Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Industry
Second Edition
Published by
The University of Texas at austin
2011
revised.
isBn 0-88698-240-5 (alk. paper)
1. Petroleum engineeringDictionaries. 2. Gas engineeringDictionaries.
3. PetroleumDictionaries. 4. natural gasDictionaries. 5. Petroleum
industry and tradeDictionaries. 6. Gas industryDictionaries. i.
university of texas at Austin. Petroleum extension service.
tn865.D478 2005
665.503dc22
2010050457
Disclaimer
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inc.
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American Geological institute,
rights reserved.
caliper; micrometer
PennWell Books, a division of
PennWell Publishing company
P.o. Box 1260
tulsa, oK 74101
langenkamp, Handbook of Oil Industry
Terms and Phrases, fourth ed. tulsa:
PennWell Books, 1985. used with
permission. All rights reserved.
middle distillate; straight-run
langenkamp, Illustrated Petroleum
Reference Dictionary, third ed. tulsa:
PennWell Books, 1984. used with
permission. All rights reserved.
carrier bar; charge stock; gas oil;
process stream; seven sisters;
sling; swag
iii
Preface
abandoned.
abandoned well n: a well not in use because
has ceased to produce. statutes and regulations in many states require the plugging
open position.
abd, abdn abbr: abandoned; used in drilling
reports.
abeam adv: to or at the side of a ship, vessel,
abnormal pressure n: strictly speaking, pressure in a formation that is less than or more
than the pressure to be expected at a given
depth. However, in the field, abnormal pressure is often considered to be pressure only
that is higher than that which is expected at
a given depth. normal pressure increases
approximately 0.465 pounds per square
back-off joint n: a section of pipe with lefthand 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.
protection systems.
level.
backside n: the area above a packer between
packers extrusion.
backup ring n: a cylindrical ring employed
pressure.
17
quantity.
daily drilling report n: a record made each
drillers report.
encircles the throat. special equipment attached to the tap senses the pressure drop
partial pressures.
damage clause n: the clause in an oil and gas
a measure of the extent of the formation damage in proportion to the formations original
the condition of a vessels equilibrium (its stability) when the vessel has suffered enough
surge dampener.
number of wells.
64
E abbr: volt.
completion, and field processing of hydrocarbons prior to entering the pipeline. 3. the
eddy-current loss n: in the core of a transformer, losses in power caused by eddy currents in the core. eddy current is induced in
the core by the same magnetic lines of force
(flux) that induce voltage in the windings.
n: see Landsat.
efciency n: the ratio of useful energy produced by an engine to the energy put into it.
85
faciES
farm-in n: an agreement identical to a farmout, with the operator as the third party.
the operator takes the farm-in. see farmout.
95
g abbr: gram.
G abbr: center of gravity; this abbreviation is
used mostly in buoyancy, stability, and trim
calculations for offshore drillng rigs.
Ga sym: gallium.
GAAP abbr: generally accepted accounting
principles.
gabbro n: an intrusive igneous rock with the
same composition as basalt.
gage n, v: variation of gauge.
gal abbr: gallon.
gale n: a wind that is blowing at 28 to 55 knots.
Gales are classified as moderate, fresh, strong,
or whole.
galena (PbS) n: lead sulfide. technical grades
(specific gravity about 7) are used for
increasing the density of drilling fluids to
points impractical or impossible with barite.
gall n: damage to steel surfaces caused by
friction and improper lubrication.
gall
galling adj: the result of the sticking or adhesion of two mating surfaces of metal, not
protected by a film of lubricant, and tearing
due to lateral displacement.
galling limit n: one of the limitations on
chain-and-sprocket life. this limitation on
the strength of the metal the chains and
sprockets are made of may cause the metal
to wear even though it is lubricated because
of a heavy load or a high speed.
gallium n: a silvery-white metallic element
often added as an impurity to semiconductors to create a positive charge in the
semiconductor.
gallon (gal) n: a unit of measure of liquid
capacity that equals 3.785 litres and has a volume of 231 cubic inches (0.00379 cubic metres). A gallon of water weighs 8 34 pounds
(3 8 kilograms) at 60F (16c). the imperial
gallon, formerly used in Great Britain, equals
approximately 1 2 u.s. gallons.
gallonage n: the amount of liquid a firefighting device delivers in u.s. gallons.
gallons per minute (gpm) n: an expression
of oil-to-gas ratio of the amount of lean
oil circulated per million cubic feet of gas
through the absorber.
gal/min abbr: gallons per minute. Also abbreviated as gpm.
galvanic cell n: an electrical device that contains two dissimilar metals suspended in
or surrounded by an electrolyte, which is
capable of producing voltage and current.
two or more galvanic cells constitute a battery. often, and erroneously, a galvanic cell
is called a battery. A battery consists of two
or more galvanic cells.
