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100 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back

accelerometer
A device used during surveying to measure the acceleration of a ship or aircraft, or to detect ground acceleration in boreholes or on the Earth's surface produced by acoustic vibrations.
acquisition
The generation and recording of seismic data
angle of incidence
The acute angle at which a raypath impinges upon a line normal to an interface, such as a seismic wave impinging upon strata.
attenuation
The loss of energy or amplitude of waves as they pass through media
acoustic
Pertaining to sound. Generally, it describes sound or vibrational events, regardless of frequency
aeromagnetic survey
Measurements of the Earth's magnetic field gathered from aircraft. Magnetometers towed by an airplane or helicopter can measure the intensity of the Earth's magnetic field. The differences between actual measurements and theoretical values indicate anomalies in the magnetic field, which in turn represent changes in rock type or in thickness of rock units.
angular dispersion
The variation of seismic velocity in different directions.
attribute
A measurable property of seismic data, such as amplitude, dip, frequency, phase and polarity.
acoustic basement
The portion of the Earth below which strata cannot be imaged with seismic data, or the deepest relatively continuous reflector.
AGC
A system to control the gain, or the increase in the amplitude of an electrical signal from the original input to the amplified output, automatically
anisotropic
Having directionally dependent properties.
autocorrelation
The comparison of a waveform to itself.
acoustic coupler
An obsolete piece of equipment that converts acoustic signals from analog to electrical form and back. A common use of an acoustic coupler was to provide an interface between a telephone and an early type of computer modem
anisotropy
Predictable variation of a property of a material with the direction in which it is measured, which can occur at all scales. For a crystal of a mineral, variation in physical properties observed in different directions is anisotropy. In rocks, variation in seismic velocity measured parallel or perpendicular to bedding surfaces is a form of anisotropy. Often found where platy minerals such as micas and clays align parallel to depositional bedding as sediments are compacted.
automatic gain control
A system to control the gain, or the increase in the amplitude of an electrical signal from the original input to the amplified output, automatically. AGC is commonly used in seismic processing to improve visibility of late-arriving events in which attenuation or wavefront divergence has caused amplitude decay
acoustic emission
A type of elastic wave produced by deformation or brittle failure of material and characterized by relatively high frequency.
air gun
A source of seismic energy used in acquisition of marine seismic data. This gun releases highly compressed air into water.
antialias filter
A filter, or a set of limits used to eliminate unwanted portions of the spectra of the seismic data, to remove frequencies that might cause aliasing during the process of sampling an analog signal during acquisition or when the sample rate of digital data is being decreased during seismic processing.
autotrack
To use computer software to pick a particular reflection or attribute in seismic data automatically. Autotracking can speed interpretation of three-dimensional seismic data, but must be checked for errors, especially in areas of faulting and stratigraphic changes
acoustic impedance
The product of density and seismic velocity, which varies among different rock layers, commonly symbolized by Z. The difference in acoustic impedance between rock layers affects the reflection coefficient.
air shooting
A method of seismic acquisition using charges detonated in the air or on poles above the ground as the source. Air shooting is also called the Poulter method after American geophysicist Thomas Poulter.
aperture
A mechanism to limit the affects of measurements on a device or system. In seismic data acquisition, the length of the spread has the effect of an aperture
auto-tracking
Use of computer software to pick a particular reflection or attribute in seismic data automatically. Autotracking can speed interpretation of three-dimensional seismic data, but must be checked for errors, especially in areas of faulting and stratigraphic changes
acoustic impedance section
A seismic reflectivity section, or a 2D or 3D seismic section, that has been inverted for acoustic impedance. Sonic and density logs can be used to calibrate acoustic impedance sections.
air wave
A sound wave that travels through the air at approximately 330 m/s and can be generated and recorded during seismic surveying. Air waves are a type of coherent noise.
apparent anisotropy
In seismic data, the ratio of the velocity determined from normal moveout (i.e., primarily a horizontal measurement) to velocity measured vertically in a vertical seismic profile or similar survey.
average velocity
In geophysics, the depth divided by the traveltime of a wave to that depth.
acoustic log
A display of traveltime of acoustic waves versus depth in a well.
alias filter
A filter, or a set of limits used to eliminate unwanted portions of the spectra of the seismic data, to remove frequencies that might cause aliasing during the process of sampling an analog signal during acquisition or when the sample rate of digital data is being decreased during seismic processing.
