Oil and Gas Terms Beginning with “M” — Page 4
233 terms · Page 4 of 8
A type of electronic pressure gauge that samples and records downhole pressures, with the data being stored, ready for downloading to acquisition equipment when the tool assembly has been retrieved to surface. Memory… Read more →
The curved interface between two immiscible phases in a tube, such as in a pipette or graduated cylinder. Liquid volumes should be read at the bottom of a curved meniscus by alignment of the bottom of the meniscus. For… Read more →
A technique for measuring the bulk volume of a core sample by observing the displacement of mercury in a chamber. The chamber is first filled to a reference level and the volume recorded. The sample is introduced and… Read more →
The last stage of maturation and conversion of organic matter to hydrocarbons. Metagenesis occurs at temperatures of 150° to 200°C [302° to 392°F]. At the end of metagenesis, methane, or dry gas, is evolved… Read more →
The apparent increase in thickness of a casing or tubing string compared to the assumed value. Metal gain is determined by electromagnetic thickness, acoustic resonance or mechanical methods. The apparent increase is… Read more →
The loss of material on the inside or outside of a casing or tubing due to corrosion. Monitoring metal loss in situ helps determine when the pipe may be at risk for leaking or failure. Metal loss is determined by… Read more →
One of three main classes of rock (igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary). Metamorphic rocks form from the alteration of preexisting rocks by changes in ambient temperature, pressure, volatile content, or all of these.… Read more →
The process by which the characteristics of rocks are altered or the rock is recrystallized. Metamorphism of igneous, sedimentary, or preexisting metamorphic rock can produce new metamorphic rock. Such alteration occurs… Read more →
A device used to measure volumes or rates of fluids (liquid or gas). Read more →
The operation to adjust the meter to a specific standard. Read more →
The maximum and the minimum rate of flow specified by the manufacturer to maintain accuracy in the readings. Read more →
The difference in gas volume registered using two different meters. Read more →
A correction number for the meter. It is determined by calibrating the meter using an incompressible fluid (liquid). Read more →
The volume of liquid that is not registered by the meter at a specific flow rate. Read more →
[CH4]The lightest and most abundant of the hydrocarbon gases and the principal component of natural gas. Methane is a colorless, odorless gas that is stable under a wide range of pressure and temperature conditions in… Read more →
A pH indicator used in alkalinity titration of mud filtrate and water samples. The indicator is yellow in solutions above pH 4.3, and red below pH 4.3. "M" alkalinity is the titration volume measured using the methyl… Read more →
A measure of the total amount of hydroxyl ions in a solution as determined by titration with standardized acid. This test is a well-known water-analysis procedure to estimate hydroxyl, carbonate ion and bicarbonate ion… Read more →
A blue dye with a cationic charge on the molecule used as the reagent for the methylene blue test used to estimate cation-exchange capacity (CEC) of solids in a water-base drilling mud. Read more →
A test to determine the amount of clay-like materials in a water-base drilling fluid based on the amount of methylene blue dye absorbed by the sample. Results are reported as "MBT" and also as "lbm/bbl, bentonite… Read more →
A water-base drilling fluid containing a high concentration of methylglucoside. The mud has been used to drill water-sensitive shales with less hole enlargement and fewer drilling problems. Methylglucoside is a… Read more →
[Muscovite mica K2Al4(Si6Al2O20(OH,F)4]A group of sheet silicates characterized by a platy appearance and basal cleavage most common in igneous and metamorphic rocks. Several clay minerals, such as chlorite and… Read more →
An enhanced oil recovery technique in which a micelle solution is pumped into a reservoir through specially distributed injection wells. The chemical solution reduces the interfacial and capillary forces between oil and… Read more →
An enhanced oil recovery technique in which a micelle solution is pumped into a reservoir through specially distributed injection wells. The chemical solution reduces the interfacial and capillary forces between oil and… Read more →
An ordered aggregate of surfactant molecules formed when the surfactant concentration in a solution reaches a critical point, thus lowering the free energy of the system. Within an aqueous phase, the molecules in a… Read more →
Dense, fine-grained carbonate mud or rocks composed of mud that forms by erosion of larger carbonate grains, organic precipitation (such as from algae), or inorganic precipitation. The grains in micrite are generally… Read more →
A small gap that can form between the casing or liner and the surrounding cement sheath, most commonly formed by variations in temperature or pressure during or after the cementing process. Such variations cause small… Read more →
An enhanced recovery process in which microorganisms are used in a reservoir to improve oil recovery. The microorganism can either be injected into the reservoir, or the population of an existing microorganism in the… Read more →
An electrode device with small spacings from which the current flow, and hence the measurement, is focused a short distance into the formation. The microcylindrical log measures the resistivity of the flushed zone with… Read more →
A thermodynamically stable emulsion consisting of a mixture of oil, water and surfactant. In contrast to a simple emulsion formed under shear, a microemulsion is a minimum energy state. It does not require an input of… Read more →
A small fish eye, typically invisible, but which can nevertheless cause formation damage by polymer plugging of pore throats. Microgels may be formed by adding polymer too quickly when viscosifying a completion brine. Read more →