111
h abbr: 1. formation thickness; used in engineering reports during well testing. 2. hour.
HCN form: hydrogen cyanide.
H2S form: hydrogen sulfide.
123
ideal gas law n: a hypothetical ideal gas equation developed by Benot Paul mile clapeyron in 1834 stating that all gases occupy
an equal volume at the same conditions of
temperature and pressure. the ideal gas law
can be stated as Pv = RT or PV = nRT where
r = a proportionality factor
t = absolute temperature
v = volume of one mol of gas
n = number of mols of gas
v = volume of n mols of gas
P = absolute pressure.
iDEntification
platE
imBrication
135
A jackup 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. Also called
self-elevating drilling unit.
145
rigs. 3. Kelvin.
K sym: potassium.
K4 n: a type of high-strength chain grade.
Kalrez n: a trademark for a specially
reports.
K capture n: an interaction in which a nucleus captures an electron from the K shell of
circular mil.
feet (12 to 16 metres) long, and have diameters as small as 2 5 inches (6 centimetres)
and as large as 6 inches (15 centimetres). see
drill stem, rotary table, and swivel.
agreements that essentially allows the producer to receive at least an amount equal
without processing.
kelly n: on drilling
four- or six-sided,
fluid to be circulated
manufactured to APi
specifications are
available in four- or
six-sided versions,
are either 40 or 54
149
landing string n: offshore, to land the wellhead on casing beneath the water on the
seafloor, it is run in a landing string (drill
pipe or tubing) to seafloor or inside casing.
153
landman
landman n: a person in the petroleum industry who negotiates with landowners
for oil and gas leases, options, minerals,
and royalties and with producers for joint
operations relative to production in a field.
Also called a leaseman.
land rig n: any drilling rig that is located on
dry land. compare offshore rig.
LCM
LARS abbr: launch and recovery system.
last engaged thread n: 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.
latch circuit n: an electronic circuit that
reverses and maintains its state each time
power is applied.
latch on v: to attach elevators to a section of
pipe to pull it out of or run it into the hole.
latch sub n: a device, usually with segmented
threads, run with seal subs on the bottom of
a tubing string and latched into a permanent
packer to prevent tubing movement.
latent heat n: the heat that changes the phase
of a fluid.
lantern ring n: the middle ring in a liner packing in a reciprocating pump. A notch on the
lantern ring lines up with the grease fitting so
that when lubricant is injected, the ring distributes it between the gland packing rings.
lap n: an interval
in the cased hole
where the top of a
liner overlaps the
bottom of a string
of casing. see liner
lap.
large structure n: a
relative term that
implies the existence of a geologic
formation bigger than is usual for a particular
area.
154
Laurasia n: the northern part of the supercontinent Pangaea, comprising the future
land masses of north America, Greenland,
and eurasia.
lava n: magma that reaches the surface of
the earth.
LDC
LDC abbr: local distribution company.
leaching n: in geology, the removal of minerals from rock by solution in water or another
solvent.
is a heavy, soft, malleable, and ductile bluish white metal. it is often used in batteries,
in the circuit.
presence of hydrogen sulfide in a fluid by discoloration of paper that has been moistened
companies.
lease condensate n: a natural gas liquid
recovered from gas well gas in lease separators or natural gas field facilities. consists
primarily of pentanes and heavier hydrocarbons. usually blended with crude oil
for refining.
leasee n: see lessee.
working interest.
lease hound n: (slang) a landman who procures leases on tracts of land for petroleum
and companies.
