilled offshore.

33009988.. OOffffsshhoorree AArreeaa

The area offshore Nova Scotia under the Board's jurisdiction as defined in

Schedule 1 of the Accord Implementation Acts.

33009999.. ooffffsshhoorree ddrriilllliinngg

drilling for oil in an ocean or large lake. A drilling unit for offshore operations

may be a mobile floating vessel with a ship or barge hull, a semisubmersible

or submersible base, a self-propelled or towed structure with jacking legs

(jack-up drilling rig), or a permanent structure used as a production platform

when drilling is completed. In general, wildcat wells are drilled from mobile

floating vessels (as semisubmersible rigs and drill ships) or from jack-ups,

while development wells are drilled from platforms.

33110000.. OOGGIIPP

Original Gas In Place. The total quantity of trapped gas believed to exist in a

geologic feature or structure, based on the analysis of well information,

geological, geophysical and petrophysical data.

33110011.. OOHH

open hole; used in drilling reports.

33110022.. OOIICC

Oil Information Committee of the American Petroleum Institute (API).

Page 440: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

439439

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33110033.. OOIILL

Crude petroleum (nil) and other hydrocarbons produced at the wellhead in

liquid form; includes distillates or condensate recovered or extracted from

natural gas.

33110044.. OOIILL AANNAALLYYZZEERR,, NNEETT

A well testing installation that separates the oil flow and water content of

individual wells on a lease. The analyzer automatically der net oil and not

water in a liquid stream. This information is important on leases where the

production of individual wells (perhaps with different royalty owners) is to be

commingled in the lease tanks or the pipeline gathering system.

33110055.. ooiill aanndd ggaass sseeppaarraattoorr

an item of production equipment used to separate liquid components of the

well stream from the gaseous elements. Separators are vertical or horizontal

and are cylindrical or spherical in shape. Separation is accomplished

principally by gravity, the heavier liquids falling to the bottom and the gas

rising to the top. A float valve or other liquid-level control regulates the level

of oil in the bottom of the separator.

33110066.. OOiill BBaasseedd MMuudd

Drilling mud in which mineral oil is the continuous phase.

33110077.. OOIILL BBOONNUUSS

An oil payment (q.v.) reserved by the lessor (usually the landowner) in

addition to the cash bonus and royalty payment he is entitled to receive. The

cash bonus is the money paid by the lessee to the landowner (the lessor) for

the granting of an oil and gas lease. The landowner's royalty traditionally is

Page 441: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

440440

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

one-eighth of the gross production from the well or the lease, if there is more

than one well.

33110088.. OOIILL BBRROOKKEERR

One who acts as a go-between in the domestic or international crude oil

market. A broker will find a market for a quantity of crude or product not

committed by long-term contract. Just as readily, he will come up with oil for

someone who wishes to buy. Brokers perform a useful function in the oil

business by being knowledgeable about the industry's supply and demand

situation. He is the unobtrusive link between buyer and seller, independent

producer and small refiner. For his services, the broker receives either a flat

fee or a percentage of the deal he helps consummate.

33110099.. OOIILL CCOOUUNNTTRRYY TTUUBBUULLAARR GGOOOODDSS

Well casing, tubing, drillpipe. drill collars, and line pipe.

33111100.. ooiill ffiieelldd

the surface area overlying an oil reservoir or reservoirs. Commonly, the term

includes not only the surface area but may include the reservoir, the wells.

and production equipment as well.

33111111.. OOIILL FFIINNDDEERR

A wry reference to a petroleum geologist. However, geologists maintain that

they do net find oil but instead locate or identify formations that in their

opinion are favorable to the accumulation of oil. It takes the drill to find oil.

33111122.. OOIILL IIMMPPOORRTT TTIICCKKEETT

A license issued by an agency of the Federal government to refiners to buy

certain amounts of crude oil shipped in from abroad.

Page 442: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

441441

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33111133.. ooiill iinn ppllaaccee

the amount of crude oil that is estimated to exist in a reservoir and that has

not been produced.

33111144.. ooiill mmuudd

a drilling mud in which oil is the continuous phase. Oil-base mud and invert-

oil mud are types of oil muds. They are useful in drilling certain formations

that may be difficult or costly to drill with water-base mud. Compare oil-

emulsion mud.

33111155.. ooiill ooppeerraattoorr

an individual or company engaged in finding, producing, selling, or refining

petroleum.

33111166.. OOIILL PPAATTCCHH

A form referring broadly to the oil field, to areas of exploration, production,

and pipelining.

33111177.. OOIILL PPAAYYMMEENNTT

A share of the oil produced from a well or a lease, free of the costs of

production. An oil payment or overriding royalty (q.v.) may be conveyed to

another party by the owner of a larger interest, for example the owner of the

seven-eighths working interest. It may be granted to a bank to pay off a loan,

or to someone else for other considerations. An oil payment is in fact a slice

of the royalty from the well and comes to the owner of the royalty at specified

times, monthly, quarterly, or annually, and is free of any costs or assessments

for operating the well or lease.

Page 443: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

442442

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33111188.. OOIILL PPOOOOLL

An underground reservoir or trap containing oil. A pool is a single separate

reservoir with its own pressure system so that wells drilled in any part of the

pool affect the reservoir pressure throughout the pool. An oil field may

contain one or more pools.

33111199.. OOIILL RRIINNGG

A metal ring that runs on a horizontal line shaft in the bearing well which has

a supply of tube oil. As the ring slowly rotates through the well of oil, it

deposits oil on the shaft. Oil rings are generally made of brass and are used

on relatively slow-moving shafts.

33112200.. OOIILL RROOYYAALLTTYY

The lessor's or landowner's share of oil produced on his land. The customary

1/9 royalty can be paid in money or in oil. In some instances, another fraction

of production is specified as royalty,,

33112211.. OOIILL RRUUNN

(1) The production of oil during a specified period of time. (2) In pipeline

parlance, a tank of oil gauged. tested, and put on the line; a pipeline run. See

Run Ticket.

33112222.. ooiill ssaanndd

1. sandstone that yields oil. 2. (by extension) any reservoir that yields oil.

33112233.. OOIILL SSAANNDDSS BBIITTUUMMEENN

A heavy, petroleum-like substance extracted from oil sands. Bitumen is

defined as "any of various mixtures of hydrocarbons together with their non-

metallic derivatives"; asphalts and tars.

Page 444: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

443443

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33112244.. ooiill ssaavveerr

a gland arrangement that seals by pressure and is used to prevent leakage

and waste of gas, oil, or water around a wireline (as when swabbing a well).

It is operated either mechanically or hydraulically.

33112255.. ooiill ssccoouutt

a representative of an oil company who gathers data on new oil and gas wells

and other industry developments.

33112266.. ooiill sseeeepp

a surface location where oil appears, having permeated from its subsurface

boundaries and accumulating in small pools.

33112277.. OOIILL SSHHAALLEE

Kerogen shale (q.v.).

33112288.. ooiill sslliicckk

a film of oil floating on water, considered a pollutant.

33112299.. OOIILL SSPPIILLLL

A mishap that permits oil to escape from a tank, an offshore well, an oil

tanker, or a pipeline. Oil spill has come to mean oil on a body of water where

even small amounts of oil spread and become highly visible.

33113300.. OOIILL SSTTRRIINNGG

See Production String.

33113311.. OOIILL WWEELLLL PPUUMMPP,, GGRRAABBLLEE

See Grable Oil Well Pump.

Page 445: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

444444

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33113322.. ooiill zzoonnee

a formation or horizon of a well from which oil may be produced. The oil zone

is usually immediately under the gas zone and on top of the water zone if all

three fluids are present and segregated.

33113333.. ooiill--bbaassee mmuudd

an oil mud that contains from less than 2 percent up to 5 percent water. The

water is spread out, or dispersed, in the oil as small droplets. (See oil mud

and invert-oil mud.)

33113344.. ooiill--ccuutt

containing oil (describes a liquid; as oil-cut mud recovered in a drill-stem

test).

33113355.. ooiill--eemmuullssiioonn mmuudd

a water-base mud in which water is the continuous phase and oil is the

dispersed phase. The oil is spread out, or dispersed, in the water in small

droplets, which are tightly emulsified so that they do not settle out. Because

of its lubricating abilities, the use of an oil-emulsion mud increases the drilling

rate and ensures better hole conditions than other muds. Compare oil mud

33113366.. OOIILL--MMIISSTT SSYYSSTTEEMM

A lubricating system which pneumatically conveys droplets of a special oil

from a central source to the points of application. An oil-mist system is

economical in its use of lubricant and efficient on many types of antifriction

applications,

Page 446: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

445445

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

333113388.. OOIILL--SSPPIILLLL BBOOOOMM

Any of various devices or contraptions to contain and prevent the further

spread of oil spilled on water until it can be picked up. A curtain-like device

deployed around or across the path of a drifting oil spill. The curtain is

weighted on the bottom edge to hold it a foot or two below the surface and

has floats on the upper edge to hold the curtain a foot or more above the

surface. Once surrounded, the oil is sucked up by a vacuum cleaner-like

suction pump.

33113399.. ooiill--wwaatteerr ccoonnttaacctt

the point or plane where the bottom of an oil sand contacts the top of a

water sand in a reservoir; the oil-water in. terface.

33114400.. ooiill--wwaatteerr eemmuullssiioonn

(See reverse emulsion and emulsion.)

33114411.. ooiill--wweellll cceemmeenntt

cement or a mixture of cement and other materials for use in oil, gas, or

water wells.

33114422.. ooiill--wweellll ppuummpp

any pump, surface or subsurface, that is used to lift fluids from the reservoir

to the surface. (See sucker-rod pumping and hydraulic pumping.)

33114433.. ooiill--wweett rroocckk

(See wettability.)

33114444.. OOIILLEERR

The third man at a pumping station in the old days. The normal shift-crew on

a large gathering or mainline station was the station engineer, the telegraph

Page 447: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

446446

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

operator-assistant engineer and the oiler whose job included feeling the

engine and pump bearings, keeping the wick oilers full and dripping properly

and cleaning mopping the station floors.

33114455.. OOLLDD OOIILL

For the purposes of price regulation under the Emergency Petroleum

Allocation Act of 1973, old oil is production from a property up to the 1972

level of production. Any production in excess of this amount from a property

is new oil (q.v.).

33114466.. OONN SSTTRREEAAMM

Term used for a processing plant, a refinery or a pumping station that is

operating. To bring on stream is to start up a plant or an operation.

33114477.. OONN TTHHEE BBEEAAMM

Refers to a well on the Pump, OP0rItod by a walking beam instead of a

Pumping jack.

33114488.. oonn--ddeecckk

present on a ship or rig deck and exposed to weather.

33114499.. OONN--LLIINNEE PPLLAANNTT ((GGAASS))

Gas processing plant located on or near a gas transmission line which takes

gas from the trunk line for processing-stripping, scrubbing, drying-and returns

the clean, dry gas to the line.

33115500.. oonn--ssuuccttiioonn

of a tank, open to pump suction.

33115511.. oonn--tthhee--lliinnee

of a tank, being emptied into a pipeline.

Page 448: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

447447

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33115522.. oonn--tthhee--ppuummpp

of a well, being pumped. 001 oolitic; used in drilling reports. (See oolite.)

33115533.. OONNEE

THIRD FOR ONE-QUARTER A term used by independent oil operators who are

selling interests in a well they propose to drill. An Investor who agrees to a

one-third for one-fourth deal will pay one-third of the cost of the well to

casing point and receive one-fourth of the well's net production.

33115544.. OOOOGG

Office of Oil and Gas.

33115555.. OOOOIIPP

Original oil in place.

33115566.. oooolliittee

a spherical or ellipsoidal particle of sand with concentric or radial structure

that is formed by the replacement or accretion of concentric layers of lime

around a quartz grain. Rock characterized by oolites is called oolitic.

33115577.. OOPP--DDRRIILLLLIINNGG SSEERRVVIICCEE

Optimization drilling, a consulting service first developed by American Oil

Company that makes available to operators of drilling rigs technical,

geological, and engineering information gathered from wells drilled in the

same area. Included is advice on mud programs, bits, drill speed. pressures,

as well as consultation with drilling experts.

33115588.. OOPPEECC

the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Page 449: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

448448

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33115599.. ooppeenn

of a wellbore, having no casing.

33116600.. OOPPEENN FFLLOOWW

The production of oil or gas under wide-open conditions; the flow of

production from a well without any restrictions (valves or chokes) on the rate

of flow. Open flow is permitted only for testing or clean-out. Good production

practice nowadays is to produce a well under maximum efficiency rate

conditions (q.v.).

33116611.. ooppeenn ffoorrmmaattiioonn

a petroleum-bearing rock with good porosity and permeability.

33116622.. ooppeenn hhoollee

any wellbore in which casing has not been set.

33116633.. ooppeenn--ffllooww tteesstt

a test made to determine the volume of gas that will flow from a well during a

given time span when all surface control valves are wide open.

33116644.. ooppeenn--hhoollee ccoommpplleettiioonn

a method of preparing a well for production in which no production casing or

liner is set opposite the producing formation. Reservoir fluids flow unrestricted

into the open wellbore. An open-hole completion has limited use in certain

situations.

33116655.. OOPPEERRAATTIINNGG IINNTTEERREESSTT

An interest in oil and gas that bears the costs of development and operation

of the property; the mineral interest less the royally. See Working interest.

Page 450: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

449449

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33116666.. OOPPEERRAATTOORR

An actuating device a mechanism for the remote operation and/or control of

units of a processing plant. Operators usually are air or hydraulically actuated.

Their main use is for opening and closing stops and valves.

33116677.. OOPPEERRAATTOORR,, PPLLAANNTT OORR SSTTAATTIIOONN

A worker who is responsible for the operation of a small plant or a unit of a

larger plant during his working shift. In the old days, an operator was a

telegrapher at a pumping station who sent reports on pumping rates, tank

gauges, and line pressures to the dispatcher (q.v.).

33116688.. ooppttiimmuumm wwaatteerr

the amount of water used to give a cement slurry the best properties for its

particular application.

33116699.. OORR LLEEAASSEE

One of the two most common forms of oil and gas leases; the other is the

unless lease (q.v.). Both types of leases are granted for a primary term, five

years for example, and "so long thereafter as oil and gas are produced." In an

or lease, the lessee promises to drill on or before the first anniversary date or

do something else pay rental, forfeit the lease, etc. The delay rental clause

(q.v.) of an or lease is often written as follows "Lessee agrees to begin a well

on said premises within one year of date hereof or thereafter pay lessor as

rental $------each year in advance to the end of this term or until said well is

commenced, or this grant is surrendered as stipulated herein."

Page 451: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

450450

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33117700.. oorrggaanniicc rroocckk

rock materials produced by plant or animal life (as coal, petroleum, limestone,

etc.).

33117711.. OORRGGAANNIICC SSUUBBSSTTAANNCCEE

A material that is or has been part of a living organism. Oil, although

classified as a mineral, is an organic substance derived from living organisms.

33117722.. oorrggaanniicc tthheeoorryy

an explanation of the origin of petroleum, which holds that both the hydrogen

and carbon that make up petroleum come from plants and animals of the

land and sea. This organic material is theorized further to have come more

from sea and swamp life and very tiny creatures rather than land life and

larger creatures.

33117733.. OOrrggaanniizzaattiioonn ooff PPeettrroolleeuumm EExxppoorrttiinngg CCoouunnttrriieess

(OPEC) pl the countries of the Middle East, Africa, and South America that

produce oil and export it and that have organized to negotiate and regulate

oil prices.

33117744.. oorriieennttaattiioonn

the process of positioning a deflection tool so it faces in the direction

necessary to achieve the desired direction and drift angle of a directional

hole. (See directional drilling.)

33117755.. oorriieenntteedd ccoorree

a core sample whose location in the reservoir has been pinpointed.

Page 452: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

451451

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33117766.. oorriieenntteedd ddrriillll ppiippee

a drill pipe run in a well in a definite position, often a requisite in directional

drilling.

33117777.. oorriiffiiccee

a device with an opening in it whose diameter is smaller than that of the pipe

or fitting into which it is placed to partially restrict the flow through the pipe.

The difference in pressure on the two sides of an orifice plate, as determined

by an orifice meter, can be used to measure the volume of flow through the

pipe.

33117788.. oorriiffiiccee ffiittttiinngg

a device placed in a gas line to hold an orifice plate. (See flanged orifice

fitting, junior orifice fitting, and senior orifice fitting.)

33117799.. OORRIIFFIICCEE MMEETTEERR

A measuring instrument that records the flow rate of gas, enabling the

volume of gas delivered or produced to be computed.

oorriiffiiccee ppiippee ttaapp

a tap for pressure connections made at points two-and-a-half pipe diameters

upstream and downstream from the orifice; a full-flow connection.

33118800.. oorriiffiiccee ppllaattee

a sheet of metal, usually circular, in which a hole of specific size is made for

use in an orifice fitting. (See orifice.)

33118811.. oorriiffiiccee pprreessssuurree ddrroopp

the pressure differential that occurs across an orifice plate.

Page 453: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

452452

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33118822.. oorriiffiiccee wweellll tteesstteerr

a device used to test the gas flow of a well, including orifice plates, a hose,

and a siphon gauge. It is used primarily to estimate the amount of gas

flowing on a drill-stem test when a high degree of accuracy is not required.

33118833.. oorriiffiiccee--ffllaannggee ttaapp

a tap for pressure connections made close to the orifice and through the

flanges.

33118844.. OORRYYHHOOLLEE

An unsuccessful well; a well drilled to a certain depth without finding oil; a

"duster" (q.v.).

33118855.. OOSSHHAA

the Occupational Health and Safety Administration.

33118866.. OOTTTTOO--CCYYCCLLEE EENNGGIINNEE

A four-stroke cycle gas engine the conventional automobile engine is an Otto-

cycle engine, invented in 1862 by Beau de Rochas and applied by Dr.Otto in

1877 as the first commercially successful internal combustion engine. The

four strokes of the Otto cycle are intake, compression, power, and exhaust.

33118877.. oouutt--ooff--ggaauuggee bbiitt

a bit that is no longer of the proper diameter.

33118888.. oouuttaaggee

a quantity of oil that is lost while in storage or being transported.

Page 454: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

453453

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33118899.. OOUUTTAAGGEE GGAAUUGGEE

A measure of the oil in a tank by finding the distance between the top of the

oil and the top of the tank and subtracting this measurement from the tank

height. Outage gauging is used on large storage tanks in which there may be

several feet of heavy sediment in the bottom preventing the plumb bob on

the gauge line from touching bottom. By measuring the distance from the top

of the tank whose height is known, the height of the oil from the bottom can

be easily arrived at. See lnnage Gauge.

33119900.. oouuttbbooaarrdd

away from the center of the hull or toward the side of an offshore drilling rig.

33119911.. oouuttccrroopp

the exposed portion of a buried layer of rock. to appear on the earth's surface

(as a rock).

33119922.. OOUUTTCCRROOPPAA

A subsurface rock layer or formation that, owing to geological conditions,

appears on the surface in certain locations. That part of a strata of rock that

COMES to the surface.

33119933.. OOUUTTEERR CCOONNTTIINNEENNTTAALL SSHHEELLFF ((OOCCSS))

"All submerged land (1) which lies seaward and outside the area of lands

beneath the navigable waters as defined in the Submerged Lands Act (67

Stat. 29) and (2) of which the subsoil and scabed appertain to the U,S. and

are subject to its jurisdiction and control."

33119944.. oouutteerr ccoonnttiinneennttaall sshheellff oorrddeerrss

(See OCS orders.)

Page 455: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

454454

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33119955.. oouuttppoosstt wweellll

a well located outside the established limits of a reservoir; a step-out well.

33119966.. oouuttssiiddee ccuutttteerr

(See external cutter.)

33119977.. oouuttssiiddee ddiiaammeetteerr

(See diameter.)

33119988.. OOVVEERR AANNDD SSHHOORRTT ((00 && SS))

In a pipeline gathering system O&S refers to the perennial imbalance

between calculated oil on hand and the actual oil on hand. This is owing to

contraction, evaporation, improper measuring of lease tanks, and losses

through undetected locks. Oil is paid for on the basis of the amount shown in

the lease tanks. By the time this oil is received at the central gathering

station, the amounts invariably are short which represent a loss to the

pipeline system.

33119999.. oovveerr aanndd sshhoorrtt ssttaattiioonn

a pump station where one or more tanks are floating on the line. (See floating

tank.)

33220000.. OOvveerr--fflluusshh

an excess quantity of fluid used to push acid out of the tubing or casing when

an acid mixture is displaced into a well, thus directing the acid to the desired

place in the well.

Page 456: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

455455

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33220011.. OOVVEERR--TTHHEE--DDIITTCCHH CCOOAATTIINNGG

Doping and wrapping fine pipe above the ditch just before it is lowered in.

Most fine pipe is coated and wrapped in the pipe yard and then transported

to the right-of-way and strung. Over-the-ditch coating has the advantage of

minimizing scuffing or other damage to the coating suffered through moving

and handling.

33220022.. oovveerrbbuurrddeenn

the strata of rock that lie above the stratum of interest in drilling.

33220033.. oovveerrbbuurrddeenn pprreessssuurree

the pressure exerted by the overburden on the formation targeted for drilling.

33220044.. oovveerrffllooww ppiippee

a pipe installed at the top of a tank to enable the liquid within it to be

discharged to another vessel when the tank is filled to capacity.

33220055.. OOVVEERRHHEEAADD

A product or products taken from a processing unit in the form of a vapor or

·gas; a product of a distillation column.

33220066.. OOvveerrpprreessssuurree

Formation pressure in excess of hydropressure.

33220077.. OOVVEERRRRIIDDEE

See Overriding Royalty.

Page 457: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

456456

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33220088.. OOVVEERRRRIIDDEE SSYYSSTTEEMM

A backup system; controls that take over should the primary system of

controls fait or be taken out for adjustment or repair; a redundancy built in

for safety and operational efficiency.

33220099.. OOVVEERRRRIIDDIINNGG RROOYYAALLTTYY

An interest in oil and gas produced at the surface tree of any cost of

productio royalty in addition to the usual landowner's royalty reserved to the

lessor. A 1/16 override is not unusual.

33221100.. oovveerrsshhoott

a fishing tool that is attached to tubing or drill pipe and lowered over the

outside wall of pipe or sucker rods lost or stuck in the wellbore. A friction

device in the overshot, usually either a basket or a spiral grapple, firmly grips

the pipe, allowing the lost fish to be pulled from the hole.

33221111.. OOXXYYAACCEETTYYLLEENNEE WWEELLDDIINNGG

The use of a mixture of oxygen and acetylene in heating and joining two

pieces of metal. When the weld edges of the two pieces are molten, metal

from a welding rod is melted onto the molten puddle as the welder holds the

tip of the rod in the flame of the torch. Oxygen and acetylene are used also in

cutting through metal. The intense heat generated it the tip of the cutting

torch (about 3,500"F) literally melts away the metal in the area touched by

the flame See Welding Torch.

33221122.. oozz

Ounce, unit of weight equal to 1/16 of a pound, 28.35 grammes

Page 458: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

457457

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33221133.. PP&&AA

plugged and abandoned. (See plug and abandon.)

33221144.. pp--llooww

a notation of the amount of pressure generated on the drill stem when the

mud pumps are run at some speed slower than the speed used when drilling

ahead. A p-low or several p-lows are established for use when a kick is being

circulated out of the wellbore.

33221155.. PP..SS..II..AA..

Pounds per square inch absolute; pressure measurement which includes

atmospheric pressure.

33221166.. PP..SS..II..GG..

Pounds per square inch gauge (as observed on a gauge).

33221177.. PPaa

pascal.

33221188.. ppaacckk ooffff

to place a packer in the wellbore and activate it so it forms a seal between

the tubing and casing.

33221199.. PPAACCKKAAGGEE PPLLAANNTT

A facility at a refinery where various refined products are put in cartons and

boxes ready for shipment. Waxes, greases, and small-volume specialty oils

are boxed in a package, plant.

Page 459: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

458458

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33222200.. ppaacckkeedd--hhoollee aasssseemmbbllyy

a drill stem that consists of stabilizers and special drill collars and is used to

maintain the proper angle and course of the hole. This assembly is often

necessary in crooked-hole country.

33222211.. ppaacckkeerr

a piece of downhole equipment, consisting of a sealing device, a holding or

setting device, and an inside passage for fluids, used to block the flow of

fluids through the annular space between the tubing and the wall of the

wellbore by sealing off the space between them. It is usually made up in the

tubing string some distance above the producing zone. A sealing element

expands to prevent fluid flow except through the inside bore of the packer

and into the tubing. Packers are classified according to configuration, use,

and method of setting and whether or not they are retrievable (i.e., whether

they can be removed when necessary, or whether they must be milled or

drilled out and thus destroyed).

33222222.. ppaacckkeerr fflluuiidd

a liquid, usually mud but sometimes salt water or oil, used in a well when a

packer is between the tubing and casing. Packer fluid must be heavy enough

to shut off the pressure of the formation being produced, must not stiffen or

settle out of suspension over long periods of time, and must be noncorrosive.

33222233.. PPAACCKKIINNGG

Any tough, pliable material-rubber or fiber-used to fill a chamber or "gland"

around a moving rod or valve stem to prevent the escape of gas or liquid; any

yielding material used to effect a pressure tight joint. Packing is held in place

Page 460: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

459459

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

and compressed against a moving part by a "follower," an adjustable element

of the packing gland.

33222244.. ppaacckkiinngg ggllaanndd

the metal part that compresses and holds packing in place in a stuffing box.

33222255.. PPAALLYYNNOOLLOOGGYY

The science that deals with the study of five and fossil spores and with pollen

grains and other microscopic plant structures. As palynology concerns oil

prospecting, particularly stratigraphic problems, the science involves age

dating rocks and determining the environment when sedimentary formations

were laid down. This can be observed from well borehole cuttings, cores, and

surface outcrop samples; also microscopic analysis of source rock samples

and other basic geochemical studies.

33222266.. ppaarraaffffiinn

a hydrocarbon having the formula CnH2n + 2 (methane, CH4; ethane, C2H6;

etc.) Heavier paraffin hydrocarbons (i.e., those of C18H38 and heavier) form

a waxlike substance that is called paraffin. Heavier paraffins often accumulate

on the walls of tubing and other production equipment, restricting or stopping

the flow of desirable lighter paraffins.

33222277.. ppaarraaffffiinn hhyyddrrooccaarrbboonn

(See paraffin.)

33222288.. ppaarraaffffiinn iinnhhiibbiittoorr

a chemical that, when injected -into the wellbore, prevents or minimizes

paraffin deposition.

Page 461: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

460460

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33222299.. ppaarraaffffiinn ssccrraappeerr

any tool used to remove paraffin from inside tubular goods.

33223300.. ppaarraaffffiinn wwaaxx

a solid substance resembling beeswax but composed entirely of

hydrocarbons. It is obtained from the crude wax that results from the solvent

dewaxing or cold pressing of light paraffin distillates. The refined product is of

relatively large crystalline structure, is white and brittle, and has little taste or

odor.

33223311.. PPAARRAAFFFFIINN--BBAASSEE CCRRUUDDEE

Crude oil containing little or no asphalt materials; a good source of paraffin,

quality motor lubricating oil, and high-grade kerosene; usually has lower

nonhydrocarbon content than an asphalt-base crude.

33223322.. ppaarraaffffiinn--bbaassee ooiill

a crude oil characterized by a high API gravity, a high yield of lowoctane

gasoline, and a high yield of lubricating oil with a high pour point and a high

viscosity index. Popularly, and according to an early classification system, a

paraffin-base oil is a crude oil containing little or no asphalt and whose

residue from distillation contains paraffin wax. (Compare naphthene-base oil.)

33223333.. ppaarraaffffiinn--ddeeppoossiittiioonn iinntteerrvvaall

(PDI) the in. terval in the production tubing string where heavy paraffin

hydrocarbons are deposited on the inside walls of the tubing. The interval is

dependent on temperature; below or above certain temperatures, paraffin will

not form.

Page 462: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

461461

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33223344.. ppaarraasseeqquueennccee

Relatively conformable depositional units bounded by surfaces of marine

flooding, surfaces that separate older strata from younger and show an

increase in water depth in successively younger strata. Parasequences are

usually too thin to discern on seismic data, but when added together, they

form sets called parasequence sets that are visible on seismic data. See Also

depositional environment, sequence stratigraphy, stratum

33223355.. ppaarrtteedd rrooddss

sucker rods that have been broken and separated in a pumping well because

of corrosion, improper loading, damaged rods, and so forth.

33223366.. PPAARRTTIICCIIPPAATTIIOONN

A type of joint venture between a host country and an international oil

company holding concession rights in that country. Participation may be

voluntary on the part of the oil company or as the result of coercion by the

host country.

33223377.. PPAARRTTIICCIIPPAATTIIOONN CCRRUUDDEE OOIILL

See Buy-back Crude Oil.

33223388.. PPAARRTTIICCUULLAATTEE MMAATTTTEERR

Minute particles of solid matter-cinders and fly ash-contained in stack gases.

33223399.. ppaassccaall

Pa) an international system (SI) metric unit of pressure measurement. One

pound per square inch (psi) of pressure equals approximately 6,894.757

pascals, and 1 kilogram per square centimeter (kg/cm') of pressure equals

approximately 98,066.5 Pa, or 98.07 kilopascals (kPa).

Page 463: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

462462

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33224400.. ppaattcchh

a material used to cover, fill up, or mend a hole or weak spot. A metal piece

extending" halfway around a pipe and wriddd

33224411.. PPAAYY HHOORRIIZZOONN

The subsurface, geological formation where a deposit of oil or gas is found in

commercial quantities.

33224422.. PPAAYY OOUUTT

The recovery from production of the costs of drilling, completion, and

equipping a well. Sometimes included in the costs is a prorata share of lease

costs.

33224433.. ppaayy ssttrriinngg

the Production casing.

33224444.. PPAAYY ZZOONNEE

See Pay Horizon.

33224455.. PPBB

abbr plugged back; used in drilling reports.(see plug back)

33224466.. PPccff

pound

33224477.. PPCCVV

Positive Crankcase Ventilation (q.v.),

33224488.. PPDDII

paraffin-deposition interval.

Page 464: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

463463

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33224499.. PPEEAAKK--SSHHAAVVIINNGG LLNNGG PPLLAANNTT

A liquefied natural gas plant that supplies gas to a gas pipeline system during

peak-use periods. During slack periods the liquefied gas is stored. With the

need for additional gas, the liquid product is gasified and fed into the gas

pipeline.

33225500.. PPEEAAPPIICCKKEERR

An inexperienced worker a green hand; boil weevil.

33225511.. PPeelliiccaann hhooookk

(nautical)a device releasable under tension that engages chain links and wire-

rope fittings.

33225522.. PPEEMMEEXX

Petroleos Mexicanos, the state-owned Mexican oil company.

33225533.. ppeennddaanntt lliinnee

(nautical) a wire rope attached to an anchor and sometimes to the anchor

chain and used to pull and lower the anchor. The ends of the pendant not on

the anchor are attached to buoys on the surface of the Water.

33225544.. PPEENNDDUULLUUMM DDRRIILLLL AASSSSEEMMBBLLYY

A heavily weighted drill assembly using long drill collars and stabilizers to help

control the drift from the vertical of the drill bit. The rationale for the

weighted drill assembly is that. like a pendulum at rest, it will resist being

moved from the vertical and will tend to drill a straighter hole.

Page 465: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

464464

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33225555.. PPEENNNNSSYYLLVVAANNIIAA--GGRRAADDEE CCRRUUDDEE OOIILL

Oil with characteristics similar to the crude oil Produced in Pennsylvania from

which superior quality lubricating oils are made. Similar-grade crude oil is also

found in West Virginia, eastern Ohio, and southern New York state.

33225566.. PPeerr

Permeability; used in drilling reports.

33225577.. PPeerrccuussssiioonn ddrriilllliinngg

1 cable-tool drilling. 2.rotary drilling in which a special tool called a hammer

drill is used in combination with a roller-cone bit.

33225588.. ppeerrccuussssiioonn ddrriilllliinngg ttooooll

(See hammer drill.)

33225599.. ppeerrff

perforated; used in drilling reports.

33226600.. ppeerrffoorraattee

to pierce the casing wall and cement to provide holes through which

formation fluids may enter or to provide holes in the casing so that materials

may be introduced into the annulus between the casing and the wall of the

borehole. Perforating is accomplished by lowering into the well a perforating

gun, or perforator, that fires electrically detonated bullets or shaped charges

from the surface.

33226611.. ppeerrffoorraattee uunnddeerr--bbaallaanncceedd

to perforate the well with a column of fluid in the wellbore.

Page 466: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

465465

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33226622.. PPeerrffoorraattee//PPeerrffoorraattiinngg

Piercing the casing and cement using shaped explosive charges to provide a

flow path for formation fluids.

ppeerrffoorraatteedd ccoommpplleettiioonn

a well completion in which the production casing or liner is punctured to allow

passage between the wellbore and the producing formation. Perforations are

usually made with bullet- or jet-perforating guns. (See gun-perforate.)

33226633.. ppeerrffoorraatteedd lliinneerr

a liner that has had holes shot in it by a perforating gun.

33226644.. ppeerrffoorraatteedd ppiippee

the sections of pipe (as casing liners, tail pipes, etc.) in which holes or slots

have been cut before setting.

33226655.. PPEERRFFOORRAATTIINNGG

To make holes through the casing opposite the producing formation to allow

the oil or gas to flow into the well. Shooting steel bullets through the casing

walls with a special downhole "gun" is a common method of perforating.

33226666.. PPEERRFFOORRAATTIINNGG GGUUNN

A special tool used downhole for shooting holes in the well's casing opposite

the producting formation. The gun, a steel tube of various lengths, has steel

projectiles placed at intervals over its outer circumference, perpendicular to

the gun's long axis. When lowered into the well's casing on a wire line

opposite the formation to be produced, the gun is fired electrically, shooting

numerous holes in the casing which permit the oil or gas to flow into the

casing.

Page 467: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

466466

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33226677.. PPEERRFFOORRAATTIIOONNSS,, SSHHAAPPEEDD--CCHHAARRGGEE

See Shaped-charge Perforation.

33226688.. ppeerriioodd OOff PPiittcchh

the time required for the bow or stern of a floating offshore drilling rig to start

at its lowest Position, rise with the waves, and return to its lowest position.

33226699.. ppeerriioodd ooff rroollll

the time required for a floating offshore drilling rig to roll from one side to the

other and back.

33227700.. PPEERRMMAAFFRROOSSTT

The permanently frozen layer of earth occurring at variable depths in the

Arctic and other frigid regions.

33227711.. ppeerrmmaanneenntt ccoommpplleettiioonn

a well completion in which production, workover, and re-completion

operations can be performed without removing the wellhead.

33227722.. ppeerrmmaanneenntt gguuiiddee bbaassee

a structure attached to and installed with the foundation pile when a well is

drilled from an offshore drilling rig. It is seated in the temporary guide base

and serves as a wellhead housing. Also, guidelines are attached to it so that

equipment (as the blowout preventers) may be guided into place on the

wellhead.

33227733.. PPeerrmmeeaabbiilliittyy

The measure of a formation's ability to transmit fluids and/or gases.

Page 468: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

467467

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33227744.. PPeerrssoonn--yyeeaarrss

The equivalent of one person working a full year, or 2,080 hours.

33227755.. ppeerrssoonnnneell nneett

a net attached to a floatable ring, on which personnel ride when being

transferred from boat to rig on offshore locations. It is usually rigged to a

crane.

33227766.. PPEERRSSUUAADDEERR

An oversized toot for a small job; an extension added to the handle of a

wrench to increase the leverage.

33227777.. PPEESSAA

Petroleum Equipment Suppliers' Association.

33227788.. ppeettrroocchheemmiiccaall

a chemical manufactured from petroleum and natural gas or from raw

materials derived from petroleum and natural gas.

33227799.. PPEETTRROOCCHHEEMMIICCAALLSS

Chemicals derived from petroleum; feedstocks for the manufacture of a

variety of plastics and synthetic rubber.

33228800.. PPEETTRROOCCHHEEMMIISSTTRRYY

A word derived from petroleum and chemistry; the science of synthesizing

substances derived from crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids.

33228811.. PPEETTRROOFFRRAACCTTUURRIINNGG

A process In which a mixture of oil, chemicals, and sand is pumped under

high pressure into an oil-bearing formation penetrated by the well bore. This

Page 469: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

468468

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

produces cracks and fissures in the formation to improve the flow of oil. See

Hydraulic Fracturing.

33228822.. ppeettrrooll

(British) gasoline.

33228833.. PPEETTRROOLLEEUUMM

In its broadest sense, the term embraces the whole spectrum of

hydrocarbons-gaseous, liquid, and solid. In the popular sense, petroleum

means crude oil.

33228844.. PPEETTRROOLLEEUUMM RREESSEERRVVEESS NNAAVVAALL

See Naval Petroleum Reserves.

33228855.. PPEETTRROOLLEEUUMM RREESSEERRVVEESS,, SSTTRRAATTEEGGIICC

See Strategic Petroleum Reserves.

33228866.. PPEETTRROOLLEEUUMM RROOCCKK

Sandstone. limestone, dolomite, shale, and other porous rock formations

where accumulations of oil and gas may be found.

PPEETTRROOLLEEUUMM SSUULLFFOONNAATTEE FFLLOOOODDIINNGG

See Micellar-surfactant Flooding.

33228877.. PPEETTRROOLLEEUUMM TTAARR SSAANNDDSS

Native asphalt, solid and semisolid bitumen, including oil-impregnated rock or

sand from which oil is recoverable by special treatment. Processes have been

developed for extracting the oil. referred to as synthetic crude.

33228888.. ppeettrroolliiffeerroouuss

containing petroleum (of rocks).

Page 470: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

469469

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33228899.. PPEETTRROOLLOOGGIISSTT,, SSEEDDPPAAIIEENNTTAARRYY

A specialist in petrology; a geologist who studies the origin, history,

occurrence, structure, and chemical composition of sedimentary rocks; also a

specialist in the acoustical properties of rocks who often works with

geophysicists in determining the presence of oil and gas in sedimentary

formations.

33229900.. PPEETTRROOLLOOGGYY

The science that deals with the origin, history. occurrence, structure, chemical

composition, and classification of rocks.

33229911.. PPeettrroopphhyyssiiccss

Study of reservoir properties based on the data obtained from various logging

tools and methods, and from drill cores.

33229922.. PPHH ((ppHH))

A symbol used in expressing both acidity and alkalinity on a scale whose

values run from 0 to 14, with 7 representing neutrality; numbers less than 7,

increasing acidity; greater than 7, increasing alkalinity.

33229933.. ppHH vvaalluuee

a unit of measure of the acid or alkaline condition of a substance. A neutral

solution (as pure water) has a pH of 7; acid solutions are less than 7; basic,

or alkaline solutions are above 7. The pH scale is a logarithmic scale; a

substance with a pH of 4 is more than twice as acid as a substance with a pH

of 5. Similarly, a substance with a pH of 9 is much more than twice as alkaline

as a substance with a pH of 8.

Page 471: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

470470

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33229944.. pphhaassee

1. any portion of a nonhomogeneous system that is bounded by a surface, is

homogeneous throughout, and may be mechanically separated from the other

phases. The three phases of HgO, for example, are ice (solid), water (liquid),

and steam (gas). 2. in physics, the stage or point in a cycle to which a

rotation, oscillation, or variation has advanced.

33229955.. PPHHOOTTOOMMEETTRRIICC AANNAALLYYZZEERR

A device for detecting and analyzing the changes in properties and quantities

of a plant's stack gases. The analyzer, through the use of electronic linkage,

automatically sounds a warning or effects changes in the stack emissions

when they exceed predetermined levels.

33229966.. PPHHYYSSIICCAALL DDEEPPLLEETTIIOONN

The exhausting of a mineral deposit or a petroleum reservoir by extraction or

production.

33229977.. ppii

pipeline; used in drilling reports.

33229988.. ppiicckkllee

a cylindrical or spherical device that is affixed to the end of a wireline just

above the hook to keep the line straight and provide weight.

33229999.. PPIIEERR

A walkway-like structure built on piling out from shore, a distance over the

water for use 4 s a landing place or to tie up boats; a jetty.

33330000.. ppiieerrcceemmeenntt ddoommee

a mass of material, usually salt, that rises and penetrates rock formations.

Page 472: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

471471

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33330011.. PPIIGG

A cylindrical device (three to seven feet long) inserted in a pipeline for the

purpose of sweeping the line clean of water, rust, or other foreign matter.

When insertec in the line at a "trap," the pressure of the oil stream behind it

pushes the pig along the line. Pigs or scrapers (q.v.) are made with tough,

pliable discs that fit the internal diameter of the pipe, thus forming a tight

seal as they move along cleaning the pipe wails.

33330022.. ppiigg iirroonn

(slang) a piece of oil-filed equipment made of iron or steel.

33330033.. PPIIGG TTRRAAPP

A scraper trap (q.v.).

33330044.. ppiiggggyybbaacckk

(nautical) to install anchors behind each other in tandem on the same

mooring line.

33330055.. PPIILLEELLEESSSS PPLLAATTFFOORRMM

A concrete offshore drilling platform of sufficient weight to hold the structure

firmly in position on the sea bottom, Referred to as a "gravity structure," the

platform is constructed on shore and then floated and towed to location

where it is "sunk" by flooding its compartments. Some platforms of this type

have oil storage facilities within the base of the structure. See Gravity

Structure; also Tension-leg Platform.

33330066.. PPIILLIINNGG,, DDRRIILLLLEEDD--IINN

Piling that is inserted into holes drilled by special large-diameter bits. In this

operation the piles are cemented in to achieve more stability. Drilied-in piling

Page 473: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

472472

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

is often used to secure platform jackets to the ocean floor. See Drilling and

Boiling Tool.

33330077.. PPIILLLLOOWW TTAANNKKSS

Pliable, synthetic rubber and fabric fuel "tanks" that look like giant pillows.

Pillow tanks, first used by the military to store fuel, are now in service at

remote locations to store diesel fuel, gasoline, and tube oil until steel tankage

can be erected. Easily deplorable, the rubber pillows can be filled by tank

truck or air shuttle, and when no longer needed they may be emptied, folded

up and taken to another location. (See illustration, p. 155)

33330088.. ppiilloott mmiillll

a special mill that has a heavy, tubular extension below it called a pilot or

stinger. The pilot, smaller in diameter than the mill, is designed to go inside

drill pipe or tubing that is lost in the hole. It guides the mill to the top of and

centers it over the pipe, thus preventing the mill from bypassing the pipe.

33330099.. PPIILLOOTT PPLLAANNTT

A small model of a future processing plant, used to develop and test

processes and operating techniques before investing in a full-scale plant.

33331100.. PPIILLOOTTMMIILLLL,,

A type of junk mill (q.v.) with a tapered confer projection below the cutting

surface of the bit to guide or pilot the bit into the open end of a piece of junk

or a toot to be milled out downhole.

33331111.. ppiinn

(See tool joint.)

33331122.. ppiinn ppaacckkeerr

Page 474: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

473473

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

a packer in which the packing element is held in position by brass or steel

pins. When weight is put on the packer, two metal sleeves telescope,

shearing the pins and allowing the element to fold and pack off.

33331133.. ppiinn ttaapp

a short, threaded device made up on the bottom of drill pipe or tubing and

used to screw into the box of a stand of drill pipe or drill collars lost in the

hole. Once the pin tap is engaged, the lost pipe can be retrieved.

33331144.. ppiinncchh iinn

to decrease the size of the opening of an adjustable choke when a kick is

being circulated out of a well.

33331155.. ppiinncchh--oouutt

a geological structure that forms a trap for oil and gas when a porous and

permeable rock ends at or stops against an impervious formation.

33331166.. PPIINNCCHHIINNGG AA VVAALLVVEE

Closing a valve part way to reduce the flow of liquid or gas through a

pipeline. See Cracking a Valve.

33331177.. ppiippee

a long, hollow cylinder, usually steel,through which fluids are conducted. Oil-

field tubular goods are casing (including liners), drill pipe, tubing, or line pipe.

Casing, tubing, and drill pipe are designated by external-diameter. Because

lengths of pipe are joined by external-diameter couplings threaded by

standard tools, an increase in the wall thickness can only be obtained by

decreasing the internal diameter. Thus, the external diameter is the same for

Page 475: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

474474

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

all weights of the same size pipe. Weight is expressed in pounds per foot.

Grading depends on the yield strength of the steel.

33331188.. ppiippee ddoollllyy

any device equipped with rollers and used to move drill pipe or collars.

33331199.. PPIIPPEE FFIITTTTEERR

One who installs and repairs piping, usually of small diameter. An "oil patch

plumber" according to pipeliners who traditionally work with large-diameter

pipe

33332200.. ppiippee ffiittttiinnggss

the auxiliary parts (as couplings, elbows, tees, crosses, etc.) used for

connecting lengths of pipe.

33332211.. ppiippee hhaannggeerr

1. a circular device with a frictional gripping arrangement used to suspend

casing and tubing in the well. 2. a device used to support a pipeline.

33332222.. ppiippee jjaacckk

a hand tool used to lift and move a stand of pipe that is set back in the

derrick. It has a handle on one end and two semicircular pieces on the other

end that are designed to fit under the shoulder of a joint of pipe and avoid

damage as the pipe is lifted with the tool.

33332233.. PPIIPPEE LLAAYY BBAARRGGEE

See Lay Barge.

33332244.. PPIIPPEE MMIILLLL,, PPOORRTTAABBLLEE

See Portable Pipe Mill.

Page 476: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

475475

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33332255.. ppiippee rraacckk

a horizontal support for tubular goods.

33332266.. ppiippee rraacckkeerr

(obsolete) 1. a worker who places pipe to one side in the derrick. 2. a

pneumatic or hydraulic device often used on drill ships that, upon command

from an operator, either picks up pipe from a rack and lifts it into the derrick

or takes pipe from out of the derrick and places it on the rack.It eliminates

the need to stand pipe in the derrick while it is out of the hole.

33332277.. ppiippee rraammss

a sealing component for a blowout preventer that closes the annular space

between the pipe and the blowout preventer or wellhead.

33332288.. ppiippee rreeppaaiirr ccllaammpp

a clamp used to make a temporary repair of a leak in a pipeline.