Gabon and Indonesia
Former Mebers of OPEC
Geneva
First location of headquarters of OPEC
1965
The year OPEC shifted its headquarters from Geneva to Vienna, Austria
Baghdad, Iraq - 1960
Where and when was the first OPEC conference held?
BP, SoCal, SoCony, Gulf Oil, Esso, Texaco, Royal Dutch Shell
Companies that constituted the 'Seven Sisters'
Enrico Mattei
The First person to refer to the seven oil giants as the 'Seven Sisters'.
apparent velocity
In geophysics, the speed of a wavefront in a certain direction, typically measured along a line of receivers and symbolized by va.
AVO
Variation in seismic reflection amplitude with change in distance between shotpoint and receiver that indicates differences in lithology and fluid content in rocks above and below the reflector.
acoustic positioning
A method of calculating the position of marine seismic equipment. Range measurements are made whereby distance is equal toacoustic signal traveltime from transmitter to hydrophone multiplied by the speed of sound in water. When sufficient acoustic ranges with a proper geometric distribution are collected, location coordinates x, y and z of the marine seismic equipment can be computed by the method of trilateration (measuring the lengths of the sides of overlapping triangles). Acoustic positioning is commonly used in towed streamer and ocean-bottom cable seismic acquisition modes.
aliasing
The distortion of frequency introduced by inadequately sampling a signal, which results in ambiguity between signal and noise.
apparent wavelength
The wavelength measured by receivers when a wave approaches at an angle.
back propagation
A method for reconstructing the location and shape of the wave at an earlier time using the wave equation.
band-pass
Frequencies within the acceptable limits of a filter.
bias
An adjustment of the relative positive and negative excursions of reflections during seismic processing by bulk shifting the null point, or baseline, of the data to emphasize peaks at the expense of troughs or vice versa. Some authors describe bias as a systematic distortion of seismic data to achieve greater continuity.
Bouguer correction
The adjustment to a measurement of gravitational acceleration to account for elevation and the density of rock between the measurement station and a reference level. It can be expressed mathematically as the product of the density of the rock, the height relative to sea level or another reference, and a constant, in units of mGal
back stripping
A modeling technique to assess the geologic history of rock layers through the use of geologic cross sections or seismic sections. Removal of the youngest layers of rock at the top of the section allows restoration of the underlying layers to their initial, undisturbed configurations. Successively older layers can be removed sequentially to further assess the effects of compaction,development of geologic structures and other processes on an area.
band-reject
Frequencies beyond the limits of a filter.
bin
1. A subdivision of a seismic survey. The area of a three-dimensional survey is divided into bins, which are commonly on the order of 25 m [82 ft] long and 25 m wide; traces are assigned to specific bins according to the midpoint between the source and thereceiver, reflection point or conversion point. Bins are commonly assigned according to common midpoint (CMP), but more sophisticated seismic processing allows for other types of binning. Traces within a bin are stacked to generate the output trace for that bin. Data quality depends in part on the number of traces per bin, or the fold. 2. To sort seismic data into small areas according to the midpoint between the source and the receiver, reflection point or conversion point prior to stacking.
bow tie
A concave-upward event in seismic data produced by a buried focus and corrected by proper migration of seismic data. The focusing of the seismicwave produces three reflection points on the event per surface location. The name was coined for the appearance of the event in unmigrated seismic data. Synclines, or sags, commonly generate bow ties.
back-propagation
A method for reconstructing the location and shape of the wave at an earlier time using the wave equation.
base of weathering
The lower boundary of the near-surface, low-velocity zone in which rocks are physically, chemically or biologically broken down, in some cases coincident with a water table. Static corrections to seismic data can compensate for the low velocity of theweathered layer in comparison with the higher-velocity strata below.
acetic acid
An organic acid used in oil- and gas-well stimulation treatments. Less corrosive than the commonly used hydrochloric acid, acetic acid treatments can be more easily inhibited or retarded for treatments of long duration. This is necessary particularly in applications requiring the protection of exotic alloys or in high-temperature wells. In most cases, acetic acid is used in conjunction with hydrochloric acid and other acid additives. It can also be used as a chelating agent.