155
lease stipulations
lease stipulations n pl: special stipulations,
or requirements, that are often included
in ocs oil and gas leases in response to
concerns raised by coastal states, fishing
groups, federal agencies, and others. the
stipulations may require biological surveys
of sensitive seafloor habitats, environmental
training for operations personnel, special
waste-discharge procedures, archaeological
resource reports to determine the potential
for the encounter of historic or prehistoric
resources, special operating procedures near
military bases or their zones of activity, and
other restrictions on ocs oil and gas operations. lease stipulations are legally binding,
contractual provisions.
lease superintendent n: the oil company
employee who supervises one or more lease
operators.
lease tank n: see production tank.
LED abbr: light-emitting diode.
lifting sling
lenticular trap n: see lens-type trap.
156
LIFTING NIPPLES
lifting sub
crewmembers to insert or remove the
master bushing and
insert bowls as required.
lif ting sub n: also
called hoisting plug
or lifting nipple. see
lifting nipple.
light crude oil n: a
crude oil of relatively high APi gravity (usually 40 or
higher).
light displacement n:
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.
lightening hole n: a hole cut into a strengthening member that reduces its weight but does
not significantly affect its strength.
lighter n: a large, usually flat-bottomed,
barge used in unloading or loading ships.
v: to convey by a lighter.
light fuels n pl: fuels, such as gasoline, that
have relatively high volatility.
line displacement
density less than that of neat cement. lightweight cements are used in low-pressure
zones where the hydrostatic pressure of
long columns of neat cement can fracture
the formation and result in lost circulation.
lignins n pl: naturally occurring special lignites, e g., leonardite, that are produced by
strip mining from special lignite deposits.
used primarily as thinners and emulsifiers.
lignosulfonate n: an organic drilling fluid additive derived from by-products of a papermaking process using sulfite. it minimizes
fluid loss and reduces mud viscosity.
LINEAR CHART
157
line drive
line drive n: in waterflooding, a straight-
see waterflooding.
line drop n: opening (venting to atmosphere)
and so forth.
line press n: the recorded difference in a
pipe.
liner n: 1. a string of
intermediate or the
device. 2. a relatively
often used with a gravel pack. 3. in jet perforation guns, a conically shaped metallic piece
158
which a liner is used to obtain communication between the reservoir and the wellbore.
line speed indicator n: an instrument calibrated to show the speed in feet per minute
be driven by a motor.
line spooler n: a device fitted on the draw-
effective.
line-up clamps n pl: used to align the ends of
liquefaction n: the process whereby a substance in its gaseous or solid state is liquefied.
liqueed natural gas (LNG) n: a liquid composed chiefly of natural gas (i.e., mostly
methane). natural gas is liquefied to make it
easy 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 or under
extremely low (cryogenic) temperature and
close to atmospheric pressure to liquefy.
liqueed natural gas carrier (LNGC) n: a vessel
such as a ship used to transport liquefied
natural gas.
liquidate
liquidate v: where participants resell their
positions.
liquid calibration procedure n: a method of
determining a tanks capacity by filling
and withdrawing from the tank accurately
determined volumes of liquid.
vapor-liquid mixture.
list n: the position of a ship or offshore drilling rig that heels to one side because of a
called heel.
calculation.
List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and
and so forth.
lithostatic pressure n: see geostatic pressure.
litmus n: a water soluble blue powder obtained from various lichens, but especially
Variolaria lecanora and V. rocella. litmus turns
red in acid solutions and blue in base (alkaline) solutions and is therefore often used as
an acid-base indicator.
litre (L) n: an acceptable unit of measure in
the si system of capacity equal to the volume
occupied by 1 kilogram of water at 4c and
at the standard atmospheric pressure of 760
millimetres. it is spelled litre in the si system.
swing rollers free to roll between the revolving superstructure and the mounting.
system that uses monoammonium phosphate to put out the fire on a burning well.
Lloyds Registry of Shipping n: an independent
risk assessment and risk mitigation solutions and management systems certification
159
loader
logarithmic scale
lobed impeller n: a rounded blade on a displacement meter that separates the liquid
stream into discrete quantities.
loaD guy
linE
loading n: occurs
when the amount
of water or condensate production is
too great to be lifted by the velocity
of the gas.
loading line n: see
suction line.
loading rack n: the equipment used for transferring crude oil or petroleum products into
tank cars or trucks.