33332299.. ppiippee ssaaddddllee

a fitting made in parts to clamp onto a pipe to stop a leak or provide an

outlet.

33333300.. PPIIPPEE SSLLIINNGG

A stirrup-like sling made of heavy belting material used on the winch line of

boom cats for lifting, handling, and lowering in of pipe. Fabric slings are used

to prevent scarring or damaging the pipelines protective coating.

33333311.. PPIIPPEE SSTTRRAAIIGGHHTTEENNEERR

A heavy, pipeyard press equipped with hydraulically powered mandrels for

taking the kinks and bends out of pipe. The replaceable mandrels come in all

size 2" to 12".

Page 477: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

476476

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33333322.. PPIIPPEE TTOONNGGSS

Long-handled wrenches that grip the pipe with a scissors-like action; used in

laying a screw pipeline. The head (called the butt) is shaped like a parrot's

beak and uses one corner of a square "tong key," held in a slot in the head,

to bite into the surface of the pipe in turning it.

33333333.. ppiippee wwiippeerr

a disk-shaped device with a hole in the center through which drill pipe or

tubing passes, used to wipe off mud, oil, or other liquid from the pipe as the

pipe is pulled from the hole.

33333344.. ppiippeelliinnee

a system of connected lengths of pipe, usually buried in the earth or laid on

the seafloor, that is used for transporting petroleum and natural gas.

33333355.. PPIIPPEELLIINNEE CCAATT

A tough, experienced pipeline construction worker who stays on the job until

is flanged up and the.1 disappears-until the next pipeline job. A hard-working,

impermanent construction hand; a boomer.

33333366.. ppiippeelliinnee ccoonnnneeccttiioonn

the outlet from a well or tank by which oil or gas is transferred to a pipeline

for transportation away from the field.

33333377.. PPIIPPEELLIINNEE DDEELLUUMMPPEERR

A motor-driven chopping machine that is flanged Into a pipeline to break up

any solid material that may have found its way into the fluid stream. The

electric motor furnishes power for the chopper blades. Delumpers are used

for the most part on coal slurry pipelines.

Page 478: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

477477

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33333388.. PPIIPPEELLIINNEE GGAASS

Gas under sufficient pressure to enter the high-pressure gas lines of a

purchaser; gas sufficiently dry so that liquid hydrocarbons-natural gasoline,

butane, and other gas liquids-usually present in natural gas will not condense

or drop out in the transmission lines.

33333399.. PPIIPPEELLIINNEE GGAAUUGGEERR

See Gauger.

33334400.. PPIIPPEELLIINNEE IINNSSPPEECCTTIIOONN SSPPHHEERREE

A manned bathysphere for inspection of offshore pipelines or to investigate

the underwater terrain, the sea floor, for a proposed route for laying a

pipeline. The diving sphere is lowered to the sea floor by a boom and tackle

extending from the deck of a work boat or diving tender equipped with

support systems.

33334411.. ppiippeelliinnee ooiill

a crude oil whose BS& W content is low enough to make the oil acceptable for

pipeline shipment.

33334422.. ppiippeelliinnee ppaattrrooll

a watch, usually maintained from an airplane, to check the route of a pipeline

for leaks or other abnormal conditions.

33334433.. PPIIPPEELLIINNEE PPRROORRAATTIIOONNIINNGG

The refusal by a purchasing company or a pipeline to take more oil than 4

needs from the producer by limiting pipeline runs from the producer's lease

an informal practice in the days of overproduction when market conditions

Page 479: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

478478

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

were unsatisfactory or when the pipeline system lacked storage space. Also

referred to as purchaser prorationing.

33334444.. PPIIPPEELLIINNEE RRIIDDEERR

One who covers a pipeline by horseback looking for leaks in the line or

washed-out sections of the right of way. The line rider has been replaced by

the pipeline; patrol using light planes or, for short local lines, by the pickup

truck and the man on foot.

33334455.. PPIIPPEELLIINNEE SSPPRREEAADD

See Spread.

33334466.. PPIIPPEELLIINNEE WWEELLDDIINNGG

In pipeline welding, the bevelled ends of two joints are brought together and

aligned by clamps. Welders then lay on courses of weld metal called passes or

beads designated as (1) stringer bead, (2) hot pass, (3) third pass or hot fill

(for heavy-wall pipe), (4) filler pass, and (5) final or capping pass.

One who does pipeline construction or repair work welders, ditching machine

operators. cat drivers, costing and wrapping operators, connection men;

broadly, anyone who is involved in the building, maintenance, and operation

of a pipeline system.

33334477.. ppiissttoonn

a cylindrical sliding piece that is moved by or moves against fluid pressure

within a confining cylindrical vessel.

33334488.. ppiissttoonn rriinngg

a yielding ring, usually metal, that surrounds a piston and maintains a tight fit

inside a cylinder.

Page 480: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

479479

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33334499.. ppiissttoonn rroodd

1. a metal shaft that joins the piston to the crankshaft in an engine. 2. a

metal shaft in a mud pump, one end of which is connected to the piston and

the other to the pony rod.

33335500.. PPIITT LLIINNEERRSS

Specially formulated plastic sheeting for lining earthen or leaking concrete pits

to prevent seepage of oil or water into the ground.

33335511.. PPiitt VVoolluummee TToottaalliizzeerr

(PVT)a trade name for a series of devices that continuously monitor the level

of the drilling mud in the mud pits. PVTs usually consist of float devices in the

mud pits that sense mud-level data and transmit the data to a recording and

alarm device mounted near the driller's position on the rig floor. If the mud

level in the pits drops too low or rises too high, the alarm sounds to warn the

driller that action may be necessary to prevent a blowout.

33335522.. ppiitt--lleevveell iinnddiiccaattoorr

(See Pit Volume Totalizer.)

33335533.. ppiitt--lleevveell rreeccoorrddeerr

(See Pit Volume Totalizer.)

33335544.. PPIITTCCHH

Asphalt; a dark brown to black bituminous material found in natural beds,

also produced as a black, heavy residue in oil refining. See Brea.

33335555.. PPIITTCCHHEERR PPUUMMPP

A small hand pump for very shallow water wells. Looking much like a large,

cast-iron cream pitcher, the pitcher pump is built on the order of the "old

Page 481: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

480480

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

town pump" with one exception. The pitcher pump's handle, working on a

fulcrum, does not have a string of pump rods attached. Water is pumped by

the suction created by a leather cup and valve arrangement in the throat or

lower body of the pump together with a foot valve 20 feet or so down in the

tubing. A simple and elegantly fundamental pumping machine.

33335566.. ppiittmmaann

the arm that connects the crank to the walking beam on a pumping unit by

means of which rotary motion is converted to reciprocating motion.

33335577.. PPiittoott ttuubbee

an open-ended tube arranged to face against the current of a stream of fluid;

used in measuring the velocity head of a flowing medium.

33335588.. PPiittoott--ttuubbee mmeetteerr

a meter that uses a Pitot tube and a manometer or other differential-pressure

mechanism to measure flowing fluids. The difference between the pressure

on the Pitot tube and the static pressure is the velocity head of the flow,

which is directly related to the rate of flow.

33335599.. PPIITTTTIINNGG ((OOFF PPIIPPEE))

Line pipe corroded in such a manner as to cause the surface to be covered

with minute, crater-like holes or pits. See Anode; also Rectifier Bed.

33336600.. ppkk

pink; used in drilling reports.

33336611.. ppkkrr

packer; used in drilling reports.

Page 482: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

481481

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33336622.. ppllaanniimmeetteerr

an instrument for measuring the area of a plane figure. As the point on a

tracing arm is passed along the outline of a figure, a graduated wheel and

disk indicate the area encompassed.

33336633.. PPLLAANNTT OOPPEERRAATTOORR

An employee who runs plant equipment, makes minor adjustments and

repairs, and keeps the necessary operating records.

33336644.. PPLLAASSTTIICC FFLLOOWW

The flow of liquid (through a pipeline) in which the liquid moves as a column;

flowing as a river with the center of the stream moving at a greater rate than

the edges which are retarded by the friction of the banks (or pipe wall). See

Turbulent Flow.

33336655.. ppllaassttiicc ssqquueeeezziinngg

the procedure by which a quantity of resinous material is squeezed into a

sandy formation to consolidate the sand and prevent its flowing into the well.

The resinous material is hardened by the addition of special chemicals which

creates a porous mass that permits oil to flow into the well but holds back the

sand at the same time. (See sand consolidation.)

33336666.. ppllaassttiicc vviissccoossiittyy

an absolute flow property indicating the flow resistance of certain types of

fluids. Plastic viscosity is a measure of shearing stress.

33336677.. ppllaassttiicciittyy

the ability of a substance to be deformed without rupturing.

Page 483: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

482482

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33336688.. PPLLAATT

A map of land plots laid out according to surveys made by a Government

Land Office showing section, township, and range; a grid-like representation

of land areas showing their relationship to other areas in a state or county.

33336699.. PPLLAATT BBOOOOKK

A book containing maps of land plots arranged according to Township and

Range for counties within a state. See Plat.

33337700.. ppllaattffoorrmm

an immobile offshore structure constructed on pilings from which wells are

drilled, produced, or both.

33337711.. PPLLAATTFFOORRMM BBUURRNNEERR

See Forced-draft Burner.

33337722.. ppllaattffoorrmm jjaacckkeett

a support that is firmly secured to the ocean floor and to which the legs of a

platform are anchored.

33337733.. PPLLAATTFFOORRMM TTRREEEE

A production Christmas tree (q.v.) on an offshore platform; an assembly of

control and production valves, used on offshore platforms, through which

wells are produced.

33337744.. PPLLAATTFFOORRMMAATTEE

High-octane gasoline blending stock produced in a catalytic reforming unit,

commonly known as a platformer (q.v.).

Page 484: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

483483

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33337755.. PPLLAATTFFOORRMMEERR

A catalytic reforming unit which converts low-quality straight-chain paraffins

or naphthenes to low-boiling, branched-chain paraffins or aromatics of higher

octane; a refinery unit that produces high-octane blending stock for

manufacture of gasoline.

33337766.. ppllaayy

the extent of a petroleum-bearing formation.

33337777.. PPLLEEMM

Pipeline-end manifold; an offshore, submerged manifold connected to the

shore by-pipelines that serve a tanker loading station of the multibuoy

mooring type (q.v.).

33337788.. PPLLEENNUUMM

A room or enclosed area where the atmosphere is maintained at a pres. sure

greater than the outside air. Central control rooms at refineries are usually

kept at pressures of a few ounces above the surrounding atmosphere to

prevent potentially explosive gases from seeping into the building and being

ignited by electrical equipment. Some offshore drilling and production

platforms are provided with plenums as a safety measure. See Acoustic

Plenum.

33337799.. PPlliimmssoollll mmaarrkk

a mark placed on the side of a floating offshore drilling rig or ship denoting

the maximum depth to which it may be loaded or ballasted. The line is set in

accordance with local and international rules for safety of life at sea.

33338800.. PPLLUUGG

Page 485: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

484484

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

To fill a well's borehole with cement or other Impervious material to prevent

the flow of water, gas, or oil from one strata to another when a well is

abandoned to screw a metal plug into a pipeline to shut off drainage or to

divert the stream of oil to a connecting line; to stop the flow of oil or gas.

33338811.. pplluugg aanndd aabbaannddoonn

(P&A) to place a cement plug into a dry hole and abandon it.

33338822.. pplluugg bbaacckk

to place cement in or near the bottom of a well to exclude bottom water,

sidetrack, or produce from a formation already drilled through. Plugging back

also can be accomplished by a mechanical plug set by wireline, tubing, or drill

pipe.

33338833.. pplluugg ccoonnttaaiinneerr

(See cementing head.)

33338844.. pplluugg ffllooww

a fluid moving as a unit in which all shear stress occurs at the pipe wall.

33338855.. PPLLUUGG VVAALLVVEE

A type of quick-opening pipeline valve constructed with a central core or

"plug." The valve can be opened or closed with one-quarter turn of the plug;

a stop.

33338866.. PPLLUUGGGGIINNGG AA WWEELLLL

To fill up the borehole of an abandoned well with mud and cement to prevent

the flow of water or oil from one to another or to the surface. In the

industry's early years. wells were often improperly plugged or left open.

Page 486: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

485485

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

Modern practice requires that an abandoned well be properly and securely

plugged.

33338877.. PPlluuggggiinngg mmaatteerriiaall

a substance used to temporarily or permanently block off zones while treating

or working on other portions of the well.

33338888.. pplluunnggeerr

(See sucker-rod pump.)

33338899.. PPLLUUNNGGEERR PPUUMMPP

A reciprocating pump in which plungers or pistons, moving forward and

backward or up and down in cylinders, draw in a volume of liquid and, as a

valve closes, push the fluid out into a discharge line.

33339900.. ppnneeuummaattiicc ccoonnttrrooll

a control valve that is actuated by air. Several pneumatic controls are used on

drilling rigs to actuate rig components (as clutches, hoists, engines, pumps,

etc.).

33339911.. ppnneeuummaattiicc hhooiisstt..

Air injection

33339922.. ppoodd

(See hydraulic control pod.)

33339933.. PPOOGGOO PPLLAANN

A plan for financing oil and gas exploration developed for off shore

exploration. The form of the plan is usually corporate, the investors receiving

shares of stock in the corporation and other securities.

Page 487: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

486486

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33339944.. PPOOIINNTT MMAANN

The member of a pipeline tong crew who handles the tips (the points) of

heavy pipe-laying tongs. He is the "brains" of the crew as he keeps his men

pulling and "hitting" in unison and In time with the other tong crews working

on the same joint of screw pipe.

33339955.. ppooiinntt--rreeaaccttiioonn ffoorrccee

a force that counteracts another force at a single point.

33339966.. ppooiissee

(p) the viscosity of a liquid in which a force of 1 dyne (a unit of measurement

of small amounts of force) exerted tangentially on a surface of 1 cm' of either

of two parallel planes 1 cm apart will move one plane at the rate of 1 cm per

second in reference to the other plane with the space between the two planes

filled with the liquid.

33339977.. ppoollaarr ccoommppoouunndd

a compound (as water) with a molecule that behaves as a small bar magnet

with a positive charge on one end and a negative charge on the other.

33339988.. ppoollee mmaasstt

a portable mast constructed of tubular members. A pole mast may be a single

pole, usually of two different sizes, that is telescoped together to be moved or

extended and locked to obtain maximum height above a well. Double-pole

masts give added strength and stability.

Page 488: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

487487

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33339999.. ppoolliisshheedd rroodd

the topmost portion of a string of sucker rods, used for lifting fluid by the rod-

pumping method. It has a uniform diameter and is smoothly polished to

effectively seal pressure in the stuffing box attached to the top of a well.

33440000.. PPOOLLYYEETTHHYYLLEENNEE

A petroleum-derived plastic material used for packaging, plastic house wares,

and toys. The main ingredient of polyethylene is the petrochemical gas

ethylene.

33440011.. ppoollyymmeerr mmuudd

a drilling mud to which has been added a polymer, a chemical that consists of

large molecules that were formed from small molecules in repeating structural

units, to increase the viscosity of the mud.

33440022.. PPOOLLYYMMEERRIIZZAATTIIOONN

A refining process of combining two or more molecules to form a single

heavier molecule; the union of light olefins to form hydrocarbons of higher

molecular weight; polymerization is used to produce high-octane gasoline

blending stock from cracked gases.

33440033.. PPOONNTTOOOONNSS

The elements of a floating roof tank that provide buoyance; airtight, metal

tanks that float on the fluid and support the moveable deck structure of the

roof.

33440044.. ppoonnyy rroodd

(1). a sucker rod less than 25 ft long.

(2). the rod joined to the connecting rod and piston rod in a mud pump.

Page 489: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

488488

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33440055.. PPOONNYYRROODDSS

Sucker rod made in short lengths of 2' to 8' for use in making up a string of

pumping rods of the correct length to connect Vie polished rod of the

pumping jack. Pony rods are screwed Into the top of the string just below the

polished rod (q.v.).

33440066.. PPOOOOLL

See Oil Pool.

33440077.. PPOOOOLLIINNGG

The bringing together of small, contiguous tracts, resulting in a parcel of "land

large enough for the granting of a well permit under applicable spacing

regulations. Pooling is often erroneously used for unitization (q.v.). Unitization

describes a joint of all or some significant, portion of a producing reservoir.

33440088.. PPOOOOLLSS,, SSAALLTT--DDOOMMEE//SSAALLTT--PPLLUUGG

See Salt-dome Pools.

33440099.. ppoooorr bbooyy

to make do; to do something on a shoestring. homemade.

33441100.. PPOOPP

putting on the pump; used in drilling reports. (See put on the pump.)

33441111.. ppoopp vvaallvvee

a spring-loaded safety valve that opens automatically when pressure exceeds

the limits for which the valve is set. It is used as a safety device on

pressurized vessels and other equipment to prevent damage from excessive

pressure. It also is called a relief valve or a safety valve.

Page 490: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

489489

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33441122.. PPOOPP--OOFFFF VVAALLVVEE

See Relief Valve.

33441133.. ppooppccoorrnn

substandard, unsafe, or cheap.

33441144.. PPOOPPPPEETT VVAALLVVEE

A type of check valve installed in a riser or a downhole packer to prevent fluid

from rising vertically in the pipe or the well bore. A spring-loaded vertical

valve that permits downward flow as fluid pressure opens the valve. Pressure

from below moving upward is blocked by the valve's clapper held shut by

spring tension.

33441155.. PPOOPPPPIINNGG

The discharge of natural gas into the atmosphere; a common practice in the

1920s and 1930s, especially with respect to sour gas and casinghead gas.

After the liquid hydrocarbons were extracted, the gas was "wasted" as there

was no ready market for it.

33441166.. ppoorr

porosity or pores; used in drilling reports. (See pore.)

33441177.. PPOORRCCUUPPIINNEE

A cylindrical steel drum with steel bristles protruding from the surface, a

super, pipe-cleaning pig for swabbing a sediment-laden pipeline.

33441188.. ppoorree

an opening or space within a rock or mass of rock, usually small and often

filled with some fluid (as water, oil, gas, or all three). Compare vug.

Page 491: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

490490

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33441199.. PPOORROOSSIITTYY

The state or quality of being porous; the volume of the pore space expressed

as a percent of the total volume of the rock mass; an important property of

oil-bearing formations. Good porosity indicates an ability to hold large

amounts of oil in the rock. And with good permeability (q.v.), the quality of a

rock that allows liquids to flow through it readily, a well penetrating the

formation should be a producer.

33442200.. ppoorrtt

(nautical) the left side of a vessel (determined by looking toward the bow).

33442211.. ppoorrttaabbllee mmaasstt

a mast mounted on a truck and capable of being erected as a single unit.

(See telescoping derrick.)

33442222.. PPOORRTTAABBLLEE PPIIPPEE MMIILLLL

Avery large, self-propelled "factory on wheels" that forms, welds, and lays

fine pipe in end continuous operation. The pipe is made from rolls of sheet

steel (skelp) shaped into a cylindrical form, electric welded, tested, and strung

out behind the machine as it moves forward.

33442233.. ppoorrttllaanndd cceemmeenntt

(See cement.)

33442244.. ppoossiittiioonn--rreeffeerreennccee ssyysstteemm

any system or method by which surveillance is maintained on the position of

a floating offshore drilling rig in relation to the subsea wellhead. Ideally, the

rig should always be directly over the wellhead to minimize wear on subsea

Page 492: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

491491

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

equipment and facilitate operations involved with the equipment. (See

acoustic position reference and taut-line position-reference system.)

33442255.. ppoossiittiivvee cchhookkee

a choke in which the orifice size must be changed to change the rate of flow

through the choke.

33442266.. PPOOSSIITTIIVVEE CCRRAANNKKCCAASSEE VVEENNTTIILLAATTIIOONN SSYYSSTTEEMM

A system installed on automobiles manufactured after 1968 to reduce

emissions from the engine's crankcase. The emissions-oil and unburned

gasoline vapors- are directed into the intake manifold and from there they

mix with the gasoline to be burned.

33442277.. ppoossiittiivvee--ddiissppllaacceemmeenntt mmeetteerr

a mechanical, fluid-measuring device that measures by filling and emptying

chambers of a specific volume, also known as a volume meter or voltmeter.

The displacement of a fixed volume of fluid may be accomplished by

reciprocating or oscillating pistons, by rotating vanes or buckets, by nutating

disks, or by using tanks or other vessels that automatically fill and empty.

possum belly 1. a receiving tank situated at the end of the mud-return line.

The flow of mud comes into the bottom of the device and travels over baffles

to control mud flow over the shale shaker. 2. a metal box under a truck bed

that holds pipeline repair tools.

33442288.. PPOOSSIITTIIVVEE--DDIISSPPLLAACCEEMMEENNTT PPUUMMPP

A pump that or moves a measured volume of liquid on each stroke or

revolution a pump with no significant slippage; a plunger or rotary pump.

Page 493: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

492492

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33442299.. PPOOSSSSUUMM BBEELLLLYY

A metal box built underneath a truck bed to hold pipeline repair tools shove's,

bars, tongs. chains, and wrenches.

33443300.. PPOOSSTTEEDD PPRRIICCEE

The price an oil purchaser would pay for crude oil of a certain API gravity and

from a particular field or area. Once literally posted in the field,

33443311.. ppoosstthhoollee ddiiggggeerr

(slang) a small or makeshift drilling rig.

33443322.. ppoosstthhoollee wweellll

(slang) a relatively shallow well.

33443333.. ppootteennttiiaall

the maximum volume of oil or gas that a well is capable of producing.

ppootteennttiiaall tteesstt

a test of the rate at which a well can produce oil or gas. (See potential.)

33443344.. PPOOTTSS ((PPUUMMPP VVAALLVVEE))

See Valve Pots.

33443355.. ppoouunnddss ppeerr ccuubbiicc ffoooott

(lb/ft', pcf) a measure of the density or weight of drilling fluid.

33443366.. ppoouunnddss ppeerr ggaalllloonn

(ppg, lblgal) a measure of the density of a fluid (as drilling mud).

33443377.. ppoouunnddss ppeerr ssqquuaarree iinncchh

(psi) an English measure of the amount of pressure on an area that is 1 in.

square.

Page 494: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

493493

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33443388.. ppoouunnddss ppeerr ssqquuaarree iinncchh ppeerr ffoooott

(psi/ft) n. a measure of the amount of pressure, in pounds per square inch,

that a column of fluid, as drilling mud, exerts for every foot of length at the

bottom of the column. For example, 10-ppg mud exerts 0.52 psi/ft, so that a

column of 10-ppg mud that is 1,000 ft long exerts 520 psi at the bottom of

the column. (See pressure gradient.)

33443399.. ppoouurr ppooiinntt

a temperature 5 F above that temperature at which an oil is solid; the lowest

temperature at which an oil will flow.

33444400.. PPOOUURR--PPOOIINNTT DDEEPPRREESSSSAANNTT

A chemical agent added to oil to keep it flowing at low temperatures.

33444411.. PPOOWWEERR

See Central Power.

33444422.. ppoowweerr rriigg

(See mechanical rig.) power slips (See slips.)

33444433.. ppoowweerr ssuubb

a hydraulically powered device used to turn the drill pipe, tubing, or casing in

a well in lieu of a rotary.

33444444.. PPOOWWEERR SSYYSSTTEEMMSS,, DDRRIILLLLIINNGG RRIIGG

See Drilling Rig, Electric,, also Drilling Rig, Mechanical.

33444455.. ppoowweerr ttaakkeeooffff

(PTO) a gearbox or other device serving to relay the power of a prime mover

to auxiliary equipment.

Page 495: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

494494

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33444466.. ppoowweerr ttoonnggss

a wrench that is used to make up or break out drill pipe, tubing, or casing to

which the torque is provided by air or fluid pressure. Conventional tongs are

operated by a mechanical pull provided by a jerk line connected to a cathead.

33444477.. ppoowweerr--ddrriivveenn mmuudd ppuummpp

a reciprocating pump for circulating drilling fluids, operated through cranks

and connecting rods by power supplied to its crankshaft from an electric

motor or internal-combustion engine. It is usually a duplex (with two

cylinders) but may be triplex (with three cylinders). Most mud pumps have

double-acting pistons, but some have single-acting pistons that function. as

plungers.

33444488.. PPOOWWEERRTTOONNGGSS

An air or hydraulically powered mechanism for making up and breaking out

joints of drillpipe, casing or tubinq. After a joint is stabbed, the power tongs

are latched onto the pipe which is screwed in and tightened to a

predetermined torque.

33444499.. ppoozzzzoollaann

a natural or artificial siliceous material commonly added to portland cement

mixtures to impart certain desirable properties. Added to oil-well cements,

pozzolans reduce slurry weight and viscosity, increase resistance to sulfate

attack, and influence factors such as pumping time, ultimate strength, and

watertightness.

33445500.. ppoozzzzoollaann--cceemmeenntt mmiixxttuurree

a mixture of pozzolan and cement.

Page 496: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

495495

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33445511.. ppoozzzzoollaann--lliimmee rreeaaccttiioonn

the reaction between pozzolans and lime in the presence of water, forming a

cementitious material primarily composed of hydrated calcium silicates.

33445522.. ppoozzzzoollaanniicc rreeaaccttiioonn

1. a pozzolan-lime reaction. 2. the reaction between a pozzolan and any other

material used to form a cementation product.

33445533.. ppppgg

pounds per gallon.

33445544.. ppppmm

parts per million.

33445555.. PPPPMM//VVOOLL

Parts per million (of water)LBS-H20/MMSCF.

33445566.. PPPPMM//WWTT

Parts per million (of water) in a given weight of gas; used to express water

content in a small amount of gas. See also LBS-H2O/MMSCF

33445577.. PPRRAAIIRRIIEE--DDOOGG PPLLAANNTT

A small, basic refinery located in a remote area; a "distillation system" (q.v.)

which is very small, temporary refinery (200 to 1,000 barrels a day) set up at

a remote drilling site to make diesel fuel and low-grade gasoline from

available crude oil for the drilling engines and auxiliary equipment such as a

light-plant engine , welding unit, etc.

Page 497: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

496496

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33445588.. PPrree--fflluusshh

the quantity of fluid used ahead of the acid solution pumped into a well in an

acid-stimulation treatment; sometimes called spearhead. Compare overflush.

33445599.. pprreeiiggnniittiioonn

a condition in an internal-combustion engine characterized by a knocking

sound and caused by the fuel-air mixture having been ignited too soon

because of an abnormal condition.

33446600.. pprreessssuurree

the force per unit area that is exerted on a surface (as that exerted against

the inner wall of a container or piping system by a fluid or that exerted on a

wellhead by a column of gas in the well). In the U.S., pressure is usually

expressed in pounds per square inch (psi).

33446611.. pprreessssuurree ddrroopp

a loss of pressure as a fluid passes from an area of small volume to an area

of larger volume, resulting from friction.

33446622.. pprreessssuurree ggaauuggee

an instrument for measuring ]fluid pressure that usually registers the

difference between atmospheric pressure and the pressure of the fluid by

indicating the effect of such pressures on a measuring element (as a column

of liquid, a Bourdon tube, a weighted piston, a diaphragm, or other pressure-

sensitive device).

33446633.. pprreessssuurree ggrraaddiieenntt

a scale of pressure differences in which there is a uniform variation of

pressure from point to point. For example, the pressure gradient of a column

Page 498: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

497497

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

of water is about 0.433 psi/ft of vertical elevation (9.79 kPa/m). The normal

pressure gradient in a well is equivalent to the pressure exerted at any given

depth by a column of 10 percent salt water extending from that depth to the

surface (i.e., 0.465 psi/ft or 10.51 kPa/m).

33446644.. pprreessssuurree lloossss

1. a reduction in the amount of force a fluid exerts against a surface, usually

occurring because the fluid is moving against the surface. 2. the amount of

pressure indicated by a drill-pipe pressure gauge when drilling fluid is being

circulated by the mud pump. Pressure losses occur as the fluid is circulated.

33446655.. pprreessssuurree mmaaiinntteennaannccee

a method for increasing ultimate oil recovery by injecting gas, water, or other

fluids into the reservoir before reservoir pressure has dropped appreciably,

usually early in the life of the field, to reduce or eliminate a decline in

pressure.

33446666.. pprreessssuurree ppaarrttiinngg

a phenomenon in which a rock formation is caused to be broken apart along

bedding planes or in which natural cracks are widened by the application of

hydraulic pressure. It is sometimes called breaking or cracking the formation,

earth lifting, or formation fracturing.

33446677.. PPRREESSSSUURREE SSNNUUBBBBEERR

A pulsation dampener (q.v.).

Page 499: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

498498

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33446688.. pprreessssuurree ssttoorraaggee ttaannkk

a storage tank constructed to withstand pressure generated by the vapors

inside. Such a tank is often spherical, has a wall thickness greater than that of

the usual storage tank, and has a concave or convex top.

33446699.. pprreessssuurree vveesssseell

any container designed to contain fluids at a pressure substantially greater

than atmospheric.

33447700.. pprreessssuurree,, vvoolluummee,, aanndd tteemmppeerraattuurree ((PPVVTT))

aannaallyyssiiss

an examination of reservoir fluids in a laboratory under various pressures,

volumes, and temperatures to determine the characteristics and behavior of

the fluid.

33447711.. pprreessssuurree--rreelliieeff vvaallvvee

a valve that opens at a preset pressure to relieve excessive pressures within a

vessel or line; also called a relief valve, safety valve, or pop valve.

33447722.. pprreevveenntteerr

(See blowout preventer.)

33447733.. pprreevveennttiivvee mmaaiinntteennaannccee

a system of conducting regular checks and testing of equipment to permit

replacement or repair of weakened or faulty parts before failure of the

equipment results.

33447744.. pprriimmaarryy cceemmeennttiinngg

the cementing operation that takes place immediately after the casing has

been run into the hole; used to provide a protective sheath around the

Page 500: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

499499

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

casing, to segregate the producing formation, and to prevent the migration of

undesirable fluids. (See secondary cementing and squeeze cementing.)

33447755.. pprriimmaarryy rreeccoovveerryy

oil production in which only existing natural energy sources in the reservoir

provide for movement of the well fluids to the wellbore.

33447766.. PPRRIIMMAARRYY TTEERRMM

The period of time an oil and gas lease is to run or be valid. When a lease's

primary term expires, the lease must be renewed, if possible, or the interest

in the property reverts automatically to the lessor or landowner. See Or

Lease; also Delay Rental.

33447777.. PPRRIIMMEE MMOOVVEERR

The term describes any source of motion; in the oil field it refers to engines

and electric motors; the power source. Prime mover is also applied to large

four-wheel-drive trucks or tractors.

33447788.. PPRRIIVVAATTEE BBRRAANNDD DDEEAALLEERR

A gasoline dealer who does not buy gasoline from a "major" supplier, but

retails under the t>rand name of an independent supplier or his own brand

name.

33447799.. PPRROOCCEESSSSIINNGG PPLLAATTFFOORRMM

A production platform (q.v.)

33448800.. PPRROOCCEESSSSSS TTEEAAMM

Steam produced in a refinery's or chemical plant's boilers to heat a process

stream or for use in a refining process. Of the energy used in the U.S., a large

Page 501: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

500500

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

percentage is consumed in the production of process steam. Petrochemical

plants are important users of superheated, high-pressure steam.

33448811.. PPRROODDUUCCEEDD WWAATTEERR

Salt water produced from the oil from a well. When water and oil are mixed in

the production stream they go into a gun barrel or other type of oil/water

separator. The oil goes to the lease tanks, the water to an evaporation pit or,

where there are large volumes of water, it is pumped into a salt water

disposal well.

33448822.. PPRROODDUUCCIINNGG PPLLAATTFFOORRMM

An offshore structure with a platform raised above the water to support a

number of producing wells. in offshore operations, as many as 60 wells are

drilled from a singer large platform by slanting the hole P.! an angle from the

vertical away from the platform. When the wells are completed, the drilling

equipment is removed and the platform is given over to operation of the

producing wells.

33448833.. pprroodduucciinngg zzoonnee

the zone or formation from which oil or gas is produced. (See pay sand.)

33448844.. PPrroodduucciinngg//PPrroodduuccttiioonn

Flowing oil and/or gas from a well to the production systems.

33448855.. PPRROODDUUCCTT GGAASS

End product gas gas resulting from a special manufacturing process; synthetic

natural gas.

Page 502: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

501501

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33448866.. PPRROODDUUCCTT IIMMPPOORRTT TTIICCKKEETT

A license issued by an agency of the Federal government to a refiner or

marketer to import products from abroad.

33448877.. PPRROODDUUCCTT LLUUBBRRIICCAATTEEDD

Describes a pump whose bearings are lubricated by the liquid it is pumping.

The pump is constructed with channels and wells that I ill with product and in

which the bearings or other moving parts run. Product lubricated equipment,

needless to say, handles only clean liquids, i.e., various kinds of oils with

lubricating qualities.

33448888.. PPRROODDUUCCTT YYIIEELLDD ((AAVVEERRAAGGEE))

From a 42-gallon barrel of crude oil the average yield is as follows gasoline,

49.6%; jet fuel and kerosene, 6.6%; gas oil and distillates, 21.2%; residual

fuel oil, 9.3%; lubricating oils, 7.0%; other products, 6.3%. With modern-day

refining methods, these product percentages can be changed depending upon

market demand.

33448899.. pprroodduuccttiioonn

1. the phase of the petroleum industry that deals with bringing the well fluids

to the surface and separating them and with storing, gauging, and otherwise

preparing the product for the pipeline. 2. the amount of oil or gas produced in

a given period.

33449900.. pprroodduuccttiioonn ccaassiinngg

the last string of casing or liner that is set in a well, inside of which is usually

suspended the tubing string. (See oil string and long string.)

Page 503: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

502502

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33449911.. PPRROODDUUCCTTIIOONN IISSLLAANNDD

An island made by dredging up material from the bottom of a lake or the

ocean bottom to support one or more producing wells. Production islands are

constructed in shallow water, close to shore, and are usually cheaper to build

than steel production platforms. And with a lower profile, the islands are less

offensive to the esthetic eye. Also, an island can be landscaped to hide the

pumping wells and other equipment from view.

33449922.. pprroodduuccttiioonn lloogg

a well-logging method that measures and records the flow of fluid past an

indicating device placed at varying depths in a producing or injection well; a

spinner survey.

33449933.. PPRROODDUUCCTTIIOONN PPAACCKKEERR

An expandable plug-like device for sealing off the annular space between the

well's tubing and the caning. The production packer is ran as part of the

packer is mechanically or hydraulically expanded and "set" firmly against the

casing wall isolating the production formation from the upper casing while

permitting the oil or gas to flow up the tubing.

33449944.. PPRROODDUUCCTTIIOONN PPAAYYMMEENNTT LLOOAANN

A loan that is to be repaid out of the production of a well or a lease. It is a

common practice in the oil country to borrow money on a producing well to

finance further Development of a lease. To pay off the loan the operator

"carves out" a royalty payment to the lending institution from his seven-

eighths working interest. This overriding royalty conveyed to the bank or

other lender is free and clear of any costs of production or maintenance. See

Carved-Out Interest, also Overriding Royalty.

Page 504: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

503503

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33449955.. PPRROODDUUCCTTIIOONN PPLLAATTFFOORRMM

An offshore structure built for the purpose of providing a central receiving

point for oil produced in an area of the offshore. The production platform

supports receiving tanks, treaters, separators, and pumping units for moving

the oil to shore through a submarine pipeline.

33449966.. pprroodduuccttiioonn rriigg

a portable servicing or workover outfit, usually mounted on wheels and self-

propelled. A well-servicing unit consists of a hoist and engine mounted on a

wheeled chassis with a self-erecting mast. A workover rig is basically the

same, plus a substructure with rotary, pump, pits, and other auxiliaries to

permit handling and working a drill string.

33449977.. PPRROODDUUCCTTIIOONN SSKKIIDD

A prefabricated oil and gas production unit assembled on a base or skid on

the shore and transported to an offshore platform by one or more derrick

barges. After the skid has been lifted into position and secured to the

platform it is connected to the flow lines of the offshore wells it is to serve,

and begins its function of receiving, separating, treating, storing, and

pumping the oil and gas to shore stations. See Production Platform.

33449988.. PPRROODDUUCCTTIIOONN SSTTRRIINNGG

The casing set just above or through the producing zone of a well. The

production string is the longest and smallest diameter casing run in a well. It

reaches from the pay zone to the surface.

Page 505: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

504504

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33449999.. pprroodduuccttiioonn ttaannkk

a tank used in the Field to receive crude oil as it comes from the well; also

referred to as a flow tank or lease tank.

33550000.. PPRROODDUUCCTTIIOONN TTAAXX

See Gross Production Tax.

33550011.. PPrroodduuccttiioonn TTrreeee

An arrangement of heavy duty valves and fittings installed on the wellhead to

control flow from the well and/or to facilitate injection operations.

33550022.. PPrroodduuccttiioonn WWeellll

A well drilled and completed for the purpose of producing crude oil or natural

gas.

33550033.. pprroodduuccttiivviittyy iinnddeexx

(PI) a well-test measurement indicative of the amount of oil or gas a well is

capable of producing. It may be expressed as PI= __Q_______

33550044.. pprroodduuccttss ccyyccllee

the sequence or order in which a number of different products are batched

through a pipeline.

33550055.. pprroodduuccttss lliinnee

a pipeline used to ship refined products.

33550066.. PPRROOFFIITT--SSHHAARRIINNGG BBIIDDSS

A type of bidding for federal and sometimes state oil leases in which a

relatively small cash bonus is paid for the lease acreage plus a share in the

net profits should the lease prove to be commercially productive. In some

Page 506: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

505505

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

instances bidders have offered a 75 to 90 percent share in net profits for an

especially promising parcel. This type of bidding substantially reduces the

front-end cost for an operator but extends the payout time for his wells.

33550077.. PPrroojjeecctt SSaannddss

The Proponents term for those reservoir zones that they recognize as having

sufficient gas volumes and producibility to form the basis of the production

forecast.

33550088.. pprrooppaannee

a parafrin hydrocarbon, C&Ha, that is a gas at ordinary atmospheric

conditions but is easily liquefied under pressure. It is a constituent of LPG.

33550099.. PPrrooppoonneennttss

The parties proposing to carry out SOEP; specifically, Mobil Oil Canada

Properties, Lead Operator, Shell Canada Limited, Joint Operator, Imperial Oil

Resources Limited and Nova Scotia Resources Limited.

33551100.. pprrooppppaanntt

(See propping agent.)

33551111.. PPRROOPPPPAANNTTSS

Material used in hydraulic fracturing (q.v.) for holding open the cracks made

in the formation by the extremely high pressure applied in the treatment; the

sand grains, beads, or other miniature pellets suspended in the fracturing

fluid that are forced into the formation and remain to prop open the cracks

and crevices permitting the oil to flow more freely.

Page 507: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

506506

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33551122.. pprrooppppiinngg aaggeenntt

a granular substance (as sand grains, walnut shells, or other material) carried

in suspension by the fracturing fluid that serves to keep the cracks open when

the fracturing fluid is withdrawn after a fracture treatment.

33551133.. PPRROOPPRRIIEETTAARRYY DDAATTAA

Information on subsurface, geological formations gathered or purchased from

a supplier of such data by an operator and kept secret; land and offshore

reconnaissance surveys from seismic, and gravity studies that are privately

owned.

33551144.. pprroorraattiioonn

a system enforced by a state or federal agency or by agreement between

operators that limits the amount of petroleum that can be produced from a

well or field within a given period.

33551155.. PPRROORRAATTIIOONNIINNGG

Restriction of oil and gas production by a state regulatory commission, usually

on the basis of market demand. Prorationing involves allowables which are

assigned to fields, and from fields to leases, and then allocated to individual

wells.

33551166.. pprrootteeccttiioonn ccaassiinngg

a string of casing set to protect a section of the hole and to permit drilling to

continue to a greater depth; inter mediate casing. (See intermediate casing

string.)

Page 508: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

507507

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33551177.. PPRROOTTEECCTTIIVVEE SSTTRRIINNGG

A string of casing used in very deep wells and run on the inside of the

outermost casing to protect against the collapsing of the outer string from

high gas pressure encountered.

33551188.. pprroovvee

to determine the accuracy of a petroleum measurement meter.

33551199.. pprroovveerr ttaannkk

a small, mobile tank used to check the accuracy of meters; a calibration tank.

33552200.. PPss -- PPff

where PI is the productivity index (b/d per psi of pressure differential), Q is

the rate of production (b/d), P, is the static bottomhole pressure (psi), and Pf

is flowing bottom-hole pressure (psi).

33552211.. ppssii

pounds per square inch.

33552222.. PPssii//fftt

pounds per square inch per foot.

33552233.. ppssiiaa

pounds per square inch absolute. Psia is equal to the gauge pressure plus the

pressure of the atmosphere at that point.

33552244.. ppssiigg

pounds per square inch gauge. Psig is the pressure in a vessel or container as

registered on a pressure gauge attached to the container.

Page 509: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

508508

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33552255.. PPTTOO

power takeoff.

33552266.. ppuuddddlliinngg

1. in cement evaluation work, the agitation of cement slurry in molds with a

rod to remove trapped air bubbles. 2. in field practice, the reciprocation or

rotation of the casing during or after a primary cementing operation.

33552277.. ppuullll aa wweellll

In to collapse a derrick.

33552288.. ppuullll ccaassiinngg

to remove casing from a well.

33552299.. ppuullll iitt ggrreeeenn

to pull a bit from the hole for replacement before it is greatly worn.

33553300.. PPUULLLL OONNEE GGRREEEENN

To pull a drill bit from the hole before it is worn out to pull a bit before it is

necessary.

33553311.. ppuullll oouutt

(See come out of the hole.)

33553322.. PPUULLLL RROODD

Shackle rod (q.v.).

33553333.. PPUULLLLEEDDTTHHRREEAADDSS

Stripped threads; threads on pipe or tubing damaged beyond use by too

much torque or force used in making up the joint.

Page 510: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

509509

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33553344.. PPUULLLLIINNGG MMAACCHHIINNEE

A pulling unit (q.v.).

33553355.. PPUULLLLIINNGG RROODDSS

The operation of removing the pumping or sucker rods from a well in the

course of bringing up the bottom-hole pump for repairs or replacement. Rods

must also be pulled when they have parted downhole. The rods above the

break are pulled in a normal manner; the lower section must first be

reprieved with a "fishing tool" (q.v.).

33553366.. PPUULLLLIINNGG TTHHEE CCAASSIINNGG

Removing the casing from the hole after abandoning the well. Prior to

plugging the well with mud and cement, as much of the casing as can be

pulled is retrieved. It is rare that all the casing can be removed from the hole.

Often part of the string must be cut off and left in the hole.

33553377.. ppuulllliinngg ttooooll

a hydraulically operated tool that is run in above the fishing tool and

anchored to the casing by slips. It exerts a strong upward pull on the fish by

hydraulic power derived from fluid that is pumped down the fishing string.

33553388.. PPUULLLLIINNGG TTOOOOLLSS

Taking the drillpipe and bit out of the hole. If the tools are to be run again

(put back in the hole), the drillpipe is unscrewed in two or three-joint sections

(stands) and stacked in the derrick. See Doubles.

33553399.. ppuulllliinngg uunniitt

a well-servicing outfit used in pulling rods and tubing from the well. (See

production rig.)

Page 511: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

510510

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33554400.. PPUULLLLIIRROODD LLIINNEE

See Shackle Rod.

33554411.. ppuullssaattiioonn ddaammppeenneerr

any gas- or liquid-charged, chambered device that minimizes periodic

increases and decreases in pressure (as from a mud pump).

33554422.. ppuullsseedd--nneeuuttrroonn ssuurrvveeyy

a special, casedhole logging method that uses radioactivity reaction time to

obtain measurements of water saturation, residual oil saturation, and fluid

contacts in the formation outside the casing of an oil well.

33554433.. PPUULLSSPPAATTIIOONN DDAAMMPPEENNEERR

Various devices for absorbing the transient, rhythmic surges in pressure that

occur when fluid is pumped by reciprocating pumps. On such pumps air

chambers (q.v.) are installed on discharge instrument from the incessant

pounding fine-mesh sleve-like disks are placed in the small tubing or piping to

which the gauge is attached this arrangement "filters out" much of the

surging which can damage delicate gauges.

33554444.. ppuummpp

a device that increases the pressure on a fluid or raises it to a higher level.

Various types of pumps include the reciprocating pump, centrifugal pump,

rotary pump, jet pump, sucker-rod pump, hydraulic pump, mud pump,

submersible pump, and bottom-hole pump.

33554455.. ppuummpp bbaarrrreell

the cylinder or liner in which the plunger of a sucker-rod pump reciprocates.

(See sucker-rod pump and working barrel.)

Page 512: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

511511

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33554466.. ppuummpp hhoouussee

a building that houses the pumps, engines, and control panels at a pipeline

gathering station or trunk station.

33554477.. ppuummpp jjaacckk

a surface unit similar to a pumping unit but having no individual power plant.

Usually several pump jacks are operated by pull rods or cables from one

central power source.

33554488.. ppuummpp lliinneerr

a cylindrical, accurately machined, metallic section that forms the working

barrel of some reciprocating pumps. Liners are an inexpensive means of

replacing worn cylinder surfaces, and in some pumps they provide a method

of conveniently changing the displacement and capacity of the pumps.

33554499.. ppuummpp mmaanniiffoolldd

an arrangement of valves and piping that permits a choice in the direction of

routing of suction and discharge fluids between two or more pumps.

33555500.. ppuummpp ooffff

to pump (a well) so that the fluid level drops below the standing valve of the

pump and it stops working. To prevent pumping off, a pump must be installed

at the proper depth in the fluid.

33555511.. ppuummpp pprreessssuurree

fluid pressure arising from the action of a pump

33555522.. PPUUMMPP SSPPEECCIIFFIICCAATTIIOONNSS

A plunger pump designated as 6 x 12 duplex is a two-cylinder pump whose

cylinders are 6 inches in diameter with a stroke of 12 inches. A pump with

Page 513: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

512512

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

replaceable liners (cylinders) may carry a specifications plate that reads 4.6 x

10. This pump can be fitted with liners and pistons from 4 inches to 6 inches

in diameter; its stroke is 10 inches.