acidizing
The pumping of acid into the wellbore to remove near-well formation damage and other damaging substances. This procedure commonly enhances production by increasing the effective well radius. When performed at pressures above thepressure required to fracture the formation, the procedure is often referred to as acid fracturing.
annular space
The space surrounding one cylindrical object placed inside another, such as the space surrounding a tubular object placed in a wellbore.
artificial lift
Any system that adds energy to the fluid column in a wellbore with the objective of initiating and improving production from the well. Artificial-lift systems use a range of operating principles, including rod pumping, gas lift and electric submersible pump.
acid job
The treatment of a reservoir formation with a stimulation fluid containing a reactive acid. In sandstone formations, the acid reacts with the soluble substances in the formation matrix to enlarge the pore spaces. In carbonate formations, the acid dissolves the entire formation matrix. In each case, the matrix acidizing treatment improves the formation permeability to enable enhanced production of reservoir fluids. Matrix acidizing operations are ideally performed at high rate, but at treatment pressures below the fracture pressure of the formation. This enables the acid to penetrate the formation and extend the depth of treatment while avoiding damage to the reservoir formation.
adjustable choke
A valve usually used in well control operations to reduce the pressure of a fluid from high pressure in the closed wellbore to atmospheric pressure. It may be adjusted (opened or closed) to closely control the pressure drop. Adjustable choke valves are constructed to resist wear while high-velocity, solids-laden fluids are flowing by the restricting or sealing elements.
annular velocity
The speed at which drilling fluid or cement moves in the annulus. It is important to monitor annular velocity to ensure that the hole is being properly cleaned of cuttings, cavings and other debris while avoiding erosion of the borehole wall. The annular velocity is commonly expressed in units of feet per minute or, less commonly, meters per minute. The term is distinct from volumetric flow.
atmospheric corrosion
Corrosion (oxidization) resulting from exposure of susceptible materials to oxygen and moisture. Atmospheric corrosion is generally associated with surface storage conditions, or with upper wellbore annuli that may not be fluid-filled.
acid stimulation
The treatment of a reservoir formation with a stimulation fluid containing a reactive acid. In sandstone formations, the acid reacts with the soluble substances in the formation matrix to enlarge the pore spaces. In carbonate formations, the acid dissolves the entire formation matrix. In each case, the matrix acidizing treatment improves the formation permeability to enable enhanced production of reservoir fluids. Matrix acidizing operations are ideally performed at high rate, but at treatment pressures below the fracture pressure of the formation. This enables the acid to penetrate the formation and extend the depth of treatment while avoiding damage to the reservoir formation.
ambient temperature
The temperature at a point or area expressed as an average of the surrounding areas or materials. Ambient surface temperature is generally given to be 70 to 80oF [21 to 27oC]-an average of daily and seasonal variations.
area open to flow
The calculated flow area provided by perforations across a specific zone of interest. The resulting value is used to calculatepressure drops and fluid-flow performance.
axial loading
The force acting along the axis of an object. In wellbore tubulars, axial loading is typically expressed as tension or compression and may result from applied conditions such as set-down-weight, or be induced by operating conditions or variations such as changes in temperature that cause expansion or contraction of components.
acidize
To pump acid into the wellbore to remove near-well formation damage and other damaging substances. This procedure commonly enhances production by increasing the effective well radius. When performed at pressures above the pressurerequired to fracture the formation, the procedure is often referred to as acid fracturing.
back pressure
The pressure within a system caused by fluid friction or an induced resistance to flow through the system. Most process facilities require a minimum system pressure to operate efficiently. The necessary back-pressure is often created and controlled by a valve that is set to operate under the desired range of conditions.
ball catcher
A downhole device or assembly used to catch and retain balls used to actuate ball-operated tools or equipment. Following activation, some ball-operated tools incorporate a means of ejecting the activation ball to regain a fullbore flow path. In such cases, the ball can be retained in a ball catcher.
blasting cap
A small, electrically activated explosive charge that explodes a larger charge. Detonators, also called caps, seismic caps or blasting caps, are used for seismic acquisition with an explosive source to achieve consistent timing of detonation.