Load King connector n: a brand of boltedflange connector used in marine riser
systems to join (connect) riser pipe. this
connector is designed for drilling in water
depths of 7,000 feet (2,000 metres) or deeper,
and has a tensile load rating of 3 5 million
pounds (1.6 million kilograms). see riser
pipe.
load line n: a line, painted or cut on the outside of a floating rig or ships hull, which
marks the maximum waterline when the rig
or ship is loaded with the greatest amount
of cargo that it can safely carry.
load loss n: 1. loss from a cargo of oil. usually the losses occur because the light ends
escape during transport. 2. in a transformer,
the reduction (loss) of electrical energy that
occurs when the transformer is loadedthat
is, when electricity is being drawn from it.
load oil n: the crude or refined oil used in
fracturing a formation to stimulate a well,
as distinguished from the oil normally
produced by the well.
load on top n: the shipboard procedure of
collecting and settling water and oil mixtures. it results from ballasting and tankcleaning operations (usually in a special
slop tank or tanks) and the subsequent
loading of cargo on top and the pumping
of the mixture ashore at the discharge port.
v: to commingle on-board quantity with
cargo being loaded.
load vessel ratio (LVR) n: the total calculated
volume (tcv) by vessel measurement on
sailing, less onboard quantity (oBQ), divided by the tcv by shore measurement
at loading:
LVR = TCV sailing volume + OBQ/TCV
received from shore at loading.
load voltage n: see voltage drop.
160
locking dog n: on a lower marine riser packages connector, a device with a tapered
locking profile on its inside diameter that
low-alloy steel
logarithmic taper
logarithmic taper n: in a potentiometer, the
winding of the resistance wire in such a
manner that turning the potentiometers
control knob varies the resistance nonproportionately. that is, turning the control
knob one-quarter turn increases or decreases the resistance by a factor different
from one-fourthfor example, two or four
times more. compare linear taper.
log a well v: to run any of the various logs
used to ascertain downhole information
about a well.
logbook n: a book used by station engineers,
dispatchers, and gaugers for keeping notes
on current operating data.
log cross section n: a cross section of a reservoir or part of a reservoir constructed with
electric or radioactivity logs.
log deflection n: the movement of the curve
on a log away from a reference, or base,
line.
logging devices n pl: any of several electrical, acoustical, mechanical, or radioactivity
devices that are used to measure and record
certain characteristics or events that occur in
a well that has been or is being drilled.
logging while drilling (LWD) n: logging
measurements obtained by measurementwhile-drilling techniques as the well is
being drilled.
logic n: 1. the study of the principles of reasoning, especially of the structure of propositions as distinguished from their content;
logic also includes the study of method
and validity in deductive reasoning. 2. the
nonarithmetic operations performed by a
computer, such as sorting, comparing, and
matching that involve yes-no decisions.
logical AND operation n: a process in logical
reasoning whereby two related statements,
or premises, must be true before a correct
conclusion can be drawn. For example, if
one premise is that dog is panting, and
the other premise is that the temperature
is 98, then the conclusion, when the
temperature is 98, that dog pants, may
be correctly drawn.
logical NOT operation n: a process in logical reasoning whereby a true statement is
made false by making a false statement.
logical OR operation n: a process in logical
reasoning whereby if either or both of two
statements, or premises, are true, then
a correct conclusion can be drawn. For
example, the statement that if 50 tons of
iron or 50 tons of coal overloads a truck,
then the truck is overloaded, is a correct
conclusion. either 50 tons of iron or 50 tons
of coal overload the truck.
logic gate n: an electronic circuit that provides the action of comparing, selecting,
making references, matching, sorting, and
merging where yes-or-no (logic) quantities
are involved.
lost time accident n: an incident in the workplace that results in an injury serious enough
that causes the person injured to be unable
to work for a day or more.
LOTO abbr: lockout-tagout.
Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) n: a deepwater oil gathering system located off the
coast of louisiana in the Gulf of mexico. it
is located near the town of Port Fourchon.
large tanker ships, which usually carry oil
produced overseas, can tie up to looP and
offload their cargo. looP temporarily stores
the oil before it is sent through a pipeline
to shore for further handling. most tankers
offloading at looP are too large for u.s.
inland ports.