33555533.. ppuummpp ssttaattiioonn

an installation built at intervals along an oil pipeline to contain storage tanks,

pumps, and other equipment to route and maintain the flow of oil.

33555544.. ppuummpp vvaallvvee

any of the valves on a reciprocating pump (as the suction and discharge

valves) or on a sucker-rod pump (as a ball-and-scat valve). (See standing

valve and traveling valve.)

33555555.. PPUUMMPP,, CCAASSIINNGG

A sucker-rod pump designed to pump oil up through the casing instead of the

more common method of pumping through tubing. A casing pump is run into

the well on the sucker rods; a packer (q.v.) on top or bottom of the pump

barrel provides packoff or seal between the pump and the wall of the casing

at any desired depth. Oil is discharged from the pump into the casing and out

the wellhead.

33555566.. PPUUMMPP,, DDOOUUBBLLEE--AACCTTIINNGG

See Double-Acting Pump.

33555577.. PPUUMMPP,, DDOOUUBBLLEE--DDIISSPPLLAACCEEMMEENNTT

A type of downhole rod pump which has plungers placed In tandem and

operated simultaneously by the pump rods.

33555588.. PPUUMMPP,, DDUUPPLLEEXX

A two-cylinder reciprocating plunger pump.

Page 514: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

513513

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33555599.. PPUUMMPP,, GGEEAARR

A type of rotary pump made with two sets of meshing gears. When rotated

on their shafts in the pump housing, fluid is taken in the suction port and

forced out the discharge port. As the gears rotate, they mesh in a rolling

action like an old-fashioned clothes wringer. Gear pumps, like other rotary

pumps, efficiently handle small volumes of fluid, often of high viscosity, at

high pressures.

33556600.. PPUUMMPP,, PPOOSSIITTIIVVEE--DDIISSPPLLAACCEEMMEENNTT

See Positive-displacement Pump.

33556611.. PPUUMMPP,, RROODD

A class of downhole pumps in which the barrel, plunger, and standing valve

are assembled and lowered into the well through the tubing. When lowered to

its pumping position, the pump is locked to the tubing to permit relative

motion between plunger and barrel. The locking device is a hold-down, and

consists either of cups or a mechanical, metal-to-metal seal,

33556622.. PPUUMMPP,, RROODD--LLIINNEE

An oil well pump operated by a shackle-rod line,. a pumping jack. See Rocker.

33556633.. PPUUMMPP,, SSCCRREEWW

A small-volume, rotary pump for handling viscous or abrasive liquids. The

pumping element is an Archimedes screw housed in a sturdy, cylindrical body,

and powered by an electric motor.

Page 515: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

514514

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33556644.. PPUUMMPP,, SSIIMMPPLLEEXX

A one-cylinder steam pump used in refineries and processing plants where

extra or excess steam is available. Simplex pumps are simple, directacting

pumps with the steam piston connected directly to the pump's fluid plunger.

33556655.. PPUUMMPP,, SSUUBBMMEERRSSIIBBLLJJ

A bottom-hole pump for use in an oil well when a large volume of fluid is to

be lifted. Submersible pumps are run by electricity and, as the name implies,

operate below the fluid level in the well.

33556666.. PPUUMMPP,, TTRRAAVVEELLIINNGG--BBAARRRREELL

A downhole pump, operated by rods, in which the barrel moves up and down

over the plunger, instead of the plunger reciprocating in the barrel as in more

conventional pumping devices.

33556677.. PPUUMMPP,, TTRRIIPPLLEEXX

See Triplex Pump.

33556688.. PPUUMMPP,, TTUUBBIINNGG

A class of downhole pumps in which the barrel of the pump is an integral part

of the tubing string. The barrel is installed on the bottom of the string of

tubing and is run into the well on the tubing string. The plunger assembly is

lowered into the pump barrel on the string of pump rods.

33556699.. ppuummppaabbiilliittyy

the physical characteristic of a cement slurry that determines its ability to be

pumped.

Page 516: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

515515

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33557700.. ppuummppeerr

the oil company employee who attends to producing wells. He supervises any

number of wells, ensuring steady production, preparing reports, testing,

gauging, and so forth. He is also called a switcher or lease operator.

33557711.. ppuummppiinngg tteeee

a heavy-duty steel, T-shaped pipe fitting that is screwed or flanged to the top

of a pumping well. The polished rod works through a stuffing box on top of

the tee and in the run of the tee to operate a sucker-rod pump in the well.

Pumped fluid is discharged through the side opening of the tee.

33557722.. ppuummppiinngg uunniitt

the machine that imparts reciprocating motion to a string of sucker rods

extending to the positive-displacement pump at the bottom of a well; usually

a beam arrangement driven by a crank attached to a speed reducer.

33557733.. PPUUMMPPIINNGG UUNNIITT,, BBEEAAMM--BBAALLAANNCCEEDD

An oil well pumping unit that carries its well-balancing weights on the walking

beam on the end opposite the pump rods. The weights are usually in the form

of heavy iron plates added to the walking beam until they balance the pull or

weight of the string of pumping rods.

33557744.. PPUUMMPPIINNGG UUNNIITT,, CCRRAANNKK--BBAALLAANNCCEEDD

An oil well pumping unit that carries its counterweights on the two cranks that

flank the unit's gear box. The string of pump rods is balanced by adding

sufficient extra iron weights to the heavy cranks. the walking beam on this

type unit is short and is not used as a balancing member.

Page 517: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

516516

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33557755.. PPUUMMPPIINNGG,, BBAACCKKSSIIDDEE

An arrangement that permits one prime mover (electric or engine) to operate

two pumping wells. The hook up is such that the load on one well

counterbalances, the upstroke load of the other well. See also Central Power.

33557766.. ppuupp jjooiinntt

a length of drill pipe, tubing, or casing shorter than 30 ft.

33557777.. PPUUPP JJOOIINNTTSS,, AAPPII

Short sections of well tubing made to American Petroleum Institute standards.

Pup joints come in different lengths to make up a string of tubing of the

proper length, from the bottom of the well to the tubing hanger in the

wellhead. Made at the pipe mill under controlled conditions, the short joints

are of the same quality as the rest of the tubing.

33557788.. PPUURRCCHHAASSEERR PPRROORRAATTIIOONNIINNGG

See Pipeline Prorationing.

33557799.. PPUURRIIPP,, JJEERRKKEERR

A single-barrel, small-volume plunger pump actuated by the to-and-fro

motion of a shackle-rod line and an attached counterweight. The jerker

pumps on the pull stroke of the rod fine; it takes in fluid (the suction stroke)

as the counterweight pulls the plunger back from the pumping stroke. Jerkers

pump small volumes but can buck high pressure.

33558800.. ppuusshheerr

(See tool pusher.)

33558811.. PPUUSSHHEERR,, TTOOOOLL

See Tool Pusher; also Gang Pusher.

Page 518: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

517517

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33558822.. ppuutt aa wweellll oonn

to start a well flowing or pumping.

33558833.. ppuutt oonn tthhee ppuummpp

to install a pump jack or pumping unit, sucker rods, and bottomhole pump in

a well.

33558844.. PPVVCC

Polyvinylchloride; a tough, durable, petroleum-derived plastic that can be

extruded or molded and is used for pipe, fittings. light structural members.

PVC is highly resistant to salt water and chemicals.

33558855.. PPVVTT

1. Pit Volume Totalizer. 2. pressure,volume, and temperature. (See pressure,

volume, and temperature analysis).

33558866.. PPVVTT aannaallyyssiiss

pressure, volume, and temperature analysts.

33558877.. PPYYRROOBBIITTUUMMEENN

See Kerogen and Kerogen Shales.

33558888.. ppyyrroommeetteerr

an instrument for measuring temperatures, especially above the range of

mercury thermometers (e.g., the exhaust temperature of an engine).

Page 519: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry
Page 520: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

519519

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33558899.. QQttzz

quartz; used in drilling reports.

33559900.. QQttzzee

quartzite; used in drilling reports.

33559911.. QQuuaadd

Short for quadrillio 1,000 trillion.

33559922.. QQuuaarrtteerr--ttjjrrnnvvaallvvee

A plug valve, ball valve, or butterfly valve. A valve made with a plug or

Sphere with a full-bore opening on the horizontal axis that can be opened or

Closed with a quarter or 90'c. Turn of the handle. A butterfly valve with its

disk that rotates on a shaft or trunion in the valve body also is opened and

closed with a quarter turn of the handle.

33559933.. QQuuaarrttzz

a hard mineral composed of silicon dioxide; a common component in igneous

metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks.

33559944.. QQuueebbrraacchhoo

a south american tree that is a source of tannin extract, which is used as a

thinning agent for drilling mud.

33559955.. QQuueenncchh

to rapidly cool heat-treated metal by immersion in an oil or water bath.

Page 521: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

520520

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33559966.. QQuueenncchh ooiill

A specially refined oil with a high flash point (q.v.) Used in steel mills to cool

hot metal.

33559977.. QQuuiicckklliimmee

unslaked lime (calcium oxide). Chemical symbol is cao.

33559988.. QQuuiittccllaaiimm

An instrument or document releasing a certain interest in land owned by a

grantor at the time the agreement takes effect. The key phrase of a quitclaim

is " . . . To release, remise, and forever quitclaim all right, title, and interest in

the following described land."

Page 522: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

521521

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33559999.. RR

degrees rankine. (see rankine temperature scale.)

33660000.. RR&&dd

Research and development; often used to denote a function up to the stage

where the commercial potential of a process or technology can be Evaluated.

See pilot plant.

33660011.. RRaabbbbiitt

A plug put through lease flow fines for the purpose of clearing the lines of

foreign matter, water and to test for obstructions. See pig.

33660022.. RRaacckk ppiippee

1. To place pipe withdrawn from the hole on a pipe rack. 2. To stand pipe on

the derrick floor when coming out of the hole.

33660033.. RRaacckk pprriicciinngg

Selling to petroleum jobbers or other resellers at f.o.b. At the refinery, with

the customer picking up pipeline or other transportation charges. The price of

petroleum products at the refinery loading rack; cash and carry at the

refinery's loading dock.

33660044.. RRaacckkiinngg bbooaarrdd

A platform high in the derrick, on well-service rigs, where the derrick man

Stands when racking tubing being pulled from the well. See also tubing

board.

33660055.. RRaaddiiaall ffllooww

the flow of fluids into a wellbore from the surrounding drainage area.

Page 523: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

522522

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33660066.. RRaaddiiaattiioonn llooggggiinngg

(see radioactivity well log gang.)

33660077.. RRaaddiiaattoorr

an arrangement of pipes containing a circulating fluid used for heating an

external object or cooling an internal substance by radiation.

33660088.. RRaaddiiooaaccttiivvee

exhibiting radioactivity.

33660099.. RRaaddiiooaaccttiivvee ttrraacceerr

a radioactive material (often carnotite) put into a well to allow observation of

fluid or gas movements by means of a tracer survey.

33661100.. RRaaddiiooaaccttiivviittyy

the property possessed by some substances (as radium, uranium, or thorium)

of releasing alpha panicles, beta particles, or gamma particles as the

substance spontaneously disintegrates.

33661111.. RRaaddiiooaaccttiivviittyy lloogg

a record of the natural or induced radioactive characteristics of subsurface

formations. (see radioactivity well logging.)

33661122.. RRaaddiiooaaccttiivviittyy wweellll llooggggiinngg

the recording of the natural or induced radioactive characteristics of

subsurface formations. A radioactivity log, also known as a radiation log,

normally consists of two recorded curves a gamma-ray curve and a neutron

curve. Both indicate the types of rocks in the formation and the types of fluids

contained in the rocks. The two logs may be run simultaneously in

conjunction with a collar locator in a cased or uncased hole.

Page 524: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

523523

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33661133.. RRaaffffiinnaattee

In solvent-refining practice, raffinate is that portion of the oil being treated

that remains undissolved and is not removed by the selective solvent.

33661144.. RRaaiinnbbooww

(1) the irridescence (blues, greens, and reds) imparted to the surface of

water by a thin film of crude oil. (2) the only evidence of oil from an

unsuccessful well- "just a rainbow on a bucket of water."

33661155.. RRaamm

the closing and scaling component on a blowout preventer. One -of three

type-sblind, pipe, or shear-may be installed in several preventers mounted in

a stack on top of the wellbore. Blind rams, when closed, form a seal on a hole

that has no drill pipe in it; pipe rams, when closed, seal around the pipe;

shear rams cut through drill pipe and then form a seal.

33661166.. RRaamm bblloowwoouutt pprreevveenntteerr

a blowout preventer that uses rams to seal off pressure on a hole that is with

or without pipe. It is also called a ram preventer.

33661177.. RRaamm pprreevveenntteerr

ram blowout periventer.

33661188.. RRaamm,,sshheeaarr

A closure mechanism on well's blowout preventer stack fitted with chisel like

jaws that are hydraulically operated. When the ram is closed on the Pipe the

jaws or blades cut the pipe, permitting the upper section to be removed from

the bop stack.

Page 525: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

524524

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33661199.. RRaannggee lleennggtthh

a grouping of pipe lengths. Api designation of range lengths are as follows-

RRaannggee ooff ssttaabbiilliittyy

the maximum angle to which a ship or mobile offshore drilling rig may be

inclined and still be returned to its original upright position.

33662200.. RRaannggee ooiill

Kerosene-type product used in old kerosene stoves or cooking ranges.

33662211.. RRaannkkiinnee tteemmppeerraattuurree ssccaallee

a temperature scale with the degree interval of the fahrenheit scale and the

zero point at absolute zero. On the rankine scale, water freezes at 491.60'

and boils at 671.69'. (see absolute temperature scale.)

33662222.. RRaasspp

a mill used in fishing operations, before running the fishing tool, to reduce the

size of the box or collar on the lost tool.

33662233.. RRaatt hhoollee

(1) a slanted hole drilled near the well's borehole to hold the kelly joint when

not in use. The kelly is unscrewed from the drillstring and lowered into the rat

hole as a pistol into a scabbard. (2) the section of the borehole that is

purposely deviated from the vertical by the use of a whipstock (q.v.).

33662244.. RRaattaabbllee ttaakkee

(1) production of oil and/or gas in such quantities that each landowner whose

property overlies a producing formation will be able to recover an equitable

share of the oil and/or gas originally in place beneath his land. (2) production

in accordance with allowables set by a state regulatory commission. (3) in

Page 526: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

525525

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

some states, common carriers (q.v.) And common purchasers of gas and oil

are prohibited from discriminating in favor of one supplier over another.

33662255.. RRaattee ooff ppeenneettrraattiioonn

(ROP) a measure of the speed at which the bit drills into formations, usually

expressed in feet per hour.

33662266.. RRaatthhoollee

1. A hole in the rig floor 30 to 35 ft deep, lined with casing that projects

above the floor, into which the kelly and swivel are placed when hoisting

operations are in progress. 2. A hole of a diameter smaller than the main hole

that is drilled in the bottom of the main hole. to reduce the size of the

wellbore and drill ahead.

33662277.. RRaatthhoollee ccoonnnneeccttiioonn

the addition of a length of drill pipe or tubing to the active string. The length

to be added is placed in the rathole, made up to the kelly, pulled out of the

rathole, and made up into the string.

33662288.. RRaaww ccrruuddee

a crude oil before it is refined.

33662299.. RRaaww ggaass

Gas straight from the well before the extraction of the liquefied hydrocarbons

(gasoline, butane); wet gas,

33663300.. RRaaww ggaassoolliinnee

gasoline extracted from wet natural gas.

Page 527: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

526526

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33663311.. RRaaww mmiixx

A stream of mixed components butane, propane, hexane, and others; the

product of gas processing plants that is sent on to fractionating plants for the

separation of the various components. See field butanes.

33663322.. RRddxx

(see cyclonite.)

33663333.. RRee--rreeffiinneedd ooiill

Reclaimed oil (q.v.).

33663344.. RReeaamm

to enlarge the wellbore by drilling it again with a special bit. Often a rathole is

reamed or opened to the same size as the main wellbore.

33663355.. RReeaammeerr

A toot used to enlarge or straighten a borehole; a milling tool used to cut the

casing downhole. Reamers are run on the drillstring and are built with cutting

blades or wheels that can be expanded against the walls of the hole.

33663366.. RReeaammiinngg

An operation to restore a wellbore to its original diameter (occasionally, a

wellbore will cave in).

33663377.. RReebbooiilleerr

A refinery heater that reheats or reboils a part of a process stream drawn off

a distilling column and then is reintroduced to the column as a vapor.

Reboiling is a process of reworking a part of the charge in a distilling column

to ensure more complete fractionating.

Page 528: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

527527

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33663388.. RReecc

recovered; used in drilling reports.

33663399.. RReecciipprrooccaattiinngg ccoommpprreessssoorr

a type of compressor that has a mechanism functioning as a check valve to

separate the high-pressure discharge from the low-pressure suction; a

positive displacement compressor. Reciprocating compressors are used

extensively in the transmission of natural gas through pipelines.

33664400.. RReecciipprrooccaattiinngg ppuummpp

A pump with cylinders and pistons or plungers for moving liquids through a

pipeline a plunger pump (q.v.). The pistons or plungers move forward and

backward alternately drawing in fluid into the cylinders through the suction

valves and discharging the liquid through discharge valves into a pipeline.

Reciprocating pumps are used extensively in the field and at refineries for

moving crude oil and products. They handle relatively small volumes but do

so at high pressures. Large volumes of oils as are moved in trunk or main

lines are pumped with large high-speed centrifugal pumps (q.v.).

33664411.. RReecciipprrooccaattiioonn

a back-and-forth movement (as the movement of a piston in an engine or

pump).

33664422.. RReeccllaaiimmeedd ooiill

Lubricating oil which, after a period of service, is collected, re-refined, and

sold for reuse.

Page 529: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

528528

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33664433.. RReeccoorrddiinngg ggaauuggee

a device that provides a chronological record of gauge indications (as by

tracing values of pressure, vacuum, voltage) on a paper form. It is driven by

a clockwork mechanism.

33664444.. RReeccoovveerraabbllee RReesseerrvveess

That part of the hydrocarbon volumes in a reservoir that can be economically

produced.

33664455.. RReeccoovveerryy

the total volume of hydrocarbons that has been or is anticipated to be

produced from a well or field.

33664466.. RReeccoovveerryy ffaaccttoorr

the percentage of oil or gas in place in a reservoir that ultimately can be

withdrawn by primary and/or secondary techniques; the percentage of the oil

or gas in place (expressed in stock-tank barrels or in thousands of cubic feet)

that will ultimately be recovered.

33664477.. RReeccttiiffiieerr bbeedd

A source of electric current for protection against corrosion of pipelines,

tanks, and other metal installations buried or in contract with the earth. Using

a source of ac electric current, the rectifier installation converts the ac to dc

(direct current) and allows the dc to flow into the metal to be protected. By

reversing the flow of electric current, the corrosion is in. Hibited. Metal

corrosion is a chemical action which produces minute quantities of current

that normally flows away from the metal into the ground.

Page 530: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

529529

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33664488.. RReeccyycclliinngg ((ggaass))

Injecting gas back into a formation to maintain reservoir pressure so as to

produce a larger percentage of oil from the formation.

33664499.. RReedd bbeedd

a layer of sedimentary rock that is predominantly red, especially one of the

permian or triassic age.

33665500.. RReedd--lliimmee mmuudd

a clay, water-base mud containing caustic soda and tannates to which lime

has been added.

333665522.. RReedduucceedd ccrruuddee ooiill

Crude oil that has undergone at least one distillation process to separate

some of the lighter hydrocarbons. Reducing crude towers its api gravity.

33665533.. RReedduucciinngg eellbbooww

a fitting that makes an angle between two joints of pipe and that decreases in

diameter from one end to the other.

33665544.. RReedduucciinngg ffllaannggee

a flange fitting used to join pipes of different diameters.

33665555.. RReedduucciinngg nniippppllee

a pipe fitting that is threaded on both ends and decreases in diameter from

one end to the other.

33665566.. RReedduucciinngg tteeee

a t-shaped pipe fitting with openings of two different sizes.

Page 531: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

530530

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

333665588.. RReeddwwoooodd vviissccoossiittyy

a unit of viscosity measurement obtained when using a redwood viscometer,

expressed in seconds. It is the standard of viscosity measurement in great

britain.

33665599.. RReeeeff

A type of reservoir trap composed of rocks, usually limestone, made up of the

skeletal remains of animals. Reef reservoirs are often characterized by high

initial production which falls off rapidly, requiring pressure maintenance

techniques to sustain production.

33666600.. RReeeell bbaarrggee

A pipe-laying barge equipped with a gigantic reel on which fine pipe up to 12

inches in diameter is spooled at a shore station. To lay the pipe, it is

unspooled, run through straightening mandrels inspected, and paid out over

the stern of the barge in the manner of a hawser.

33666611.. RReeeelleedd ttuubbiinngg

A well-service tool used in well workovers. The one-inch or so flexible tubing

is carried on a larger spool mounted on a specially equipped truck. The tubing

is inserted in the well through the wellhead valves and is used basically for i

rushing out the well and reestablishing a circulating path.

33666622.. RReeeennttrryy

To reestablish contact with the well's borehole in offshore waters, after

having moved off location because of weather or other reasons halting

Drilling operations. A notable example of reentering was that of the deep Sea

drilling program by the scripps institution of oceanography when the crew of

Page 532: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

531531

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

the drillship glomar challenger reentered the hole nine times while drilling in

14,000 feet of water in the atlantic. See acoustic reentry.

33666633.. RReeeevvee

to pass (as the end of a rope) through a hole or opening in a block or similar

device.

33666644.. RReeeevvee tthhee lliinnee

to string a wire-rope drilling line through the sheaves of the traveling and

crown blocks to the hoisting drum.

33666655.. RReeeevviinngg aa lliinnee

To string up a tubing or other line in preparation for hoisting; to run a fine

from the winch up and over a sheave in the crown block and down to the

derrick floor

33666666.. RReeffiinnee

to manufacture petroleum products from crude oil.

33666677.. RReeffiinneerr--mmaarrkkeetteerr

A marketer of gasoline, and/or heating oils who operates his own refinery.

33666688.. RReeffiinneerryy

the physical plant and attendant equipment used in the process of refining.

33666699.. RReeffiinneerryy ggaass

the gas produced from certain petroleum refinery operations (as cracking or

reforming). The composition of refinery gas varies in accordance with the

process by which it is produced, but it consists essentially of the same

paraffin hydrocarbons as natural gas plus olefins (as propylene, butylene, and

ethylene) not found in natural gas.

Page 533: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

532532

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33667700.. RReeffiinneerryy,, sskkiidd--mmoouunntteedd

A small, basic r(@fining unit that is transportable by lowboy trailer to

locations where low-grade or straight-run gasoline and diesel fuel are needed

and a source of crude oil is available. For example, such a midget "distillation

system" can be trucked to a remote drilling site and can supply fuel for diesel

drilling engines and gasoline for auxiliary equipment.

33667711.. RReeffoorrmmiinngg pprroocceesssseess

The use of heat and catalysts to effect the rearrangement of certain of the

hydrocarbon molecules without altering their composition appreciably; the

conversion of low-octane gasoline fractions into higher octane stocks suitable

for blending into finished gasoline also the conversion of naphthas to obtain

more volatile product or higher octane number.

33667722.. RReeggeenneerraattoorr

A refinery vessel into which inactive or spent catalyst is pumped to egenerate

it, to burn off the coating of carbon or coke. Air at a temperature of 1,100 f.

Is mixed with the spent catalyst, causing the oxidation of the carbon leaving

the catalyst clean and regenerated.

33667733.. RReeggiisstteerreedd bbrreeaaddtthh

the width of the hull of a mobile offshore drilling rig or a ship measured at its

points of greatest width and used to determine its registered tonnage.

33667744.. RReegguullaarr cceemmeenntt

(see common cement.)

Page 534: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

533533

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33667755.. RReegguullaattoorr

a device that reduces the pressure or volume of a fluid flowing in a line and

maintains the pressure or volume at a specified rate.

33667766.. RReeiidd vvaappoorr pprreessssuurree

A measure of volatility of a fuel, its ability to vaporize. Reid vapor pressure,

the specific designation, is named after the man who designed the test

apparatus for measuring vapor pressure (q.v.).

33667777.. RReellaattiivvee hhuummiiddiittyy

the ratio of the amount of water vapor in the air to the amount it would

contain if completely saturated (i.e., At absolute humidity) at a given

temperature and pressure.

33667788.. RReellaattiivvee ppeerrmmeeaabbiilliittyy

the effective permeability divided by the absolute permeability. When a rock

is saturated with more than one fluid, relative permeability is used to express

the permeability of the rock to each fluid.

33667799.. RReelleeaassee

a statement filed by the lessee of an oil and gas lease indicating that the

lease has been relinquished.

33668800.. RReelleeaasseedd ooiill

Under the emergency petroleum allocation act of 1973, released oil is old oil

production equal to any volume of new oil produced. Unlike old oil, released

oil could be sold at free market prices.

33668811.. RReelliieeff vvaallvvee

(see pressure-relief valve.)

Page 535: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

534534

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33668822.. RReelliieeff wweellll

A directional well drilled near an out-of-control or burning well to kill the well

by flooding the formation with water or drilling mud; a well drilled as close as

possible or prudent to an out-of-control well and into the same formation in

order to vent off or relieve the flowing pressure of the blowout so that the

wild well may be brought under control. In some instances more than one

relief well is drilled to reduce the flow of the blowing well. A killer well (q.v.).

33668833.. RReemmoottee bboopp ppaanneell

a set of controls used to open and close the blowout preventers; placed some

distance away from the rig so that they can be operated without personnel

present on the rig floor.

33668844.. RReemmoottee cchhookkee ppaanneell

a set of controls, usually placed on the rig floor, that is manipulated to control

the amount of drilling fluid being circulated out through the choke manifold.

This procedure is necessary when a kick is being circulated out of a well.

33668855.. RReemmoottee rreeaaddiinngg ggaauuggee

an instrument that provides indications of pressure, vacuum, voltage, and so

forth at a point distant from where the indications are actually taken.

33668866.. RReennttaall,, ddeellaayy

Payment of a sum of money by lessee to the lessor to delay the drilling of a

well.

33668877.. RReeppeeaatteerr ssttaattiioonn

An electronic installation. Part of a surveillance and control system for

offshore or other remote production operations.

Page 536: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

535535

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33668888.. RReepprreessssuurree

to increase or maintain reservoir pressure by injecting a pressurized fluid (as

air, gas, or water) to effect greater ultimate recovery.

33668899.. RReepprreessssuurree ggaass

Gas purchased for injection into an underground formation, a reservoir, for

maintaining reservoir pressure. See recycling (gas).

33669900.. RReepprreessssuurriinngg ooppeerraattiioonn

The injection of fluid into a reservoir whose pressure has been largely

depleted by producing wells in the field. This secondary recovery technique

used to increase the reservoir pressure in order to recover additional

quantities of oil. See service well.

33669911.. RReesseerrvvee bbuuooyyaannccyy

the buoyancy above the waterline that keeps a floating vessel upright or

seaworthy when the vessel is subjected to wind, waves, currents, and other

forces of nature or when the vessel is subjected to accidental flooding.

33669922.. RReesseerrvvee ppiitt

An excavation connected to the working mud pits of a drilling well to hold

excess or reserve drilling mud; a standby pit containing already-mixed drilling

mud for use in an emergency when extra mud is needed.

33669933.. RReesseerrvveess

pl the unproduced but recoverable oil or gas in place in a formation that has

been proved by production.

Page 537: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

536536

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33669944.. RReesseerrvvooiirr

A porous, permeable sedimentary rock formation containing quantities of oil

and/or gas enclosed or surrounded by layers of less permeable or impervious

rock; a structural trap; a stratigraphic trip (q.v.).

33669955.. RReesseerrvvooiirr eennggiinneeeerr

A petroleum engineer; one who advises production people on matters relating

to petroleum reservoirs estimating and determining effects of reservoir

pressure drops, gas and water encroachment, changes in gas-oil ratios, rates

of production, and feasibility of secondary and tertiary recovery programs.

33669966.. RReesseerrvvooiirr mmooddeelleerr

A reservoir engineer or geologist who. By various means, simulates petroleum

reservoirs. Using data from wells in the area, seismic information, test-hole

findings, cores, and rock samples, the modeler projects and expands his

information beyond what is known and provable into 'he realm of the

conjectural. This is accomplished with inferences based on an assumed

continuity of the data in hand. The work of the reservoir modeler is important

in producing a field at the maximum efficient rate (mer) (q.v.). It is necessary

also in projects such as water-flooding, thermal recovery of oil, and hydraulic

fracturing.

33669977.. RReesseerrvvooiirr pprreessssuurree

The pressure at the face of the producing formation when the well is shut in.

It is equal to the shut in pressure (at the wellhead) plus the weight in pounds

of the column of oil in the hole. The hydrostatic pressure exerted by a column

of oil 5,000 feet high, for example, would be several thousand pounds. In a

Page 538: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

537537

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

flowing well, the reservoir pressure would be sufficient to overcome the

pressure of the hydrostatic head.

33669988.. RReesseerrvvooiirr rroocckkss

Sandstone, limestone and other permeable formations into which petroleum,

formed cons ago, migrated and accumulated in reservoirs.

33669999.. RReesseerrvvooiirr,, wwaatteerr--ddrriivvee

See water-drive reservoir.

33770000.. RReesseerrvvooiirr--ddrriivvee mmeecchhaanniissmm

the natural energy by which reservoir fluids are caused to flow out of the

reservoir rock and into a wellbore. Gas drives depend on the fact that, as the

reservoir is produced, pressure is reduced, allowing the gas to expand and

provide the driving energy. Water-drive reservoirs depend on water pressure

to force the hydrocarbons out of the reservoir and into the wellbore.

33770011.. RReessiidd mmaarrkkeett

The market for residual oils black oils market.

33770022.. RReessiidduuaall ffuueell

(see residuals.)

33770033.. RReessiidduuaallss

A term used to describe oils that are "leftovers" in various refining processes;

heavy black oils used in ships boilers and in heating plants.

33770044.. RReessiidduuee ggaass

Gas that remains after processing in a separator or a plant to remove liquids

contained in the gas when produced. See tail gas.

Page 539: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

538538

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33770055.. RReessiidduuuumm

What is left after crude oil been refined to extinction; a heavy, black, tar-like

substance remaining after all useable fractions have been distilled off. The

"bottom of the barrel," literally.

33770066.. RReessiinn cceemmeenntt

an oil-well cement composed of resins, water, and portland cement that

provides an improved cement bond. It is mainly used in remedial operations,

because its high cost prohibits its use for routine cementing of casing.

33770077.. RReessiissttiivviittyy

the electrical resistance offered to the passage of current; the opposite of

conductivity.

33770088.. RReettaaiinneerr

a cast-iron or magnesium drillable tool consisting of a packing assembly and a

back-pressure valve. It is used to close off the annular space between tubing

or drill pipe and casing to allow the placement of cement or fluid through the

tubing or drill pipe at any predetermined point behind the casing or liner,

around the shoe, or into the open hole around the shoe.

33770099.. RReettaarrddeedd cceemmeenntt

a cement in which the thickening time is extended by adding a chemical

retarder.

33771100.. RReettaarrddeerr

a chemical compound (as gypsum, lime, sodium tannate, etc.) That is used to

prolong the thickening, setting, or hardening time of oil-well cements; the

opposite of an accelerator. (see cementing materials.)

Page 540: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

539539

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33771111.. RReettrraaccttaabbllee bbiitt

a bit that can be changed by wireline operations without withdrawing the drill

string. Field tests have indicated its economic feasibility, but its practicability

is undetermined.

33771122.. RReettrrooffiittttiinngg

To modify or add to an engine, item of equipment, or operating plant

something new for the sake of efficiency, better performance, or increased

safety. To retro (go back) and i it or make a change or refinement in the

original item of equipment or plant, e.g., "the ft. Lewis gas plant was

retrofitted with automation . . . ." After years of hand operation the plant was

modernized and made more efficient.

33771133.. RReettrrooggrraaddee ccoonnddeennssaattiioonn

in reservoir mechanics, the formation of liquid droplets in a gas as the well is

produced and the pressure drops. Some hydrocarbons exist naturally above

their critical temperature in the reservoir; as a result, when pressure is

decreased, instead of expanding to form a gas, they condense to form a

liquid.

33771144.. RReettrrooggrraaddee ggaass ccoonnddeennssaattee

A liquid hydrocarbon (condensate) formed in deep formations as the reservoir

pressure is reduced through production of natural gas. As the pressure is

reduced, the gas condenses to form a liquid instead of the usual pattern of

liquid changing to gas. Hence the term "retrograde gas condensate." As

liquefaction occurs, the formation rock is "wet" by the condensate which is

then not as recoverable as when it was in a gaseous state.

Page 541: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

540540

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33771155.. RReettuurrnn bbeenndd

a u-shaped section of piping that connects two other pipes parallel to each

other.

33771166.. RReettuurrnnss

pl the mud, cuttings, and so forth that circulate up the hole to the surface.

33771177.. RReevveerrssee cciirrccuullaattiioonn

A technique used in fishing for "junk" in the bottom of the well's borehole. A

junk basket (q.v.) Is lowered into the hole, just above the junk to be

retrieved, and through ports in the sides of the basket the drilling mud is

jetted to the bottom of the hole and back into the open end of the tool,

washing the junk back up into the junk basket.

33771188.. RReevveerrssee eemmuullssiioonn

a relatively rare oil-field emulsion composed of globules of oil dispersed in

water. Most oil-field emulsions consist of water dispersed in oil.

33771199.. RReevveerrssee oossmmoossiiss

A process used in the industry for removing salt and other contaminants from

water. The process uses the phenomenon of osmosis, the diffusion through a

semipermeable membrane of a solvent leaving behind the solute or dissolved

substance. In reverse osmosis, the solvent (water) diffuses through the man-

made membrane leaving the salt and other contaminants behind.

33772200.. RReevveerrssee--cciirrccuullaattiioonn jjuunnkk bbaasskkeett

a special junk basket that is lowered into the hole to a position over the junk

with normal circulation. A ball is then pumped down to cause the drilling fluid

Page 542: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

541541

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

to exit through nozzles in the tool so that reverse circulation occurs and

creates a vacuum inside the tool so that the junk is sucked into it.

33772211.. RReevveerrssee--pprreessssuurree ppeerrffoorraattiinngg

(see perforate under-balanced.)

33772222.. RReewwoorrkkiinngg aa wweellll

To restore production where it has fallen off substantially or ceased

altogether; cleaning out an accumulation of sand and silt from the bottom of

the well. In addition to removing or washing out sand and silt accumulations,

the well may be hydraulically fractured to open new cracks and fissures in the

formation. Or, if conditions warrant, a squib shot (q.v.), A small charge of

nitroglycerine, is detonated in the bottom of the hole.

33772233.. RRFFTT

Repeat Formation Tester. A high resolution down hole logging tool which

records reservoir pressures at multiple points in a well and may on occasion

be configured to obtain several small samples of gas, oil and/or other fluids

over a reservoir interval.

33772244.. RRhhaabboooommaaccyy

The "science" of divination by rods, wands. And switches. See doodle bug.

33772255.. RRhheeoollooggyy

the study of the flow of gases and liquids; of special importance to mud

engineers.

33772266.. RRiicchh ggaass

Natural gas containing significant amounts of liquefiable hydrocarbons, i.e.,

Casinghead gasoline, butane. Propane, etc., Wet gas.

Page 543: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

542542

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33772277.. RRiicchh ooiill

a lean oil that has absorbed heavier hydrocarbons from natural gas.

33772288.. RRiicchh--ooiill ddeemmeetthhaanniizzeerr

(rod) a vessel used in gas-processing plants to remove methane from rich oil.

33772299.. RRiigg

(1) a drilling rig (q.v.).

(2) a large tractor-trailer.

33773300.. RRiigg bbuuiillddeerr

(1) a person whose job is to build or (in a modern context) to assemble a

derrick. Steel derricks are erected by bolting parts together.

(2) originally, a person who built derricks on the spot out of rig timbers and

lumber on which he used crosscut saws, augers, axes, hammers, and the adz

to fit the wood to his pattern.

33773311.. RRiigg fflloooorr

the area immediately around the rotary table and extending to each corner of

the derrick or mast; the area immediately above the substructure on which

the drawworks, rotary table, and so forth rest.

33773322.. RRiigg iirroonnss

pl the metal parts (with the exceptions of nails, bolts, guy wires, and sand

lines) used in the construction of the standard cable-tool rig.

33773333.. RRiigg mmaannaaggeerr

One who supervises all aspects of offshore rig operation. Large

semisubmersibles anchored miles at sea with hundreds of workers, are much

Page 544: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

543543

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

like a small town engaged in drilling a well in hundreds of feet of water. The

rig manager is the resident boss of this floating microcosm.

33773344.. RRiigg rreeggiisstteerr

A roster of offshore drilling equipment-jackups, somisubmersibles, drillships,

platforms, tenders and drilling barges-deployed around the world. The

register, a modern jane's fighting ships as it were, was introduced by the

petroleum engineer magazine. It is kept current and lists the vessel's or

platform's depth capability, equipment, whether self-propelled or towed, and

other pertinent information.

33773355.. RRiigg ssuuppeerriinntteennddeenntt

a tool pusher.

33773366.. RRiigg ttiimmbbeerrss

Large-dimension wooden beams used to support the derrick, drilling engines,

or other heavy equipment; heavy, roughcut timbers used in the trade by rig

builders when derricks were built rather than assembled.

33773377.. RRiigg,, ppuusshh--ddoowwnn

A drilling rig which is a modification of rigs used by the mining industry and

for drilling water wells. The drillpipe is supported within an a-frame, with the

rotary and its pipe-turning mechanism on top of the first joint of drillpipe 30

feet or so up in the a-frame. As the drillpipe and bit are rotated, the pipe is

pushed downward hydraulically until the first joint is in the hole and the

rotary is at floor level. A second joint is then added and the rotary is raised to

the top to turn and push down on the second joint. A push-down rig has a

conventional mud system, but the rig is practical only for drilling holes 10

about 3,500 feet in relatively soft formations.

Page 545: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

544544

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33773388.. RRiigg,, ssss ccllaassss 22000000

See ss class 2000 rig.

33773399.. RRiigg--ddoowwnn

To prepare to move the drilling rig and associated tools and equipment to

another location or to storage, to stack the tools; to disassemble the mud

system, disconnect the engines, lay the derrick down (a jackknife or other

portable rig), fill the mud pits, and load up the pipe and fittings and other

equipment ready for transport to another well site.

33774400.. RRiigg--uupp

To make preparations to drill; to get all equipment in place ready to make

hole dig the cellar and mud pits; set up the derrick, reeve the lines; set

engines and pumps; connect the lines of the mud system and set auxiliary

equipment. Also have necessary bits, tubular goods. Valves, rams, and fittings

on hand.

33774411.. RRiigghhtt--ooff--wwaayy

a strip of land usually 50 to 80 ft wide on which permission has been granted

by the landowner to construct a pipeline.

33774422.. RRiigghhtt--ooff--wwaayy ggaanngg

A work crew that clears brush, timber, and other obstructions from the right

Of way. The crew also installs access gates in fenced property. See dress up

crew.

33774433.. RRiigghhtt--ooff--wwaayy mmaann

A person who contacts landowners, municipal authorities, government agency

representatives for permission to lay a pipeline through their property or

Page 546: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

545545

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

through the political subdivision. He also arranges for permits to cross

navigable waterways, railroads, and highways from the proper authorities.

333774455.. RRiinngg

(see piston ring.)

33774466.. RRiinnggwwoorrmm ccoorrrroossiioonn

a form of corrosion sometimes found in the tubing of condensate wells. It

occurs in a ring a few inches from the upset. Cause of ringworm corrosion his

been traced to the upsetting process, in which heat required in upsetting

causes the heated end to have a different grain structure from the rest of the

pipe. Normalizing prevents this condition.

33774477.. RRiisseerr

(1) a pipe through which liquid or gas flows upward.

(2) in offshore drilling by semisubmersible, jackup, fixed platform, or drillship,

a riser is the casing extending from the drilling platform through the water to

the sea bed through which drilling is done. See marine riser system.

33774488.. RRiisseerr ppiippee

the pipe and special fittings used on floating offshore drilling rigs to establish

a seal between the top of the wellbore, which is on the ocean floor, and the

drilling equipment, located above the surface of the water. A riser pipe serves

as a guide for the drill stem from the drilling vessel to the wellhead and as a

conductor of drilling fluid from the well to the vessel. The riser consists of

several sections of pipe and includes special devices to compensate for any

movement of the drilling rig caused by waves. It is also called marine riser.

Page 547: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

546546

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33774499.. RRiisseerr tteennssiioonneerr lliinnee

a cable that supports the marine riser while compensating for vessel

movement.

33775500.. RRiisseerr--aannggllee iinnddiiccaattoorr

an acoustic or electronic device used to monitor the angle of the flex joint on

a floating offshore drilling rig. Usually, a small angle should be maintained on

the flex joint to minimize drill-pipe fatigue and wear and damage to the

blowout preventers and to maximize the case with which tools may be run.

33775511.. RRiivveerr ccllaammppss

Heavy steel weights made in two halves bolted on screw pipe at each collar to

strengthen the joints and keep the line lying securely on the river bottom or

in a dredged trench.

33775522.. RRiivveett bbuusstteerr

An air-operated (pneumatic) chisel-like tool for cutting off rivet heads. Used

by tankies when tearing down an old tank or other vessel put together With

rivets.

33775533.. RRmmgg

reaming; used in drilling reports.(see ream.)

33775544.. RRnngg

running; used in drilling reports.

33775555.. RRoocckk

an aggregate of different minerals. Rocks are divided into three groups on the

basis of their mode of origi igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary.

Page 548: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

547547

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33775566.. RRoocckk aa wweellll

to initiate flow by alternatively bleeding pressure from and closing off the

casing and tubing of a well that is loaded up.

33775577.. RRoocckk bbiitt

(see roller-cone bit.)

33775588.. RRoocckk hhoouunndd

(slang) a geologist.

33775599.. RRoocckk pprreessssuurree

An early-day term for a well's shutin or wellhead pressure when all valves are

closed and the pressure is observed at the surface.

33776600.. RRoocckk,, ccllaassttiicc

One of the categories of sedimentary rock; a so-called secondary rock which

consists of particles that are fragments of preexisting rocks. They may range

in size from "blocks the size of boxcars down to colloids so fine as to remain

in suspension almost indefinitely." The three classes of clastic sedimentary

rocks are sandstone, conglomerate, and shale and mud-stone.

33776611.. RRoocckk,, mmeettaammoorrpphhiicc

Rocks formed by the metamorphosis of other rocks. When either igneous or

sedimentary rocks are subjected to enough heat, pressure, and chemi. Cal

action, their character and appearance are changed. These factors act to

cause recrystallization of the minerals of the rock. Granite may become

Gneisses or schists; sandstones become quartzites; shales become slates;

limestone becomes marble.

Page 549: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

548548

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33776622.. RRoocckk,,iiggnneeoouuss

Rocks that have solidified from a molten state deep in the earth. Those rocks

that hive reached the surface while still molten are called lavas; they can form

volcanic cones or spread out in flows or sheets, they can be forcibly thrust up

between beds of other kinds of rocks in what are called sills, or they can fill

crevices and then solidify as "dikes." Rocks that have solidified deep beneath

the earth's crust are referred to as plutonic, from the greek god of the lower

regions, pluto. Granite is an example of plutonic rock.

33776633.. RRoocckkeerrss

A counterbalance installed on a shackle-rod line, operating a pumping jack, to

pull the rod line back after its power stroke. Rod lines can only pull, so on the

return stroke the line is kept taut by a counterbalance. Rockers often are in

the shape of a box or crate filled with rocks. One edge of the box is attached

to a fulcrum bearing on which it moves back and forth like a rocking chair.

33776644.. RRoocckkhhoouunndd

A geologist; a humorous but affectionate colloquialism for a person who

Assiduously pursues rock specimens in a search for evidence of oil and gas

deposits.

33776655.. RRoodd

(1) sixteen and one-half feet; the unit of measure used in buying certain

types of pipeline right of way.

(2) a sucker rod; an engine's connecting rod; a piston rod.

Page 550: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

549549

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33776666.. RRoodd bbaacckk--ooffff wwhheeeell

a device used to unscrew rods when the pump is stuck or sanded up and the

well has to be stripped out.

33776677.. RRoodd bblloowwoouutt pprreevveenntteerr

a ram device used to close the annular space around the polished rod or

sucker rod in a pumping well.

33776688.. RRoodd eelleevvaattoorr

a device used to pull sucker rods. It has a bail attached to the rod hook to

pull or run sucker rods. (see sucker rod.) Rod hanger a device used to hang

the sucker rods on the mast or in the derrick. (see sucker rod.).

33776699.. RRoodd hhooookk

a small, swivel hook having a fast-operating, automatic latch to close the

hook opening when weight is suspended from the hook.

33777700.. RRoodd lliinnee

See shackle-rod line.

33777711.. RRoodd ppuummpp

(see sucker-rod pump.)

33777722.. RRoodd rroottoorr

a ratchet mechanism actuated by a fixed rod or chain connection with the

walking beam of a pumping unit that provides a slow rate of rotation to the

rod string, distributing the wear uniformly on both rods and tubing. (see

sucker rod.)

Page 551: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

550550

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33777733.. RRoodd ssttrriippppeerr

a device used when rods are coated with heavy oil or when the well may flow

through the tubing while the rods are being pulled. It is a form of blowout

preventer.

33777744.. RRoodd wwaaxx

a paraffin wax that forms on the sucker-rod string.

33777755.. RRoodd wwhhiipp

the rapid, whiplike motion of the rods in a sucker-rod pumping system caused

by vibration of the rod string.

33777766.. RRoodd--lliinnee ppuummpp

See pump, jek er.

33777777.. RRooddddaaggeeffeeee

The fee paid to a landowner for the easement of a pipeline right of way

across his property. Right of way is measured in rods (16 1/2 feet) hence the

term roddage fee. See right of way.

33777788.. RRooddhhaannggeerr

A rack with finger-like projections on which rods are hung when pulled from

the well; a vertical rack for hanging lengths of pumping rods.

33777799.. RRooddjjoobb

See pulling rods.