breakthrough
A description of reservoir conditions under which a fluid, previously isolated or separated from production, gains access to a producing wellbore. The term is most commonly applied to water or gas breakthrough, where the water or gas injected to maintain reservoir pressure via injection wells breaks through to one or more of the producing wells.
back pressure valve
A type of check valve, typically installed in the tubing hanger, to isolate the production tubing. The back-pressure valve is designed to hold pressure from below yet enable fluids to be pumped from above, as may be required for well-control purposes.
ball operated
Describing a mechanism or system that is actuated by a ball that is dropped or pumped through the tubing string. Once located on a landing seat, the tool mechanism is generally actuated by hydraulic pressure.
blow down
To vent gas from a well or production system. Wells that have been shut in for a period frequently develop a gas cap caused by gas percolating through the fluid column in the wellbore. It is often desirable to remove or vent the free gas before starting well intervention work.
bridge
A wellbore obstruction caused by a buildup of material such as scale, wellbore fill or cuttings that can restrict wellbore access or, in severe cases, eventually close the wellbore.
back up ring
A supporting ring used with an O-ring, or similar seal, to prevent extrusion of the seal material under high differential pressures or excess wear under dynamic sealing conditions
ball sealers
Small spheres designed to seal perforations that are accepting the most fluid, thereby diverting reservoir treatments to other portions of the target zone. Ball sealers are incorporated into the treatment fluid and pumped with it. The effectiveness of this type of mechanical diversion to keep the balls in place is strongly dependent on the differential pressure across theperforation and the geometry of the perforation itself.
bridge plug
A downhole tool that is located and set to isolate the lower part of the wellbore. Bridge plugs may be permanent or retrievable, enabling the lower wellbore to be permanently sealed from production or temporarily isolated from a treatment conducted on an upper zone.
back wash
To conduct reverse circulation, that is, to circulate fluid down the wellbore annulus, with returns being made up the tubing string. Reverse circulation is often used to remove debris from the wellbore since the high fluid flow rate inside the tubing string enables the recovery of large or dense debris particles that are difficult or impossible to remove with conventional circulation.
bottomhole choke
A downhole device used to control fluid flow under downhole conditions. Downhole chokes are generally removable withslickline intervention and are located in a landing nipple in the tubing string.
brine
A water-based solution of inorganic salts used as a well-control fluid during the completion and workover phases of well operations. Brines are solids free, containing no particles that might plug or damage a producing formation. In addition, the salts in brine can inhibit undesirable formation reactions such as clay swelling. Brines are typically formulated and prepared for specific conditions, with a range of salts available to achieve densities ranging from 8.4 to over 20 lbm/gal (ppg) [1.0 to 2.4 g/cmo]. Common salts used in the preparation of simple brine systems include sodium chloride, calcium chloride andpotassium chloride. More complex brine systems may contain zinc, bromide or iodine salts. These brines are generally corrosive and costly.
barefoot completion
A well completion that has no casing or liner set across the reservoirformation, allowing the produced fluids to flow directly into the wellbore. This type of completion suffers the major disadvantage that the sandface is unsupported and may collapse. Also, without any casing or liner installed, selective treatments or remedial work within the reservoir section are more difficult.
bottomhole injection pressure (bhip)
The downhole pressure at which a treatment fluid can be injected into a zone of interest. The bottomhole injection pressure is typically calculated by adding the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid column to the surface pump pressure measured during aninjection test.
bring in the well
To prepare a well for production by initiating flow from the reservoir. This is the final phase of a completion or workoverprocess.
Bubble Flow
A multiphase fluid flow regime characterized by the gas phase being distributed as bubbles through the liquid phase. In a producing wellbore where the bubbles are uniformly distributed, there is little relative motion between the phases. Where the bubbles congregate and combine to form a less uniform distribution of the gas phase, some slippage will occur between the phases with the gas tending to cut through the liquid phase.
Back-Pressure Valve
A type of check valve, typically installed in the tubing hanger, to isolate the production tubing. The back-pressure valve is designed to hold pressure from below yet enable fluids to be pumped from above, as may be required for well-control purposes.
Barite Plug
A plug made from barite weighting materials that is placed at the bottom of a wellbore. Unlike a cement plug, the settled solids do not set solid, yet a barite plug can provide effective and low-cost pressure isolation. A barite plug is relatively easy to remove and is often used as a temporary facility for pressure isolation or as a platform enabling the accurate placement of treatments above the plug.