161
low-capacitance probe
low-capacitance probe n: see lo-cap probe.
low clay-solids mud n: heavily weighted
muds whose high solids content (a result
of the large amounts of barite added) necessitates the reduction of clay solids.
low-dosage hydrate inhibitor (LDHI) n: chemicals injected into natural gas to prevent
hydrate formation.
low drum drive n: the drawworks drum drive
used when hoisting loads are heavy.
lower fairlead n: a wire or chain fairlead
that is mounted on a lower column of a
semisubmersible.
lower hull n: the part of a semisubmersible
rig that is always submerged or mainly
submerged below the waterline. Ballast,
drill water, and fuel oil are stored in the
lower hull.
lube-and-bleed process
lower marine-riser package (LMRP) n: the
equipment that attaches the bottom part
of the marine riser to the subsea blowout
preventer (BoP) stack. it includes the BoP
connector, a flexible joint to compensate
for side-to-side movement, and the marine
riser connector. see riser connector, riser pipe,
subsea blowout preventer.
lower marine-riser package (LMRP) connector n: a hydraulically actuated device that
is used to remotely connect the blowout
preventer stack to the wellhead, and the
lower marine riser package to the blowout
preventer stack.
lower range value (LRV) n: in instrumentation,
the measure of a process variable, such as
pressure or temperature, over the desired
range of measurement at its minimum
point. compare upper range value.
lowering-in n: the
process of laying
pipe in a ditch in
pipeline construction. Pipe can be
lowered into the
ditch as part of
the coating operation or lowered
separately by a
lowering-in crew.
lowering-up n: in
pipeline construction, the process of raising pipe and placing it on vertical support
members in parts of the world where frozen
earth prevents normal burial of the line.
lowering-up is the counterpart of loweringin in more temperate climates.
162
low-solids mud n: a drilling mud that contains a minimum amount of solid material
(sand, silt, and so on) and that is used in
rotary drilling when possible because it can
provide fast drilling rates.
low-temperature fractionation n: separation
of a hydrocarbon fluid mixture into components by fractionation, wherein the reflux
condenser is operated at temperatures
requiring refrigeration. see pod (Podbielniak)
analysis.
low-temperature processing n: gas processing
conducted below ambient temperatures.
low-temperature separation (LTS) n: a process
where natural gas cools down as pressure
is reduced; lowering pressure lowers the
temperature to 32c. Water and the higher
hydrocarbons and mercury condense, leaving the natural gas.
low-temperature separation unit n: a separator
that removes water vapor from (dehydrates)
gas by expanding the gas, which lowers its
temperature. the low temperature makes
the water vapor in the gas condense to liquid water, which falls to the bottom of the
separator for removal.
low tide n: a tide at its lowest level or the
time of day when it occurs. compare high
tide. see tide.
low vapor pressure liquid n: a liquid that, at
the measurement or proving temperature
of the meter, has a vapor pressure less than
atmospheric pressure. compare high vapor
pressure liquid.
low-yield clay n: commercial clay chiefly of
the calcium montmorillonite type and having a yield of approximately 15 barrels per
ton (2,385 litres per tonne).
LPG abbr: liquefied petroleum gas.
LRG abbr: liquefied refinery gas.
LRV abbr: lower range value.
lubricant
lubricant n: a substanceusually petroleumbasedthat is used to reduce friction between two moving parts.
lubricate v: 1. to apply grease or oil to moving parts. 2. to lower or raise tools in or out
of a well with pressure inside the well. the
term comes from the fact that a lubricant
(grease) is often used to provide a seal
against well pressure while allowing wireline to move in or out of the well.
lubricate-and-bleed method n: in well control,
a method used to lower the pressure exerted
by gas in a well. usually, the well has kicked,
which has allowed gas to enter the wellbore.
in some cases, the pressure of the gas may
be so high that normal well-control methods
cannot be used because the high pressure
could fracture a formation and cause an
underground blowout. in the lubricate-andbleed method, mud is pumped into the well,
which increases hydrostatic pressure. After
pumping in a given volume of mud, time
is given for the pressure to stabilize. then,
pressure is released (bled) from the well in an
amount equal to the increase in hydrostatic
pressure caused by the mud pumped into
lyophobic colloid
the well. this pumping of mud into the well
lube-and-bleed process.
casing or tubing usually placed temporarily above a valve on top of the casinghead
and provides a method for sealing off pressure and thus should be rated for highest
anticipated pressure.
lubricator stack n: see lubricator.
production bore when wireline or coil tubing activities are being deployed through
smoothness.
lug n: a projection on a casting to which a bolt
163
N sym: newton.