33778800.. RRooddppuummpp

See pump, rod.

Page 552: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

551551

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33778811.. RRoollll

the angular motion of a ship or floating offshore drilling rig as its sides move

up and down.

33778822.. RRoollll aattaannkk

To agitate a trank of crude oil with air or gas for the purpose of mixing small

quantities of chemical with the oil to break up emulsions or to settle out

impurities.

33778833.. RRoollll iinn

To include the cost of new facilities, service, and supply as part of the overall

cost of operating a company for the benefit of all customers served by a

pipeline or other common carrier; to roll in the cost of new supplies and

facilities for the purpose of arriving at a new rate structure.

33778844.. RRoollll--ddaammppeenniinngg ttaannkkss

pl the compartments on a floating offshore drilling rig that are filled with

water to offset the tendency of the rig to roll.

33778855.. RRoolllleerr bbiitt

The rock-cutting tool on the bottom of the drillstring made with three or four

shanks welded together to form a tapered body. Each shank supports a cone-

like wheel with case-hardened teeth that rotate on steel bearings.

33778866.. RRoolllleerr--ccoonnee bbiitt

a drilling bit made of three cones, or cutters, that are mounted on extremely

rugged bearings. They are also called rock bits. The surface of each cone is

made up of rows of steel teeth or rows of tungsten carbide inserts.

Page 553: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

552552

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33778877.. RRoolllleerrss,, ccaassiinngg aanndd ttuubbiinngg

A steel tubular device for opening up and reconditioning buckled, dented, or

collapsed casing and tubing in the hole. The long, steel tool with a tapered

end has a series of rollers. The tool is forced into the damaged pipe and, as it

is pushed down and rotated by the drillstring, the series of refers forces the

damaged pipe open and restores it to its original diameter and roundness.

33778888.. RRoolllliinngg ppiippee

Turning a joint of screw pipe into the coupling of the preceding joint by the

use of a rope looped once around the pipe and pulled by a rope crew. This

procedure was used on larger diameter line pipe-10 and 12-inch-to make up

the connection rapidly before the tongs were put on the pipe for the final

tightening.

33778899.. RRoonn

Research octane number, a measure of a gasoline's antiknock quality

determined by tests made on engines running under moderate conditions of

speed and load. Mon, motor octane number, is a measure of gasoline's

antiknock characteristics determined by tests under more severe conditions of

load and speed. See octane rating.

33779900.. RRooooffrroocckk

A layer of impervious rock above a porous and permeable rock formation that

contains oil and gas.

33779911.. RRoooottrruunn

The first course of metal laid on by a welder in joining two lengths of pipe or

other elements of constructio the stringer bead (q.v.).

Page 554: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

553553

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33779922.. RRoopp

rate of penetration.

33779933.. RRooppee ssoocckkeett

A device for securing the end of a steel cable into a connecting piece-a clevis,

hook or chain. A metal cup or socket (like a whip socket) into which The cable

end is inserted and which then is feted with molten lead or babbitt. (p, v,)

33779944.. RRoottaarryy

the machine used to impart rotational power to the drill stem while permitting

vertical movement of the pipe for rotary drilling. Modern rotary machines

have a special component, the rotary bushing, to turn the kelly bushing,

which permits vertical movement of the kelly while the stem is turning.

33779955.. RRoottaarryy bbuusshhiinngg

The metal casting that fits into the master bushing of the rotary table on a

drilling well, and through which the kelly joint moves downward ass drilling

Procedes. The kelly, bushing is turned by the rotary table and the bushing

rotates the kelly and drillstring.

33779966.. RRoottaarryy ddrriilllliinngg

a drilling method in which a hole is drillid by a rotating bit to which a

downward force is applied. The bit is fastened to and rotated by the drill

stem, which also provides a passageway through which the drilling fluid is

circulated. Additional joints of drill pipe are added as drilling progresses.

33779977.. RRoottaarryy hheellppeerr

(see roughneck.)

Page 555: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

554554

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33779988.. RRoottaarryy hhoossee

the hose on a rotary drilling rig that conducts the drilling fluid from the mud

pump and standpipe to the swivel and kelly; also called the mud hose or the

kelly hose.

33779999.. RRoottaarryy ppuummpp

a pump that moves fluid by positive displacement, using a system of rotating

vanes, gears, or lobes. The vaned pump has vanes extending radially from a

rotating element mounted in the casing. The geared rotary pump uses

oppositely rotating, meshing gears or lobes.

33880000.. RRoottaarryy rreeaammeerr

A rock-cutting tool inserted in the drill column just above the drill bit for the

purpose of keeping the hole cut to full diameter. Often in drilling deep, hard-

rock formations the bit will become worn or distorted, thus cutting less than a

full hole. The following reamer trims the hole wall, maintaining full diameter.

33880011.. RRoottaarryy rriigg

A derrick equipped with rotary drilling equipment, i.e., Drilling engines. Draw

works, rotary table, mud pumps, and auxiliary equipment; a modern Drilling

unit capable of drilling a borehole with a bit attached to a rotating column of

steel pipe.

33880022.. RRoottaarryy sshhooee

a length of pipe whose bottom edge is serrated or dressed with a hard cutting

material that is run into the wellbore around the outside of stuck casing, pipe,

or tubing to mill away the obstruction.

Page 556: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

555555

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33880033.. RRoottaarryy sslliippss

pl (see slips.)

33880044.. RRoottaarryy ttaabbllee

the principal component of a rotary, or rotary machine, used to turn the drill

stem and support the drilling assembly. It has a beveled-gear arrangement to

create the rotational motion and an opening into which bushings are fitted to

drive and support the drilling assembly.

33880055.. RRoottaarryy ttoonnggss

pl (see tongs.)

33880066.. RRoottaattiinngg bblloowwoouutt pprreesseenntteerr

(see rotating head.)

33880077.. RRoottaattiinngg hheeaadd

a sealing device used to close off the annular space around the kelly when

drilling with pressure at the surface, usually installed above the main blowout

preventers. A rotating head makes it possible to drill ahead even when there

is pressure in the annulus that the weight of the drilling fluid is not

overcoming; the head prevents the well from blowing out. It is used mainly in

the drilling of formations that have low-pressure, high-volume fluids. The rate

of penetration through such formations is usually rapid.

33880088.. RRoottaattiioonn ggaass lliifftt

a gas-lift system in which the gas that is injected and subsequently produced

is recompressed and reinjected into the well, effecting a continuous, closed

system that does not require the introduction of additional gas from an

Page 557: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

556556

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

extraneous source for operation, except that needed to make up losses in the

system.

33880099.. RRoouugghhnneecckk

a worker on a drilling or workover rig, subordinate to the driller; sometimes

called a rotary helper, floorman, or rig crewman.

33881100.. RRoouugghhnneecckkss

Members of the drilling crew; the driller's assistants who work on the derrick

floor, up in the derrick racking pipe, tend the drilling engines and mud Pumps,

and on "trips" operate the pipe tongs breaking out or unscrewing the stands

of drillpipe.

33881111.. RRoouunndd ttrriipp

Pulling the drillpipe from the hole to change the bit and running the drillpipe

and new bit back in the hole. On deep wells, round trips or "a trip," as it is

more commonly called, may take 24 hours, three 8-hour shifts.

33881122.. RRoouunndd--ppooiinntt sshhoovveell

A digging tool whose blade is rounded and tapers to a point in the center of

The cutting edge. A long-handled shovel, standard equipment for digging

ditches by hand.

33881133.. RRoouunnddttrriipp

the action of pulling out and subsequently running back into the hole a string

of drill pipe or tubing. It is also called tripping the pipe.

33881144.. RRoouussttaabboouutt

a worker who assists the foreman in the general work around producing oil

wells, usually on the property of the oil company. A roustabout may also be a

Page 558: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

557557

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

helper on a well-servicing unit or one who does utility work on an offshore

drilling rig.

33881155.. RRooyyaallttyy

A share of the minerals (oil and gas) produced from a property by the owner

of the property. Originally, the right or prerequisite of the king to receive a

percentage of the gold or silver taken from the mines of his realm. Today, the

sovereign is the landowner who traditionally receives 12 1/2 percent or one-

eighth of the oil and gas produced from his land. This is the basic form of

royalty. But as you will note there are variations and "refinements" to the

concept of what belongs to the king. See landowners royalty.

33881166.. RRooyyaallttyy bbiiddddiinngg

An uncommon practice of bidding on federal leases by offering a high royalty

interest to the government on any production discovered on the tract in lieu

of the traditional cash bonus. Royalty interests as high as 70 and 80 percent

of gross production have been offered. The advantages to a company bidding

royalty interests instead of cash could be a savings in millions of dollar; of

front money. In case the lease is unproductive, the company is out only the

cost of the well and any seismic or other exploratory expenses.

33881177.. RRooyyaallttyy bboonnuuss

Describes an overriding royalty or oil payment reserves by the lessor, the

1andowner usually any consideration received or to a lessor on the execution

of a lease in excess of the customary one-eighth royalty is called a bonus or

royalty bonus.

Page 559: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

558558

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33881188.. RRooyyaallttyy iinntteerreesstt,, tteerrmm

A royally not in perpetuity but for a definite period of time. Most royally

interests are created for a fixed period and so long thereafter as oil and gas

are produced. But there are such interests that run only for a specified, fixed

length of time with no qualifying 'thereafter" clause.

33881199.. RRooyyaallttyy ooiill

Oil owned by the government, federal, slate or local. Oil on the outer

continental shelf and on federal land is royalty oil; also oil on land owned by a

state or a municipality is royally oil.

33882200.. RRooyyaallttyy,, ccoommppeennssaattoorryy

Payments to royalty owners as compensation for loss of income which they

may suffer due to the failure of the operator to develop a lease properly.

33882211.. RRooyyaallttyy,, ffeeee

The lessor's share of oil and gas production, landowner's royalty traditionally

one-eighth of gross production free of any cost.

33882222.. RRooyyaallttyy,, ffiixxeedd--rraattee

Royalty calculated on the basis of a fixed rate per unit of production, without

regard for the actual proceeds from the sale of the production.

33882233.. RRooyyaallttyy,, gguuaarraanntteeeedd..

The minimum amount of royalty income a royalty owner is to receive under

the lease agreement, regardless of his share of actual proceeds from the sale

of the lease's production.

33882244.. RRooyyaallttyy,, iinnnnoovvaattoorr''ss

See innovator's royalty.

Page 560: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

559559

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33882255.. RRooyyaallttyy,, llaannddoowwnneerr''ss

A share of the gross production of the oil and gas on a property by the

landowner without bearing any of the cost of producing the oil or gas. The

usual landowner's royalty is one-eighth of gross production.

33882266.. RRooyyaallttyy,, sshhoott--iinn

Payment to royalty owners under the terms of a mineral lease which allows

the operator or lessee to defer production from a well which is shut in for lack

of a market or pipeline connection.

33882277.. RRooyyaallttyy,, sslliiddiinngg--ssccaallee

Royalty paid to the federal government on oil and gas production from a

government lease, usually offshore, which varies from the normal 16@

percent up to 110 percent of the value of the production. As the value of

production increases the percentage of royally also increases to a maximum

of 50 percent.

33882288.. RRpp

rock pressure; used in drilling reports.

33882299.. RRppmm

revolutions per minute.

33883300.. RRtt

rotary table; used in drilling reports.

33883311.. RRuucctt

rigging up and cable tools; used in drilling reports.

Page 561: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

560560

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33883322.. RRuunn

A transfer of crude oil from a stock tank on a production lease to a pipeline

gathering system for transportation to the buyer's facilities; running oil from a

tank into a pipeline for delivery to a purchaser.

33883333.. RRuunn aa ttaannkk

to transfer oil from a stock tank into a pipeline.

333883355.. RRuunn iinn

to go into the hole with tubing, drill pipe, and so forth.

33883366.. RRuunn ppiippee

to lower a string of casing into the hole.

33883377.. RRuunn ttiicckkeett

a record of the oil transferred from the producer's storage tank to the

pipeline. It is the basic legal instrument by which the lease operator is paid

for oil produced and sold.

33883388.. RRuunn--aarroouunndd

a platform encircling the top of the derrick

33883399.. RRuunnnniinngg tthhee ttoooollss

Putting the drillpipe, with the bit attached, into the hole in preparation for

drilling.

33884400.. RRuuppttuurree ddiisskk

A thin, metal plug or membrane in a fitting on a pressure line made so as to

blow out or rupture when the pressure exceeds a predetermined level; a

safety plug. See soft plug.

Page 562: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

561561

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33884411.. RRuurr

rigging up rotary rig; used in drilling reports.

33884422.. RRww

This symbol is used in petrophysical calculations to represent the electrical

resistivity of formation water.

Page 563: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry
Page 564: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

563563

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33884433.. SS

second.

33884444.. SS..EE..GG..

The society of exploration geophysicists, a professional organization of

geophysicists engaged in exploration for oil and gas.

333884466.. SS//tt

sample to . Ps; used in drilling reports.

33884477.. SSaacckk

(sx) a container for cement, bentonite, ilmenite, barite, caustic, and so forth.

Sacks (bags) contain the following amounts

33884488.. SSaaddddllee

A clamp, fitted with a gasket, for stopping the flow of oil or gas from holes or

spies in a pipeline; a devise for making temporary repairs to a line. The clamp

conforms to the curve of the pipe and is held in place by u-bolts that fit

around the pipe and extend through the clamp.

33884499.. SSaaddddllee bbeeaarriinngg

A broad, heavy bearing located on top of the samson post to support the

walking beam on a circle tool drilling rig or an oil @veil pumping jack

33885500.. SSAAEE

Society of Automotive Engineers.

Page 565: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

564564

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33885511.. SSaaee nnuummbbeerr

A classification of lubricating oils in terms of viscosity only. A standard

established by the society of automotive engineers. Sae 20; sae 1ow. 30,

multiviscosity lubricating oil (q.v.).

33885522.. SSaaffeettyy ccllaammpp

a device used to suspend a rod string after the pump has been spaced or

when the weight of the rod string must be taken off the pumping equipment.

33885533.. SSaaffeettyy ggoogggglleess

a protective eye covering worn by oil-field workers to minimize the danger to

the eyes of being struck by flying objects or harmed by corrosive substances.

33885544.. SSaaffeettyy hhaatt

(see hard hat.)

33885555.. SSaaffeettyy jjooiinntt

an accessory to the fishing tool, placed above it. If the tool cannot be

disengaged from the fish, the safety joint permits easy disengagement of the

string of pipe above the safety joint. Thus, part of the safety joint as well as

the tool attached to the @isa remain in the hole and become part of the fish.

33885566.. SSaaffeettyy llaattcchh

a latch provided on a hook or swivel to prevent it from becoming detached

prematurely.

33885577.. SSaaffeettyy ppllaattffoorrmm

the monkeyboard or platform on a derrick or mast on which the derrickman

works. He also wears a safety harness (attached to the mast or derrick) to

prevent him from failing.

Page 566: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

565565

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33885588.. SSaaffeettyy sshhooeess

metal-toed shoes or boots with nonskid, corrosion-resistant soles worn by oil-

field workers to minimize falls and injury to their feet.

33885599.. SSaaffeettyy sslliiddee

a device normally mounted near the safety platform to afford the derrickman

a means of quick exit to the surface in case an emergency arises. It is usually

affixed to a wireline, one end of which is attached to the derrick and the other

end to the surface. To exit by the safety slide, the derrickman grasps a handle

on it and rides it down to the ground. Also called a geronimo.

33886600.. SSaaffeettyy vvaallvvee

See relief valve.

33886611.. SSaaggggiinngg

the distortion of the hull of a vessel when the middle is lower than either end

because of excessively heavy or unbalanced loads; the opposite of hogging.

33886622.. SSaalliinniittyy lloogg

a special radioactivity well log that is electronically adjusted to reflect gamma-

ray emissions resulting from the collision of neutrons with chlorine atoms in

the formations. Salinity, or chlorine, logs provide an estimate of the relative

amounts of oil, gas, or salt water in a formation.

33886633.. SSaalltt

dome/salt-plug pool Structural or stratigraphic traps (q.v.) Associated with

rock-salt intrusions; pools formed by the intrusion of underlying salt

formations into overlying Porous and permeable sedimentary layers creating

traps favorable to the presence of oil and gas.

Page 567: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

566566

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33886644.. SSaalltt ddoommee

a dome that is formed by the intrusion of rock salt into overlying sediments. A

piercement salt dome is one that has pushed up so it penetrates the overlying

sediments, leaving them truncated. Formations above the salt plug are

usually arched so that they dip in all directions away from the center of the

dome, forming traps for petroleum.

33886655.. SSaalltt wwaatteerr

a water that contains a large quantity of salt; brine.

33886666.. SSaalltt--bbeedd ssttoorraaggee

Thick formations or underground layers of salt in which cavities are mined or

leached out with super-heated water for the storage of petroleum products,

e.g., Healing oils, butane, propane, and other lp-gases.

33886677.. SSaalltt--bbrriinnee cceemmeenntt

a cementing slurry whose liquid phase contains sodium chloride.

33886688.. SSaalltt--ddoommee ssttoorraaggee

Cavities leached out of underground salt formations by the use of

superheated water for the storage of petroleum products. Especially lp gases.

33886699.. SSaallttpplluugg

See salt dome.

33887700.. SSaallttwwaatteerr ddiissppoossaall

the method and system for the disposal of salt water produced with crude oil.

A typical system is composed of collection centers (in which salt water from

several wells is gathered), a central treating plant (in which salt water is

Page 568: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

567567

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

conditioned to remove scale- or corrosion-forming substances), and disposal

wells (in which. Treated salt waste is injected into a suitable formation).

33887711.. SSaallttwwaatteerr mmuudd

a drilling mud in which the water has appreciable amounts of salt (usually

sodium chloride) dissolved in it.

33887722.. SSaammppllee

Cuttings of a rock formation broken up by the drill bit and brought to the

surface by the drilling mud. Rock samples are collected from the shale shaker

(q.v.) And examined by the geologist to identity the formation, the type of

rock being drilled.

33887733.. SSaammppllee bbaagg

A small cotton bag with a drawstring to hold rock cutting samples. Each bag

with its sample is tagged with identifying information, well name, lease,

location, depth at which cuttings were taken, etc.

33887744.. SSaammppllee lloogg

A record of rock cuttings as a well is being drilled, especially in cable-tool

drilling. The cuttings, brought to the surface by the bailer, are saved and the

depth where obtained is recorded. This record shows the characteristics of

various strata drilled through.

33887755.. SSaammpplleerr

a device attached to a flow line to permit continuous sampling of the oil or

gas flowing in the line.

Page 569: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

568568

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33887766.. SSaammpplleess

n pi 1. The well cuttings obtained at designated footage intervals during

drilling. From an examination of these cuttings, the geologist determines the

type of rock and the type of formation being drilled and estimates oil and gas

content. 2. Small quantities of well fluids obtained for analysis.

33887777.. SSaammpplliinngg

the taking of a representative sample of fluid from a tank to measure its

temperature, specific gravity, and bs&w content

33887788.. SSaammssoonn ppoosstt

A heavy, vertical limber that supports the well's walking beam (q.v.). On a

cable-tool rig, the samson post is located just ahead of the band wheel. The

walking beam rests on the samson post on a broad paddle bearing and moves

up and down like a child's teeter-totter.

33887799.. SSaanndd

Short for sandstone; one of the more prolific sedimentary rock formations. In

informal usage. Other sedimentary rocks are referred to as "sands."

33888800.. SSaanndd bbooddyy

A sand or sandstone formation defined by upper and lower layers of

impervious rock. Sandstone formation, sometimes in the shape of a lens,

sandwiched between two impervious layers of rock; a geologic trap favorable

to the accumulation of oil and gas.

Page 570: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

569569

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33888811.. SSaanndd ccoonnssoolliiddaattiioonn

any one of several methods by which the loose, unconsolidated grains of a

producing formation are made to adhere to prevent a well from producing

sand but permit it to produce oil and gas.

33888822.. SSaanndd ccoonnttrrooll

A technique for coping with sand from unconsolidated (loose, unpacked)

formations that migrate (drift or wash) into downhole pumping equipment or

into the borehole. See gravel packing.

33888833.. SSaanndd ffiillll

a column of sand that has entered and accumulated in the wellbore.

33888844.. SSaanndd lleennss

(see lens.)

33888855.. SSaanndd lliinnee

a wire rope used on well-servicing rigs to operate a swab or bailer. It is

usually 9/16 in. In diameter and several thousand feet long.

33888866.. SSaanndd oouutt

to plug a well inadvertently with proppants during formation fracturing.

Sanding out is usually the result of a slowed fracture-fluid velocity, or

screening effect, that allows the proppants to become separated from the

fluid instead of being carried away from the wellbore. It is also called

screening out.

Page 571: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

570570

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33888877.. SSaanndd ppuummpp

A cylinder with a plunger and valve arrangement used for sucking up the

pulverized rock, sand, and water from the bottom of the well bore. More

effective than a simple bailer. Shell pump; sludger.

33888888.. SSaanndd rreeeell

a metal drum on a drilling rig or workover unit around which the sand line is

wound.

33888899.. SSaanndd sseeppaarraattoorr

A device for removing "drilled solids," pulverized rock and sand, from drilling

mud. The sand separator is used in addition to the shale shaker (q.v.) And by

removing most of the abrasive material reduces wear on mud pumps and

bits.

33889900.. SSaannddeedd--uupp

1. Of a well, under restricted production because of sand accumulation in the

wellbore. 2. Impeded or hindered, especially because of sand accumulation.

33889911.. SSaannddss

Common terminology for oil-bearing sandstone formations. (oil is also found

in limestone, shales, dolomite, and other porous rock.) In informal or loose

usage, other sedimentary rocks are referred to as "sands."

33889922.. SSaannddssttoonnee

a detrital, sedimentary rock composed of individual grains of sand (commonly

quartz) that are cemented together by silica, calcium carbonate, iron oxide,

and so forth. Sandstone is a common rock in which petroleum and water

accumulate.

Page 572: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

571571

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33889933.. SSaatt

saturated or saturation; used in drilling reports.

33889944.. SSaatteelllliittee ppllaanntt

A facility that supports the main processing plant; a plant that derives its feed

stock or raw material from the main processing unit.

33889955.. SSaatteelllliittee ppllaattffoorrmm

Production platform (q.v.).

33889966.. SSaatteelllliittee WWeellllss

Subsea wells located remote from the production facility and connected to the

facility by flowlines.

33889977.. SSaattss ggaass ppllaanntt

A refiner's term for the part of the refinery that processes gas streams

carrying saturates (q.v.) To be stripped out of the gases.

33889988.. SSaattuurraatteess

Components of refinery-process gas streams methane, ethane, propane,

butanes, and others. Saturates is a synonym for hydrocarbons whose carbon

atoms are "saturated with hydrogen atoms." These gas streams are further

refined in a facility called by refinery engineers the sats gas plant.

33889999.. SSaattuurraattiioonn

(1) the extent to which the pore space in a formation contains hydrocarbons

or connate water (q.v.).

(2) the extent to which gas is dissolved in the liquid hydrocarbons in a

formation.

Page 573: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

572572

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33990000.. SSaattuurraattiioonn pprreessssuurree

The pressure at which gas begins to be released from solution in oil. See

bubble point.

33990011.. SSaavveerr ssuubb

a device made up in the drill stem to absorb much of the wear between

frequently broken joints (as the kelly and drill pipe.)

33990022.. SSaayybboolltt sseeccoonnddss

See seconds saybolt furol; also seconds saybolt universal.

33990033.. SSaayybboolltt vviissccoommeetteerr

an instrument used to measure the viscosity of fluids, consisting basically of a

container with a hole or jet of a standard size in the bottom. The time

required for the flow of a specific volume of fluid is recorded in seconds at

three different temperatures (100 f, 130 f, and 210 f).-it is referred to as the

saybolt viscosity and written as saybolt second universal (ssu).

33990044.. SSbbmm ssyysstteemm

Single-buoy mooring system (q.v.).

33990055.. SSbbrr

Initials for synthetic butadiene rubber, the main ingredients of which are

derived from petroleum. Sbr is used in the manufacture of tires, hose, shoes,

other heavy-duty products.

33990066.. SSccaannttlliinnggss

pi (nautical) the dimensions of the structural members in the hull.

Page 574: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

573573

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33990077.. SSccaatt ((wweellddiinngg)) rriigg

A rack that carries welding generators, gas bottles (c02), and spools of

welding wire along the pipe being welded. The rig is powered by a small

diesel engine. Automatic welding heads ("bugs") are moved ahead on the

pipe as the joints are welded.

33990088.. SSccff

standard cubic feet of gas.

33990099.. SSccff//dd

standard cubic feet of gas per day.

33991100.. SScchheedduulleerr

A person in an oil-dispatching office who plans the future movement of

batches of crude oil or product in a pipeline system, keeping batches

separated and making arrangements for product input and downstream

deliveries. See dispatcher.

33991111.. SScchhlluummbbeerrggeerr

one of the pioneer companies in electric well logging, named for the french

scientists who first developed the method; pronounced "slumberjay". Today,

many companies provide logging services of all kinds.

33991122.. SSccooppee

the ratio of the total length of a mooring line (as on a mobile offshore drilling

rig) to the depth of the water.

33991133.. SSccoouurr

Erosion of the seabed caused by the action of waves and currents.

Page 575: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

574574

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33991144.. SSccoouurriinngg

The erosion or washing away of the sand/clay covering of a buried subsea

pipeline. Scouring caused by sea currents is a serious problem for under. Sea

lines. Excessive scouring causes spanning; the hanging of a section of the line

one to several feet off bottom. If allowed to go uncorrected the Pipeline welds

crack or the pipe ruptures from its unsupported weight. Subsea lines are

inspected for scouring and spanning by side-scan sonar devices or by diver

inspection.

33991155.. SSccoouutt

A person hired by an operator or a company to seek out information about

activities of drilling wells in an area, survey data, drilling rates and depths,

and well potentials.

33991166.. SSccoouuttiinngg aa wweellll

Gathering information, by all available means, about a competitor's well the

depth. Formations encountered, well logs, drilling rates, leasing, and

geophysical reports.

33991177.. SSccrraappeerr

any device (as a line scraper) that is used to remove deposits (as scale or

paraffin) from tubing, casing, rods, or flow lines.

33991188.. SSccrraappeerr ttrraapp

a specially designed piece of equipment that is installed in a pipeline to launch

or receive a pipeline scraper.

Page 576: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

575575

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33991199.. SSccrraappeerr,, ppiippeelliinnee

A pig; a cylindrical, plug-like device equipped with scraper blades, wire

Brushes, and toothed rollers used to clean accumulations of wax, rust, and

Other foreign matter from pipelines. The scraper is inserted in the fine at a

"trap" (q.v.) And is pushed along by the pressure of the moving column of

Oil.

33992200.. SSccrraattcchheerr

a device fastened to the outside of casing that removes the mud cake from

the wall of the hole to condition the hole for cementing. By rotating or moving

the casing string up and down as it is being run into the hole, the scratchier,

formed of stiff wire, removes the cake so that the cement can bond solidly to

the formation.

33992211.. SSccrreeeenn lliinneerr

a liner that is perforated and arranged with a wire wrapping to act as a sieve

to prevent or minimize the entry of sand particles into the wellbore. It is also

called a screen pipe.

33992222.. SSccrreeeenn oouutt

(see sand out.)

33992233.. SSccrreeeenn ppiippee

a perforated pipe with a straining or filtering device (usually closely wound

coils of wire wrapped around the pipe) to allow the flow of well fluids but

exclude sand; a screen liner.

Page 577: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

576576

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33992244.. SSccrreeww ccoonnvveeyyoorr

A mechanism for moving dry, solid material pelletized plastics, sulfur, cement,

etc.-from one location to another by means of a helix or screw rotating in a

cylindrical conduit. Archimedes thought of it first.

33992255.. SSccrreeww ppaacckkeerr

a packer in which the packing element is expanded by rotating the pipe; used

when it is not desirable to put tubing weight on the packer.

33992266.. SSccrreeww ppuummpp

A rotary pump made with one, two, or three screws or spiral members. When

rotated on their shafts, the screws closely mesh and take in fluid at the

suction end of the pump and force it out the discharge port in a continuous

stream. Screw pumps, which are small, usually are driven by electric motors

but can be hooked up to gas engines. Screw pumps and other types of rotary

pumps are used in refineries, and chemical plants to handle highly viscous

fluids and as transfer pumps for small volumes of liquid at high pressures.

33992277.. SSccrruubbbbeerr

a vessel through which fluids are passed to remove dirt and other foreign

matter.

33992288.. SSccrruubbbbiinngg

Purifying a gas by putting it, through a water or chemical wash; also the

Removal of entrained water. Natural gas when it is produced or when it Flows

from the well under pressure usually contains impurities, traces of other

gases and microscopic droplets of water, as well as liquid hydrocarbons.

Page 578: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

577577

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

Before it can be accepted by a gas transmission line, a trunk line, the gas

must be stripped of the liquid hydrocarbons, scrubbed and dried out.

33992299.. SSccrruubbbbiinngg ppllaanntt

A facility for purifying or treating natural gas for the removal of hydrogen

sulfide or other impurities.

33993300.. SSdd

sand or sandstone; used in drilling reports.

33993311.. SSddoo

shut down for orders; used in drilling reports.

33993322.. SSddyy

sandy; used in drilling reports.

33993333.. SSeeaall

to close off or secure against a flow of fluid.

33993344.. SSeeaall--ooffff

the penetration of a drilling fluid into a potentially productive formation', thus

restricting or preventing the formation from producing.

33993355.. SSeeaalliinneess

Submarine pipelines lines laid on the ocean floor from offshore wells to a

production platform and to receiving stations onshore.

33993366.. SSeeaallss

Thin strips of metal, imprinted with serial numbers, used to "seal" a valve in

an open or closed posit on. The metal strip has a locking snap on one end

Page 579: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

578578

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

Into which the free end is inserted, locking it securely. Seals are used on

Tanks in a battery to prevent the undetected opening or closing of a valve.

33993377.. SSeeaammlleessss ppiippee

Pipe made without an axial seam; pipe made from a billet or solid cylinder of

hot steel and "hot-worked" on a mandrel into a tubular piece without a seam.

See lap-welded pipe.

33993388.. SSeeaatt

the point in the wellbore at which casing is set.

33993399.. SSeeaatteerrmmiinnaall

An offshore loading or unloading facility for large, deep-draft tankers. The

terminal is served by filling lines from shore or by smaller, shallow-draft

vessels,

33994400.. SSeeaattiinngg nniippppllee

a special tube installed in a string of tubing, having machined contours to fit a

matching plug with locking pawls. It is used to regulate or shut off flow,

anchor a pump, or permit installation of a flow regulator.

33994411.. SSeecc

section; used in drilling reports.

33994422.. SSeeccoonnddaarryy cceemmeennttiinngg

any cementing operation after the primary cementing operation. Secondary

cementing includes a plug-back job, in which a plug of cement is positioned

at a specific point in the well and allowed to set. Wells are plugged to shut off

bottom water or to reduce the depth of the well for other reasons. (see

squeeze cementing.)

Page 580: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

579579

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33994433.. SSeeccoonnddaarryy rreeccoovveerryy

The extraction of oil from a field beyond what can be recovered by normal

methods of flowing or pumping the use of waterflooding, gas injection, and

other methods to recover additional amounts of oil.

33994444.. SSeeccoonnddss ssaayybboolltt ffuurrooll ((ssssff))

A measurement of the viscosity of a heavy oil. Sixty cubic centimeters of an

oil are put in an instrument known as a "saybolt viscosimeter" and permitted

to flow through a standardized orifice in the bottom at a specified

temperature. The seconds required to flow through is the oil's viscosity its ssf

number. See also seconds saybolt universal.

33994455.. SSeeccoonnddss ssaayybboolltt uunniivveerrssaall ((ssssuu))

A measurement of the viscosity of a light oil. A measured quantity of oil

usually 60 cubic centimeters- is put in an instrument known as a "saybolt

viscosimeter" and permitted to flow through an orifice in the bottom at a

specified temperature. The number of seconds required for the flow through

is the oil's ssu number, its viscosity.

33994466.. SSeeccttiioonn mmiillll

A downhole cutting tool made with expendable arms used to cut sections out

of the casing in the hole. The mill is attached to the end of the drillstring and

lowered into the hole to the point where the casing is to be cut. The Cutter

arms are then expanded, either hydraulically or mechanically, against the

casing wall. As the drillpipe is rotated, the cutters do their work.

Page 581: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

580580

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33994477.. SSeeccttiioonn mmiilllliinngg

the process by which a portion of pipe, usually casing, is actually removed by

cutting with a mill.

33994488.. SSeeccttiioonn ooff llaanndd

One square mile 640 acres; sixteen 40-acre plots.

33994499.. SSeedd

sediment; used in drilling reports.

33995500.. SSeeddiimmeenntt

(1). The matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid; also called tank

bottoms, basic sediment, and so forth.

(2). In geology, buried layers of sedimentary rock.

33995511.. SSeeddiimmeennttaarryy BBaassiinn

A geographical area, such as Scotian Basin, where much of the rock is

sedimentary (as opposed to igneous or metamorphic) and therefore likely to

contain hydrocarbons.

33995522.. SSeeddiimmeennttaarryy rroocckk

a rock composed of materials that were transported to their present position

by wind or water. Sandstone, shale, and limestone are sedimentary rocks.

33995533.. SSeeeepp

the natural surface appearance of oil or gas that results when a reservoir rock

becomes exposed to the surface, thus allowing oil or gas to flow out of

fissures in the rock.

Page 582: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

581581

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33995544.. SSeeggrreeggaattiioonn ddrriivvee

(see gravity drainage.)

33995555.. SSeeiiss

seismograph; used in drilling reports.

33995566.. SSeeiissmmiicc sseeaa ssttrreeaammeerr

A cable, trailed from a geophysical vessel, towing a series of hydrophones

along the sea floor recording seismic "signals" from underwater detonations.

As the vessel moves slowly ahead, harmless electronic or air detonations are

set off which are reflected from rock formations beneath the sea floor and

picked up by the sensitive, sound-detecting hydrophones. See geophone.

33995577.. SSeeiissmmiicc sshhoott hhoollee

See shot hole.

33995588.. SSeeiissmmiicc tthhuuiiwwppeerr

See vibrator vehicle.

33995599.. SSeeiissmmooggrraamm

A device that records vibrations from the earth. As used in the exploration for

oil and gas, a seismograph records shock waves set off by explosions

detonated in shot holes (q.v.) And picked up by geophones (q.v.).

33996600.. SSeeiissmmooggrraammii

The record produced by a seismographic survey.

333996622.. SSeeiissmmooggrraapphh

a device that detects vibrations in the earth, used in prospecting for probable

oil-bearing structures. Vibrations are created by discharging explosives in

Page 583: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

582582

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

shallow boreholes or by striking the surface with a heavy blow. The type and

velocity of the vibrations (as recorded by the seismograph) indicate the

general characteristics of the section of earth through which the vibrations

pass.

33996633.. SSeeiissmmooggrraapphhiicc ssuurrvveeyy

Geophysical information on subsurface rock formations gathered by means of

a seismograph (q.v.); The investigation of underground strata by recording

and analyzing shock waves artificially produced and reflected from subsurface

bodies of rock.

33996644.. SSeeiissmmoommeetteerr

A device for receiving and recording shock waves setoff by an explosion or

other seismic sources and reflected by underground rock formations; a

seismograph which measures the movements of the ground.

33996655.. SSeeiizzee

To stick together, as two pieces of metal that have become hot from excesive

friction as one piece moves relative to the other; to bond or adhere, as a

button to a cylinder from heat and pressure.

33996666.. SSeellff--eelleevvaattiinngg ddrriilllliinngg uunniitt

an offshore drilling rig, usually with a large hull. It has a mat or legs that are

lowered to the seafloor and a main deck that is raised above the surface of

the water to a distance where it will not be affected by the waves; a jack-up

drilling rig.

Page 584: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

583583

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33996677.. SSeellff--ppootteennttiiaall

(sp) one of the natural electrical characteristics exhibited by a formation as

measured by a logging tool lowered into the wellbore. Also referred to as a

spontaneous potential, it is one of the basic curves obtained by an electrical

well log.

33996688.. SSeemmiiddiieesseell

A misnomer for a diesel-cycle engine whose compression is not highEnough

to create sufficient heat to ignite the injected fuel when starting cold.

Semidiesels or, more correctly, hot-head or hot-plug diesels, are equipped

with a plug that extends into the firing chamber healed by a torch or by

electricity to assist in the ignition of the diesel fuel until the engine is running

and up to operating temperature; a small, low-compression diesel hot-plug

engine.

33996699.. SSeemmiieexxppeennddaabbllee gguunn

a perforating gun that consists of a metallic strip on which encapsulated

shaped charges are mounted. After the gun is fired, the strip is retrieved. (see

gun-perforate.)

33997700.. SSeemmiissuubbmmeerrssiibbllee

(see semisubmersible drilling rig.)

33997711.. SSeemmiissuubbmmeerrssiibbllee ddrriilllliinngg rriigg

a floating offshore drilling structure that has hulls submerged in the water but

not resting on the seafloor. Living quarters, storage space, and so forth are

assembled on the deck. Semisubmersible rigs are either self-propelled or

towed to a drilling site and either anchored or dynamically positioned over the

Page 585: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

584584

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

site or both. Semisubmersibles are more stable than drill ships and are used

extensively to drill wildcat wells in rough waters such as the north sea. (see

dynamic positioning.)

33997722.. SSeenniioorr oorriiffiiccee ffiittttiinngg

a one-piece orifice fitting that allows the orifice plate in it to be changed

without the flow of gas in the line being disturbed.

33997733.. SSeeppaarraattoorr

a cylindrical or spherical vessel used to isolate the components in mixed

streams of fluids. (see oil and gas separator.)

33997744.. SSeeppaarraattoorr ggaass

Natural gas separated out of the oil by a separator at the well.

333997766.. SSeeppaarraattoorr,, llooww--tteemmppeerraattuurree ((ggaass))

See lxt unit.

33997777.. SSeeppaarraattoorr,, ssaanndd

See sand separator;-also decanting centrifuge.

33997788.. SSeeqquueesstteerriinngg aaggeenntt

a chemical used with an acid in a well treatment to inhibit the precipitation of

insoluble iron hydroxides, which form when the acid contacts scales or iron

salts and oxides, such as found in corrosion products on casing.

33997799.. SSeerrppeennttiinnee

an igneous rock composed in part of hydrated magnesium silicate.

Hydrocarbons may be associated with serpentine, but this is unusual.

Page 586: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

585585

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33998800.. SSeerrvviiccee ttoooollss

A variety of downhole equipment used in drilling, completion, and workover of

oil and gas wells; so-called wireline tools such as logging, sampling.

Temperature and pressure gauging fishing, fracturing, acidizing and shooting

are some of the service tools and procedures provided by the numerous

service companies that perform specialized work in the oil field.

33998811.. SSeerrvviiccee wweellll

A non-producing well used for injecting water or gas into the reservoir or

producing formation in pressure maintenance or secondary recovery

programs also a salt-water disposal well.

33998822.. SSeerrvvoo

Short for servomechanism (q.v.).

33998833.. SSeerrvvoommeecchh,,66nniissmm

An automatic device for controlling large amounts of power with a small

amount of force an example of a servomechanism is the power-steering on an

automobile. Any small force on the steering wheel activates a hydraulically

powered mechanism that does the teal work of turning the wheels.

33998844.. SSeerrvvoommoottoorr

A power-driven mechanism that supplements a primary control operated by a

comparatively small force. See servomechanism.

33998855.. SSeett bbaacckk

to place stands of drill pipe and drill collars in a vertical position to one side of

the rotary table in the derrick or mast of the drilling or workover rig.

Page 587: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

586586

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33998866.. SSeett ccaassiinngg

to run and cement casing at a certain depth in the wellbore; to set pipe.

33998877.. SSeett ppiippee

(see set casing.)

33998888.. SSeett uupp

to harden (as cement).

33998899.. SSeettbbaacckk

The space on the derrick floor where stands of drillpipe or tubing are "set

back" and racked in the derrick. Offshore drilling platforms often list the stand

capacity of their setbacks as an indication of their pipe-handling capability and

capacity. On transportable, mast-type derricks used on land, setbacks are

outside the derrick proper.

33999900.. SSeettttlleedd pprroodduuccttiioonn

The lower average production rate of a well after the initial flush production

(q.v.) Tapers off; the production of a well that has ceased flowing and has

been put on the pump.

33999911.. SSeettttlliinngg

the separation of substances because of different sizes and specific gravities

of components in the substances.

33999922.. SSeettttlliinngg ppiitt

the mud pit into which mud flows and in which heavy solids are allowed to

settle out. Often auxiliary equipment (as desanders) must be installed to

speed this process.

Page 588: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

587587

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33999933.. SSeevveenn ssiisstteerrss

A term applied to the seven large international oil companies exxon, texaco,

gulf, standard of califonia, and mobile of the u.s.; and british petroleum and

royal dutch shell. The two overseas sisters. It is slid that these seven

companies control a major portion of production and refinery runs in the free

world. The term was first used by enrico mattei then head of the italian

government oil company ente nazionale ldrocarburi.

33999944.. SSeevveerraanncceettaaxx

A tax levied by some states on each barrel of oil or each thousand cubic feet

of gas produced. Production tax.

33999955.. SSeewwaaggee--ttrreeaattmmeenntt ppllaanntt

a system on offshore locations used to render human and other wastes

biologically inert before the wastes are discharged overboard.

33999966.. SSgg

show of gas; used in drilling reports.

33999977.. SShh

shale; used in drilling reports.

33999988.. SShhaacckkllee rroodd

Jointed steel rods, approximately 25 feet long and 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter,

used to connect a central power (q.v.) With a well's pumping unit or pumping

jack. Shackle-rod lines are supported on metal posts (usually made of 2-inch

line pipe) topped with wooden guide blocks which are lubricated with a heavy

grease.

Page 589: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

588588

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

33999999.. SShhaakkee oouutt

To force the sediment in a sample of oil to the bottom of a test tube by

whirling the sample at high speed in a centrifuge machine. After the sample

has been whirled for three to five minutes, the percent of bs&w (sediment

and water) is read on the graduated test tube.

44000000.. SShhaakkeerr

(see shale shaker.)

44000011.. SShhaakkeerr ppiitt

the mud pit adjacent to the shale shaker, usually the first pit into which the

mud flows after returning from the hole.

44000022.. SShhaallee

A type of sedimentary rock composed of fine particles of older rock laid down

as deposits in the water of takes and seas. Most shales are compacted mud

and consequently do not contain oil or gas in commercial quantities.

44000033.. SShhaallee ooiill

Oil obtained by treating the hydrocarbon kerogen found in certain kinds of

shale deposits. When the shale is heated the resulting vapors are condensed

and then treated in an involved process to form what is called shale oil or

synthetic oil.

44000044.. SShhaallee sshhaakkeerr

a series of trays with sieves that vibrate to remove cuttings from the

circulating fluid in rotary drilling operations. The size of the openings in the

sieve is carefully selected to match the size of the solids in the drilling fluid

and the anticipated size of cuttings. It is also called a shaker.

Page 590: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

589589

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44000055.. SShhaalleess,, kkeerrooggeenn

See kerogen shales.

44000066.. SShhaalleesshhaakkeerr

A vibrating screen for sifting out rock cuttings from drilling mud. Drilling mud

returning from downhole carrying rock chips in suspension flows over and

through the mesh of the shale shaker leaving the small fragments of rocks

which are collected and examined by the geologist for information on the

formation being drilled.

44000077.. SShhaappeedd cchhaarrggee

a relatively small container of high explosive that is loaded into a perforating

gun. Upon detonation, the charge releases a small, high-velocity stream of

particles (a jet) that penetrates the casing, cement,-and formation. (see gun-

perforate.)

44000088.. SShhaappeedd--cchhaarrggee ppeerrffoorraattiioonn

A perforation technique using shaped explosive charges instead of steel

projectiles to make holes in casing. Quantities of explosives are made in

special configurations and detonated at the bottom of the hole against the

casing wall to make the perforations.

44000099.. SShhaarrppsshhooootteerr

A spade; a narrow, square-ended shovel used in digging. Sharpshooters are

one of the pipeliner's digging tools used for squaring up a ditch or the sides of

a bell hole (q.v.).

44001100.. SShhaavvee--ttaaiillss

A skinner's (q.v.) Term for his mules.

Page 591: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

590590

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44001111.. SShheeaarr

action or stress that results from applied forces and that causes or tends to

cause two adjoining parts of a body to slide relative to each other in a

direction parallel to their plane of contact.

44001122.. SShheeaarr ppiinn

A retaining pin or bolt or screw designed to shear or give way before damage

can be done to the item of equipment it is holding in place. A common use for

a shear pin is to secure a propeller to a shaft. Should the propeller strike an

obstruction, the pin will shear, preventing damage to the shaft or other parts

of the power train. In other applications, shear pins or screws are used in

downhole tools or equipment to hold a part in position until the tool is landed

or in place. Then when thrust or torque is applied, the pin or screw shears,

permitting an element of the tool to assume a predetermined attitude.

44001133.. SShheeaarr rraammss

pl the components in a blowout preventer that cut, or shear, through drill

pipe and form a seal against well pressure. Shear rams are used in mobile

offshore drilling operations to provide a quick method of moving the rig away

from the hole when there is no time to trip the drill stem out of the hole.

44001144.. SShheeaarr ssttrreennggtthh

(see gel strength.)

44001155.. SShheeaarroommeetteerr

an instrument used to determine the shear strength, or gel strength, of a

drilling fluid. (see gel)

Page 592: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

591591

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44001166.. SShheeaavvee

(pronounced "shiv") a grooved pulley.

44001177.. SShheellll

the body of a tank.

44001188.. SShheeppaarrdd''ss ccaanneess

an earth-resistivity meter used to measure the resistance of soil to the

passage of electrical current.

44001199.. SShhiippsshhaappee ddrriilllliinngg rriigg

drill ship.

44002200.. SShhiirrttttaaiill

the part of a drilling bit on which the cone is anchored. Shirttails extend below

the threaded pin of the bit and are usually rounded on bottom, thus acquiring

the name.