Bottomhole Pressure
The downhole pressure, measured or calculated at a point of interest, generally the top of the perforated interval.
Bump the Plug
To observe the increase in pump pressure indicating that the top cement plug has been placed on the bottom plug or landing collar. Bumping the plug concludes the cementing operation.
Backside
A term used to describe the annulus surrounding a production tubing string above the production packer.
Beam Pump
An artificial-lift pumping system using a surface power source to drive a downhole pump assembly. A beam and crank assembly creates reciprocating motion in a sucker-rod string that connects to the downhole pump assembly. The pump contains a plunger and valve assembly to convert the reciprocating motion to vertical fluid movement.
Bottomhole Sampler
A tool or assembly used to retrieve samples of fluids or fill material from the wellbore. Used as a treatment design aid, the retrieved samples can be checked for compatibility with the selected treatment fluid to verify performance or identify any undesirable reactions.
Buoyancy
The upward force acting on an object placed in a fluid. The buoyancy force is equal to the weight of fluid displaced by the object. Buoyancy can have significant effects over a wide range of completion and workover activities, especially in cases in which the wellbore and tubing string contain liquid and gas. Any change in the relative volumes or fluid levels will change the buoyancy forces.
Back-up Ring
A supporting ring used with an O-ring, or similar seal, to prevent extrusion of the seal material under high differential pressures or excess wear under dynamic sealing conditions.
Bean Choke
A fixed choke used to control the flow of fluids, usually mounted on or close to the Christmas tree. A bean choke contains a replaceable insert, or bean, made from hardened steel or similar durable material. The insert is manufactured with a precise diameter hole that forms the choke through which all fluids must pass. Choke inserts are available in a complete range of sizes, generally identified by choke diameter stated in 64ths of an inch; for example, a "32 bean" is equivalent to a /-in. choke diameter.
Bottomhole Temperature
The downhole temperature measured or calculated at a point of interest. The BHT, without reference to circulating or static conditions, is typically associated with producing conditions.
Buttress Thread
A thread profile used on casing or liner tubulars. Buttress threads are square-cut and create a hydraulic seal through the interference fit of the mating threads.
Backwash
To conduct reverse circulation, that is, to circulate fluid down the wellbore annulus, with returns being made up the tubing string. Reverse circulation is often used to remove debris from the wellbore since the high fluid flow rate inside the tubing string enables the recovery of large or dense debris particles that are difficult or impossible to remove with conventional circulation.
Blank Pipe
A short section of plain tubing used to separate or space-out specialized components in a completion assembly. Blank pipe is commonly used in sand control completions where intervals of screen are separated by short sections of blank pipe. The term is also used to describe unperforated sections of casing or liner.
Breakdown Pressure
The pressure at which the rock matrix of an exposed formation fractures and allows fluid to be injected. The breakdown pressure is established before determining reservoir treatment parameters. Hydraulic fracturing operations are conducted above the breakdown pressure, while matrix stimulation treatments are performed with the treatment pressure safely below the breakdown pressure.
Calcium Carbonite Plug
A temporary plug formulated with graded granules or flakes of calcium carbonate that are generally circulated into place as a slurry and allowed to settle out. Calcium carbonate plugs commonly are used to isolate lower production zones, either to enable a column of well control fluid to be placed, or to provide some protection for a lower zone while treating upper zones. Because of their high reaction rate with hydrochloric acid, calcium carbonate plugs are easily removed using common acidizing materials and equipment.
Casing Test
A general term used to describe a drillstem test (DST) performed in cased hole.
Chemical Wash
A fluid, generally water-based, to thin and disperse mud in preparation for cementing. The chemical wash is pumped ahead of the cement slurry to help ensure effective mud removal and efficient cement placement. Other specialized chemical washes may be used in the remedial treatment of scales or paraffin deposits in production tubulars.
Completion

A generic term used to describe the assembly of downhole tubulars and equipment required to enable safe and efficient production from an oil or gas well. The point at which the completion process begins may depend on the type and design of well. However, there are many options applied or actions performed during the construction phase of a well that have significant impact on the productivity of the well.