N abbr: normal.
N2 form: nitrogen.
standards.
NACE abbr: national Association of corrosion engineers.
signal is a logical 1 if all of its inputs is a logical 0, and whose output signal is a logical 0
from its distillation contains asphaltic materials but little or no paraffin wax.
in crude petroleum.
181
engineering reports.
pi abbr: initial pressure; used in engineering
reports.
Pa sym: pascal.
packed column n: a fractionation or absorption column filled with small objects that are
is then removed, and the packed-hole assembly is run above the bit. see packed-hole
packer n: a piece of
of a sealing device,
fluids. it is used
of fluids through
between them.
in production, it
is usually made
up in the tubing
packer squeeze method n: a squeeze cementing method in which a packer is set to form
a seal between the working string (the pipe
down which cement is pumped) and the
casing. Another packer or a cement plug is
set below the point to be squeeze-cemented.
By setting packers, the squeeze point is
isolated from the rest of the well. see packer,
squeeze cementing.
packer test n: a fluid-pressure test of the
casing. Also called a cup test.
pack ice n: a solid pack of ice that covers
more than half of the visible sea surface.
packing n: 1. a material used in a cylinder on
rotating shafts of an engine in the stuffing
box of a valve, or between flange joints to
maintain a leakproof seal. 2. the specially
fabricated filling in packed fractionation
columns and absorbers.
packing assembly n: the arrangement of the
downhole tools used in running and setting
a packer.
packing element n: 1. a dense rubber, washershaped element encircling a packer, which
expands against casing or formation face
to seal off the annulus. 2. in an annular
blowout preventer, the elastomer sealing
piece that, when closed, forms a pressuretight seal around virtually any tool in the
wellbore, as well as on open holehole
with nothing in it.
packing gland n: the metal part that compresses and holds packing in place in a
stuffing box. see gland, stufng box.
packing ring n: piston ring.
pack-off n: a device with an elastomer packing element that depends on pressure below
the packing to effect a seal in the annulus.
used primarily to run or pull pipe under
low or moderate pressures, this device is not
dependable for high differential pressures.
Also called a stripper.
pack off v: to place a packer in the wellbore
and activate it so that it forms a seal between
the tubing and the casing.
pack-off nut n: in a subsea wellhead assembly, a device that, when rotated, actuates a
seal assembly to close the annulus between
two casing strings.
197
r abbr: radius.
or waves.
221
rope attached to the bottom of a load suspended by the crane, which, when grasped
mercury-in-glass thermometer.
fastens to objects.
tail gas n: the exit gas from a plant. Quantities of sulfur compounds that must be
tailgate meeting n: a gathering of personnel who are about to perform a task, the
safety meeting.
piece of property. it costs much less to prepare than an abstract of title and is similar to
taken.
take-or-pay clause n: a contract clause that
rods down.
brought in or dropped.
atmosphere.
in a well.
275
outage.
ullage gauge n: see outage gauge.
ullage hatch n: the opening in the top of a
precisely the level at which the liquid meniscus cuts the graduated portion.
ullage reference point n: a point marked on
ullage.
ullage tape-and-bob procedure n: see outage
tape-and-bob procedure.
ultimate recovery n: total anticipated recovery
mercury or less.
ultralarge crude carrier (ULCC) n: a supertanker whose capacity is 500,000 deadweight tons or more. compare very large
crude carrier.
flow rate.
ultraviolet light n: light waves shorter than the
and chemicals fluoresce in the presence of ultraviolet light. these substances, when present in mud, may cause the mud to fluoresce.
crude oil.
the system.
uncased crossing n: in pipeline construction, a road crossing bored without casing.
reports.
unconformity n: 1. lack of continuity in
291
V sym: volt.