44002211.. SShhoocckk ssuubb

a trade name for a device positioned in the drill stem between the bit and drill

collars that absorbs impact loads and vibration from the up-and-down motion

of the drill stem. Shock subs are designed to transmit torque while absorbing

reciprocative loads that decrease the efficiency of the drill bit.

44002222.. SShhooeessttrriinngg ssaanndd

a long, narrow sand deposit, usually a buried sandbar or filled channel.

Page 593: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

592592

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44002233.. SShhoooott

(1). To explode nitroglycerine or other high explosives in a hole to shatter the

rock and increase the flow of oil; now largely replaced by formation

fracturing.

(2). In seismographic work, to discharge explosives to create vibrations in the

earth's crust. (see seismograph.)

44002244.. SShhoorrtt ttrriipp

Pulling the drillstring partway out of the hole. Short trips may be necessary to

raise the drill up into the protective string of casing to avoid having the

Drillstring stuck in the hole by a cave-in or sloughing of the wall of the

borehole below the protective casing.

44002255.. SShhoott

1. A charge of high explosive, usually nitroglycerine, detonated in a well to

shatter the formation and expedite the recovery of oil. Shooting has been

almost completely replaced by formation fracturing and acid treatments. (see

shoot and nitro shooting.) 2. A point at which a photograph is made in a

single-shot survey. (see directional survey.)

44002266.. SShhoott hhoollee

A small -diameter hole, usually drilled with a portable. Truck-mounted drill,

for "planting" explosive charges in seismic operations.

44002277.. SShhoott ppooiinntt

The shot hole (q.v.), The point at which a detonation is to be made in a

geophysical survey.

Page 594: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

593593

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44002288.. SShhoottgguunn ttaannkk

A tall, slender tank for separating water and sediment from crude oil. On a

small-production or stripper lease, the shotgun serves as a water and

sediment knockout vessel. As the oil and water are pumped into the tall

column, the water and sediment settles to the bottom; the oil frees itself from

most of the water and floats on top of the water where it gravitates through a

take-off line into the stock tanks. The water is drawn off through a "syphon"

which may be adjusted to take off only the water.

44002299.. SShhooww

the appearance of oil or gas in cuttings, samples, or cores, and so forth of a

drilling well.

44003300.. SShhooww ooff ooiill

A small amount of oil in a well or a rock sample; a show of oil usually signifies

the well will not be a commercial producer.

44003311.. SShhrriinnkk ffiitt

An extremely tight fit as the result of "shrinking" one metal part around

another. A heated part is placed around a companion piece, and as the

heated part cools, a shri fit results. Conversely, an expansion fit may be made

by cooling a part (a valve-seat insert, for example) to extremely low

temperature with "dry ice and placing the part in position. As it returns to

normal temperature, a tight "expansion fit" will result.

44003322.. SShhrriinnkkaaggee

a decrease in oil volume caused by the evaporation of solution gas or by

lowered temperature.

Page 595: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

594594

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44003333.. SShhuutt ddoowwnn

to stop work temporarily or to stop a machine or operation temporarily.

44003344.. SShhuutt ddoowwnn--sshhuutt iinn wweellll

There is a great difference between a shut down and a shut in. A well is shut

down when drilling ceases; which can happen for many reasons failure of

equipment waiting on pipe; waiting on cement; waiting on orders from the

operator etc. A well is shut in when its wellhead valves are closed, shutting

off production. A shut in well often wit! Be waiting on tankage or a pipeline

connection.

44003355.. SShhuutt iinn

To close the valves at the wellhead so that the well stops flowing or

producing; also describes a well on which the valves have been closed.

44003366.. SShhuutt ooffff

to stop or decrease the production of water in an oil well by cementing or

mudding off the. Water-producing interval.

44003377.. SShhuutt--iinn pprreessssuurree

the pressure when the well is completely shut in, as noted on a gauge

installed on the surface control valves. When drilling is in progress, shut-in

pressure should be zero, because the pressure exerted by the drilling fluid

should be equal to or greater than the pressure exerted by the formations

through which the wellbore passes. On a flowing, producing well, however,

shut-in pressure should be above zero.

Page 596: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

595595

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44003388.. SShhuuttddoowwnn rraattee

a rate provision usually contained in a drilling contract that specifies the

compensation to the independent drilling contractor when drilling is

suspended at the request of the operator.

44003399.. SShhuuttiinn pprreessssuurree

Pressure as recorded at the wellhead when the valves p re closed and the

well is shut in. To allow the pressure to buildup to its peak, the well is shut in

for 24 hours or even longer. This permits the gas to move out of the

formation toward the borehole and build its head of pressure. See reservoir

pressure.

44004400.. SShhuuttiinn rrooyyaallttyy

Payments made when a gas well, capable of producing in paying quantities, is

shut in for lack of market for the gas. This type of royalty or some form of

rental is usually required to prevent termination of the lease.

44004411.. SSii

(1). Shut in; used in drilling reports.

(2). Systeme internationale. (see international si metric system.)

44004422.. SSiibbhhpp

shut-in bottom-hole pressure;Used in drilling reports.

44004433.. SSiiccpp

shut-in casin

44004444.. SSiiddee bboooottaaccaattss

See boomcats.

Page 597: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

596596

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44004455.. SSiiddee--ddoooorr eelleevvaattoorrss

Casing or tubing elevators (q.v.) With a hinged latch that opens on one side

to permit it to be fastened around the pipe and secured for hoisting.

44004466.. SSiiddee--ddoooorr mmaannddrreell

(see gas-lift mandrel.) Side-pocket mandrel (see gas-lift mandrel.) Sidetrack

to drill around broken drill pipe or casing that has become lodged

permanently in the hole by the use of a whip-stock, turbodrill, or other mud

motor. (see directional drilling.)

44004477.. SSiiddeettrraacckkiinngg

Drilling of another well beside a non-producing well and using the upper part

of the non-producer. A method of drilling past obstructions in a well, i.e., Lost

tools, pipe or other material blocking the hole. This can be done with the use

of a whipstock (q.v.), A downhole tool which forces the drill bit to drill at a

slight angle from the vertical. By beginning the deviation of the hole several

hundred feet above the junk in the original hole, the new hole %mil bypass

the obstruction and may be taken on down to the pay zone.

44004488.. SSiiddeewwaallll ccoorree//ssaammppllee

A sample of rock taken from the wall of the well's borehole.

44004499.. SSiiddeewwaallll ccoorriinngg

a coring technique especially useful in soft rock areas in which @ore samples

are obtained from a zone that has already been drilled. A hollow bullet is fired

into the formation wall to capture the core and then retrieved on a flexible

steel cable. Core samples of this type usually range from 3/4, to 1 3/16. In. In

diameter and from 3/4 to 1 in. In length.

Page 598: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

597597

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44005500.. SSiiddeewwaallllttaapp oorr ccoocckk

A small-diameter valve inserted in the wall of a tank or other vessel for

drawing samples or bleeding off pressure.

44005511.. SSiiddpppp

shut-in drill-pipe pressure; used in drilling reports.

444005533.. SSiieevvee aannaallyyssiiss

the determination of the percentage of particles that pass through several

screens of graduated fineness.

44005544.. SSiigghhtt ggllaassss

A glass tube in which the height of a liquid in a tank or pressure vessel may

be observed. The glass tube is supported by fittings that extend through the

vessel wall thus allowing the fluid in the tank to assume a corresponding level

in the glass.

44005555.. SSiigghhtt ppuummpp

An "antique" gasoline dispensing system in which the gasoline was pumped

by hand into a ten-gallon glass tank atop the pump in plain sight of the

customer. When the glass cylinder had been pumped full, the attendant

opened the valve on the filling hose which permitted the gasoline to gravitate

into the vehicle's tank. Gravity pump.

44005566.. SSiiggmmaa

Society of independent gasoline marketers of america.

44005577.. SSiilliiccaa fflloouurr

a silica, sio2, ground to a fineness equal to that of portland cement.

Page 599: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

598598

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44005588.. SSiinnggllee

a joint of drill pipe. Compare double, thribble, and fourble.

44005599.. SSiinnggllee--bbuuooyy mmoooorriinngg ssyysstteemm

An offshore floating platform (20 to 35 feet in diameter) connected to

Pipelines from the shore for loading or unloading tankers. The sbm system is

anchored in deep water thus permitting large tankers to off load or "lift" cargo

in areas where it is impractical to build a loading jetty or the close-in water is

too shallow for deep-draft vessels.

44006600.. SSiinnggllee--ppooiinntt mmoooorriinngg

Single-buoy mooring (q.v.).

44006611.. SSiinnggllee--sshhoott ssuurrvveeyy

(see directional survey.)

44006622.. SSiinnkkeerr bbaarr

a heavy weight or bar placed on or near a lightweight wireline tool. It

provides weight so that the tool can be lowered into the well properly.

44006633.. SSiinntteerr

to bond pieces of metal into a mass of metallic powder by heating them.

Tungsten carbide inserts are often bonded to the cones of button bits by

sintering when the bits are being manufactured.

44006644.. SSiipp

shut-in pressure; used in drilling reports.

Page 600: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

599599

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44006655.. SSiipphhoonn

a bent tube of pipe through which a liquid flows, first rising to a higher level

than that of the tube of pipe inlet and then flowing downward and through.

44006666.. SSiittttiinngg oonn aa wweellll

The vigil of the geologist, the operator, and other interested parties who

literally sit waiting for the wells drill to bore into what is expected to be the

producing formation. The geologist examines the cuttings brought up by the

drilling mud to ascertain just when the pay zone is penetrated. On a "big

well," a very good well, everyone knows when the pay is reached; on small or

marginal wells, the geologist may be the only one who recognizes it.

44006677.. SSiizziinngg ssccrraappeerr

A cylindrical, plug-like toot that is pushed or pulled through a length of pipe

to lost for roundness. In casing and tubing which is to be run in a well,

roundness is very important. There are a number of downhole tools which

must be run, e.g. Packers, swabs, pumps, etc., And if the pipe were out of

round the tools and equipment would not go down. Also, out-of-round pipe is

more vulnerable to collapsing pressures encountered in the hole.

44006688.. SSkkiidd

the rig to move a rig with a standard derrick from the location of a lost or

completed hole preparatory to starting a new hole. Skidding the rig allows the

move to be accomplished with little or no dismantling of equipment.

44006699.. SSkkiidd ttaannkk

A product-dispensing tank mounted on skids or runners. Can be pulled or

carried on a truck.

Page 601: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

600600

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44007700.. SSkkiidd--mmoouunntteedd

Refers to a pumping unit or other oil field equipment that has no permanent

or fixed foundation but is welded or bolted to metal runners or timber skids.

Skid-mounted units are usually readily movable by pulling as a sled or by

hoisting onto a truck.

44007711.. SSkkiiddddiinngg tthhee rriigg

Moving the derrick from one location to another without dismantling the

structure; transporting the rig from a completed well to another location

nearby. The use of skids, (heavy timbers), rollers, and a truck or tractor.

Transportable folding or jackknife rigs are seldom skidded; they are folded

down to a horizontal position and moved on a large, flatbed truck.

44007722.. SSkkiimm ppiitt

an earthen pit, often lined with concrete, into which water with small amounts

of oil is pumped. The minute quantities of oil are skimmed off the top of the

water in the pit, and the water is disposed of.

444007744.. SSkkiimmmmeerr

A type of oil-spill clean-up device propelled over the water that sucks or

paddles oil into a tank. The skimmer is mounted on a skiff or small boat. As

the boat is maneuvered to where the oil has been corralled by an oil-spill

boom (q.v.) An engine and suction pump on board takes the oil off the top of

the water much like a vacuum cleaner, and pumps it into a tank on board.

44007755.. SSkkiimmmmiinngg ppllaanntt

(1) a topping plant (q.v.);

Page 602: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

601601

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

(2) a facility built alongside a creek or small stream to catch and skim off oil

that, in the early days in some fields, was turned into @reeks or accidentally

discharged from lease tanks or from broken pipelines.

44007766.. SSkkiinn

1. The area of the formation that is damaged because of the invasion of

foreign substances into the exposed section of the formation adjacent to the

wellbore during drilling and completion. 2. The pressure drop from the outer

limits of drainage to the wellbore caused by the relatively thin veneer (or

skin) of the affected formation. Skin is expressed in dimensionless units; a

positive value denotes formation damage and a negative value indicates

improvement.

44007777.. SSkkiinn eeffffeecctt

(see skin.)

44007788.. SSkkiinnnneerr

See mule skinner.

44007799.. SSllaabb ppaattcchh

A metal patch made out of a section of pipe welded over a pitted or corroded

section of pipeline. See half sole.

44008800.. SSllaacckk ooffff

to lower a load or ease up on a line. A driller will slack off to put additional

weight on the bit.

44008811.. SSllaanntt rriigg

A drilling derrick designed to drill from offshore platforms at angles of 20 to

35 degrees from the vertical. The slant rig, canted from the vertical, has a

Page 603: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

602602

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

companion structure for racking the drillpipe vertically when coming out of

the hole on a trip. The rigs traveling equipment-block, hook, swivel, and kelly

joint-moves up and down on rails which are an integral part of the derrick.

With a slant rig it is possible to reach farther out from a drill platform,

particularly in relatively shallow water, than with a conventional rig using

directional drilling techniques.

44008822.. SSllaanntt wweellll

Directional well.

44008833.. SSllaanntt--hhoollee tteecchhnniiqquuee

A procedure for drilling at an angle from the vertical by means of special

downhole drilling tools to guide the drill assembly in the desired direction.

Slant holes are drilled to reach a formation or reservoir under land that can

not be drilled on, such as a town site, beneath a water-supply lake, a

cemetery or industrial property where direct, on-site drilling would be

impractical or unsafe. Slant holes also are drilled to flood a formation with

water or mud to kill a wild or burning well. See killer well.

44008844.. SSlleeeevvee ffiittttiinngg

A collar or nipple that is slipped over a length of pipe to repair a leak caused

by a split or corrosion. When the sleeve is in place, the ends are welded to

the pipe beyond the damaged section.

44008855.. SSlliicckk lliinnee

(see solid wireline.)

Page 604: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

603603

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44008866.. SSlliiddee vvaallvveess

Very large, box-like valves for flues and stacks. Made from street steel, the

valves are mechanically or hydraulically operated.

44008877.. SSlliiddiinngg--sslleeeevvee nniippppllee

a special device placed in a string of tubing and operated by a wireline tool to

open or close orifices, thus permitting circulation between the tubing and

annulus, or to open or shut off production from alternate intervals in a well.

44008888.. SSlliimm--hhoollee ddrriilllliinngg

drilling in which the size of the hole is smaller than the conventional hole

diameter for a given depth. This decrease in hole size enables the operator to

run smaller casing, thereby lessening the cost of completion. (set miniaturized

completion.)

44008899.. SSlliinngg,, ppiippeelliinnee

A wide, rubber and fabric sling for lowering-in or handling coated and

wrapped pipe. The slings, at the end of the boom cat's hoisting lines, are

used to minimize scuffing or damaging the pipelines anticorrosion coating,

44009900.. SSlliipp

A horse -drawn, earth-moving scoop. The slip has two handles by which the

teamster guides the metal scoop into the ground at a slight angle to skim oil,

a load of earth. Teams and slips were used to dig slush pits and build tank

dikes before the days of the bulldozer. A full slip would hold about one-half

cubic yard.

44009911.. SSlliipp jjooiinntt

(see telescoping joint.)

Page 605: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

604604

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44009922.. SSlliipp llooaadd

The weight of the string of drillpipe, tubing or casing suspended in the

drillhole by the slips (q.v.). When making a trip, coming out of the hole with

drillstring 10,000 feet long, for example, the traveling block and the hook will

be lifting hundreds of thousands of pounds. But when one stand is above the

rotary table and is being unscrewed to be set back into the derrick's pipe

rack, the full weight of the remaining string of pipe is held by the slips. This is

a slip load, and quite a load it is.

44009933.. SSlliipp ssttiicckk

An engineer's slide rule; a log-log rule; an instrument consisting of a ruler and

a medial slide graduated with logarithmic scales used for rapid calculations.

44009944.. SSlliippss

pl wedge-shaped pieces of metal with teeth or other gripping elements that

are used to prevent pipe from slipping down into the hole or to hold pipe in

place. Rotary slips fit around the drill pipe and wedge against the master

bushing to support the pipe. Power slips are pneumatically or hydraulically

actuated devices that allow the crew to dispense with the manual handling of

slips when making a connection. Packers and other downhole equipment are

secured in position by slips that engage the pipe by action directed at the

surface.

444009966.. SSllooppttaannkk

(1) on a products pipeline, a tank where off-specification products or interface

mix is stored.

Page 606: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

605605

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

(2) at a marine terminal. A tank for holding the oil water mix from a vessel

that has washed down its compartments. (3) any vessel used for retaining

contaminated oil or water until it can be properly disposed of.

44009977.. SSlloouugghhiinngg

(pronounced "sluffing"; see caving)

44009988.. SSllooww--sseett cceemmeenntt

a manufactured cement in which the thickening time is extended by the use

of a coarser grind, the elimination of the rapid hydrating components in its

composition, and the addition of a chemical retarder. Api classes n, d, e, and f

are slow-set cements.

44009999.. SSLLOOWWIINNGG AA WWEELLLL

Opening a well to let it blow for a short period to free the well tubing or

casing of accumulations of water, sand, or other deposits.

44110000.. SSlluuddggee

An oleo-like substance caused by the oxidation of oil or by contamination with

other material a thick, heavy emulsion containing water, carbon, grit, and

oxidized oil.

44110011.. SSlluuddggeerr

See sand pump.

44110022.. SSlluugg

A measured amount of liquid injected into a pipeline; a batch., A pipeline

scraper or pig.

Page 607: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

606606

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44110033.. SSlluugg tthhee ppiippee

to pump a quantity of heavy mud into the drill pipe. Before hoisting drill pipe,

it is desirable (if possible) to pump into its top section a quantity of heavy

mud, or a slug, that causes the level of the fluid in the pipe to fall; thus, when

a stand of pipe is unscrewed, the drilling fluid has been emptied out of it so

that the crew members and the rig floor are not contaminated with the fluid.

44110044.. SSlluuggggiinngg

(1) intermittent flow in a pipeline. When gas and oil are pumped in the same

line, the oil will accumulate in low places until sufficient gas pressure builds

behind it to push it out forcibly as a slug.

(2) a small slug of acid pumped into a pumping well to open up the formation

as part of a well workover operation.

44110055.. SSlluuggggiinngg ccoommppoouunndd

a special chemical demulsifier that is often added to the emulsion samples to

determine the total amount of sediment and water in the samples; also called

knockout drops.

44110066.. SSlluurrrryy

a plastic mixture of cement and water that is pumped into a well to harden;

there it supports the casing and provides a seal in the wellbore to prevent

migration of underground fluids.

44110077.. SSlluurrrryy ppiippeelliinnee

A pipeline whose primary service is carrying a mixture of crushed solids in a

water or oil medium. The common use of the term refers to a pipeline

carrying pulverized coal in water. A pipeline is the cheapest and most efficient

Page 608: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

607607

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

form of transportation for liquids. In recent years the pumping of small-

particle solids, notably coil in water, has gained favor with shippers who are

attracted by the pipeline's economics and safety, as well as environmental

acceptance.

44110088.. SSlluurrrryy vviissccoossiittyy

the consistency of a slurry, measured in poise.

44110099.. SSlluurrrryy vvoolluummee

the sum of the absolute volumes of solids and liquids that constitute a slurry.

44111100.. SSlluurrrryy wweeiigghhtt

the density of a cement slurry, expressed in pounds per gallon (ppg), pounds

per cubic foot (lb/ft3), kilograms per liter (kg/liter), etc.

44111111.. SSlluurrrryy yyiieelldd

the volume of slurry obtained when one sack of cement is mixed with the

desired amount of water and additives (as accelerators, fluid-loss control

agents, etc.).

44111122.. SSlluusshh ppiitt

the Mud pit in which rotary drilling cuttings are separated from the mud

stream or in which mud is treated with additives or temporarily stored before

being pumped back into the well. Modern rotary drilling rigs are generally

provided with three or more pits, usually fabricated steel tanks fitted with

built-in piping, valves, and mud agitators.

44111133.. SSlluusshh ppuummpp

(see mud pump.)

Page 609: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

608608

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44111144.. SSlluusshh--ppiitt llaauunnddeerr

A wooden or metal square-sided conduit or sluice box where the bailer is

dumped, the water, mud, and rock chips flushing down the launder into the

slush pit. This device, a cousin to the launder used in washing ore from a

mine, is part of a cable-tool drilling scene.

44111155.. SSlluusshhppuummpp

Mud pump (q.v.).

44111166.. SSmmookkee ppooiinntt

One of the specifications on jet-engine fuel. Kerosene or jet fuel with a low

smoke point is not as desirable as fuel with a high smoke point. Hydrotreating

the fuel reduces the smoke or gives it a higher smoke point. This is not a

contradiction, as it appears. The high and low smoke points indicate the high

and low points on the wick of a testing device made like an old fashioned

kerosene lamp. The higher the wick can be turned up while burning the

sample of jet fuel without producing smoke, the cleaner burning it is; thus the

high smoke point.

44111177.. SSmmookkeelleessss ffllaarree

A specially constructed vertical pipe or stack for the safe disposal of

hydrocarbon vapors or, in an emergency, process feed that must be disposed

of. Smokeless flares are equipped with steam jets at the mouth of the stack

to promote the complete combustion of the vented gases. The jets of steam

induce greater air i low and cool the flame resulting in complete combustion

without smoke or ash.

Page 610: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

609609

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44111188.. SSnnaappggrraabbbbeerr

A member of a work gang who manages to find easy jobs to keep himself

busy while the heavy work is being done by his companions. A fully occupied

loafer.

44111199.. SSnnaattcchh bblloocckk

a block that can be opened up to put a line over a roller or sheave.

44112200.. SSnngg

Synthetic natural gas; gas manufactured by various processes from coal, tar

sands, or kerogen shales (q.v.). Substitute natural gas.

44112211.. SSnniiffffeerr

(see explosimeter.)

44112222.. SSnnooww--bbaannkk ddiiggggiinngg

Colloquial expression for the relatively soft, easy drilling in sand, shales, or

gumbo.

44112233.. SSnnuubb

To check a running line by taking a turn around a post or fixed object; to take

up and hold fast the slack in a line to secure or hold on object from moving

with an attached rope turned around an anchoring piece.

44112244.. SSnnuubbbbeerrss

An ingenious rig-up of lines and blocks to push down on joints of pipe that

must be put into the well through the blowout preventer stack against very

high well pressure. With a special hookup, the upward pull of the rig's

traveling block and hook is transmitted to lines and a yoke that push down on

a joint of drillpipe, forcing it by the packing of the rams in the bop stack while

Page 611: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

610610

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

the rams are holding the well pressure leak-light. After a number of joints of

pipe are forced in (the joints are screwed together), their weight equals the

up thrust of the well's pressure so the snubbers may be removed and the

remainder of the pipe

44112255.. SSnnuubbbbiinngg

A procedure for servicing wells that are under pressure. Tubing, packers, and

other downhole tools are withdrawn from the well through a stack of rams

(valve-like devices that close around pipe or tubing being withdrawn and seal

off the well pressure). As each joint of tubing is withdrawn, it is unscrewed.

44112266.. SSnnuuffffeerr

a tank safety device that seals the vapor vent manually and prevents vapor

from escaping into a fire, thus snuffing out the flame.

44112277.. SSoo

show of oil; used in drilling reports.

44112288.. SSoo&&gg

show of oil and gas; used in drilling reports.

44112299.. SSoo&&ww

show of oil and water; used in drilling reports.

44113300.. SSoocckkeett

(1). A hollow object or open device that fits or holds an object.

(2). Any of several fishing tools used to grip the outside of a lost tool or a

joint of pipe.

44113311.. SSooddiiuumm ccaarrbbooxxyymmeetthhyyll cceelllluulloossee

(see carboxymethyl cellulose.)

Page 612: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

611611

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44113322.. SSooddiiuumm cchhlloorriiddee

common table salt; sometimes used in cement slurries as an accelerator or a

retarder, depending on the concentration. Chemical symbol is NaCl.

44113333.. SSOOEEPP

Sable Offshore Energy Project

44113344.. SSoofftt rrooppee

Rope made of hemp, sisal. Jute, or nylon, as distinguished from wire rope

which is a steel cable.

44113355.. SSoofftt wwaatteerr

(see hard water.)

44113366.. SSooffttpplluugg

A safety plug in a steam boiler, soft enough to give way or blow before the

boiler does from excessive high pressure; the plug in an engine block that will

be pushed out in case the cooling water in the block should freeze, thus

preventing the ice from cracking the block.

44113377.. SSooffttwwaarree

The collection of programs used in a particular application for use in a

computer. Tapes, cards, disk packs containing programs designed for a

process or series of processes.

44113388.. SSoolleennooiidd

An electrical unit consisting of a coil of wire in the shape of a hollow cylinder

and a moveable core. When energized by an electric current, the coil acts as

a bar magnet, instantly drawing in the moveable core, a solenoid on an

Page 613: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

612612

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

automobile's starting mechanism causes the starter-motor gear to engage the

toothed ring on

44113399.. SSoolluuttiioonn

a uniform mixture of two or more substances. The dissolved substance is the

solute; the substance in which the solute is dissolved is the solvent.

44114400.. SSoolluuttiioonn ggaass

Natural gas dissolved and held under pressure in crude oil in a reservoir.See

solution-gas field.

44114411.. SSoolluuttiioonn ggaass--ooiill rraattiioo

(see gas-oil ratio.)

44114422.. SSoolluuttiioonn--ggaass ddrriivvee

a source of natural reservoir energy, in which the solution gas coming out of

the oil expands to force the oil into the wellbore.

44114433.. SSoolluuttiioonn--ggaass ffiieelldd

An oil reservoir deriving its energy for production from the expansion of the

natural gas in solution in the oil. As wells are drilled into the reservoir. The

gas in solution drives the oil into the well bore and up to the surface.

44114444.. SSoollvveenntt

A liquid capable of absorbing another liquid, gas, or solid to form a

homogeneous mixture a liquid used to dilute or thin a solution.

44114455.. SSoonnddee

a logging tool assembly, especially the device in the logging assembly that

senses and transmits formation data.

Page 614: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

613613

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44114466.. SSoonniicc iinntteerrffaaccee--ddeetteeccttoorr

A pipeline sensing "probe" for detecting the approach of a product interface

by identifying the change in sound velocities between the two products being

pumped. The electronic device has a probe inserted through the wall of the

pipeline. Protruding into the fluid stream. The probe picks up the variations in

sound velocities, and through the proper linkage proper give an audible alarm

or actuate valves when the interface arrives.

44114477.. SSoonniicc llooggggiinngg

the recording of the time required for a sound wave to travel a specific

distance through a formation. Difference in observed travel times is largely

caused by variations in porosities of the medium, an important determination.

The sonic log, which may be run simultaneously with a spontaneous potential

log or a gamma-ray log, is useful for correlation and often is used in

conjunction with other logging services for substantiation of porosities. It is

run in an uncased hole.

44114488.. SSoouupp

Nitroglycerine used in "shooting" a well. Nitro in its pure form is a heavy,

colorless, oily liquid made by treating glycerin with a mixture of nitric and

sulfuric acids. It is usually mixed with absorbents for easier handling. Nitro,

when used in well shooting, is put in tin "torpedos," 4 to 6 inches in diameter,

and lowered into the well on a line. The bottom of each torpedo can is made

to nest in the top of the preceding one, so as many cans as necessary for the

shot can be lowered in and stacked up, nitro is measured in quarts the size of

the shot depends upon the thickness and hardness of the formation to be

fractured.

Page 615: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

614614

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44114499.. SSoouurr

containing hydrogen sulfide or caused by hydrogen sulfur or another sulfur

compound.

44115500.. SSoouurr ccoorrrroossiioonn

embrittlement and subsequent wearing away of metal, caused by contact of

the metal with hydrogen sulfide or another sulfur compound.

44115511.. SSoouurr ccrruuddee

sour crude oil.

44115522.. SSoouurr ccrruuddee ooiill

oil containing hydrogen sulfide or another sulfur compound.

44115533.. SSoouurr ggaass

natural gas containing hydrogen sulfide.

44115544.. SSoouurr pprroodduuccttss

Gasolines, naphthas, and refined oils which contain hydrogen sulfide (h2s) or

other sulfur compounds. Sourness is directly connected with odor.

44115555.. SSoouurr--sseerrvviiccee ttrriimm

A designation by manufacturers of oil field fittings and equipment that their

products have finishes resistant to corrosion by hydrogen sulfide (h2s) and

other corrosive a agents in "sour" oil and gas. See sour gas.

44115566.. SSoouurrccee rroocckkss

Sedimentary formations where nearly all the world's petroleum has been

found. Nearly 60 percent of the world's petroleum reserves are in sandstone

the other 40 percent are in limestone, dolomite, et al.

Page 616: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

615615

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44115577.. SSoouurrccee ssttaattiioonn

a pump station at a pipeline junction by which oil is pumped from a main line

into a branch or lateral line.

44115588.. SSpp

self-potential or spontaneous potential.

44115599.. SSppaacceerrss aanndd wwaasshheess

Specially formulated fluids for removing drilling mud from a well's borehole

just ahead of the cement in a downhole cementing job. It is essential to a

good cement job that the mud be removed and the wall of the hole be clean

to ensure a good bond between cement and the wall. Spacers are thick fluids

which displace the drilling mud ahead of the cement in a slug or piston-like

manner, owing to the fluid's high viscosity and weight differential. Washes are

much thinner fluids which separate the drilling mud from the cement being

purred downhole and simultaneously remove the coating of mud left on the

formations. This is accomplished through a combination of turbulent and

surfactant action.

44116600.. SSppaacciinngg

(see well spacing.)

44116611.. SSppaacciinngg ccllaammpp

a clamp used to hold the rod string in pumping position when the well is in

the final stages of being put back on the pump.

44116622.. SSppaacciinngg ppaatttteerrnn

Geographic subdivision established by government authority, usually state,

defining the number of acres to be allotted to each well drilled in a reservoir.

Page 617: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

616616

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

This is a conservation measure for it is generally agreed that increased

recovery from a reservoir is not a function of the number of wells drilled. One

oil well on 40 acres is a general rule, in some states. But there are many

exceptions. Gas wells, one or two to a section (640 acres), depending upon

well depth, producing formation, and other factors.

44116633.. SSppaagghheettttii

tubing or pipe with a very small diameter.

44116644.. SSppdd

spudded; used in drilling reports.

44116655.. SSppee

society of petroleum engineers. (see aime.)

Spear

a fishing tool used to retrieve pipe lost in a well. The spear is lowered down

the hole and into the lost pipe, and, when weight, torque, or both are applied

to the string to which the spear is attached, the slips in the spear expand and

tightly grip the inside of the wall of the lost pipe. Then the string, spear, and

lost pipe are pulled to the surface.

44116666.. SSppeeaarrhheeaadd

(see preflush.)

44116677.. SSppeeaarrss

Fishing tools for retrieving pipe or cable lost in the borehole. Some spears

resemble harpoons with fixed spurs, others have retractable or releasing type

spurs.

Page 618: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

617617

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44116688.. SSppeecciiffiicc ggrraavviittyy

the ratio of the weight of a given volume of a substance at a given

temperature to the weight of an equal volume of a standard substance at the

same temperature. For example, if 1 in3 of water at 39 f weighs 1 unit and 1

in.' of another solid or liquid at 39 f weighs 0.95 unit, then the specific gravity

of the substance is 0.95. In determining the specific gravity of gases, the

comparison is made with the standard of air or hydrogen. (see gravity.)

44116699.. SSppeecciiffiicc hheeaatt

the amount of heat required to cause a unit increase in temperature in a unit

mass of a substance, expressed as numerically equal to the number of

calories needed to raise the temperature of 1 g of a substance by 1 c.

44117700.. SSppeeeedd ddrroooopp

the number of revolutions per minute that an engine slows down from

running at maximum, no-load speed to running at maximum, full-load speed.

Usually expressed as a percentage, speed droop should not exceed 7 percent.

44117711.. SSppeenntt

of a substance whose strength or merit has been exhausted in a process. For

example, after a well has been acidized, any acid that remains in the well is

said to be a spent acid because its strength has been used up in the acidizing

process.

44117722.. SSpphheerriiccaall bblloowwoouutt pprreevveenntteerr

A large, barrel-shaped well closure mechanism attached to the top of the

well's casing. Its purpose is to close around the drillpipe in the event of a

severe gas kick or threatened blowout. When the preventer's closing

Page 619: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

618618

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

mechanism is hydraulically actuated, pressure is applied to a piston which

moves upward, forcing the packing element to extend into the well bore and

around the drillpipe in a pressure-tight seal. Should the spherical preventer be

damaged or for some reason not hold pressure, rams in the bop stack below

can also be closed on the pipe to hold the pressure until the well is killed (the

pressure is equalized) by the injection of heavier drilling mud.

44117733.. SSpphheerrooiidd

As it applies to the industry, a spheroid is a steel storage tank in the shape of

a sphere flattened at both "poles," designed to store petroleum products,

mainly lp-gases, under pressure. See hortonsphere.

44117744.. SSppiiddeerr

a circular steel device that holds slips supporting a suspended string of drill

pipe, casing, or tubing.

44117755.. SSppiiddeerrss

The hinged, latching device attached to the elevators (the hoisting arms that

lift pipe and casing in the derrick). An elevator spider is a unit attached to the

travelling-block hook for hoisting pipe, casing, and tubing out of the hole and

lowered in. The spider is manually locked around a length of tubing just

below the tool joint. Some advanced types of elevator spiders are air

operated.

44117766.. SSppiinn--uupp

To screw one stand of drillpipe or tubing rapidly into another with a spinning

Chain (q.v.). After making up the joint in this manner, the heavy pipe tongs

are applied to make the joint fight.

Page 620: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

619619

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44117777.. SSppiinnddlleettoopp

The name of the gusher brought in by capt. Anthony lucas, near beaumont,

texas, in 1902. The well, the first important producer ever drilled with Rotary

tools, blew in (literary) and produced, at the rate of 75.000 to 100,0000

barrels day.

44117788.. SSppiinnnneerr ssuurrvveeyy

a production-logging method that uses a small propeller turned by fluid

movement. By use of a recording arrangement, the number of turns of the

propeller can be related to the fluid quantity flowing past the instrument to

obtain a production log.

44117799.. SSppiinnnniinngg ccaatthheeaadd

a spooling attachment on the makeup cathead to permit use of a spinning

chain to spin up or make up drill pipe.

44118800.. SSppiinnnniinngg cchhaaiinn

a y-shaped chain used to spin up (tighten) one joint of drill pipe into another.

In use, one end of the chain is attached to the tongs, another end to the

spinning cathead, and the third end is free. The free end is wrapped around

the tool-joint and the cathead pulls the chain off the joint, causing the joint to

spin (turn) rapidly and tighten up. After the chain is pulled off the joint, the

tongs are secured in the same spot, and continued pull on the chain (and

thus on the tongs) by the cathead makes the joint up to final tightness.

44118811.. SSppiinnnniinngg ttoonnggss

See spinning wrench.

Page 621: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

620620

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44118822.. SSppiinnnniinngg wwrreenncchh

An air-operated drillpipe or tubing wrench used in place of the spinning chain

(q.v.) And the winch-powered tongs. After the joint of pipe is stabbed into the

toot joint or collar, the air wrench is latched on and spins the pipe in and

applies a measured or fixed amount of torque, thus ensuring the equal

tightening of all joints.

44118833.. SSppiirraallllyy ggrroooovveedd ddrriillll ccoollllaarr

a drill collar with a round cross section that has a long continuous groove or

flute machined helically into its outer surface. The spiraled groove provides

space between the wall of the hole and the body of the collar, minimizing the

area of contact between the hole wall and collar; thus the possibility of

differential pressure sticking is reduced.

44118844.. SSppllaasshh bbooxx

(see mother hubbard.)

44118855.. SSppllaasshh zzoonnee

the area on an offshore structure that is regularly wetted by seawater but is

not continuously submerged. Metal in the splash zone must be well-protected

from the corrosive action of seawater and air.

44118866.. SSpplliiccee

to join two parts of a rope or wireline by interweaving individual strands of

the line together. Unlike a knot, a splice does not significantly increase the

diameter of the line at the point where the parts are joined.

Page 622: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

621621

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44118877.. SSpplliitt sslleeeevvee

A type of pipeline repair clamp made in two halves that bolt together to form

a pressure tight seal over a hole or split in the pipe. Split sleeves also are

made to enclose leaking valves and flanges until they can be permanently

repaired.

44118888.. SSpplliitt--lleevveell ddrriilllliinngg rriigg

See drilling rig, split- level

44118899.. SSppmm

Strokes per minute; indicates the speed or pumping rate of reciprocating

pumps.

44119900.. SSppoonnggee ooiill

A type of lean oil (q.v.) Used in refinery absorber columns to absorb light

petroleum fractions or a fighter lean oil that has vaporized in an upstream

process.

44119911.. SSppoonnssoonn

An air chamber along the sides of a barge or small ship to increase buoyancy

and stability. Sponsons are used on crane barges for additional buoyancy and

to minimize listing when heavy, off-side lifts are being made with the crane.

44119922.. SSppoonnttaanneeoouuss ppootteennttiiaall

(sp) one of the basic electric-logging curves obtained by measuring natural

earth currents; also called self-potential but referred to as 'sp'.

Page 623: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

622622

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44119933.. SSppooooll

1. A flanged joint placed between two blowout preventers to provide a space

for a tool joint. 2. A cylindrical device with a rim at each end on which

wireline is wound; a drum. to wind or roll onto a spool or drum.

44119944.. SSppooooll ppiieeccee

A short section of piping specially cut to join the ends of two pipelines lying at

unusual attitudes to each other in tight. Difficult-to-reach places. In undersea

work, spoof pieces are used to connect a seabed i low line to a platform riser,

or two undersea lines. Spool pieces are difficult to measure and cut because

of the pitch and yaw angle of the pipes to be joined. Spool pieces may either

be a simple nipple with the ends cut a, the proper angles or they may include

a valve or other fittings.

44119955.. SSppoooollss,, ccaassiinngg aanndd ttuubbiinngg

Short-length castings, flanged on both ends, used in christmas tree

assemblies to separate and support the various valves iii the stack. Spools act

as spacers for the valves in the blowout preventer.

44119966.. SSppoott

to pump a designated quantity of a substance (as acid or cement) into a

specific interval in the well. For example, 10 bbl of diesel oil may be spotted

around an area in the hole in which drill collars are stuck against the wall of

the hole in an effort to free the collars.

Page 624: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

623623

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44119977.. SSppoott cchhaarrtteerr ttaannkkeerr rraatteess

The cost per ton to move crude oil product by tanker from one port to

another on a one-time basis, as compared to long-term charter rates. Spot

charter rates fluctuate, widely with demand and availability of tonnage.

44119988.. SSppoott mmaarrkkeett ssaalleess

(1) the term applied to sales of crude oil or products on one time basis and

usually at prices above the going rite or world prices. Often these sales are

arranged by an oil broker (q.v.) Who can obtain certain quantities of oil for a

price and for a one-time sale.

(2) sales of domestic crude oil by major produces to independent refiners

from the majors temporary over production or surplus. These spot sales

usually are intermittent and often at prices somewhat below the posted

prices.

44119999.. SSpprreeaadd

A contractor's men and equipment assembled to do a major construction job,

a "spread' may be literal. As the men and equipment are strung out along the

right of way for several miles. On well workover, or other jobs, the spread is a

concentration of the equipment for the work.

44220000.. SSpprreeaadd bboossss

The person in charge of men and equipment on a large pipeline or other

construction project; the stud duck.

Page 625: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

624624

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44220011.. SSpprreeaadd mmoooorriinngg ssyysstteemm

a system of rope, chain, or combination of the two attached to anchors on

the ocean floor and winches on the structure to keep a floating vessel near a

fixed location on the sea surface.

44220022.. SSpprriinngg llooaaddeedd

Refers to an item of equipment, machinery, or valve incorporating one or

more springs to effect an action or motion. A spring , (spiral, coil, or leaf)

which. When compressed, exerts a pressure or force against whatever is

compressing it equal to the compressive force. This stored-up energy of the,

compressed spring is to close a valve after being opened by a momentary

greater force (a pop-off or relief valve); a machine's working part to assume

its original position after being acted upon for a split instant by a larger force,

e.g., The instantaneous closing of an ,automobile's exhaust and intake valves

after being opened by the engine's push rods and rocker arms.

44220033.. SSppuudd

to move the drill stem up and down in the hole over a short distance without

rotation. Careless execution of this operation creates pressure surges that can

cause a formation to break down, which results in lost circulation. (see spud

in.)

44220044.. SSppuudd bbiitt

a special kind of drilling bit with sharp blades, rather than teeth. It is

sometimes used for drilling soft, sticky formations.

44220055.. SSppuudd iinn

to begin drilling; to start the hole.

Page 626: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

625625

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44220066.. SSppuuddddeerr

a portable cable-tool drilling rig, sometimes mounted on a truck or trailer.

44220077.. SSppuurr lliinnee

an oil pipeline that picks up oil from the gathering lines of several oil fields

and delivers it to a main line or trunk line.

44220088.. SSqq

square.

44220099.. SSqqeeeezzee

a cementing operation in which cement is pumped behind the casing under

high pressure to recement channeled areas or to block off an uncemented

zone.

44221100.. SSqquu

squeeze; used in drilling reports.

44221111.. SSqquuaarree ddrriillll ccoollllaarr

a special drill collar,Square but with rounded edges, used to control the

straightness or direction of the hole; often part of a packed-hole assembly.

44221122.. SSqquuaarree mmeetteerr

(m2)a unit of metric measure of an area equal to a square that measures 1 m

on each side.

44221133.. SSqquueeeezzee aa wweellll

A technique to seal off with cement a section of the well bore where a leak or

incursion of water or gas occurs; forcing cement to the bottom of the casing

Page 627: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

626626

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

and up the annular space between the casing and the will of the borehole to

seal off a formation or plug a leak in the casinghead a, squeeze job.

44221144.. SSqquueeeezzee cceemmeennttiinngg

the forcing of cement slurry by pressure to specified points in a well to cause

seals at the points of squeeze. It is a secondary-cementing method, used to

isolate a producing formation, seal off water, repair casing leaks, and so

forth. (see cementing.)

44221155.. SSqquueeeezzee jjoobb

See squeeze a will.

44221166.. SSqquuiibb sshhoott

A small charge of nitroglycerin set off in the bottom of a well as part of a

workover operation after cleaning out a well, freeing the producing interval of

sand and silt, a small explosive charge may be set of,' to 'wake up the well."

44221177.. SSqquunncchh jjooiinntt

a special threadless tool joint for large-diameter pipe, especially conductor

pipe, sometimes used on offshore drilling rigs. When the box is brought down

over the pin and weight is applied, a locking device is actuated to seat the

joints. Because no rotation is required to make up these joints, their use can

save time when the conductor pipe is being run.

44221188.. SSss

sand or sandstone; used in drilling reports.

Page 628: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

627627

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44221199.. SSss..22000000

The designation for the class of semisubmersible drilling platforms (the

largest built to date 1979) which are of 18,000-ton displacement; 2,000ton

deck-load capacity; and capable of drilling in 2,000 feet of water.

44222200.. SSssoo

slight show of oil; used in drillingReports.

44222211.. SSsstttt

subsea test tree.

44222222.. SSssuu

saybolt seconds universal. (see saybolt viscometer.)

44222233.. SSssuu && ssssff

Seconds saybolf universal and seconds saybolt furol (q.v.).

44222244.. SSttaabb

to guide the end of a pipe into a coupling or tool joint when making up a

connection.

44222255.. SSttaabb--iinn cceemmeennttiinngg ((ooff aa wweellll))

A method of cementing large-diameter casing in the borehole in which

cement is pumped down through the drillpipe. The drilipipe is landed in a

special casing shoe at the bottom of the casing. When the drillpipe is locked

into the casing shoe, pumping of the cement downhole begins. When the

cement works its way up the outside of the casing, filling the annular space,

and reaches the surface, cement pumping is stopped and water and drilling

mud are started down the pipe behind the cement. This displaces the cement

to the bottom of the tubing. Stab-in cementing uses less cement than

Page 629: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

628628

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

pumping down the casing and minimizes contamination at the cement/drilling

mud interface.

44222266.. SSttaabbbbeerr

(1) a pipeline worker who holds one end of a joint of pipe and aligns it so that

it may be screwed into the collar of the preceding joint. Before the days of

the welded line, the pipeline stabber worked only half a day because of the

exhausting nature of his work.

(2) on a pipe-welding crew, the stabber works the line-up clamps or line-up

mandrel.

(3) on a drilling rig. The floorman (roughneck) centers the joint of pipe being

lowered into the tool joint (q.v.).

44222277.. SSttaabbbbiinngg bbooaarrdd

a temporary platform erected in the derrick or mast 20 to 40 ft above the

derrick floor. The derrickman or another crew member works on the board

while casing is being run in a well. The board may be wooden or fabricated of

steel girders floored with antiskid material and powered electrically to raise or

lower it to the desired level. A stabbing board serves the same purpose as a

monkeyboard or safety platform but is temporary instead of permanent.

44222288.. SSttaabbbbiinngg jjaacckk

(see jack board.)

44222299.. SSttaabbiilliittyy

the ability of a ship or mobile offshore drilling rig to return to an upright

position when it has rolled to either side by an external force (as waves).

Page 630: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

629629

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44223300.. SSttaabbiilliizzeerr

(1). A tool placed near the bit and often above it in the drilling assembly and

used to change the deviation angle in a well by controlling the location of the

contact point between the hole and drill collars. Conversely, stabilizers are

used to maintain correct hole angle. (see packed-hole assembly.)

(2). A vessel in which hydrocarbon vapors are separated from liquids.

44223311.. SSttaabbiilliizzeerr sslleeeevvee

A bushing the size of the borehole inserted in the drill column to help

maintain a vertical hole, to hold the bit on course. The bushing or sleeve can

be the fixed or rotating type with permanent or replaceable wings or lugs.

(the lugs protrude from the body of the sleeve, making contact with the wall

of the hole.)

44223322.. SSttaabbllee eemmuullssiioonn

(see emulsion.)

44223333.. SSttaacckk

(see blowout premier.)

44223344.. SSttaacckk aa rriigg

to store a drilling rig on completion of a job when the rig is to be withdrawn

from operation for a time.

44223355.. SSttaacckk tthhee ttoooollss

Pulling the drillpipe and laying it down (stacking outside the derrick) in

preparation for skidding or dismantling the derrick. If the rig is transportable,

it is folded down and made ready to move.

Page 631: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

630630

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44223366.. SSttaaggee sseeppaarraattiioonn

an operation in which well fluids, usually under pressure, are separated into

liquid and gaseous components by passing consecutively through two or more

separators. The operating pressure of each succeeding separator is lower

than the one preceding it. Stage separation is an efficient process in that a

high percentage of the light ends of the fluid are conserved.

44223377.. SSttaaggiinngg

the placement of compressors, pumps, cooling systems, treating systems, and

so forth, in a series with another unit or units of like design to improve

operating efficiency and results.

44223388.. SSttaakkee aa wweellll

to precisely locate on the surface the point at which a well is to be drilled.

After exploration techniques have revealed the possibility of the existence of a

subsurface hydrocarbon-bearing formation, a certified and registered land

surveyor drives a stake into the ground to mark the spot where the well is to

be drilled.

44223399.. SSttaakkeedd lliimmee

(see hydrated lime.)

44224400.. SSttaallkkss

Colloquialism for joints of line pipe, tubing, or drillpipe.

44224411.. SSttaanndd ooff ppiippee

A section of drillpipe or tubing (one, two, or three-sometimes four joints)

unscrewed from the string as a unit and racked in the derrick. The height of

Page 632: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

631631

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

the derrick determines the number of joints that can be unscrewed in one

"stand of pipe." See doubles.

44224422.. SSttaanndd ttuubbiinngg

to support tubing in the derrick or mast when it is out of the well rather than

laying it on a rack. Portable workover rigs are usually fitted with a mast that

holds stands about 60 ft long (doubles).

44224433.. SSttaannddaarrdd ccuubbiicc ffoooott ooff ggaass

The volume of gas contained in one cubic foot of space at a pressure of 14.65

pounds per square inch absolute and a temperature of 60'f. Volumes of gas re

bought and sold corrected to the standard pressure and temperature.

44224444.. SSttaannddaarrdd ddeerrrriicckk

a derrick that is built piece by piece at the drilling location as opposed to a

jackknife mast, which is pre-assembled. Standard derricks have been replaced

almost totally by jackknife masts.

44224455.. SSttaannddaarrdd pprreessssuurree

the pressure exerted by a column of mercury 760 mm high; equivalent to

14.7 psia.

44224466.. SSttaannddaarrdd ppuummppiinngg rriigg

A conventional pumping unit consisting of an engine or electric motor

operating a walking beam which raises and lowers the sucker rods in an up

and down pumping action.

44224477.. SSttaannddaarrdd tteemmppeerraattuurree

a predetermined temperature used as a basic measurement. The petroleum

industry uses 60 f (1 5. 5 c) as its standard temperature during measurement

Page 633: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

632632

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

of oil. The volume of a quantity of oil at its actual temperature (assuming it is

not 60 f) is converted to the volume the oil would occupy at 60 f. Conversion

is aided by the use of api conversion tables.

44224488.. SSttaannddaarrdd ttoooollss

See cable tools.

44224499.. SSttaannddbbyy rriigg ttiimmee

Payment made during the period of time when the drilling rig is shut down

awaiting a decision from the lease owner and other interested parties whether

or not drilling is to continue.

44225500.. SSttaannddiinngg vvaallvvee

a fixed ball and scat valve at the lower end of the working barrel of a sucker-

rod pump. The standing valve and its cage do not move as does the traveling

valve.

44225511.. SSttaannddooffff

in perforating, the distance a jet or bullet must travel in the wellbore before

encountering the wall of the hole.

44225522.. SSttaannddppiippee

The pipe that conveys the drilling mud form the mud pump to the swivel

(q.v.) The standpipe extends part way up the derrick and connects to the

mud hose which is connected to he gooseneck (a curved pipe) of the swivel.

44225533.. SSttaannddss

the connected joints of pipe racked in the derrick or mast when making a trip.

On a rig, the usual stand is 90 ft long (three lengths of pipe screwed

together) or a thribble. Compare double and fourble.

Page 634: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

633633

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44225544.. SSttaarrbbooaarrdd

(nautical) the right side of a vessel (determined by looking toward the bow).

44225555.. SSttaarrcchh

a complex carbohydrate sometimes added to drilling fluids to reduce filtration

loss.

44225566.. SSttaarrvvee aa ppuummpp

To have insufficient suction head at the pump's intake connection. A pump

whose capacity or pumping rate is greater in volume of fluid being fed into it

is being "starved", which can cause cavitation (q.v.) Particularly in rotary and

centrifugal pumps. See suction head, net positive.

44225577.. SSttaattiicc fflluuiidd lleevveell

the level to which fluid rises in a well when the well is shut in. Static pressure

the force exerted by a fluid that is at rest and confined within a tank or line as

measured by a gauge.

44225588.. SSttaattiicc lliinnee

(1) a wire line to drain off or ground static electricity that may have built up

from friction in a vehicle or its content, a grounding line for gasoline

transports to prevent arcing or static charges when unloading.

(2) a line used to actuate part of a device or mechanism when the line is

pulled, as the static line which is attached to jumper's parachute and to the

plane to open the chute.

(3) a guy wire; an anchored line for stabilizing a pole, rig, or a-frame, any

wire or line; one end anchored to a deadman (q.v.), the other end attacted to

an upright construction for support.

Page 635: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

634634

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44225599.. SSttaattiioonn kkeeeeppiinngg

See dynamic stationing.

44226600.. SSttbb

stock tank barrel.

44226611.. SSttbb//dd

stock tank barrels per day.

44226622.. SSttdd

standard.

44226633.. SSttddss

stands; used in drilling reports.

44226644.. SStteeaamm

water in its gaseous state.

44226655.. SStteeaamm ffllooooddiinngg

A secondary or tertiary oil recovery method in which superheated high.

Pressure steam is injected into an oil formation to heat the oil, to reduce its

viscosity so it will separate from the oil sand and drain into the well bore. The

water from the coded and condensed steam is pumped out of the well with

the oil and separated at e surface, see heavy oil process(hop),

44226666.. SStteeaamm ppuummpp

A reciprocating pump that receives its poweer from big -pressure steam.

Steam is piped into the pump's steam chest an from there it is admitted to

the power cylinder where it arts upon the pump's power pistons, driving them

Page 636: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

635635

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

to and fro as the steam valves open and close. The fluid end of the pump is

driven by the steam pistons, see pump simplex.

44226677.. SStteeaamm rriigg

a rotary drilling rig on which steam engines operate as prime movers. High-

pressure steam is furnished by a boiler plant located near the rig. Steam rigs

have been replaced almost totally by mechanical or electric rigs.

44226688.. SStteeaamm ssooaakk

See steam flooding,

44226699.. SStteeaamm ttrraapp

A device on a steam line designed to trap air and water condensate and

automatically bleed the air and drain the water from the system with a

minimum loss of steam pressure.

44227700.. SStteeaammiinngg ppllaanntt

See treating plant,

44227711.. SStteeeell

a malleable alloy of iron and carbon that also contains appreciable amounts of

manganese and other elements.

44227722.. SStteeeell rreeeeff

Refers to the artificial "reels" fromed by the substructures of offshore drilling

and production platforms that attract a variety of marine life from barnacles

and algae to many kinds of fish.

44227733.. SStteeeell ssttoorraagg

Refers to the storage of crude oil and products in above-ground steel Tanks.

In the 1920s and 30s vast tank firms of sleet tankage were filled with crude

Page 637: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

636636

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

oil. The market could not absorb all of the country's production but oil still

flowed from the wells as each operator or company tried to produce as much

oil as possible-- and store it in 55,000-barrel tanks, which was the going size

in those days. In a few years, however, prorationing, the restriction of

production by state regulatory bodies, came into effect sharply reducing the

amount of oil stored on tank farms, where it was set afire by lightning and

suffered great losses through evaporation. Under prorationing, the oil stayed

in the ground until the market could handle it.

44227744.. SStteeeell--ttooootthh bbiitt

(see roller-cone bit.)

44227755.. SStteepp--oouutt wweellll

a well drilled adjacent to or near a proven well to ascertain the limits of the

reservoir; an outpost well.

44227766.. SSttiicckk--eelleeccttrrooddee wweellddiinngg

Electric-arc welding in which the welding rod or electrode is hand-held as

compared to automatic to automatic. See gas welding.

44227777.. SSttiillee

Steps made for walking up and over a fence or other obstruction. Made in the

shape of the letter a, stiles are used on farms and fenced leases to get to the

other side without going through a gate. See cattle guard.

44227788.. SSttiillll

any vessel in which hydrocarbon distillation is effected.

Page 638: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

637637

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44227799.. SSttiillll,, ppiippee

A type of distillation unit in which oil to be heated passes through pipes or

tubes in the form of a flat coil, similar to certain kinds of heat exchangers.

There are two main chambers in a pipe still one where the oil is preheated by

flue gases (the convection chamber), the other, the radiant-heat chamber

where oil is raised to the required temperature. No distillation or fractionation

takes place in the still proper. The hot oil is piped to a bubble tower or

fractionation tower where the oil flashes or vaporizes. The vapors are then

condensed into a liquid product.

44228800.. SSttiillll,, sshheellll

The oldest and simplest form of a distillation sti11 a closed vessel in which

crude oil is heated and the resulting vapors conducted away to be condensed

into a liquid product.

44228811.. SSttiimmuullaattiioonn

any process undertaken to enlarge old channels or create new ones in the

producing formation of a well (e.g., Acidizing, formation fracturing, or nitro

shooting). (see acidize.)

44228822.. SSttiinnggeerr

The pipe guide at the laying-end of a lay barge (q.v.). On a reel-type lay

barge where the coiled pipe is straightened before being laid over the end of

the barge, the stinger controls the conformation of the pipe as it leaves the

barge.

44228833.. SSttnn

stain; used in drilling reports.

Page 639: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

638638

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44228844.. SSttoocckk aanndd ddiieess

A device for making threads on the end of a joint of pipe or length of rod; an

adjustable frame holding a set of steel dies or cutting teeth that is clamped

over the end of the pipe to be threaded. When properly aligned the dies are

Rotated clockwise in the flame, cutting away excess metal, leaving course of

threads.

44228855.. SSttoocckk ttaannkk

a crude oil storage tank.

44228866.. SSttoocckk--ttaannkk ooiill

oil as it exists at atmospheric conditions in a stock tank. Stock-tank oil lacks

much of the dissolved gas present at reservoir pressure and temperatures.

44228877.. SSttoopp

A common term for a type of plug valve used on lease tanks an d low-

pressure gravity systems.

44228888.. SSttoopp--aanndd--wwaassttee vvaallvvee

A type of plug valve that when in a closed position drains the piping above or

beyond it. When the valve is turned a quarter turn to shut it off, a small port

or hole in the valve body is uncovered. Permitting water above the valve to

drain out, preventing a freeze up in cold weather. Stop-and-waste valves are

used mainly on small-diameter water piping.

44228899.. SSttooppccoocckk

A type of plug valve usually installed on a small-diameter piping pet cock.

Page 640: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

639639

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44229900.. SSttooppccoocckkiinngg

Shutting in wells periodically to permit a buildup of gas pressure in the

formations and then opening the wells for production at intervals.

44229911.. SSttooppppeell

A plug inserted in a pipeline to stop the flow of oil while repairs are being

made a specially designed plug inserted in a pipeline through the use of a

tapping machine (q.v.). In making a pipeline repair, cutting out a short

section of the pipe, for example, the pump is shut down and the line is

drained as completely as possible. But when the pipe is cut some oil may still

be draining from a higher level of the line. To block this drainage a stoppel or

plug is put in. On small-diameter lines. 12-inch or smaller mud is packed in

the end of the line to dim up the drainage, when the line is repaired the pump

is started and the mud plug is pushed along inside the line. It disintegrates

and will end up either in a storage tank or at a scraper trap. On large-

diameter lines, an inflatable rubber sphere is inserted in the cut line and

inflated with compressed air. The sphere effectively fills the line and makes a

good dam. When the repair is made, pumping is resumed and the inflated

sphere is pushed ahead to take-off point just as a batching sphere (q.v.).

44229922.. SSttoorraaggee FFaacciilliittiieess

Facilities used for storing natural gas. They generally come in two forms

gaseous storage facilities and liquified natural gas (LNG) storage facilities.

Gaseous storage facilities are usually salt caverns or depleted natural gas or

crude oil reservoirs.

44229933.. SSttoorraaggee ggaass

gas that is stored in an underground reservoir.

Page 641: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

640640

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44229944.. SSttoorraaggee jjuugg

The name applied to underground salt cavities for the storage of lp-gases and

other petroleum products. Jug-shaped cavities are leached or washed out of

salt beds using super-heated water under pressure, the resulting

underground caverns, some are 100 feet in diameter and 900 feet deep, are

ideal storage wells for petroleum products. See salt-bed storage.

44229955.. SSttoorraaggee ttaannkk

a tank in which oil is stored pending transfer to a pipeline or purchase.

44229966.. SSttoorraaggee,, ssaalltt--bbeedd

See salt-bed storage.

44229977.. SSttoorreelleeaassee

A preprinted lease form (bought at the store) with blanks to be filled in by the

parties to the lease.

44229988.. SSttoorrmm cchhookkee

A safety valve installed in the wells tubing below the surface to shut the well

in when the flow of oil reaches a predetermined rate. Primarily used on

offshore, bay. Or town site locations, the tubing valve acts as an automatic

shut-off in the event there is damage to the control valve or the christmas

tree. Should the flow valves be damaged or be torn away by a storm or other

cause, the well is wide open. Flowing full stream. It is at this moment that the

high-pressure stream activates the storm choke, shutting the well in

completely.

44229999.. SSttoorrmm ccoonnddiittiioonnss,, hhuunnddrreedd--yyeeaarr

See hundred-year storm conditions.

Page 642: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

641641

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44330000.. SSttoovvee ooiill

A fight fuel oil or kerosene used in certain kinds of wickless-burner stoves.

44330011.. SSttoovveeppiippee mmeetthhoodd ((llaayyiinngg ppiippee))

Adding one joint at a time (as in building a stovepipe) in laying an offshore

pipeline from a weld-and-lay barge. In contrast, reel-barge pipe laying is done

by unreeling a spool of pipe over the stern of the reel barge, over the stinger

(q.v.) And onto the sea floor. On some of the largest reel barges 12,000 feet

of 10-inch pipe can be carried on the massive reel and payed out like a giant

hawser as the barge moves through the water at about a mile an hour. A reel

barge can lay as much pipe in an hour or so as can be welded and laid from a

conventional lay barge in a day. This capability is very important where

"weather windows" (q.v.) May be of short duration as in the north sea or in

the extremely hostile environment of arctic waters.

44330022.. SSttrraaddddllee ppaacckkeerr

two packers separated by a spacer of variable length. A straddle packer may

be used to isolate sections of open hole to be treated or tested or to isolate

certain areas of perforated casing from the rest of the perforated section.

(see packer.)

44330033.. SSttrraaddddllee ppllaanntt

See on-line plant.

44330044.. SSttrraaddddllee tteesstt

selective testing of an interval or formation by the use of two packers, one

above and one below the zone being tested.

Page 643: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

642642

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44330055.. SSttrraaiigghhtt hhoollee

a hole that is drilled vertically or nearly vertically so that no part of the hole is

more than 3 degrees off the vertical per 100 ft of hole.

44330066.. SSttrraaiigghhtt rruunn

Refers to a petroleum product produced by the primary distillation of crude

oil; the simple vaporization and condensation of a petroleum fraction, without

the use of pressure or catalysts.

44330077.. SSttrraaiinn

to effect a change of form or size as a result of the application of a stress.

44330088.. SSttrraaiinn ggaauuggee

an instrument used to measure minute distortions caused by stress forces in

mechanical components.

44330099.. SSttrraaiinneerr,, ppoott

An inline strainer used to catch and hold debris being pumped through a

pipeline in a products line, a refinery, or processing plants. The strainer is

flanged and is bolted into a pipeline.

44331100.. SSttrraapp

to measure and record the dimensions of oil tanks to prepare a tank table to

determine accurately the volume of oil in a tank at any measured depth. (see

gauging tables.)

44331111.. SSttrraapp iinn

to measure a length of pipe as it is run into the hole.

Page 644: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

643643

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44331122.. SSttrraappppiinngg

Measuring a tank with the use of a steel tape to arrive at its volume Strapping

involves measuring the circumference at intervals, top to bottom; height,

steel thickness, and computing deadwood (q.v.). Tank tables (q.v.) Are made

from these- measurements.

44331133.. SSttrraatt tteesstt

a well that is drilled primarily to obtain geological information and that is

usually not completed even if commercial quantities of petroleum are found.

44331144.. SSttrraattaa

distinct, usually parallel beds of rock. An individual bed is a stratum.

44331155.. SSttrraatteeggiicc PPeettrroolleeuumm rreesseerrvveess

Crude oil stored in underground formations and scaled caverns as a fuel

reserve in the event of a national emergency or a prolonged oil embargo by

foreign suppliers. The caches of crude are located in various areas across the

country.

44331166.. SSttrraattiiffiiccaattiioonn

natural layering or lamination characteristic of sediments and sedimentary

rocks. (see strata.)

44331177.. SSttrraattiiggppaapphhiicc tteesstt hhoollee

A hole drilled to gather information about a stratigraphic formation, the

general character of the rocks, their porosity, and permeability.

44331188.. SSttrraattiiggrraapphhiicc tteesstt

(see strat test.)

Page 645: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

644644

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44331199.. SSttrraattiiggrraapphhiicc ttrraapp

A type of reservoir (q.v.) Capable of holding oil or gas, formed by a change in

the characteristics of the formation-loss of porosity and permeability, or a

break in its continuity--which forms the trap or reservoir.

44332200.. SSttrraattiiggrraapphhyy

Geology that deals with the origin, composition, distribution, and succession

of rock strata.

44332211.. SSttrraattuumm

(see strata.)

44332222.. SSttrraaww iinn tthhee cciiddeerr bbaarrrreell

To have a well in a producing reservoir; or to have an interest in a well in a

producing field.

44332233.. SSttrreeaamm ddaayy

An operating day on a process unit as opposed to a calendar day. Stream day

includes an allowance for regular downtime. In computing a plant's

throughput on a daily basis, calendar days would include lime not on the line

and therefore give a distorted result. Stream day computations include only

days the plant was on stream, ignoring regular downtime for turnarounds or

for other reasons.

44332244.. SSttrreessss

a force that, when applied to an object, distorts or deforms it. Strike (see

formation strike.)

Page 646: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

645645

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44332255.. SSttrriikkee

(1) the angle of inclination from the horizontal of an exposed strata of rock.

(2) a good well; to make a strike is to find oil in commercial quantities; a hit.

44332266.. SSttrriikkee ppllaattee

an extra piece of metal placed on the bottom of an oil storage tank to protect

it from the repeated striking of the plumb bob at the end of the gauger's

tape.

44332277.. SSttrriinngg

the entire length of casing, tubing, or drill pipe run into a hole; the casing

string. Compare drill string and drill stem.

44332288.. SSttrriinngg sshhoott

an explosive device that uses primacord, a textile-covered fuse with a core of

very high explosive, to create an explosive jar inside stuck pipe or tubing to

back off the pipe at the joint immediately above the stuck point. (see shot.)

44332299.. SSttrriinngg uupp

to thread the drilling line through the sheaves of the crown block and

traveling block. One end of the line is secured to the hoisting drum and the

other to the derrick substructure.

44333300.. SSttrriinngg--sshhoott bbaacckk--ooffff

(see string shot.)

44333311.. SSttrriinnggeerr bbeeaadd

A welding term that refers to the first bead or course of molten metal put on

by the welder as two joints of line pipe are welded together. See pipeline

welding.

Page 647: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

646646

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44333322.. SSttrriinnggiinngg ppiippee

Placing joints of pipe end to end along a pipeline right of way in preparation

for laying, i.e., Screwing or welding the joints together to form a pipeline. On

large-diameter pipelines two joints are welded together in a "doubling yard"

(q.v.), An area convenient to a large pipeline construction project Where the

pipe is unloaded from railway flatcars, coated and wrapped and two joints

welded together. After "doubling" the sections of pipe are hauled to the job

and strung along the right of way.

44333333.. SSttrriipp

To disassemble; to dismantle for the purpose of inspection and repair; to

remove liquid components from a gas stream. See also stripping the pipe.

44333344.. SSttrriipp aa wweellll

to pull rods and tubing from a well at the same time. Tubing must be stripped

over the rods a joint at a time, and the exposed sucker rod is then backed off

and removed.

44333355.. SSttrriipp cchhaarrtt

In lieu of the circular chart for recording gas flow through an orifice meter,

Strip charts are sometimes used. Strip charts, as long as 35 to 40 feet, need

not be changed more than once a month it the operator desires. Also, the

speed at which the long chart moves through the meter is adjustable so the

recording of fluctuations in gas flow may be spread out, permitting more

accurate readings.

Page 648: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

647647

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44333366.. SSttrriipp ppiippee

(1). To remove the drill stem from the hole while the blowout preventers are

closed.

(2). To pull the drill stem and the washover pipe out of the hole at the same

time.

44333377.. SSttrriippppeedd ggaass

a processed gas from which liquefied hydrocarbons have been removed.

44333388.. SSttrriippppeerr

An oil well in the final stages of production; a well producing less than 10

barrels a day. Most stripper wells are pumped only a few hours a day. In

1978 there were nearly 400,000 stripper wells in the u.s. producing 20

percent of the country's oil.

44333399.. SSttrriippppeerr hheeaadd

a blowout prevention device consisting of a gland and packing arrangement

bolted to the wellhead. It is often used to seal the annular space between

tubing and casing.

44334400.. SSttrriippppeerr rruubbbbeerr

(1). A rubber disk surrounding drill pipe or tubing that removes mud as the

pipe is brought out of hole.

(2). The pressure-sealing element of a stripper blowout preventer. (see

stripper head.)

44334411.. SSttrriippppeerr ttoowweerr,, ssoouurr--wwaatteerr

A refinery vessel, a tower for the physical removal of contaminants from “sour

water,” water from knockout drums, condensates from accumulators, and

Page 649: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

648648

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

other processing units, before it undergoes biological treatment or is

discharged in the plant’s waste-water system.

44334422.. SSttrriippppeerr wwhheeeell

A hand wheel which is attached to the upper rod in a string of sucker rods in

the well to unscrew them.

44334433.. SSttrriippppiinngg jjoobb

the simultaneous pulling of rods and tubing when the sucker-rod pump or

rods are frozen in the tubing string.

44334444.. SSttrriippppiinngg ppllaanntt

See gasol no plant.

44334455.. SSttrriippppiinngg tthhee ppiippee

The job of removing drillpipe or tubing from a well under pressure, while

maintaining control of the well. The pipe is “stripped” by withdrawing it, a

stand” at a time, through a wellhead plug equipped with a hydraulic closure

mechanism (ram) that maintains pressure contact with the pipe being

withdrawn.

44334466.. SSttrriippppiinngg tthhee wweellll

To pull the rods and tubing from the well at the same time. The tubing must

be “stripped” over the rods, a joint at a time.

44334477.. SSttrrkkss

streaks; used in drilling reports.

44334488.. SSttrruuccttuurraall mmaasstt

a portable mast constructed of angular as opposed to tubular steel members.

(see jackknife mart.)

Page 650: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

649649

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44334499.. SSttrruuccttuurraall ttrraapp

A type of reservoir containing oil and/or gas formed by movements of the

earth’s crust which seal off the oil and gas accumulation in the reservoir

forming a trap. Anticlines, salt domes, and faulting of different kinds form

structural traps. See stratigraphic trap.

44335500.. SSttrruuccttuurree

Subsurface folds or fractures of rock layers which may form a reservoir

capable of holding oil or gas.

44335511.. SSttrruuccttuurree ccoonnttoouurr mmaapp

See contour map.

44335522.. SSttuubb lliinnee

An auxiliary fine attached to an existing fine by use of a tap saddle (q.v.) Or

by welding on a nipple or other fitting.

44335533.. SSttuucckk ppiippee

drill pipe, drill collars, casing, or tubing that has inadvertently become lodged

immovably in the hole. It may occur when drilling is in progress, when casing

is being run in the hole, or when the drill pipe is being hoisted.

44335544.. SSttuucckk ppooiinntt

the depth in the hole at which the drill stem, tubing, or casing is stuck.

44335555.. SSttuudd ddrriivveerr

A mechanical device for driving or screwing stud bolts into a bored and

threaded hole; a wrench-like device attached to one threaded end of a stud

bolt without damaging the threads. When torque is applied, the other end of

Page 651: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

650650

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

the bolt screws into the hole. Simple stud drivers are hand held. But for large

jobs they can be adaoted for impact wrenches (q.v.), Drill-press or air motors.

44335566.. SSttuudd dduucckk

Top man; the big boss.

44335577.. SSttuudd--lliinnkk cchhaaiinn

(nautical) an anchor chain on which each link has a bar, or stud, across the

shorter dimension of the link to prevent kinking and deformation under load.

44335588.. SSttuuddiinn

To attach a line (usually of smaller diameter) to an existing line, manifold or

vessel and make the connection by cutting a hole in the existing installation

and welding on a nipple or other fitting.

44335599.. SSttuuffffiinngg bbooxx

A packing gland a chamber or “box” to hold packing material compressed

around a moving pump rod or valve stem by a “follower” to prevent the

escape or gas or liquid.

44336600.. SSuubb

(1). A short, threaded piece of pipe used to adapt parts of the drill stem that

otherwise cannot be screwed together because of differences in thread size or

design.

(2). A threaded device made up in the drill stem that serves some special

purpose. (see junk sub, bent sub, bumper sub, lifting nipple, saver sub, and

kelly saver sub.)

44336611.. SSuubbmmeerrssiibbllee

(see submersible drilling rig.)

Page 652: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

651651

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44336622.. SSuubbmmeerrssiibbllee bbaarrggee ppllaattffoorrmm

A type of drilling rig mounted on a barge-like vessel used in shallow coastal

Waters. When on location, the vessels hull is submerged by flooding its

compartments leaving the derrick and its equipment well above the water

line.

44336633.. SSuubbmmeerrssiibbllee ddrriilllliinngg rriigg

an offshore drilling structure that has several compartments that are flooded

to cause the structure to submerge and rest on the ocean floor. Of necessity,

most submersible rigs are used only in shallow waters.

44336644.. SSuubbmmeerrssiibbllee ppuummpp

See pump, submersible.

44336655.. SSuubbsseeaa ccoommpplleettiioonn ssyysstteemm

A self-contained unit resembling a bathysphere to carry men to the ocean

bottom to install, repair, or adjust wellhead connections. One type of modular

unit is lowered from a tender and fastened to a special steel. Wellhead cellar.

Men work in a dry. Normal atmosphere. The underwater wellhead system was

developed by lockheed petroleum services ltd. In cooperation with shell oil

company.

44336666.. SSuubbsseeaa tteesstt ttrreeee

(sstt) a device designed to be landed in a subsea wellhead or blowout-

preventer stack to provide a means of closing in the well on the ocean floor

so that a drill-stem test of an offshore well can be obtained. (see formation

testing.)

Page 653: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

652652

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44336677.. SSuubbssttiittuuttee nnaattuurraall ggaass

(sng) see synthetic (substitute) natural gas.

44336688.. SSuubbssttrruuccttuurree

the foundations on which the derrick or mast and (sometimes) engines sit,

containing space for storage and well control equipment.

44336699.. SSuubbssuurrffaaccee

below the surface of the earth (as subsurface rocks).

44337700.. SSuubbssuurrffaaccee ggeeoollooggyy

the study of rocks that lie beneath the surface of the earth.

44337711.. SSuubbssuurrffaaccee ssaaffeettyy vvaallvvee

(see tubing safety valve.)

44337722.. SSuubbssuurrffaaccee ssaammpplliinngg

a procedure in which a bottom-hole sampler is lowered into the well and filled

with a sample that is representative of the reservoir conditions and that

contains all the constituents of the fluid in their true proportions. Tests run on

this sample help to obtain an accurate knowledge of the physical properties of

the reservoir fluid under actual conditions.

44337733.. SSuucckkeerr rroodd

a special steel rod; several rods screwed together make up the mechanical

link from beam-pumping unit on the surface to the sucker-rod pump at the

bottom of a well. Sucker rods are threaded on each end and manufactured to

exact dimension standards and metal specifications set by api. Lengths are 25

or 30 ft; diameter varies from 1/2 to 1 'a in.

Page 654: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

653653

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44337744.. SSuucckkeerr rrooddss,, hhoollllooww

In certain applications, slim-hole pumping, hollow sucker rods are used,

serving the dual purpose of rod and production tubing in the same string.

Traveling-barrel pumps are most often used with hollow-rod pumping. The

rods are attached to the cage or pull tube (traveling barrel); the pump is

installed in the seating nipple or a packer-type pump anchor is used.

44337755.. SSuucckkeerr--rroodd ccoouupplliinngg

an internally threaded fitting used to join sucker rods.

44337766.. SSuucckkeerr--rroodd gguuiiddeess

Small washer-like devices attached to a pumping well's sucker rods to confer

the rods in the tubing as the rods move up and down. The guides prevent

excessive wear of the tubing and the rods as well.

44337777.. SSuucckkeerr--rroodd ppuummpp

the downhole assembly used to lift fluid to the surface by the reciprocating

action of the sucker-rod string. Basic components are the barrel, plunger,

valves, and hold-down. Two types of sucker-rod pumps are the tubing pump,

in which the barrel is attached to the tubing, and the rod, or insert, pump,

which is run into the well as a complete unit.

44337788.. SSuucckkeerr--rroodd ppuummppiinngg

a method of articifical lift in which a subsurface pump located at or near the

bottom of the well and connected to a string of sucker rods is used to lift the

well fluid to the surface. The weight of the rod string and fluid is

counterbalanced by weights attached to a reciprocating beam or to the crank

Page 655: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

654654

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

member of a beam-pumping unit or by air pressure in a cylinder attached to

the beam.

44337799.. SSuucckkeerr--rroodd ssccrraappeerrss

Perforated disks attached to the string of sucker rods of a pumping well to

prevent the build up of paraffin on the inside of the tubing. As the rods move

up and down, the perforated disks (several to each rod) scrape off the

paraffin attempting to coat and then build up on the tubing, reducing the

amount of oil that can be pumped from the well.

44338800.. SSuucckkeerrrroodd

Steel rods that are screwed together to form a "string" that connects the

pump inside a well's tubing downhole to the pumping jack on the surface;

pumping rods.

44338811.. SSUUCCKKIINNGG TTHHEE TTOONNGGSS

Working in a pipeline gang laying screw pipe; hitting the hooks (q.v.).

44338822.. SSuuccttiioonn hheeaadd,, nneett ppoossiittiivvee

The hydrostatic head, the height of the column of liquid required to ensure

that the liquid its above its bubble point (q.v.) Pressure at the impeller eye of

a centrifugal pump, if a pump requires 1 0 foot of not positive suction head to

fill properly and prevent cavitation, then the minimum liquid level above the

pumps immediate intake connection should be 12 feet. The additional two

feet of liquid level are needed to overcome the friction of connecting piping.

44338833.. SSuuccttiioonn lliinnee

the line that carries a product out of a tank to the suction side of the pumps;

also called the loading line.

Page 656: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

655655

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44338844.. SSuuccttiioonn ppiitt

the mud pit from which mud is picked up by the suction of the mud pumps;

also called a sump pit.

44338855.. SSuuiittccaassee ssaanndd

a formation found to be nonproductive. When such a formation is

encountered, operations are suspended, and the crews pack their suitcases

and move to another job; hence, the name.

44338866.. SSuull wwttrr

sulfur water; used in drilling reports.

44338877.. SSuullffaattee rreessiissttaannccee

the ability of a cement to resist deterioration by sulfate ions.

44338888.. SSuullffaattee--rreedduucciinngg bbaacctteerriiaa

bacteria that digest sulfate present in water, causing the release of hydrogen

sulfide, which combines with iron to form iron sulfide, a troublesome scale.

44338899.. SSUULLLL NNOOSSEE

A screw-end pipeline plug a pipeline fitting one end of which is closed and

tapered to resemble a bull's nose; a nipple-like fitting, one end threaded, the

other end closed.

44339900.. SSuummpp

a low place in a vessel or tank used to accumulate settlings that are later

removed through an opening in the bottom of the vessel.

44339911.. SSuummpp ppiitt

A suction pit

Page 657: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

656656

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44339922.. SSuuppeerrcchhaarrggee

To supply air to an engine's intake or suction valves at a pressure higher than

the surrounding atmosphere. See supercharger.

44339933.. SSuuppeerrcchhaarrggeerr

A mechanism such as a blower or compressor for increasing the volume of air

charge to an engine over that which can normally be drawn into the cylinders

through the action of the pistons on the suction strokes. Superchargers are

operated or powered by an exhaust-gas turbine in the engine's exhaust

stream.

44339944.. SSuuppeerrppoorrtt

A terminal or oil-handling facility located offshore in water deep enough to

accommodate the largest, deep-draft oil tankers.

44339955.. SSuuppeerrttaannkkeerr

The largest crude oil carrier yet designed.

44339966.. SSuuppppllyy--bbooaatt mmoooorriinngg ssyysstteemm ((ssssmmss))

A type of sea terminal for tinkers and supply boats featuring a single log

securely fixed to the ocean floor with a truss-like yoke which attaches to the

bow of the vessel being loaded. Loading fines are supported by the yoke

which is hinged to the boat allowing free articulation to accommodate any

kind of sea condition during loading. The leg of the mooring system is

equipped with a universal joint and is able to rotate as the ship

weathervanes.

44339977.. SSuurr

survey; used in drilling reports.

Page 658: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

657657

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44339988.. SSuurrffaaccee ccaassiinngg

(see surface pipe.)

44339999.. SSuurrffaaccee ppiippee

the first string of casing set in a well after the conductor pipe, varying in

length from a few hundred feet to several thousand. Some states require a

minimum length to protect fresh-water sands. Compare conductor pipe.

44440000.. SSuurrffaaccee pprreessssuurree

the formation pressure measured at the wellhead.

44440011.. SSuurrffaaccee ssaaffeettyy vvaallvvee

a valve mounted in the christmas tree assembly that stops the flow of fluids

from the well if damage occurs to the assembly.

44440022.. SSuurrffaaccee wwaassttee

waste incurred by line leaks, seepage, inexpedient storage, and so forth.

Usually such waste is regulated by federal or state agencies.

44440033.. SSuurrffaaccee--aaccttiivvee aaggeenntt

(see surfactant.) Surface drilling unit an offshore drilling rig that is either a

drill ship or a drilling barge; so called because the rig floats on the surface of

the water.

44440044.. SSuurrffaaccee--mmoottiioonn ccoommppeennssaattoorr

a heave compensator.

44440055.. SSuurrffaaccee--rreeaaddoouutt ddeevviiccee

an electronic device in which a probe is inserted into the drill stem near a

directional-drilling deflection tool. The probe sends to the surface continuous

Page 659: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

658658

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

signals that show the direction and angle at which the bit is drilling. Readout

devices greatly simplify the accurate orientation of the drilling assembly so

that numerous directional surveys can be eliminated. (see directional drilling.)

44440066.. SSuurrffaaccttaanntt

a substance that affects the properties of the surface of a liquid or solid by

concentrating on the surface layer. Surfactants are useful in that their use can

ensure that the surface of one substance or object is in thorough contact with

the surface of another substance.

44440077.. SSuurrffaaccttaanntt ffllooooddiinngg

See micellar-surfactant flooding.

44440088.. SSuurrffaaccttaanntt mmuudd

a drilling mud prepared by adding a surfactant to a water-base mud to

change the colloidal state of the clay from that of complete dispersion to one

of controlled flocculation. These muds were originally designed for use in

deep, high-temperature wells, but their many advantages (high chemical and

thermal stability, minimum swelling effect on clay-bearing zones, lower plastic

viscosity, etc.) Extend their applicability.

44440099.. SSuurrggee

the motion of a mobile offshore drilling rig in a direction in line with the

centerline of the rig, especially the front-to-back motion of the rig when it is

moored in a seaway.

Page 660: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

659659

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44441100.. SSuurrggee eeffffeecctt

a rapid increase in pressure downhole that occurs when the drill stem is

lowered rapidly or when the mud pump is rapidly brought up to speed after

starting.

44441111.. SSuurrggee ttaannkk

a tank or vessel through which liquids or gases are passed to steady flow and

eliminate pressure surges.

44441122.. SSuurrggeettaannkk

A vessel on a flow line whose function is to receive and neutralize sudden,

transient rises or surges in the stream of liquid. Surge tanks often are used on

systems where fluids flow by heads (q.v.) Owing to entrained gas.

44441133.. SSuurrvveeyy

(see directional).

44441144.. SSuussppeennssiioonn//SSuussppeenndd

The temporary cessation of drilling or production operations in a well.

survey

44441155.. SSuussppeennssee mmoonneeyy

The term applied to revenue or money collected by a regulated gas pipe. Line

company after filing a rate increase, which is subject to an obligation to

refund the money to purchasers it the regulatory agency, controlling such

increases, fails to approve the increase. Escrow money.

Page 661: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

660660

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44441166.. SSuurrvveeyy ssttaakkeess

Wooden markers driven into the earth by a survey crew identifying the

boundaries of a right of way, the route of a pipeline, or a well location. Survey

stakes may bear notations indicating elevation or location.

44441177.. SSuurrvveeyyoorr''ss cchhaaiinn

A measuring instrument; a chain of 100 links, each link equaling 7.92 inches.

44441188.. SSuurrvveeyyoorr''ss ttrraannssiitt

A telescope mounted on a calibrated base, on a tripod, for measuring

horizontal as well as vertical angles; a theodolite. A transit is commonly used

by surveyors for running levels.

44441199.. SSuussppeennddeedd ddiissccoovveerryy

An oil or gas field that has been identified by a discovery well but is yet to be

developed.

44442200.. SSuussppeennssee mmoonneeyy

The term applied to revenue or money collected by a regulated gas pipe. Line

company after filing a rate increase, which is subject to an obligation to

refund the money to purchasers it the regulatory agency, controlling such

increases, fails to approve the increase. Escrow money.

44442211.. SSuussppeennssiioonn//SSuussppeenndd

The temporary cessation of drilling or production operations in a well.

44442222.. SSww

salt water; used in drilling reports.

Page 662: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

661661

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44442233.. SSwwaabb

a hollow, rubber-faced cylinder mounted on a hollow mandrel with a pin joint

on the upper end to connect to the swab line. A check valve that opens

upward on the lower end provides a way to remove the fluid from the well

when pressure is insufficient to support flow. to operate a swab on a wireline

to bring well fluids to the surface when the well does not flow naturally.

Swabbing is a temporary operation to determine whether or not the well can

be m

44442244.. SSwwaaggee

A heavy, steel tool, tapered at one end, used to force open casing that has

collapsed downhole in a well.

44442255.. SSwwaaggee nniippppllee

An adapter; a short pipe fitting, a nipple, that is a different size on each end,

e.g. 2-inch to 3-inch 2-inch to 4-inch.

44442266.. SSwwaammppeerr

(slang) a helper on a truck, tractor, or other machine.

44442277.. SSwwaayy

the motion of a mobile offshore drilling rig in a linear direction from side to

side or perpendicular to a line through the centerline of the rig; especially, the

side-to-side motion when the rig is moored in a seaway.

44442288.. SSwwaayybbrraacceess

The diagonal support braces on a rig structure. Along with the horizontal

girts, sway braces hold the legs (the corner members) of the rig in place.

Page 663: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

662662

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44442299.. SSwwbbdd

swabbed; used in drilling reports.

44443300.. SSwweeeett

Having a good odor a product testing negative to the "doctor test"-free of

sulfur compounds.

44443311.. SSwweeeett ccoorrrroossiioonn

the deterioration )فسد أو تلف تدريجي( of metal caused by contact with carbon

dioxide and acids.

44443322.. SSwweeeett ccrruuddee

sweet crude oil.

44443333.. SSwweeeett ccrruuddee ooiill

oil containing little or no sulfur and especially little or no hydrogen sulfide.

44443344.. SSwweeeett ggaass

Natural gas free of significant amounts of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) when

produced.

44443355.. SSwweeeett OOiill aanndd GGaass

Petroleum containing little or no hydrogen sulphide.

44443366.. SSwweeeettccrruuddee

Crude oil containing very little sulfur and having a good odor.

44443377.. SSwweeeetteenn

to remove sulfur or sulfur compounds from gas or oil. Sweet gas a natural gas

containing little or no hydrogen sulfide.

Page 664: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

663663

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44443388.. SSwweepptt--ffrreeqquueennccyy eexxpplloossiioonn

A type of controlled explosion used in seismic work in which a string of small

detonations are set off in sequence instead of the more conventional single,

large explosion. In oil and gas exploration, swept-frequency explosions are a

vibration or shock source in conducting seismographic surveys.

44443399.. SSwwiinngg jjooiinntt

A combination of pipe fittings that permits a limited amount of movement in

the connection without straining the lines, flanges, and valves.

44444400.. SSwwiinngg lliinnee

an extension of the suction line that pivots vertically inside an oil tank. It

reduces stratification by allowing an operator to withdraw product from

varying heights in the tank. A swing line may be used in place of a mixing

nozzle or other circulating system.

44444411.. SSwwiinngg mmaann

One whose job is working in place of other employee son their days off. In a

refinery or pump station operating 24 hours a day, there are three shifts of

workers, and a swing shift. The swing shift covers the days off of the other so

the swing man works two day shifts, two evening shifts, and one graveyard

or hoot-owl shift. The other graveyard shift is worked either by another swing

man or another plant worker who is not a regular shift worker.

44444422.. SSwwiinngg sshhiifftt

See swing man.

44444433.. SSwwiinnggcchheecckk

A check valve (q.v.).

Page 665: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

666464

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44444444.. SSwwiittcchheerr

A person who works on an oil lease overseeing the filling of lease stock tanks.

When a tank is full he switches valves, turning the production into other

tanks. A switches works on a lease with flowing production. If the lease had

only pumping wells, he would be called a pumper.

44444455.. SSwwiittiicchheerr

(obsolete) a pumper or lease operator.

44444466.. SSwwiivveell

a rotary tool that is hung from the rotary hook and trailing block to suspend

and permit free rotation of the drill stem. It also provides a connection for the

rotary hose and passageway for the flow of drilling fluid into the drill stem.

44444477.. SSxx

sacks; used in drilling and mud reports.

44444488.. SSyynncclliinnee

a downwarped, trough-shaped configuration of folded, stratified rocks; the

reverse of an anticline.

44444499.. SSyynnffuueell

Short for synthetic gas or oil (q.v.).

44445500.. SSyynntthhaannee ppllaanntt

A coal-to-gas pilot plant operated by the energy research and development

administration in Pennsylvania. Designed to produce 1.2 mmcfd of pipeline

gas, designated as synthane, synthetic methane.

Page 666: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

665665

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44445511.. SSyynntthheettiicc

(substitute) natural gas (sng) A gas that is obtained either by heating coal or

by refining heavier hydrocarbons. Hydrogen must be added to the product to

make up for deficiencies in the original hydrocarbon source.

44445522.. SSyynntthheettiicc ggaass

Commercial gas made by the reduction or gasification of solid hydrocarbons

coal, oil shale and tar sand. See gasification.

44445533.. SSyynntthheettiicc ooiill

A term applied to oil recovered from coat, oil shales, and tar sands (q.v.).

Page 667: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

666666

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44445544.. TT

top of; used in drilling reports.

44445555.. TT.. DD..

Total depth. Said of a well drilled to the depth intended.

44445566.. TTAA

temporarily abandoned.

44445577.. ttaacchhoommeetteerr

an instrument that measures the speed of an engine; abbreviated tach.

44445588.. TTAACCKK WWEELLDD

Spot weld temporarily joining two joints of pipe to hold them in position for

complete welding.

44445599.. ttaagg

to touch an object downhole with the drill stem as to tag bottom (of the hole)

or to tag the top of the fish.

44446600.. ttaagg lliinnee

a utility rope or cable that is attached to unwieldy loads being hoisted by a

crane to allow a load handler better control of the movement of the load.

44446611.. TTAAIILL

To carry the light end of a load; to extricate a vehicle from a ditch or mud.

44446622.. TTAAIILL CCHHAAIINN

The short length of chain, with a hook attached. on the end of a winch line.

Page 668: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

667667

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44446633.. TTAAIILL GGAASS

Residue gas from a sulfur recovery unit; any gas from a processing

unittreated as residue.

44446644.. ttaaiill oouutt rrooddss

to pull the bottom end of a sucker rod away from a well when laying rods

down.

44446655.. ttaaiill ppiippee

a pipe run in a well below a packer.

44446666.. ttaaiill rroolllleerr

a large roller located across the stern of an anchor-handling boat, over which

pendant lines travel when an anchor is being brought in or dropped.

44446677.. TTAAIILLIINNGG--OOUUTT RROODDSS

Unscrewing and stacking rods horizontally outside the derrick. As a rod is

unscrewed, a worker takes the free end and, as the elevator holding the other

end is stacked off, he "walks" the rod to a rack where it is laid down.

44446688.. TTAAIILLIINNGGSS

Leftovers from a refining process; refuse material separated as residue.

44446699.. TTAAIILLSS EENNDDSS

In a distillation column at a refinery, tail ends are the overlapping ends of the

distillation curves of two products. For example, when naphtha and kerosene

are being distilled, the end point (q.v.) of naphtha is about 325'F. but the

initial boiling point of kerosene is about 305'F. So before naphtha reaches its

end point, kerosene has begun to boil or vaporize. This unavoidable overlap

Page 669: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

668668

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

results in tail ends; the high end of one product and low end of a closely

related product.

44447700.. ttaakkee oouutt

to remove a joint or stand of pipe from the drill stem.

44447711.. ttaallllyy

to measure and record the total length of pipe, casing, or tubing that is to be

run in a well.