VA abbr: volt-ampere.
vacuum degasser n: a device in which entrained gas in the mud returning from the
wellbore is removed from the mud by the
action of a vacuum inside a tank. the gas-cut
mud is pulled into the tank, the gas removed,
and the gas-free mud discharged back into
the mud pits. Also called a centrifugal degasser.
vacuum gauge n: an instrument used on gas or
gasoline engines to indicate the performance
characteristics and load.
valence effect n: an effect that causes emulsions and colloids to separate; it is particularly prevalent in emulsions and colloids that
contain a large number of high-valence ions.
see valence.
valve n: 1. a device
used to control the
rate of flow in a line
to open or shut off a
valvE
295
XYZ
Y-SuB
zEro
zero adjustment n:
in process control, a
procedure in process
transmitters that establishes the minimum,
or zero, level of measurement in a process
variable.
zero measurand output n:
the output of a transducer
with zero measurand applied.
309
Abbreviations
311
SI Units
Quantity
unit name
Symbol
formula
Base Units
length
mass
time
electric current
temperature
Amount of substance
luminous intensity
metre
kilogram
second
ampere
kelvin
mole
candela
m
kg
s
A
K
mol
cd
Supplementary Units
Plane angle
solid angle
radian
steradian
rad
sr
Derived Units
Area
volume
speed, velocity
Acceleration
Density
concentration
specific volume
luminance
moment of force
square metre
cubic metre
metre per second
metre per second squared
kilogram per cubic metre
mole per cubic metre
cubic metre per kilogram
candela per square metre
newton metre
m2
m3
m/s
m/s2
kg/m3
mol/m3
m3/kg
cd/m2
nm
hertz
newton
pascal
Hz
n
Pa
1/s
kgm/s2
n/m2
joule
watt
coulomb
volt
ohm
siemens
farad
weber
henry
tesla
lumen
lux
becquerel
J
W
c
v
s
F
Wb
H
t
lm
lx
Bq
nm
J/s
As
W/A
v/A
A/v
c/v
vs
Wb/A
Wb/m2
cdsr
lm/m2
s-1
gray
Gy
J/kg
319
Quantity or
property
conventional
units
Si unit
Symbol
multiply by
Depth
feet
metres
0 3048
inches
millimetres
mm
Weight on bit
pounds
decanewtons
dan
0.445
nozzle size
32ds inch
millimetres
mm
0.794
Drill rate
feet/hour
metres/hour
m/h
0 3048
volume
barrels
u.s. gals/
stroke
cubic metres
cubic metres
per stroke
m3
0.1590
m3/stroke
0.00378
u.s. gpm
cubic metres
per minute
cubic metres
per stroke
cubic metres
per minute
m3/min
0.00378
m3/stroke
0.159
m3/min
0.159
metres per
minute
m/min
0 3048
25.4
Bit size
Pump output
and flow rate
bbl/stroke
bbl/min
inches
millimetres
mm
Pressure
psi
kilopascals
megapascals
kPa
mPa
6.895
0.006895
Bentonite yield
bbl/ton
cubic metres
per tonne
m3/t
0.175
Particle size
microns
micrometres
mm
temperature
Fahrenheit
celsius
mud density
ppg (u.s.)
mud gradient
psi/foot
kilopascals
per metre
kPa/m
Funnel viscosity
s/quart
(u.s.)
seconds per
litre
s/l
1.057
Apparent and
plastic viscosity
centipoise
millipascal
seconds
mPas
Yield point
Gel strength and
stress
lbf/100 ft2
pascals
Pa
and diameter
25.4
(F - 32)/1 8
119 82
22.621
0.4788
(0.5 for field use)
321
SI Equivalents
Length
Volume
Capacity
Area
Weight
Pressure
1 kilopascal = 0.145 pound per square inch
1 kilopascal per metre = 0.044 pound per
square inch per foot
Density
1 kilogram per litre = 8.34 pounds per gallon
1 pound per square inch per foot = 22.62 kilopascals per metre
SI PREFIXES
value
prefix
Symbol
value
prefix
Symbol
1018
exa
10-1
deci
1015
peta
10-2
centi
1012
tera
10-3
milli
109
giga
10-6
micro
nano
106
mega
10-9
103
kilo
10-12
pico
102
hecto
10-15
femto
101
deca
da
10-18
atto
323