44447722.. TTAALLLLYYIINNGG TTHHEE PPIIPPEE

In setting pipe, casing a well, it is important to keep tab on the footage of

pipe run in the hole. So before lowering a joint it is carefully tallied

(measured) so the operator, by counting the number of joints run, knows to

the foot where the bottom of the casing is downhole.

44447733.. TTAALLUUSS

Rock fragments at the base of a cliff, sometimes forming a slope of chips and

larger fragments one-fourth to one-third the way up the face of the

disintegrating rock cliff.

44447744.. TTAANNDDEEMM

A heavy-duty, flat-bed truck with two closely coupled pairs of axles in the

rear; a ten-wheeler.

44447755.. ttaannkk

a metal, plastic, or wooden container used to store a liquid. Two types include

production tanks and storage tanks; the latter are, in general, larger and of

stronger construction.

Page 670: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

669669

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44447766.. ttaannkk bbaarrggee

a large, flat-bottomed vessel divided into compartments and used to carry

crude or fuel oil.

44447777.. TTAANNKK BBAATTTTEEIIIIYY

See Battery.

44447788.. ttaannkk bbaatttteerryy

a group of production tanks located in the field that store crude oil.

44447799.. ttaannkk bboottttoommss

pl the settlings in the bottom of a storage tank. (See basic sediment and

water and bottoms.)

44448800.. ttaannkk ccaarr

a railroad car used to transport petroleum or petroleum products.

44448811.. TTAANNKK DDIIKKEE

A mound of earth surrounding an oil tank to contain the oil in the event of a

rupture in the tank, a fire, or the tank running over.

444448833.. ttaannkk ffaarrmm

a group of large tanks maintained by a pipeline used to store oil after it has

been transferred from the production tanks before transportation to the

refinery.

44448844.. TTAANNKK MMIIXXEERR

Motor-driven propeller installed on the shell of a storage tank to stir up and

mix tank sediments with the crude. The propeller shaft, protrudes through the

Page 671: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

670670

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

shell, with the motor mounted on the outside. Turbulence created by the prop

thrust causes the BS&W to remain suspended in the oil as it is pumped out.

44448855.. ttaannkk sshhiipp

(See tanker.)

44448866.. ttaannkk ssttrraappppeerr

the person who measures a tank at various levels to see how much it will

hold.

44448877.. ttaannkk ttaabbllee

a table giving the barrels of fluid contained in a storage tank corresponding to

the linear measurement on a gauge line. Tank tables are prepared from tank

strapping measurements. (See strap.)

44448888.. TTAANNKK TTAABBLLEESS

A printed table showing the capacity in barrels for each one-eighth inch or

one-quarter inch of tank height, from bottom to the top gauge point of the

tank, Tank tables are made from dimensions furnished by tank strappings

(q.v.). See Strapping.

44448899.. TTAANNKK TTRRAAIINN

A new concept in the rail shipment of crude oil, products, and other liquids

developed by General American Transportation (GATX). "Tank Train" tank

cars are interconnected which permits loading and unloading of the entire

train of cars from one track connection. This arrangement does away with the

need for the conventional loading rack (q.v.), and vapors from the filing

operation can be more easily contained. See Densmore, Amos.

Page 672: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

671671

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44449900.. ttaannkk ttrruucckk

a truck designed to transport petroleum or petroleum products.

44449911.. TTAANNKK,, BBUULLLLEETT

See Bullet Tanks.

44449922.. ttaannkkaaggee

the total capacity of a number of tanks in a field.

44449933.. ttaannkkeerr

a ship designed to transport oil, LPG, LNG, or SNG; also called a tank ship.

Tankers whose capacity is 100,000 deadweight tons or more are

supertankers, either very large crude carriers or ultralarge crude carriers.

44449944.. TTAANNKKEERR RRAATTEESS,, SSPPOOTT CCHHAARRTTEERR

See Spot Charter Tanker Rates.

44449955.. TTAANNKKEERR TTEERRMMIINNAALL

A jetty or pier equipped to load and unload oil tankers. See Sea Terminal.

44449966.. ttaapp

a hole or opening in a line or vessel in which a gauge or valve may be

inserted and screwed tight.

44449977.. TTAAPP SSAADDDDLLEE

A type of pipeline clamp with a threaded hole in one of the two halves of the

bolt-on clamp for use when a pipeline is to be tapped; to have a hole made in

it for drawing off gas or liquid. Tap saddles are used on field lines, 2" to 10";

for tapping larger lines, nipples are welded to the pipe and a tapping machine

(q.v.) is used.

Page 673: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

672672

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44449988.. TTAAPPEERR MMIILLLL

A type of junk mill (q.v.); an elongated, tapered grinding and pulverizing bit

(tapered from several inches to one or two inches in diameter) whose surface

had been hard-faced with super-hard, durable cutting material.

44449999.. ttaappeerr ttaapp

a fishing tool that is run into a hollow fish (as a drill collar) and rotated to cut

sufficient threads to provide a firm grip, permitting the fish to be pulled and

recovered.

44550000.. ttaappeerreedd ssttrriinngg

drill pipe, tubing, sucker rods, and so forth with a diameter larger near the

top of the well than that below.

44550011.. TTAAPPPPEEDD OORR FFLLAANNGGEEDD CCOONNNNEECCTTIIOONNSS

Indicates the two types of pump or process unit connections available from

suppliers. Tapped is an internally threaded (female) connection into which an

externally threaded piece may be, screwed; a flanged connection is one

furnished with a screw or weld flange.

444550033.. TTAAPPPPIINNGG AANNDD PPLLUUGGGGIINNGG MMAACCHHIINNEE

A device used for cutting a hole in a pipeline under pressure. A nipple, with a

full-opening valve attached, is welded to the line. The tapping machine is

screwed onto the valve and, working through the open valve, bores a hole in

the line. The tapping drill is withdraw, the valve is closed, and the tapping

machine is unscrewed from the valve. A connection can then be made to the

pipeline at the valve.

Page 674: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

673673

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44550044.. TTAAPPSS

Trans-Alaska Pipeline System; a large-diameter pipeline built from the oil rich

North Slope of Alaska to the warm-water port of Valdez on the state's south

shore. The 48-inch, 800-mile pipeline was completed in the summer of 1977.

Its designed throughput is 1.2 million barrels a day. The Valdez crude oil

terminal covers 1,000 acres and is one of the world's largest. The terminal

has four loading berths for tankers up to 200,000 deadweight tons

displacement.

44550055.. ttaarr ssaanndd

a sandstone that contains mostly very heavy, tarlike hydrocarbons. Tar sands

are difficult to produce by ordinary methods; thus it is costly to obtain usable

hydrocarbons from them.

44550066.. TTAARRIIFFFF

A schedule of rates or charges permitted a common carrier or utility pipeline

tariffs, are the charges made by common carrier pipelines for moving crude

oil or products.

44550077.. ttaauutt--lliinnee rreeffeerreennccee ssyysstteemm

a system for monitoring the position of a floating offshore drilling rig in

relation to the subsea wellhead by stretching a taut steel line from the rig to

the ocean floor. An inclinometer measures the slope of the line at the rig,

and, because the line is assumed to be straight from the rig to the ocean

floor, any angle in the lines indicates that the rig has moved. The system's

weakness is that the taut line can be distorted by currents and thus give

inaccurate readings. Compare acoustic past reference and position-reference

system.

Page 675: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

674674

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44550088.. TTBBAA

Among marketing department people, TBA stands for tires, batteries, and

accessories.

44550099.. TTccff

(Trillium Cubic Feet) A volume measurement of natural gas, approximately

equivalent to one Quad.

44551100.. TTccfflldd

trillion cubic feet of gas per day.

44551111.. TTDD

total depth.

44551122.. TTDDCC

top dead center.

44551133.. TTEEAAMMIINNGG CCOONNTTRRAACCTTOORR

A person who furnished teams of horses and mules and oil field wagons for

construction and earth work in the oil fields. Some large teaming contractors

in the early days kept stables with 600 teams (1,200 horse and mules), In the

days of drt roads in the booming oil fields, the horse and wagon was the most

dependable mode of transportation.

44551144.. TTEEAAMMSSTTEERR

See Mule Skinner.

Page 676: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

675675

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44551155.. TTEEAAPPOOTT DDOOMMEE

Part of the Naval Petroleum Reserves set aside by Congress in 1923. Teapot

Dome in Wyoming was the center of controversy and scandal in the 19205

during the presidency of Warren G. Harding.

44551166.. tteeaarr ddoowwnn

to dismantle a rig at the completion of a well and prepare it to be moved to

the next location.

44551177.. TTEECCTTOONNIICC MMAAPP

A geological map structural map showing the folding and faulting of

subsurface formations.

44551188.. TTEEGG

triethylene glycol.

44551199.. TTEELLEEGGRRAAPPHH

A device for the remote control of a steam drilling engine on a cable-tool rig.

The "telegraph" consisted of a wire or a small cable running between the

pulleys, one at the drillers stand, the other mounted on the steam valve of

the engine. By turning his wheel, the driller regulated the speed of the engine

by opening or closing the steam valve.

44552200.. TTEELLEEGGRRAAPPHH KKEEYY

A Morse code sending instrument made with a spring loaded lever on a

fulcrum. When the lever is depressed, the brass lever or key makes contact

with a fixed terminal, closing the electric circuit which energizes two small

coils into magnets. The magnets draw down a small bar on the telegraph

sounder, making a dot or a dash sound depending upon the length of time

Page 677: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

676676

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

(split seconds) contact is made by the telegrapher. Dots are short, dashes are

slightly longer.

44552211.. TTEELLEEGGRRAAPPHHEERR''SS BBUUGG

An automatic Morse code sending machine operated by pressure from the

telegrapher's thumb and forefinger. The advantage of the bug is that it makes

dots in rapid succession by a slight pressure on the thumb lever; dashes are

made one at a time with the forefinger. A popular, patented bug is the

Vibroplex which has a beetle on the nameplate, hence the name,

44552222.. tteelleemmeettrryy

data that is gathered by electronic or other sensing devices and is transmitted

to points remote from the place where the data was collected.

44552233.. tteelleessccooppiinngg ddeerrrriicckk

a portable mast that is capable of being erected as a unit, usually by a tackle

that hoists the wireline or by hydraulic pistons. Generally the upper section of

a telescoping derrick is nested (telescoped) inside the lower section of the

structure and raised to full height either by the wireline or hydraulically. (See

production n . g, portable mast, and pole mart.)

44552244.. tteelleessccooppiinngg JJooiinntt

a device used in the marine riser system of a mobile offshore drilling rig to

compensate for the vertical motion of the rig caused by wind, waves, or

weather. It consists of an inner barrel attached beneath the rig floor and an

outer barrel attached to the riser pipe and is an integrated part of the riser

system. (See riser pipe.)

Page 678: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

677677

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44552255.. tteellllttaallee hhoollee

a hole drilled into the space between rings of packing material used with a

liner in a mud pump. When the liner packing fails, fluid spurts out of the

telltale hole with each stroke of the piston, indicating that the packing must

be renewed.

44552266.. tteemmppeerr oorr tteemmppllee ssccrreeww

a part on a cable-tool rig used to regulate the force of the blow delivered to

the drill bit. Attached to the walking beam, it controls the feed rate of the

drilling tools.

44552277.. TTEEMMPPEERR SSCCRREEWW

A device on the cable of a string of cable fools ,hat permits the driller to

adjust tension on the drilling fine. A temper screw is made in the general form

of a turnbuckle" (q.v.)

44552288.. tteemmppeerraattuurree

a measure of heat or the absence of heat, expressed in degrees Fahrenheit or

centigrade. The latter is the standard used in countries on the metric system.

44552299.. TTEEMMPPEERRAATTUURREE BBOOMMBB

A device used downhole to measure bottom-hole and circulating temperatures

on a drilling well. One technique involves attaining a temperature sensitive

probe in a Protective sleeve attached to a carrier mounted on the drillpipe.

44553300.. TTEEMMPPEERRAATTUURREE CCOONNVVEERRSSIIOONN

('F. to 'C.) 'C. = 5/9 ('F - 32'); ('C. to 'F) 'F. = 9/5 ('C.)+ 32'.

Page 679: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

678678

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

444553322.. tteemmppeerraattuurree ggrraaddiieenntt

1. the rate of change of temperature with displacement in a given direction.

2. the increase in temperature of a well as its depth increases.

44553333.. TTEEMMPPEERRAATTUURREE LLOOGG

Recording temperature variations downhole by the use of an electrode

containing a length of platinum wire that readily assumes the temperature of

drilling mud, gas, or water leaking into the hole. One important use of the

logging device is to determine the location of cement in the annular space

between casing and well bore after a cement job. The curing or hardening

cement gives off heat which alters the flow of electric current observable at

the surface.

44553344.. tteemmppeerraattuurree ssuurrvveeyy

an operation to determine temperatures at various depths in the wellbore. In

addition, it is used to determine the height of cement behind the casing and

to locate the source of water influx into the wellbore.

444553366.. tteemmppllaattee

(See temporary guide base.)

44553377.. TTEEMMPPLLAATTEE PPLLAATTFFOORRMM

An offshore platform whose supporting legs fit into a frame previously

constructed and anchored to the sea floor. The platform, constructed on.

shore, is taken out to location by a crane barge where it is into the frame.

44553388.. tteemmppoorraarriillyy aabbaannddoonneedd

temporarily shut in but not plugged.

Page 680: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

679679

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44553399.. tteemmppoorraarryy gguuiiddee bbaassee

the initial piece of equipment lowered to the ocean floor once a mobile

offshore drilling rig has been positioned on location. It serves as an anchor for

the guidelines and as a foundation for the permanent guide base and has an

opening in the center through which the bit passes. It is also called a

template.

44554400.. tteennddeerr

1. the barge anchored alongside a relatively small offshore drilling platform,

usually containing living quarters, storage space, and the mud system. 2. a

shipment of oil presented by a shipper to a pipeline for movement.

44554411.. TTEENNDDEERRSS

A quantity of crude oil or refined product delivered to a pipeline for

transportation. Regulations set the minimum amount of oil that will be

accepted for transportation.

44554422.. tteennssiillee ssttrreennggtthh

a measure of the load required to part metal. Tensile strength is greater than

yield strength. (See yield point.)

44554433.. TTEENNSSIIOOMMEETTEERR

A gauge attached to a cable or wire rope to detect the tension being applied.

From two positions on a section of the cable a sensitive gauge measures the

stretch and twist of the cable under load, indicating the tension on a scale a

strain gauge.

Page 681: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

680680

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44554444.. TTEENNSSIIOONN--LLEEGG PPLLAATTFFOORRMM

A semisubumersible drilling platform held in position by multiple cables

anchored to the ocean floor. The constant tension of the cables makes the

platform immune to heave, pitch, and roll caused by wave action, conditions

that affect conventional semisubmersibles.

44554455.. tteennssiioonneerr ssyysstteemm

devices installed on a floating offshore drilling rig to maintain a constant

tension on the riser pipe despite any vertical motion the rig makes. The

guidelines must also be tensioned, and a separate tensioner system is

provided for them.

44554466.. TTEENNSSIIOONNEERR SSYYSSTTEEMMSS

Tensioner systems are installed on deep water floating drilling platforms to

maintain a constant tension on the marine riser (q.v.). Two types of systems

are used the deadweight system and the pneumatic system. Tensioning

systems serve the dual purpose of compensating for the vertical motion of the

drilling vessel or platform and maintaining a constant tension or lifting force

on the riser.

44554477.. tteerrmmiinnaall

a point to which oil is transported through-pipelines. It usually includes a tank

farm and may include tanker-loading facilities.

44554488.. TTEERRTTIIAARRYY RREECCOOVVEERRYY

The third major phase of crude oil recovery. The primary phase is flowing and

finally pumping down the reservoir until it is "depleted" or no longer

economical to operate. Secondary recovery usually involves re-pressuring or

Page 682: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

681681

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

simple water-flooding. The third or tertiary phase employs more sophisticated

techniques of altering one or more of the properties of crude oil, e.g.,

reducing surface tension. This is accomplished by flooding the formation with

water mixed with certain chemicals that "free" the oil adhering to the porous

rock so it may be taken into solution and pumped to the surface. See Micellar-

surfactant Flooding.

44554499.. TTEESSTT CCOOUUPPOONNSS

Small samples of materials-metals, alloys, coatings, plastics and ceramics-

which are subjected to heat, cold, pressure, humidity and other conditions of

stress to test durability and performance under simulated operating

conditions.

44555500.. tteesstt sseeppaarraattoorr

an oil and gas separator that is used to separate relatively small quantities of

oil and gas, which are diverted through the testing devices on a lease. test

well a wildcat well.

44555511.. TTEESSTT SSEETT ((TTEELLEEPPHHOONNEE))

A lineman's portable equipment for testing the circuit on a telephone line. The

test includes a hand-cranked telephone instrument whose lead wires are

clipped to the phone lines, when the lineman wants to call in to the

switchboard.

44555522.. TTEESSTTIINNGG,, HHYYDDRROOSSTTAATTIICC

See Hydrostatic Testing.

Page 683: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

682682

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44555533.. TTEETTRRAAEETTHHYYLL LLEEAADD

A lead compound added, in small amounts, to gasoline to improve

itsantiknock quality. Tetraethyl lead (TEL) is manufactured from ethyl chloride

which is derived from ethylene, a petrochemical gas.

44555544.. TTEEXXAASS DDEECCKK

The top deck of a large semisubmersible drilling platform. The upper deck of

any offshore drilling rig that has two or more platform levels.

44555555.. TTEEXXAASS TTOOWWEERR

A radar or microwave platform supported on caissons anchored to the ocean

floor, The tower resembles an offshore drilling platform in the Texas Gulf,

hence the name.

44555566.. TTHHEEOODDOOLLIITTEE

A surveyor's transit (q.v.).

44555577.. TTHHEERRMMAALL CCRRAACCKKIINNGG ))التكسير الحراريالتكسير الحراري((

A refining process in which heat and pressure are used to break down,

rearrange, or combine hydrocarbon molecules. Thermal cracking is used to

increase the yield of gasoline obtainable from crude oil.

44555588.. TThheerrmmaall DDeeccaayy TTiimmee

(TDT) Log a proprietary name for a type of pulsed-neutron survey.

44555599.. TTHHEERRMMAALL OOXXIIDDIIZZEERRSS

A large, cylindrical furnace, with refractory lining and banks of burners at

various levels, for burning refinery gases before they are vented to the I la re

tower (q. v.).

Page 684: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

683683

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44556600.. TTHHEERRMMOOCCOOUUPPLLEE

A pyrometer; a temperature-measuring device used extensively in refining.

The thermocouple is based upon the principle that a small electric current will

flow through two dissimilar wires properly welded together at the ends, when

one junction is at a higher temperature than the other. The welded ends are

known as the "hot junction" which is placed where the temperature is to be

measured. The two free ends are carried through leads to the electromotive

force detector, known as the "cold junction." When the hot junction is heated,

the millivolts can be measured on a temperature scale.

44556611.. tthheerrmmoommeetteerr

an instrument that measures temperature. Thermometers provide a way to

estimate temperature from its effect on a substance with known

characteristics (as a gas that expands when heated). Various types of

thermometers measure temperature by measuring the change in pressure of

a gas kept at a constant volume, the change in electrical resistance of metals,

or the galvanic effect of dissimilar metals in contact. The most common

thermometer is the mercury-filled glass tube that indicates temperature by

the expansion of the liquid mercury.

44556622.. TTHHEERRMMOOMMEETTRRIICC HHYYDDRROOMMEETTEERR

A hydrometer (q.v.) which has a thermometer as an integral part of the

instrument to show the temperature of the liquid. This is of first importance

as the density or API gravity varies with the temperature. Hydrometers used

by pipeline gaugers are thermometric hydrometers.

Page 685: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

684684

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44556633.. tthhiicckkeenniinngg ttiimmee

the length of time a slurry is pumpable, up to 1 00 poise as measured on the

consistometer; also called pumping time. (See pumpability.)

44556644.. TTHHIIEEFF

A metal or glass cylinder with a spring-actuated closing device that is lowered

into a tank to obtain a sample of oil, or to the bottom of the tank to take a

column of heavy sediment. The thief is lowered into the tank on a line that

when jerked will trip the spring valve enabling the operator to obtain a

sample at any desired level.

44556655.. tthhiieeff ffoorrmmaattiioonn

a formation that absorbs drilling fluid as the fluid is circulated in the well; also

called a thief sand or a thief zone. Lost circulation is caused by a thief

formation.

44556666.. TTHHIIEEFF HHAATTCCHH

An opening in the top-of a tank large enough to admit a thief and other

oil.sampling equipment.

44556677.. tthhiieeff ssaanndd

(See thief formation.)

44556688.. TTHHIIEEFF ZZOONNEE

A very porous formation downhole into which drilling mud is lost.Thief zones,

which also include crevices and caverns, must be sealed off with a liner or

plugged with special cements or fibrous clogging agents before drilling can

resume.

Page 686: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

685685

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44556699.. TTHHIIEEFFIINNGG AATTAANNKK

Taking samples of oil from different levels in a tank of crude oil and from the

bottom to determine the presence of sediment and water with the use of a

thief (q.v.).

44557700.. tthhiinn

to add a substance such as water or a chemical to drilling mud to reduce its

viscosity.

44557711.. tthhiinnnniinngg aaggeenntt

a special chemical or combination of chemicals that, when added to a drilling

mud, reduces its viscosity.

44557722.. TTHHIIRRDD--GGEENNEERRAATTIIOONN HHAARRDDWWAARREE

Equipment developed from earlier, less sophisticated models or prototypes;

the latest in the evolution of specialized equipment.

44557733.. tthhiixxoottrroopphhyy

the property exhibited by a fluid that is in a liquid state when flowing and in a

semisolid, gelled state when at rest. Most drilling fluids must be thixotrophic

so that the cuttings in the fluid will remain in suspension when circulation is

stopped.

44557744.. TTHHIIXXOOTTRROOPPIICC

The property of certain specially formulated cement slurries-used in

cementing jobs downhole-that causes them to "set," become rigid when

pumping ceases. But when force is again applied (pumping is resumed) the

cement again becomes a pumpable slurry. This procedure may be repeated

until the predetermined setting time of the cement is reached.

Page 687: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

686686

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44557755.. TTHHRREEAADD PPRROOTTEECCTTOORR

A threaded cap or lightweight collar screwed onto the ends of tubular goods

(pipe, casing. And tubing) to protect the threads from damage as the pipe is

being handled.

44557766.. tthhrriibbbbllee

a stand of pipe made up of three joints and handled as a unit.

44557777.. tthhrriibbbbllee bbooaarrdd

the monkeyboard when it is located at a height in the derrick equal to the

length of three lengths of pipe joined together. Compare double board and

fourble board.

44557788.. tthhrroottttlliinngg

the choking or failing that occurs when a mud pump fails to deliver a full

amount of fluid through one or more of its valves. Throttling is usually caused

by improper lift of the valve.

444558800.. tthhrrooww tthhee cchhaaiinn

to flip the spinning chain up from a tool-joint box so that the chain wraps

around the tool-joint pin after it is stabbed into the box. The stand or joint of

drill pipe to be made up is turned or spun by a pull on the spinning chain from

the cathead on the drawworks.

44558811.. TTHHRROOWWIINNGG TTHHEE CCHHAAIINN

Wrapping the spinning chain (q.v.) around the drillpipe in preparation for

running the pipe up or backing it out. Crew members become proficient at

throwing the chain in such a way as to put several wraps on the pipe with

one deft motion.

Page 688: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

687687

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44558822.. tthhrruusstteerr

(See dynamic positioning.)

44558833.. TTHHRRUUSSTTEERRSS

Jets or propellers on large tinkers, driliships, and deep water drilling platforms

that provide a means to move the vessel sideways-at right angles to the

ship's normal line of travel-when docking or in maintaining position in water

too deep for conventional anchors. See Dynamic Stationing.

44558844.. TTHHUUMMPPEERR

See Vibrator Vehicle.

44558855.. TTIIDDEELLAANNDDSS

Land submerged during high tide. The term also refers to that portion of the

continental shelf between the shore and the boundaries claimed by states.

The Federal government now has the right to produce oil and gas from this

area of the continental shelf.

44558866.. ttiiee--ddoowwnn

a device to which a guy wire or brace may be attached; the anchoring device

for the deadline of a hoisting-block arrangement.

44558877.. TTIIEE--IINN

An operation in pipeline construction in which two sections of line are

connected a loop lied into the main line a lateral line to a trunk line.

444558899.. ttiigghhtt ffoorrmmaattiioonn

a petroleum- or waterbearing formation of relatively low porosity and

permeability.

Page 689: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

688688

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44559900.. TTIIGGHHTT GGAASS

Natural gas produced from a tight formation, one that will not give up its gas

readily or in large volumes. The production of tight gas is more costly and

therefore less attractive to producers owing to the need for fracturing.

acidizing. and other expensive treatments to free the gas from the relatively

impermeable formations. In view of these constraints, such g as has been

given an incentive price of 150 percent of the price of gas from new.

conventional onshore gas wells by the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978.

44559911.. TTIIGGHHTT HHOOLLEE

A drilling well about which all information-depth, formations encountered,

drilling rate. logs-is kept secret by the operator.

44559922.. ttiigghhtt ssppoott

a section of a borehole in which excessive wall cake has built up, reducing the

hole diameter and making it difficult to run the tools in and out. Compare key

seat.

44559933.. TTIINN HHAATT

The metal. derby-like, safety hat worn by all workers in the oil fields,

refineries, and plants to protect their heads.

44559944.. TTLLPP

Term-limit pricing an agreement on price between a supplier and a wholesaler

or jobber that runs for a specified length of time.

44559955.. TTOO LLAAYY OOFFFF AANN IINNTTEERREESSTT

To sell off a portion of one's interest in a well to another person to reduce the

financial loss should the well be noncommercial or dry. For example, an

Page 690: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

689689

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

investor who has a 30 percent interest in a well to be drilled may lay off five

or 10 percent of his interest for cash he needs to minimize his risk or to

reduce his "exposed position."

44559966.. TTOOEEBBOOAARRDD

The enclosure at toe height around a platform or on a catwalk to prevent

tools or other objects on the platforms from being kicked off accidentally.

44559977.. TTOOLLUUEENNEE

An aromatic hydrocarbon resembling benzene but less volatile and flammable.

It is used as a solvent and as an antiknock agent in gasoline.

44559988.. ttoonn

(1). (nautical) a volume measure equal to 100 ft' applied to mobile offshore

drilling rigs.

(2). a measure of weight equal to 2,000 lb.

(3). (metric) a measure of weight equal to 1,000 kg. (See tonnage.)

44559999.. TTOONN OOFF CCRRUUDDEE OOIILL

A ton of crude oil is, 6.5 to 8.5 barrels, depending on the oils specific gravity.

For rough approximation. 7.5 barrels equals a metric ton or long to 1,000

kilograms or 2,204.6 pounds.

44660000.. ttoonn--mmiillee

a measurement of the amount of use a wireline has received. If a wireline has

moved a 1-ton load a distance of 1 mile, the line has received 1 ton-mile of

usage.

44660011.. ttoonnggmmaann

the member of the drilling crew who handles the tongs.

Page 691: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

690690

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44660022.. ttoonnggss

pl the large wrenches used for turning when making up or breaking out drill

pipe, casing, tubing, or other pipe; variously called casing tongs, rotary tongs,

and so forth according to the specific use. Power tongs are pneumatically or

hydraulically operated tools that serve to spin the pipe up tight, and, in some

instances, to apply the final makeup torque. (See also chain tongs.)

44660033.. TTOONNGGSS,, DDRRIILLLLPPIIPPEE AANNDD CCAASSIINNGG

Large wrenches for making up or breaking out (tightening ox loosening) joints

of pipe or casing. The tongs are counterbalanced because of their weight and

size. Where a joint of pipe is to be tightened, the two tongs (one for applying

torque, the other for backup) are swung toward the pipe by the floormen,

and upon making contact with the pipe a latching device clamps the tongs

onto the pipe. A chain and rope lanyard attached to the handle of the torque

tongs is bulled by a friction turn or two around the cat head (operated by the

driller), The backup tongs are anchored by a rope or chain secured to a

substantial rig member,

44660044.. ttoonnnnaaggee

(nautical) the size of a ship or spaces within a ship as measured in tons.

44660055.. ttooooll ddrreesssseerr

a driller's helper on a cable-tool rig, once responsible for sharpening or

dressing the drill bit; sometimes called a toolie.

44660066.. ttooooll jjooiinntt

a heavy coupling element for drill pipe made of special alloy steel. Tool joints

have coarse, tapered threads and seating shoulders designed to sustain the

Page 692: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

691691

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

weight of the drill stem, withstand the strain of frequent coupling and

uncoupling, and provide a leakproof seal. The male section of the joint, or the

pin, is attached to one end of a length of drill pipe, and the female section, or

box, is attached to the other end. The tool joint may be welded to the end of

the pipe or screwed on or both. A hard metal facing is often applied in a band

around the outside of the tool joint to enable it to resist abrasion from the

walls of the borehole.

44660077.. TTOOOOLL JJOOIINNTT LLEEAAKK DDEETTEECCTTOORR

A hydraulic testing device which is clamped around a tool joint after it is made

up light in the drillstring and before it is lowered in the hole. The leak

detector puts a 1,000-psi pressure or more on the outside circumference of

the joint and holds the pressure for a few seconds. The smallest leak in the

connection is indicated on a gauge by a drop in pressure.

44660088.. ttooooll ppuusshheerr

a drilling foreman or rig superintendent.

44660099.. TTOOOOLLIIEE

A tool -dresser (q.v.) on a cable-tool rig.

444661111.. TTOOOOLLJJOOIINNTT

Heavy-duty, threaded joints specially designed to couple and uncouple

drillpipe into "stands" (q.v.) of such length that they can be racked in the

derrick. intermediate couplings between the tool joints are made with regular

pipe collars.

Page 693: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

692692

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44661122.. ttoopp ddeeaadd cceenntteerr

(TDC) the position of a piston when it is at the highest point possible in the

cylinder of an engine, often marked on the flywheel.

44661133.. TTOOPP OOUUTT

To finish filling a tank to put in an additional amount that will fill the tank to

the top.

44661144.. TTOOPPPPEEDD CCRRUUDDEE OOIILL

Oil from which the fight ends (q.v.) have been removed by a simple refining

process.

44661155.. TTOOPPPPIINNGG PPLLAANNTT

An oil refinery designed to remove and finish only the lighter constituents of

crude oil, such as gasoline and kerosene. In such a plant the oil remaining

after these products are taken off is usually sold as fuel oil.

44661166.. TTOOPPSS

The "tops" in a refinery operation are the fractions or products distilled or

flashed off at the top of a tower or distillation unit.

44661177.. TTOORRPPEEDDOO

An explosive device used in shooting (q.v.) a well. The well-shooting torpedo

was invented and used by Col. E. A. L. Roberts, a Civil War veteran, in 1865.

The first torpedoes used black powder as an explosive; later, nitroglycerin

was substituted for the powder.

44661188.. TTOORRQQUUEE

A turning or twisting force; a force that produces a rotation or torsion, or

tends to.

Page 694: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

693693

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44661199.. TTOORRQQUUEE CCOONNVVEERRTTEERR

An item of hydraulic equipment which is installed between the prime movers

(drilling engines, for example) and the driven components (mud pumps and

rotary) to transmit a smooth, continuous flow of power.

44662200.. TTOORRSSIIOONN BBAALLAANNCCEE

A delicate instrument used by early-day geophysical crews to measure the

minute variations in magnetic attraction of subsurface rock formations. As

minute variations in magnetic of the subsurface features were plotted over a

wide area, the geophysicist had some idea as to where sedimentary

formations that might contain oil were located in relation to non-sedimentary

rocks. The forsion balance has been superceded by the less complicated (to

use) gravity meter or gravimeter. See The torque

44662211.. ttoottaall ddeepptthh

(TD) the maximum depth reached in a well.

44662222.. ttoouurr

(pronounced "tower") an 8-hr shift worked by a drilling crew or other oil-field

workers. Sometimes 12-hour tours are used, especially on offshore rigs. The

most common divisions of tours are daylight, evening, and graveyard, if 8-hr

tours are employed.

44662233.. TTOOWWEERR HHAANNDD

A member of the drilling crew who works up in the derrick derrick man.

44662244.. TTooxxiicciittyy

The degree to which a toxin is harmful.

Page 695: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

694694

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44662255.. TTooxxiinn

Any substance, which in sufficient quantity is harmful to biota.

44662266.. TTPP

tubing pressure; used in drilling reports.

44662277.. ttrraacceerr

a substance added to reservoir fluids to permit the movements of the fluid to

be followed or traced. Dyes and radioactive substances are used as tracers in

underground water flows and sometimes helium is used in gas. When

samples of the water or gas taken some distance from the point of injection

reveal signs of the tracer, the route of the fluids can be mapped.

44662288.. TTRRAACCEERR LLIINNEESS

Small-diameter tubing paralleling and in contact with process or

instrumentation piping in a refinery or other plant to provide heat or cooling

for the fluid or gases in transit. More often tracer lines carry steam. In the

field, larger diameter tracer lines are used to heat low-gravity, viscous crude

oils so they may be pumped. See also Heat Tape.

44662299.. ttrraacceerr ssuurrvveeyy

a survey used in an oil well to obtain a reading of radioactivity from a quantity

of special material injected into the well. Radioactive tracers may be gas,

liquid, or solid.

44663300.. TTRRAACCTT BBOOOOKK

A record book maintained by the district land offices of the Bureau of Land

Management (BLM), listing all entries affecting described land.

Page 696: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

695695

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44663311.. TTRRAACCTTOORR FFUUEELL

A low-octane fuel, less volatile than motor gasoline, used in low compression

farm tractors.

44663322.. TTRRAADDEERR

One who deals in bulk petroleum or products both domestic and foreign; one

who operates in the international oil market, arranging for supplies and

trading surpluses of one product for others; an oil broker.

44663333.. ttrraammmmeell

a metal rod of precise length used to measure distance between two points

where accessibility is limited; abbreviated tram. It is often used to mark

crankshaft positions on engines.

44663344.. TTRRAANNSSDDUUCCEERR

A device or instrument actuated by power from one kind of system and in

turn supplies power to another system. A Classic example of a transducer is

the telephone receiver which is actuated by electric power and supplies

acoustic power to the atmosphere. A form of transducer is an air or hydraulic

system that will actuate an electric system by pressure on a contact switch.

Another and true form of transducer is the thermocouple (q.v.) wherein heat

on two dissimilar pieces of metal will create a small, measure. able electric

current.

44663355.. TTRRAANNSSIITTEE PPIIPPEE

A patented, composition pipe for handling corrosive liquids and salt water.

Page 697: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

696696

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44663366.. TTRRAANNSSIITTIIOONN FFIITTTTIINNGGSS

When using plastic pipe in the field or at a plant, it is usually necessary to

make connection with steel tank fittings or a pipeline. If so, special transition

fittings, made with one end acceptable to the plastic pipe and the other end a

standard thread end or weld end, are installed.

44663377.. ttrraannssiittiioonn zzoonnee

(1). the area in which underground pressures begin to change from normal to

abnormally high as a well is being deepened.

(2). the areas in the drill stem near the point where drill pipe is made up on

drill collars.

44663388.. ttrraannssmmiissssiioonn

the gear or chain arrangement by which power is transmitted from the prime

mover to the drawworks, mud pump, or rotary table of a drilling rig.

44663399.. ttrraannssmmiissssiioonn lliinnee

1. a high-voltage line used to transmit electric power from one place to

another. 2. a pipeline used to transmit natural gas or other fluids.

44664400.. TTRRAANNSSPPOONNDDEERR

A radio or other electronic device that, upon receiving a designated signal,

emits a signal of its own.

44664411.. TTRRAANNSSSSHHIIPPMMEENNTT TTEERRMMIINNAALL

A large, deep-water terminal where crude oil and products are delivered by ..

"super-tanker" (LCCV) (q.v.) and transshipment of product is by smaller

tankers. Such terminals have large storage capacities and high-volume

Page 698: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

697697

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

unloading facilities to accommodate the mammoth vessels that carry more

than two million barrels of oil each trip.

44664422.. TTRRAAPP

A type of geological structure that retards the free migration of oil and

concentrates the oil in a limited space. A mass of porous, permeable rock

which is sealed on top and down both flanks by nonporous, impermeable rock

thus forming a trap. See Anticline.

44664433.. ttrraavveelliinngg bbaarrrreell ppuummpp

a sucker-rod insert pump in which the working barrel travels and the plunger

remains stationary. 'Re working barrel is connected to the sucker-rod string

through a connector and the traveling valve; the standing valve is connected

to the top of the plunger, which in turn is connected to the bottom hold-

down.

44664444.. ttrraavveelliinngg bblloocckk

an arrangement of pulleys, or sheaves, through which drilling cable is reeved,

which moves up and down in the derrick or mast. (See block and crown

block.)

44664455.. ttrraavveelliinngg vvaallvvee

one of the two valves in a sucker-rod pumping system. The traveling valve

moves with the movement of the sucker-rod string. On the upstroke, the ball

member of the valve is seated, supporting the fluid load. On the downstroke,

the ball is unseated, allowing fluid to enter into the production column.

Compare standing valve.

Page 699: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

698698

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44664466.. TTRRAAYYEEDD CCOOLLUUMMNNSS

Any of several kinds of vertical, cylindrical refining or processing columns

fitted with internal, horizontal trays or baffles over which charge stock flows

from top to bottom in a vaporization or absorption process. See Bubble Cap

Trays.

44664477.. ttrreeaatt

to subject a substance to a process or to a chemical reagent to improve its

quality or remove a contaminant.

44664488.. ttrreeaatteerr

a vessel in which oil is treated for the removal of BS& W, by the addition of

chemicals, heat, electricity, or all three.

44664499.. TTRREEAATTEERR,, EELLEECCTTRROOSSTTAATTIICC

An oil treater that uses AC and DC electrical force fields to cause the water

droplets in the oil-water emulsion to come together, coalesce, and then drop

out by gravity. The patented dehydrator uses some heat in its process,

particularly on low-gravity crude oils.

44665500.. TTRREEAATTIINNGG PPLLAANNTT

A facility for heating oil containing water, emulsions, and other impurities and

with the addition of chemicals causing the water and oil to separate. The

water and other foreign matter settle to the bottom of the tank and are then

drawn off.

44665511.. TTRREEEE SSAAVVEERR

A patented, mandrel-like piping made to slip into and through the valves and

connecting spools of a Christmas tree when a well is to be stimulated,

Page 700: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

699699

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

acidized, or hydrofracked under high pressure. The mandrel or inner sleeve

takes the pressure, protecting the tree both from the high pressure and any

corrosive or abrasive fluids during the stimulation operation.

44665522.. TTRREENNCCHHEERR

A ditching machine; a large, self-propelled machine with digging buckets fixed

to an "endless" chain bolt or circular frame that, when rotated, scoops out a

ditch to predetermined width and depth.

44665533.. TTRRIICCKK

See Tour.

44665544.. TTRRIICCKKLLEE--CCHHAARRGGEEDD BBAATTTTEERRYY

A storage battery, usually for standby, emergency service, kept charged by a

small amount of current from a primary electrical source. Should the main

source of power fail, the battery. fully charged. is ready for use.

44665555.. ttrriiccoonnee bbiitt

a type of bit in which each of three toothed and conical cutters is mounted on

friction-reducing bearings and is forced into the formation by the weight and

rotary motion of the drill stem. The bit body is often fitted with nozzles, or

jets, through which the drilling fluid is discharged. A one-eye bit is used in

soft formations to drill a deviated hole. (See bit and directional drilling.)

44665566.. ttrriieetthhyylleennee ggllyyccooll

(TEG) a liquid chemical used in gas processing to remove water from the gas.

(See glycol dehydration.)

Page 701: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

700700

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44665577.. ttrriimm

(nautical) the difference between the draft forward and the draft aft on a

mobile offshore drilling rig.

44665588.. TTRRIIMM,, SSOOUURR SSEERRVVIICCEE

See Sour Service Trim.

44665599.. TTRRIIPP

See Round Trip.

44666600.. TTRRIIPP GGAASS

High-pressure gas encountered in drilling deep wells that can cause serious

problems of control when the tools are pulled out of the hole in making a trip.

The driller must exercise extreme care to prevent loss of control or a blowout.

Sufficient mud must be in the hole to provide the hydrostatic head necessary

to contain the downhole gas pressure. Sometimes. in order to come out of

the hole under high-pressure conditions, the crew must resort to stripping the

pipe (q.v.), i.e., removing the drillstring through the wells stack of control

valves, the blowout preventer, on the wellhead.

44666611.. ttrriipp iinn

(See go in the hole.)

44666622.. ttrriipp oouutt

(See come out of the hole.)

44666633.. ttrriipp ttaannkk

a small mud pit with a capacity of 10 to 15 bbl, usually with 1 bbl divisions,

used exclusively to ascertain the amount of mud necessary to keep the

wellbore full with the exact amount of mud that is displaced by drill pipe.

Page 702: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

701701

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

When the bit comes out of the hole, a volume of mud equal to that which the

drill pipe occupied while in the hole must be pumped into the hole to replace

the pipe. When the bit goes back in the hole, the drill pipe displaces a certain

amount of mud, and a trip tank again can be used to keep track of this

volume.

44666644.. TTRRIIPPLLEEXX PPUUMMPP

A reciprocating pump with three plungers or pistons working in three

cylinders. The triplex pump discharges fluid more evenly than a duplex or two

plunger pump, as it has a power stroke every one-third or a revolution of the

crankshaft compares] to every half revolution for the duplex pump.

44666655.. TTRRIIPPPPIINNGG DDOOUUBBLLEESS

An expression meaning pulling the drillpipe out of the hole (or going in) in

two-joint stands (q.v.). Tripping doubles requires one-third more pipe

connections to make up and break out by the floor men than if they were

tripping "thribbles," three -joint stands. Handling thribbles calls for a large, tall

derrick, as three-joint stands are 90 feet high and can present problems in

windy areas.

44666666.. TTRRIIPPPPIINNGG TTHHEE BBIITT

Removing the bit from the hole and running it in again. (In removing the bit,

the drillpipe must be pulled a stand at a time in order to reach the bit.) See

Round Trip.

44666677.. ttrruunnkk lliinnee

a main line.

Page 703: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

702702

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44666688.. TTRRUUNNNNIIOONN VVAALLVVEE

A type of butterfly valve whose orifice is opened and closed by a disk rotating

on trunnions or pins seated in the valve body. Trunnion valves are opened

and closed by a quarter turn of the handle.

44666699.. ttssttgg

testing; used in drilling reports.

44667700.. ttuubbee

to run tubing in a well.

44667711.. TTUUBBEE BBUUNNDDLLEE

The name given to the tubes in the core of a heat exchanger (q.v.). The

tubes or pipes, aft the same length, are spaced equidistance apart in parallel

rows and are supported by perforated endplates thus forming a "bundle."

44667722.. ttuubbee sshheeeett

a metal plate through which the tubes in the tube bundles are placed for

support, effecting a pressure-tight connection between the tubes and the

heads of a condenser or heat exchanger.

44667733.. TTUUBBEE SSTTIILLLL

A pipe still (q.v.).

44667744.. TTUUBBEE TTUURRNN

A weld or flanged fitting in the shape of a U used in construction of manifolds,

exchanger bundles, and other close pipe work.

Page 704: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

703703

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44667755.. ttuubbiinngg

small-diameter pipe that is run into a well to serve as a conduit for the

passage of oil and gas to the surface.

44667766.. TTUUBBIINNGG AANNCCHHOORR

A downhole, packer-like device run in a string of tubing that clamps against

the wall of the casing. The tubing anchor prevents the "breathing" of the

tubing, the cyclic up and down movement of the lower section of tubing as

the well is pumped by a rod pump.

44667777.. TTUUBBIINNGG AANNDD CCAASSIINNGG RROOLLLLEERRSS

A downhole tool for reconditioning buckled, dented or collapsed well tubing or

casing. The tool is lowered into the hole, entering the small, deformed

diameter of the damaged pipe. As the cylindrical tool is forced lower and

rotated it pushes out dents and restores the pipe to its original diameter.

44667788.. TTUUBBIINNGG BBOOAARRDD

A small platform high in the derrick where a "derrick man" (a member of the

drilling crews who is not affected with acrophobia) stands to rack drillpipe or

tubing as it is being pulled and set back (q.v.).

44667799.. ttuubbiinngg eelleevvaattoorrss

pl a clamping apparatus used to pull tubing. The elevators latch onto the pipe

just below the top collar. The elevators are attached by steel links or bails to

the hook.

44668800.. ttuubbiinngg hhaannggeerr

an arrangement of slips built into a steel housing and engaged in the upper

end of the wellhead that serves as a support for the suspended tubing string.

Page 705: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

704704

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44668811.. TTUUBBIINNGG HHEEAADD

The top of the string of tubing with control and flow valves attached. Similar

in design and function to the casinghead, the tubing head supports the string

of tubing in the well, seals off pressure between casing and the inside of the

tubing, and provides connections at the surface to control the production of

gas or oil.

44668822.. ttuubbiinngg jjoobb

the act of pulling tubing out of and running it back into a well.

44668833.. ttuubbiinngg pprreessssuurree

the formation pressure on the tubing in a well at the wellhead.

44668844.. TTUUBBIINNGG PPUUMMPPSS

See Pump, Tubing.

44668855.. ttuubbiinngg ssaaffeettyy vvaallvvee

a device installed in the tubing string of a producing well to shut in the flow of

production if the flow exceeds a preset rate. Tubing safety valves are widely

used in offshore wells to prevent pollution if the wellhead fails for any reason.

44668866.. ttuubbiinngg ssppiiddeerr

a device used with slips to prevent tubing from failing into the hole when a

joint of pipe is being unscrewed and racked.

44668877.. TTUUBBIINNGG SSPPOOOOLL

A heavy, forged-steel fitting that is flanged to the casinghead and intowhich

the tubing hangers fit; an element of the above-ground well completion

hookup.tubing tongs n pl the large wrenches used to break out and make up

tubing. They may be operated manually, hydraulically, or pneumatically.

Page 706: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

705705

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44668888.. ttuubbiinngglleessss ccoommpplleettiioonn

a method of producing a well in which only a small diameter production

casing is set through the pay zone, with no tubing or inner production string

used to bring formation fluids to the surface. This type of completion has

limited application in small volume, dry-gas reservoirs.

44668899.. ttuubbuullaarr

tubular goods.

44669900.. ttuubbuullaarr ggooooddss

any kind of pipe; also called tubular. Oil-filed tubular goods include tubing,

casing, drill pipe, and line pipe. (See pipe.)

44669911.. TTUUNNDDRRAA

A vast area in the Arctic lying between the permanent ice cap and the m' ore

southerly forested region. Even in the warmest months of summer, the

subsoil remains frozen, the top few inches supporting only limited vegetation.

44669922.. ttuunnggsstteenn ccaarrbbiiddee bbiitt

a type of roller-cone b'9 or rock bit; also called tungsten carbide insert bits.

44669933.. TTUURRBBIINNEE MMEETTEERR,, LLIIQQUUIIDD

A mechanism inserted into a liquid flow fine that measures volumetric flow

rate and total flow. The meter is constructed with vanes on a spindle inside a

housing that can be flanged into a flow fine. The movement of liquid through

the meter exerts a force on the curved vanes, causing the spindle to turn, as

on a water wheel. The spindle is connected to a counter and readout

mechanism, showing rate of flow and total daily or monthly throughput.

Page 707: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

706706

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44669944.. TTUURRBBIINNEE PPUUMMPP

See Pump, Turbine.

44669955.. TTUURRBBOOCCHHAARRGGEERR

A centrifugal blower driver) by an engine's exhaust-gas turbine to

supercharge the engine. To supercharge (q.v.) is to supply air to the intake of

an engine at a pressure higher than the surrounding atmosphere.

44669966.. ttuurrbbooddrriillll

a drilling tool that rotates a bit attached to it by the action of the drilling mud

on the turbine blades built into the tool. When a turbodrill is used, rotary

motion is imparted only at the bit; thus it is unnecessary to rotate the drill

stem. Although straight holes can be drilled with the tool, it is used most

often in directional drilling.

44669977.. TTUURRBBOODDRRIILLLLIINNGG

A type of rotary drilling in which a fluid-drive turbine (motor) is placed in the

drillstring just above the drill bit. The mud pressure from the pumps at the

surface pumping mud down through the drillpipe turns the turbine that

rotates the drill bit. The drillpipe does not rotate as in conventional drilling,

hence there is no kelly joint being turned by the rotary table.

44669988.. TTUURRBBUULLEENNTT FFLLOOWW

The movement of liquid through a pipeline in eddies and swirls which tends to

keep the column of liquid "together" rather than running like a river with the

center of the stream moving faster than the edges. See Plastic Flow.

Page 708: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

707707

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44669999.. ttuurrnn ttoo tthhee rriigghhtt

on a rotary rig, to rotate the drill stem clockwise. When drilling ahead, the

expression "on bottom and turning to the right" indicates that drilling is

proceeding normally.

44770000.. TTUURRNNAARROOUUNNDD

The planned, periodic inspection and overhaul of the units of a refinery or

processing plant; the preventive maintenance and safety check requiring the

shutting down of a refinery and the cleaning, inspection and repair of piping

and process vessels.

44770011.. TTUURRNNBBUUCCKKLLEE

A link with a screw thread at one end and a swivel at the other; a right-and

left screw link used for tightening a rod, a guy wire, or stay.

44770022.. TTUURRNNKKEEYY

A verb made from the adjective "turnkey," to perform a complete job as

under a turnkey contract (q.v.); to take over and perform all necessary work

of planning, procurement, construction, completion, and testing of a project

before turning it over to the owner for operation.

44770033.. ttuurrnnkkeeyy ccoonnttrraacctt

a drilling contract that calls for the payment of a stipulated amount to the

drilling contractor on completion of the well. In a turnkey contract, the

contractor furnishes all material and labor and controls the entire drilling

operation, independent of supervision by the operator.

44770044.. TTUURRNNKKEEYY WWEELLLL

A well drilled under a turnkey contract (q.v.).

Page 709: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

708708

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44770055.. TTUURRNNKKEEYYCCOONNTTRRAACCTT

A contract in which a drilling contractor agrees to furnish all materials and

labor and do all that is required to drill and complete a well in a workman like

manner. When on production, he "delivers,, it to the owner ready to "turn the

key" and start the oil running into the lease tank, all for an amount specified

in the contract.

44770066.. TTUURRNNTTAABBLLEE,, RROOTTAARRYY DDRRIILLLLIINNGG

See Rotary Table.

44770077.. TTUURRRREETT

MOORED ICE-DRILLING BARGE A drilling barge of new concept developed by

Dome Petroleum Ltd. for use in Arctic waters where floating or moving ice is a

danger to conventional drillships or barges. The new barge has a 16-anchor

mooring system attached to a swivel directly beneath the drilling derrick. At

the approach of advancing ice on the barge's beam, the vessel weathervanes

until its bow is headed into the ice flow. This maneuver reduces the tension

on the mooring lines to a small fraction of that on a vessel moored in a fixed

position.

44770088.. ttuurrrreett mmoooorriinngg

a system of mooring a drill ship on the drilling site in which mooring lines are

spooled onto winches mounted on a turret in the center of the vessel.

Because all mooring lines are connected to the turret, the vessel is free to

rotate around the turret axis and head into oncoming seas, regardless of

direction.

Page 710: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

709709

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44770099.. TTUURRTTLLEEBBAACCKK

A two-part clamp for joining lengths of shackle rod (q.v.). The connector is in

the general configuration of an English walnut; the two halves are held

together by a bolt and nut.

44771100.. TTVVDD

Total vertical depth. TVD is always less than a well's total depth (TD) because

of the inevitable deviation from the vertical of the well bore.

44771111.. ttwwiinn

a well drilled on the same location as another well and closely offsetting it but

producing from a different zone.

44771122.. ttwwiisstt ooffff

of drill pipe or drill collars, to part or split primarily because of metal fatigue in

the pipe or because of mishandling.

44771133.. TTWWIISSTTAATTAAIILL

To bring pressure to bear in order to speed up a job or to get action from

someone who is suspected of dragging his feet.

44771144.. TTWWOO--CCYYCCLLEE EENNGGIINNEE

An internal combustion engine that produces one power stroke for each

revolution of the crankshaft intake, compression. power and exhaust stroke

are accomplished in one revolution.

44771155.. TTWWOO--SSTTAAGGEE CCOOMMPPRREESSSSOORR

Two-stage identifies a type of compressor that intakes gas and compresses or

raises the pressure in the first chamber of the compressor and passes the gas

Page 711: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

710710

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

into the second-stage chamber where it, is further compressed, raising the

pressure to the required level.

44771166.. TTwwpp

township; used in drilling reports.

Page 712: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

711711

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44771177.. UU--bboolltt

A bed in the shape of a u; both ends of which are threaded. A follower or

saddle piece fits over the threaded ends and is held in place by nuts. U-bolts

or u-clamps are used to hold two ends of wire lines together or to make a

loop in a length of wire cable by turning back the running part (the loose end)

on the standing part of the cable and clamping them together.

44771188.. UU--ttuubbee

a u-shaped piece of pipe. The drill stem in the hole is a u-tube configuration;

the drill stem serves as one arm of the u and the annulus as the other. to

cause a fluid to flow in a u-tube.

44771199.. UU--ttuubbiinngg

the action of fluids flowing in a u-tube (as heavy mud forcing lighter mud

down the drill stem and up the annulus).

44772200.. UU..ss..gg..ss..

U.s. geological survey an agency of the federal government that, among its

many service, and duties, regulates the placement of wells in federal offshore

lands.

44772211.. UUllcccc

ultralarge crude carrier.

44772222.. UUllllaaggee

the amount by which a tank or vessel lacks being full, especially on ships.

Ullage in a tank is necessary to allow space for the expansion of the oil in the

tank when the temperature increases.

Page 713: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

712712

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44772233.. UUllttiimmaattee rreeccoovveerryy

total ancipated recovery of oil or gas from a well, lease, or pool.

44772244.. UUllttrraallaarrggee ccrruuddee ccaarrrriieerr

a super-tanker whose capacity is 500,000 deadweight tons or more. Compare

tanker and very large crude carrier.

44772255.. UUllttrraassoonniicc aattoommiizzeerr

A development in burners for heating oils in which high-frequency sound

waves are focused on the stream of fuel, forming a spray of microscopic fuel

droplets. The resulting intimate mixture of fuel and air makes for greater

combustion efficiency.

44772266.. UUnnaassssoocciiaatteedd ggaass

Natural gas occurring alone, not in solution or as free gas with oil or

condensate. See associated gas.

44772277.. UUnnbbrraannddeedd ggaassoolliinnee

Gasoline sold by a major refiner to jobbers and other large distributors

without bearing the name of the refiner.

44772288.. UUnnccoommffoorrmmiittyy

The surface that separates two rock units, if the rock layers on either side

(top and bottom) are parallel, it is a parallel unconformity; if they lie at an

angle to each other, it is an angular unconformity. For example, a layer of

sandstone is lying on a layer of limestone. Where the two dissimilar

formations touch or meet, this surface is an unconformity; the upper layer

does not conform to the lower layer or vice versa.

Page 714: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

713713

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44772299.. UUnnccoonnff

unconformity; used in drilling reports.

44773300.. UUnnccoonnffoorrmmiittyy

1. Lack of continuity in deposition between rock strata in contact with one

another corresponding to a gap in the stratigraphic record. 2. The surface of

contact between rock beds in which there is a discontinuity in the ages of the

rocks. (see angular unconformity and disconformity.)

44773311.. UUnnccoonnffoorrmmiittyy

1. Lack of continuity in deposition between rock strata in contact with one

another corresponding to a gap in the stratigraphic record. 2. The surface of

contact between rock beds in which there is a discontinuity in the ages of the

rocks. (see angular unconformity and disconformity.)

44773322.. UUnnccoonnssoolliiddaatteedd ssaannddssttoonnee

a sand formation in which individual grains do not adhere to one another. If

an unconsolidated sandstone produces oil or gas, it will produce sand as well

if not controlled or corrected. (see sand control and sand consolidation.)

44773333.. UUnnccoonnvveennttiioonnaall nnaattuurraall ggaass

The term applied to natural gas so difficult and expensive to produce that the

sources have been bypassed in favor of more easily obtainable supplies. Such

sources are to be found in tight sandstone reservoirs in the western and

southwestern states, in certain shales in the appalachian basin, and in

geopressurized reservoirs along the gulf coast. Geologists have known of

these sources for many years but, because of the low prices for conventional,

more cheaply producible conventional gas, the unconventional gas supplies

Page 715: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

714714

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

have remained untouched. Also, to get at these marginal sources advances in

technology have to be developed, and at great cost.

44773344.. UUnnddeerrggaauuggee bbiitt

a drilling bit whose outside diameter has been worn down until it is smaller

than the bit specifications allow. A 6 7/8 in. Bit worn down to 6 5/8 in. Is

undergauge.

44773355.. UUnnddeerrggrroouunndd bblloowwoouutt

an uncontrolled flow of gas, salt water, or other fluids out of the wellbore and

into another formation

44773366.. UUnnddeerrggrroouunndd ssttoorraaggee

In certain areas of the country where there are underground caverns

petroleum and products are stored for future use. All caverns are not suitable;

some are not naturally sealed and would permit the stored oil to leak into

subsurface water sources. See salt-dome storage.

44773377.. UUnnddeerrggrroouunndd wwaassttee

loss of recoverable reserves as a result of damage to the reservoir.

44773388.. UUnnddeerrrreeaamm

To enlarge the size of the borehole of the well by the use of an under-reamer

(q.v.). A tool with expanding arms or lugs that, when lowered into the hole,

can be released at any depth to ream the hole with steel or insert

cutters.Often the borehole, which has penetrated the producing formation, is

under-reamed to enlarge the exposed area of the hole and increase the flow

of oil into the hole. A belling tool, a type of under-reamer, is sometimes used

Page 716: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

715715

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

to excavate a bell-shaped hole just below the production string of tubing or

casing for the same purpose, to enlarge or increase the face area of the hole.

44773399.. UUnnddeerrrreeaammeeff

A type of drilling loot used to enlarge the diameter of the borehole in certain

downhole intervals. The under-reamer is made with expendable arms fitted

with cutters. When in position the expendable arms are released and the

cutters chew away the rock to enlarge the hole. When the reamer is pulled

from the hole the arms fold in toward the body of the tool.

44774400.. UUnnddeerrrreeaammeerr

a device used to underream.

44774411.. UUnniibboolltt ccoouupplliinngg

A patented coupling or flange for joining two lengths of pipe. The two mating

halves of the coupling have tapered shoulders. When torque is applied to the

two halves by a single bolt, drawing the bolt lugs together, the coupling is

tightened. Unibolt couplings are for medium-diameter piping and take up less

space than conventional multibolt flanges.

44774422.. UUnniioonn

a coupling device that allows pipes to be connected without being rotated.

The mating surfaces are pulled together by a flanged, threaded collar on the

union.

44774433.. UUnniitt

1. A piece or several pieces of equipment performing a complete function (as

a beam-pumping unit). 2. Several leases that are operated by one company.

3. One lease that is operated by several companies.

Page 717: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

716716

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44774444.. UUnniitt ooppeerraattoorr

the oil company in charge of development and producing in an oil field in

which several companies have joined together to produce the field.

44774455.. UUnniittiizzaattiioonn

A term denoting the joint operation of separately owned producing leases in a

pool or reservoir. Unitization makes it economically feasible to undertake

cycling, pressure maintenance, or secondary recovery programs. With the

knowledge that a pool or a reservoir is a unit or an entity, with its own

pressure system and a continuous oil-bearing strata, unitization was the

logical arrangement to maintain as long as possible the productive life of the

pool. In such an arrangement, each lease bears its prorata share of the

expense of any project undertaken, as well as a share of the production. For

another type of joint venture see pooling, which is not the same as

unitization.

44774466.. UUnniittooppeerraattoorr

Head well puller; the man in charge of the pulling unit crew that does routine

subsurface work on producing wells, e.g., Cleaning out, changing pumps,

pulling rods and tubing.

44774477.. UUnniivveerrssaall

A shaft coupling able to transmit rotation to another shaft not directly in line

with the first shaft; a moveable coupling for transmitting power from one

shaft to another when one shaft is at an angle to the other's long axis.

Page 718: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

717717

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44774488.. UUnnlleessss ccllaauussee

The clause in an unless lease that provides for the termination of the lease

interest unless the lessee commences drilling or pays rental during the

primary term of the lease. See delay rental.

44774499.. UUnnlleesssslleeaassee

A type of lease in general use; the other common type is the or lease (q.v.),

There is no single form of the unless lease, but it is known as the unless lease

because of the wording of the delay rental clause (q.v.) Which usually takes

the following form "if no well is commenced on said land on or before the

date hereof, this lease shall terminate as to both parties unless the Lessee on

or before that date shall pay or tender to lessor the sum of--- Dollars ($-----)

which shall operate as rental and cover the privilege of deferring the

commencement of a well for 12 months from said date."

44775500.. UUnnmmaannnneedd ssttaattiioonn

A pipeline pumping station that is started, stopped, and monitored by remote

control. Through telecommunication systems, most intermediate booster

stations on large trunk lines are unmanned and remotely controlled from the

dispatcher's office.

44775511.. UUnnpprroovveenn aarreeaa

a wildcat area.

44775522.. UUnnssaattuurraatteedd hhyyddrrooccaarrbboonn

a straight-chain compound of hydrogen and carbon whose total combining

power has not yet been reached and to which other atoms or radicals can be

added.

Page 719: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

718718

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44775533.. UUppddiipp wweellll

A well located high on a structure where the oil-bearing formation is found at

a shallower depth.

44775544.. UUppsseett

to forge the ends of tubular products so that the pipe wall acquires extra

thickness and strength near the end. Usually upsetting is performed to

provide the thickness needed to form threads so that the tubular good can be

connected.

44775555.. UUppsseettttuubbiinngg

Tubular goods that are "upset" are made thicker in the area of the threads in

order to compensate for the metal cut away in making threads. In the

manufacture of casing and drillpipe, the additional metal is usually put on the

inside, but in well tubing, especially the smaller sizes, the thickening is on the

outside. This is known as exterior-upset tubing.

44775566.. UUppssttrreeaamm

in the direction opposite that of the flow in a line. the point in a line or system

situated opposite the direction of flow.

44775577.. UUssggss

united states geological survey; responsible for the enforcement of rules

pertaining to the drilling and production of oil and gas in offshore areas of the

u.s.

Page 720: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

719719

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44775588.. VV

volt.

44775599.. VV--BBEELLTT

A type of "endless" V-shaped belt used in transmitting power from an

engine's grooved drive pulley to the grooved sheave of a pump, compressor,

or other equipment. The V-belts, bigger and tougher versions of the

automobile fan belt, are used in sets of from two to twenty belts depending

upon the size of the drive pulley.

44776600.. VV--ddoooorr

An opening at floor level in a side of a derrick or mast shaped like an inverted

V. The V-door is opposite the drawworks and is used as an entry to bring in

drill pipe, casing, and other tools from the pipe rack.

44776611.. VV..00..II..CC..EE..

Voluntary Oil Industry Communications Effort; part of a full-scale advertising

information program conducted by the American Petroleum Institute to tell

the oil industry's story to the public. V.O.I.C.E. or VOICE is part of the

Program in which speakers from the industry appear before interested groups

to tell oil's story.

44776622.. VVaaccuuuumm

1. Theoretically, a space that is devoid of all matter and that exerts zero

pressure. 2. A condition that exists in a system when pressure is reduced

below atmospheric pressure.

Page 721: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

720720

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44776633.. VVAACCUUUUMM DDIISSTTIILLLLAATTIIOONN ))التقطير التخلخليالتقطير التخلخلي((

Distillation under reduced pressure (less than atmospheric) which lowers the

boiling temperature of the liquid being distilled. This technique with its

relatively low temperatures prevents cracking or decomposition of the charge

stock. For example water which boils at 212 degrees F. Under the

atmospheric pressure of 14.7 lbs./sq. In. Boils at 102 degrees at a pressure of

one pound. So vacuum distillation saves in refinery fuel costs and may

prevent the breaking down or changing of molecules which might occur at

higher distillation temperatures.

44776644.. VVAACCUUUUMM FFLLAASSHHEERR

A refinery vessel; a large-diameter column where charge stock is distilled at

less than atmospheric pressure. The pressure in some flasher vessels is less

than one-third atmospherics or 5 pounds per square inch. At this reduced

pressure, lighter fractions of the heavy charge stock will flash off or vaporize.

The lower the pressure, the lower the boiling point for all liquids.

44776655.. VVaaccuuuumm ggaauuggee

an instrument used on gas or gasoline engines to indicate the performance

characteristics and load.

44776666.. VVAACCUUUUMM SSTTIILLLL

A refining vessel in which crude oil or other feed-stock is distilled at less than

atmospheric pressure.

44776677.. VVAACCUUUUMM TTAARR

See Asphalt.

Page 722: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

721721

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44776688.. VVaallvvee

a device used to control the rate of flow in a line, to open or shut off a line

completely, or to serve as an automatic or semiautomatic safety device.

Those with extensive usage include the gate valve, plug valve, globe value,

needle valve, check valve, and relief valve.

444777700.. VVAALLVVEE PPOOTTSS

The wells in the body of a reciprocating (plunger) pump where the suction

and discharge valves are located. Valve pots are on the fluid end of the

pump, and are covered and sealed by heavy, threaded plugs or metal caps

bolted over the top of the pots.

44777711.. VVAALLVVEE,, MMUULLTTIIPPLLEE--OORRIIFFIICCEE

A patented orifice valve with two orifice plates or disks in pressure tight

contact. One disk can be rotated through 90'. For full flow through the valve,

the orifices in the two disks are in perfect alignment. To reduce the flow, the

moveable disk is rotated a certain number of degrees which partially covers

the orifice in tile fixed disk, thus restricting the flow through the valve.

44777722.. VVAALLVVEE,, NNEEEEDDLLEE

See Needle Valve.

44777733.. VVAALLVVEE,, PPAACCKKLLEESSSS

A special kind of valve that uses a welded bellows rather than soft packing

around the valve stem. The stem of the packless valve does not rotate; it is

raised and lowered into the valve body by a connecting stem outside the fluid

cavity. Packless or packingless valves usually are for small-diameter piping

Page 723: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

722722

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

(one-quarter to 2-inch) and are used on piping carrying hazardous or toxic

fluids or gases and for high-pressure steam.

44777744.. VVAALLVVEE,, PPIILLOOTT

A small relief valve that, through a linkage of pressure piping. Controls the

opening of a larger relief or safety valve. A pilot valve is usually employed to

modulate or dampen the action of a larger valve as it opens to relieve the

system pressure.

44777755.. VVAANN SSYYCCKKEELL,, SSAAMMUUEELL

The man who invented and successfully operated the first crude oil pipeline.

The line was two-inch and ran from Pithole City, Pa., To a railroad five Miles

away. It pumped 81 barrels the first day, thus sounding the knell for the

teamster and his wagonload of oil barrels.

44777766.. VVAANNEE PPUUMMPP

A type of rotary pump designed to handle relatively small volumes of liquid

products gasoline and fight oils as well as highly viscous fluids.

44777777.. VVaappoorr

a substance in the gaseous state that is capable of being liquefied by

compression or cooling.

44777788.. VVAAPPOORR LLOOCCKK

A condition that exists when a volatile fuel vaporizes in an engines fuel line or

carburetor preventing the normal flow of liquid fuel to the engine. To handle

gas lock or vapor lock the gas must be bled off the system by removing a line

or loosening a connection, or the fines and carburetor cooled sufficiently to

condense the gas back to a liquid.

Page 724: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

723723

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44777799.. VVaappoorr pphhaassee

of a substance, existence in the gaseous state.

44778800.. VVaappoorr pprreessssuurree

the pressure exerted by the vapor of a substance when the substance and its

vapor are in equilibrium. Equilibrium is established when the rate of

evaporation of a substance is equal to the rate of condensation of its vapor.

44778811.. VVaappoorr pprrooooff aaddjj..

Susceptible to or affected by vapors. For example, an electrical switch is

made vapor proof so that a spark issuing from it will not cause an explosion in

the presence of combustible gases.

44778822.. VVaappoorr rreeccoovveerryy

a system or method by which vapors are retained and conserved.

44778833.. VVAAPPOORR RREECCOOVVEERRYY UUNNIITT

A facility for collecting and condensing vapors of volatile products being

loaded into open tanks at refineries, terminals, and service stations. The

vapors are drawn into a collecting tank and by pressure and cooling are

condensed to a liquid. VR units significantly reduce air pollution by petroleum

vapors.

44778844.. VVaappoorriizzaattiioonn

(1). The act or process of converting a substance into the vapor phase.

(2). The state of substances being in the vapor phase.

44778855.. VVAAPPOORRTTEENNSSIIOONN

See Vapor Pressure.

Page 725: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

724724

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44778866.. VVeenntt

an opening in a vessel, line, or pump to permit the escape of air or gas.

44778877.. VVeennttuurrii ttuubbee

a short tube with a calibrated constriction in it that is used in instruments;

developed according to the principle that a fluid flowing through a constriction

has increased velocity and reduced pressure.

444778899.. VVeennttuurrii--ttuubbee mmeetteerr

a flow meter used to determine the rate of flow that uses a enture tube as

the primary element for creating differential pressures in flowing gases or

liquids. Compare orifice meter.

44779900.. VVEENNTTUURRIIMMEETTEERR

An instrument for measuring the volume of flowing gases and liquids. It

consists of two parts—the tube through which the fluid flows and a set of

indicators which show the Pressures, rate of flow, or quantity discharged. The

tube, in the shape of an elongated hourglass, is flanged into a pipeline

carrying the fluid. The effect of the tube is to increase the velocity and

decrease the pressure at the point where the tube’s diameter is reduced. The

relationship between the line pressure and the pressure at the narrow “waist”

of the tube is used in computing the rate of flow.

44779911.. VVeerrttiiccaall

an imaginary line or shaft drilled at right angles to the plane of the horizon.

Of a wellbore, straight, not deviated.

Page 726: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

725725

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44779922.. VVEERRTTIICCAALL IINNTTEEGGRRAATTIIOONN

Refers to the condition in which a company produces raw material, transports

it, refines or processes it, and markets the product all as one integrated

operation. Specifically, an oil company is said to be vertically integrated when

it finds and produces oil and gas; transports it in its own pipelines; refines it;

and markets its products under its brand name, According to the critics of the

industry, this is not in the country’s best interest. See Horizontal Integration.

44779933.. VVEERRTTIICCAALL--MMOOOORREEDD PPLLAATTFFOORRMM

A buoyant drilling-producing platform moored to the sea floor by flexible

risers cemented into the seabed. Wells are drilled through the risers by

conventional methods and completed at the platform deck. When all wells are

drilled and completed the VMP becomes a producing platform. The buoyancy

of the platform exerts sufficient tension on its mooring systems to stabilize it

in all kinds of weather.

44779944.. VVeerryy llaarrggee ccrruuddee ccaarrrriieerr ((VVLLCCCC))

a super-tanker whose capacity is larger than 100,000 deadweight tons but

less than 500,000 dwt. (See tanker and ultralarge mole carrier.)

44779955.. VViibbrraattiioonn ddaammppeenneerr

(See Shock Sub.)

44779966.. VViibbrraattiioonn ddaammppeerr

a device affixed to an engine crankshaft to minimize stresses that result from

torsional vibration of the crankshaft.

Page 727: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

726726

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44779977.. VVIICCTTAAUULLIICC CCOOUUPPLLIINNGG

A patented pipe coupling made in two halves that wrap around the grooved

ends of two lengths of pipe and are forced together by bolts. Before the

halves of the coupling are put in position, a rubber ring is placed over the

junction of the two lengths of pipe. When the coupling is tightened with the

two bolts. The rubber is compressed, making a pressure tight connection.

44779988.. VViissccoommeetteerr

a device used to determine the viscosity of a substance; also called a

viscosimeter.

44779999.. VViissccoossiimmeetteerr--

(See viscometer.)

44880000.. VViissccoossiittyy

The resistance to flow, or “stickiness,” of a fluid.

44880011.. VViissccoossiittyy iinnddeexx

An index used to establish the tendency of oil to thin out at increasing

temperatures. Reference oils are highly paraffinic Pennsylvania oil, rated 100,

and Gulf Coast naphthenic oil, rated 0.

44880022.. VVIISSRROOSSEEIISS

Producing seismic shockwaves by the use of “thumpers” or vibrator vehicles.

44880033.. VVLLCCCC

Very large crude carrier; a crude oil tanker of 160,000 deadweight tons or

larger, capable of transporting one million barrels or more.

Page 728: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

727727

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44880044.. VVLLPPCC

Very large product carriers (oceangoing tankers).

44880055.. VVooiiddss nn ppll

cavities in a rock that do not contain solid material but may contain fluids.

44880066.. VVoollaattiillee

readily vaporized. (See vapor and vaporization.)

44880077.. VVOOLLAATTIILLIITTYY

The extent to which gasoline or oil vaporizes; the ease with which a liquid is

converted into a gaseous state.

44880088.. VVoollttmmeetteerr

(See positive-displacement meter.)

44880099.. VVoolluummee mmeetteerr

(See positive-displacemmi meter.)

44881100.. VVOOLLUUMMEETTAANNKK

A small cylindrical vessel connected to a gas fine in the oil field to provide an

even flow of gas to an engine and to trap liquids that may have condensed in

the gas line. The volume tank is usually located a few feet away from the gas

engine fuel line takeoff. One reason for volume tank, besides its, being a

small catch vessel for water and drip gasoline (q.v.), Is that gas from the

lease is piped to each gas engine through a small pipe, often one inch, and as

the engine intakes gas the small pipe would not provide a steady and

continuous enough supply.

Page 729: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

728728

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44881111.. VVoolluummeettrriicc eeffffiicciieennccyy

the actual volume of fluid put out by a pump divided by the volume displaced

by a piston or pistons (or other device) in the pump. Volumetric efficiency is

usually expressed as a percentage. For example, if the pump pistons displace

300 cu in. But the fluid put out by the pump is 290 cu in., Then the

volumetric efficiency of the pump is about 97 percent. Pumps are seldom 100

percent efficient.

44881122.. VVss

versus.

44881133.. VVuugg

a cavity in a rock.

44881144.. VVuugguullaarr ffoorrmmaattiioonn

a rock formation that contains vugs; a cavernous formation.

44881155.. VVuugguullaarr ppoorroossiittyy

a secondary rock porosity formed by the dissolving of the more soluble

portions of a rock in waters containing carbonic or other acids.

44881166.. VVUUGGUULLAARR--TTYYPPEE RROOCCKK

Rock with large pits or cavities in its structure. Limestone, which often

contains pits and cavities, is an example of a vugular-type sedimentary rock.

Page 730: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

729729

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44881177.. WW

watt.

44881188.. WW//CC

water cushion; used in drilling reports. (See cushion.)

44881199.. WWaaiill--ssttuucckk ppiippee

(See differential-pressure sticking.)

44882200.. WWaaiittiinngg oonn cceemmeenntt

(WOC) pertaining to or during the time when drilling or completion operations

are suspended so the cement in a well can harden sufficiently.

44882211.. WWaallkkiinngg bbeeaamm

the steel, horizontal member of a beam-pumping unit, usually with rocking or

reciprocating motion. (See sucker-rod pumping.)

44882222.. WWaallll ccaakkee

(See filter cake.)

44882233.. WWaallll hhooookk

a device used in fishing for drill pipe. If the upper end of the lost pipe is

leaning against the side of the wellbore, the wall hook centers it in the hole so

that it may be recovered with an overshot, which is run on the fishing string

and attached to the wall hook.

44882244.. WWaallll ssttiicckkiinngg

(See differential-pressure sticking.)

Page 731: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

730730

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44882255.. WWaallll--hhooookk gguuiiddee

(See wall hook.)

44882266.. WWaallll--hhooookk ppaacckkeerr

a packer that supports itself against the wall of the casing in which it is set.

(See hook-wall packer.)

44882277.. WWaasshh oovveerr

to release pipe that is stuck in the hole by running washover pipe. The

washover pipe must have an outside diameter small enough to fit into the

borehole but an inside diameter large enough to fit over the outside diameter

of the stuck pipe. A rotary shoe, which cuts away the formation, mud, or

whatever is sticking the pipe, is made up on the bottom joint of the washover

pipe, and the assembly is lowered into the hole. Rotation of the assembly

frees the stuck pipe. Several washovers may have to be made if the stuck

portion is very long.

44882288.. WWaasshh ppiippee

(1). A short length of surface-hardened pipe that fits inside the swivel and

serves as a conduit for drilling fluid through the swivel.

(2). Washover pipe.

44882299.. WWaasshh ttaannkk

a tank containing heated water,Through which crude-oil emulsion is forced to

flow, used to remove the water from the crude. It is also called a gun barrel.

44883300.. WWaasshhoouutt

1. Excessive wellbore enlargement caused by solvent and erosional action of

the drilling fluid. 2. A fluid-cut opening caused by fluid leakage.

Page 732: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

731731

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44883311.. WWaasshhoovveerr

back-off connector tool a fishing tool that is made up in a length of washover

pipe connected to the top of the fish once the washover is completed and

then backed off the fish, thus enabling the washed-over portion of the fish to

be retrieved. The tool permits washover, back off, and pulling to be carried

out in one round trip (See wash over and back off.)

44883322.. WWaasshhoovveerr aasssseemmbbllyy

(See washover pipe.)

44883333.. WWaasshhoovveerr ppiippee

an accessory used in fishing operations to go over the outside of tubing or

drill pipe that is stuck in the hole because of cuttings, mud, and so forth, that

have collected in the annulus. The washover pipe cleans the annular space

and permits recovery of the pipe. It is sometimes called wash pipe.

44883344.. WWaatteerr bblloocckk

a reduction in the permeability of a formation, caused by the invasion of

water into the pores.

44883355.. WWaatteerr eennccrrooaacchhmmeenntt

the movement of water into a producing formation as the formation is

depleted of oil and gas by production.

44883366.. WWaatteerr lloossss

(See fluid loss.)

44883377.. WWaatteerr mmaakkeerr

(See water-distillation unit.)

Page 733: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

732732

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44883388.. WWaatteerr SSaattuurraattiioonn

The percentage of pore space in a formation occupied by water.

44883399.. WWaatteerr ssttrriinngg

a string of casing used to shut off water above an oil sand.

44884400.. WWaatteerr ttaabbllee

(1). The underground level at which water is found.

(2). Underground water supplies used for irrigation and industrial plants.

(3). The top of the drilling derrick or mast that supports the crown block.

44884411.. WWaatteerr--bbaacckk

(1). To reduce the weight or density of a drilling mud by adding water.

(2). To reduce the solids content of a mud by adding water.

44884422.. WWaatteerr--bbaassee mmuudd

a drilling mud in which the continuous phase is water. In water-base muds,

any additives are dispersed in the water. Compare oil-base mud.

44884433.. WWaatteerr--bbaasseedd MMuudd

A drilling mud in which the continuous phase is water.

44884444.. WWaatteerr--cceemmeenntt rraattiioo

the ratio of water to cement in a slurry. It is expressed as a percentage,

indicating the number of pounds of water needed to mix 100 lb of cement.

44884455.. WWaatteerr--ccuutt ppaassttee

a material that changes color (usually to red) in water. The use of water-cut

paste is one method by which the level of water in the bottom of an oil

storage tank can be determined. The paste is applied to a plumb bob, which

Page 734: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

733733

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

is lowered to the bottom of the tank and then retrieved. The water level is

then measured off the bob by noting the depth of the red portion of the bob.

44884466.. WWaatteerr--ddiissttiillllaattiioonn uunniitt

a system used mostly on offshore or desert locations to convert seawater to

fresh, potable water by distillation.

44884477.. WWaatteerr--ddrriivvee

the reservoir-drive mechanism in which oil is produced by the expansion of

the underlying water, which forces the oil into the wellbore. In general, there

are two types of water drive bottom-water drive, in which the oil is totally

underlain by water, and edgewater drive, in which only the edge of the oil is

in contact with the water. Bottom-water drive is more efficient.

44884488.. WWaatteerr--wweett rroocckk

(See wettability.)

44884499.. WWaatteerreedd--oouutt

of a well, having gone to water.

44885500.. WWaatteerrfflloooodd

a method of secondary recovery in which water is injected into a reservoir in

order to remove additional quantities of oil from the reservoir that have been

left behind after primary recovery. Usually, a waterflood Involves the injection

of water through wells specially set up for water injection and the removal of

the water and oil from the wells drilled adjacent to the injection wells.

44885511.. WWaatteerrttiigghhtt ddoooorr

a door on ships or mobile offshore rigs that, when closed, blocks the passage

of and withstands the pressure of water.

Page 735: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

734734

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44885522.. WWaatteerrzzoonnee

the portion of an oil or gas reservoir occupied by water, usually the lowest

zone in the reservoir.

44885533.. WWaaxx

(See paraffin.)

44885544.. WWCC

wildcat; used in drilling reports.

44885555.. WWeeaarr sslleeeevvee

a hollow, cylindrical device attached to a joint of drill pipe midway between

the tool joints that minimizes wear to the outside of the pipe at points where

the pipe touches the wall of the hole.

44885566.. WWeeeevviill

(See boll weevil.)

44885577.. WWeeiigghhtt iinnddiiccaattoorr

an instrument near the driller's position on a drilling or workover rig that

shows the weight suspended from the hook when the bit is off the bottom.

From this reading, weight on the bit can be estimated during drilling.

44885588.. WWeeiigghhtt oonn tthhee bbiitt

the difference between the net weight of the entire drill stem and the reduced

weight resulting when the bit is resting on bottom.

44885599.. WWeeiigghhtt uupp

to increase the specific gravity, or density, of the drilling fluid by adding

weighting material.

Page 736: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

735735

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44886600.. WWeeiigghhttiinngg mmaatteerriiaall

a material with a specific gravity greater than that of cement; used to

increase the density of drilling fluids or cement scurries.

44886611.. WWeeiirr

a device installed in a separator or treater and used to determine the amount

of liquid flowing over it when the depth of the liquid is known.

44886622.. WWeellll

the hole made by the drilling bit. It can be open, cased, or both.

44886633.. WWeellll ccoommpplleettiioonn

the activities and methods necessary to prepare a well for the production of

oil and gas; the method by which a flow line for hydrocarbons is established

between the reservoir and the surface. The method of well completion used

by the operator depends on the individual characteristics of the producing

formation or formations. These techniques include open-hole completions,

conventional perforated completions, sand-exclusion completions, tubingless

completions, multiple completions, and miniaturized completions.

44886644.. WWeellll llooggggiinngg

the recording of information about subsurface geologic formations. Logging

methods include records kept by the driller, mud and cutting analyses, core

analysis, drill-stem tests, and electric and radioactivity procedures. (See

electric well log, mud logging, radioactivity well logging, and sonic logging.)

44886655.. WWeellll ppeerrmmiitt

authorization, usually by a governmental conservation agency, to drill a well.

A permit is sometimes required for deepening or remedial work also.

Page 737: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

736736

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44886666.. WWeellll ppuulllleerr

a member of a well-servicing crew. (See roustabout and crew chief.)

44886677.. WWeellll sseerrvviicciinngg

the maintenance work performed on an oil or gas well to improve or maintain

the production from a formation already producing. Usually it involves repairs

to the pump, rods, gas-lift valves, tubing, packers, and so forth. relating to

well-servicing work, as a well-servicing company.

44886688.. WWeellll ssppaacciinngg

the regulation of the number and location of wells over a reservoir as a

conservation measure.

44886699.. WWeellll ssttiimmuullaattiioonn

any of several operations used to increase the production of a well. (See

acidize, formation fracturing, and nitro-shooting.)

44887700.. WWeellll ssuurrvveeyyiinngg

(See deviation survey, electric well log, and radioactivity well logging.)

44887711.. WWeellll WWoorrkkoovveerr

A program of work performed on an existing well.

44887722.. WWeellllbboorree

The hole drilled by the drill bit.

44887733.. WWeellllbboorree ssooaakk

an acidizing treatment in which the acid is placed in the wellbore and allowed

to react by merely soaking in it; also called wellbore cleanup. It is a relatively

Page 738: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

737737

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

slow process because very little of the acid actually comes in contact with the

formation.

44887744.. WWeellllhheeaadd

the equipment used to maintain surface control of a well, including the casing

head, tubing head, and Christmas tree. pertaining to the wellhead (as

wellhead pressure).

44887755.. WWeett bbooxx

a shield set up to prevent oil or mud from splashing over the floor or on

machinery and workmen while tubing or drill pipe is being pulled; a mother

hubbard.

44887766.. WWeett ggaass

a natural gas containing an appreciable amount of heavier hydrocarbons,

which are often liquid.

44887777.. WWeett ooiill

an oil that contains water, either in an emulsion or as free water.

44887788.. WWeettttaabbiilliittyy

the relative affinity between individual grains of rock and each fluid that is

present in the spaces between the grains. If oil and water are both present,

most often the water is in contact with the surface of each grain, and the rock

is called water wet. However, if the oil contacts the surface, the rock is oil

wet.

44887799.. WWeettttiinngg

the adhesion of a liquid to the surface of a solid.

Page 739: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

738738

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44888800.. WWhh

white; used in drilling reports.

44888811.. WWhheellpp

a sprocket tooth in a wildcat.

44888822.. WWhhiippssttoocckk

a long, steel casing that uses an inclined plane to cause the bit to deflect from

the original borehole at a slight angle. Whipstocks are commonly used in

controlled directional drilling, to straighten crooked boreholes, and to

sidetrack to avoid unre-trieved fish.

44888833.. WWiilldd wweellll

a well that has blown out of control and from which oil, water, or gas is

escaping with great force to the surface; also called a gusher.

44888844.. WWiillddccaatt

(1). A well drilled in an area where no oil or gas production exists. With

present-day exploration methods and equipment, about one wildcat out of

every six proves to be productive although not necessarily profitable.

(2). (nautical) a geared sheave of a Windlass used to pull anchor chain. to

drill wildcat wells.

44888855.. WWiillddccaatttteerr

one who drills wildcat wells.

44888866.. WWiinncchh

a machine that pulls or hoists by winding a cable around a spool.

Page 740: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

739739

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44888877.. WWiinndd ggiirrddeerr

(See wind ring.)

44888888.. WWiinndd gguuyy

(See guy line.)

44888899.. WWiinndd rriinngg

a horizontal stiffening and structural member installed near the top of a

floating-roof tank to reinforce the tank wall against wind pressure; also called

a wind girder.

44889900.. WWiinndd--llooaadd rraattiinngg

a specification used to indicate the resistance of a derrick to the force of

wind. The wind-load rating is calculated according to API specifications.

Typical wind resistance in derricks is 75 mph with pipe standing in the derrick

and 115 mph or higher without.

44889911.. WWiinnddllaassss

a device on an anchor-handling boat that propels the anchor chain to and

from a chain locker where it is stored.

44889922.. WWiinnddooww

a slotted opening or a full section removed in the pipe lining (casing) of a

well, usually made to permit sidetracking.

44889933.. WWiinnddwwaarrdd

(nautical) upwind.

Page 741: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

740740

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44889944.. WWiippeerr pplluugg

a rubber-bodied, plastic- or aluminum-cored device used to separate cement

and drilling fluid as they are being pumped down the inside of the casing

during cementing operations. Wiper plugs also remove drilling mud that

adheres to the inside of the casing.

44889955.. WWiirree rrooppee

a rope composed of steel wires twisted into strands that are in turn twisted

around a central core of hemp or other riber to create a rope of great

strength and considerable flexibility. Wire rope is used as drilling line (in

rotary and cable-tool rigs), coring line, servicing line, winch line, and so on. It

is also called wireline or cable.

44889966.. WWiirree--wwrraappppeedd ssccrreeeenn

a type of liner.

44889977.. WWiirreelliinnee

(See wire rope.)

44889988.. WWiirreelliinnee ccoorree bbaarrrreell

(See core barrel.)

44889999.. WWiirreelliinnee ccuuttttiinngg ttooooll

a device usually run on a solid wireline, used to cut another wireline stuck in a

well.

44990000.. WWiirreelliinnee pprreevveenntteerr

a manually operated ram blowout preventer that is specially adapted for

closure around a wireline.

Page 742: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

741741

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44990011.. WWiirreelliinnee ssppeeaarr

a special fishing tool fitted with prongs to catch and recover wireline that has

broken off and been left in a well.

44990022.. WWiirreelliinnee wwiippeerr

a flexible rubber wiper used to scrape mud or oil from a wireline as it is pulled

from a hole.

44990033.. WWOO//OO

waiting on orders; used in drilling reports.

44990044.. WWOOCC

waiting on cement.

44990055.. WWOORR

water-oil ratio.

44990066.. WWoorrkk oovveerr

to perform one or more of a variety of remedial operations on a producing oil

well to try to increase production. Examples of workover operations are

deepening, plugging back, pulling and resetting liner, squeeze cement, and so

on.

44990077.. WWoorrkkiinngg bbaarrrreell

the outer shell of a downhole plunger pump. The pumping cycle starts with

an upward stroke of the rods, which pulls the plunger up through the working

barrel. The traveling valve closes, the standing valve in the working barrel

opens, and fluid enters the barrel. On the stroke of the plunger, the traveling

valve opens, the standing valve closes, and the fluid is forced from the

Page 743: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

742742

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

working barrel through the plunger and into the tubing. Repeated strokes

bring the fluid to the surface.

44990088.. WWoorrkkiinngg iinntteerreesstt

the portion of oil production money out of which operating and development

costs are paid (i.e., The portion remaining after deduction of royalty interest).

44990099.. WWoorrkkiinngg pprreessssuurree

the maximum pressure at which an item is to be used at a specified

temperature.

44991100.. WWoorrkkiinngg--iinntteerreesstt ooiill

(See net production and working interest.)

44991111.. WWoorrkkoovveerr

Operations on a producing well to restore or increase production.

44991122.. WWoorrkkoovveerr fflluuiidd

a special drilling mud used to keep a well under control when it is being

worked over. A workover fluid is compounded carefully so it will not cause

formation damage.

44991133.. WWoorrkkoovveerr rriigg

(See production rig and pulling unit.)

44991144.. WWoorrmm

(slang) a new and inexperienced oilfield worker.

44991155.. WWrreenncchh ffllaatt

a flat area on an otherwise round fitting to which a wrench can be applied (as

on sucker-rod couplings). It is also called a wrench square.

Page 744: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

743743

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44991166.. WWrreenncchh ssqquuaarree

(See wrench flat.)

Page 745: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

744744

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44991177.. xxllnn

crystalline; used in drilling reports.

44991188.. xxyylleennee

any of three flammable hydro- carbons, C6H4,(CH3)2, similar to benzene. A

commercial mixture is used as a solvent when oil-filed emulsions are being

tested.

Page 746: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

745745

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44991199.. YYaaww

on a mobile offshore drilling rig or ship; the angular motion about a line

perpendicular to a horizontal plane through the rig or ship; the angular

motion as the or stern moves from side to side. to move from side to side (as

a ship).

44992200.. YYdd

yard.

44992211.. YYdd22

square yard.

44992222.. YYdd33

cubic yard.

44992233.. YYiieelldd ppooiinntt

the maximum stress that a solid can withstand without undergoing permanent

deformation either by plastic flow or by rupture. (see tensile strength.)

Page 747: Dictionary of Petroleum Industry

Glossary of Petroleum Engineering

746746

Petroleum Engineer: M. Z. El-Helu

E-Mail: [email protected]

44992244.. ZZeeoollttttiicc ccaattaallyysstt

Catalyst formulations that contain zeolite (any of various hydrous silicates, a

mineral) for use in catalytic cracking units.

44992255.. ZZoonnee

a rock stratum that is different from or distinguished from another stratum

(as pay zone).

44992266.. ZZoonnee iissoollaattiioonn

A method of scaling off, temporarily, a producing formation while the hole is

being deepened. A special substance is forced into the formation where it

hardens allowing time for the well bore to be taken on down. After a certain

length of time, the substance again turns to a liquid unblocking the producing

formation.

44992277.. ZZoonnee ooff lloosstt cciirrccuullaattiioonn

An interval in a subsurface formation so porous or cut with crevices and

fissures that the drilling mud is lost in the pores, cracks, or even a cavern,

leaving none to circulate back to the surface.