Oil and Gas Terms Beginning with “P” — Page 11

The amount of acreage, determined by governmental authority that can be efficiently and economically drained by a well at a particular depth or horizon. Read more →

An area of exploration in which hydrocarbons have been predicted to exist in economic quantity. A prospect is commonly an anomaly, such as a geologic structure or a seismic amplitude anomaly, that is recommended by… 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 proximity log measures the resistivity of the flushed zone with minimum… Read more →

The response of a logging measurement as a function of distance from the tool. The pseudogeometrical factor is normally radial, reflecting the response perpendicular to the tool. It can be a differential factor, which… Read more →

A descriptive term for a fluid with shear-thinning characteristics that does not exhibit thixotropy. Most effective drilling fluids are shear thinning, although most also exhibit some gel-building characteristics.… Read more →

A plot of real gas pseudopressure (pseudopotential) m(p) versus time function used to analyze gas-well drawdown and buildup tests. The use of the real gas pseudopressure linearizes the diffusion equation for gas flow.… Read more →

The ideal spontaneous potential (SP) that would be observed opposite a shaly, permeablebed if the SP currents were prevented from flowing. In the middle of a thick, permeable bed whose resistivity is not too high, the… Read more →

What Is Pseudosteady State in Reservoir Engineering? Pseudosteady state (PSS), also called semi-steady state, is a reservoir flow condition in which pressure throughout the drainage volume declines at a constant rate.… Read more →

A phenomenon of relative seismic velocities of strata whereby a shallow layer or feature with a high seismic velocity (e.g., a salt layer or salt dome, or a carbonatereef) surrounded by rock with a lower seismic… Read more →

A slickline or coiled tubing tool used to retrieve temporary devices, such as plugs and flow-control equipment, from the wellbore. Pulling tools are available in a range of sizes and profiles and must be compatible with… Read more →

A technique in which an ultrasonic transducer, in transmit mode, emits a high-frequencyacoustic pulse towards the borehole wall, where it is reflected back to the same transducer operating in receive mode. The… Read more →

A wireline log of the yields of different elements in the formation, measured using induced gamma ray spectroscopy with a pulsed neutron generator. The elemental yields are derived from two intermediate results: the… Read more →

A measurement of the spectrum of gamma rays emitted by a formation bombarded by high-energy neutrons. Neutrons are emitted by a high-energy neutron generator (14.1 MeV). The neutrons interact with different nuclei,… Read more →

(noun) A nuclear production logging measurement that uses a pulsed-neutron source to determine the fraction of oil, water, and gas present at each depth in a cased wellbore by exploiting the different hydrogen indices… Read more →

The cylinder of the downhole pump. Read more →

A condition affecting an operating pump whereby the pump space is not fully charged with fluid being pumped. Pump cavitation may result from inadequate or restricted supply or from the introduction of air or gas into… Read more →

The arrangement of lines and valves used to direct and control fluid on a pumping unit. The manifold on the pump suction is generally known as the inlet or low-pressure manifold. The corresponding manifold located on… Read more →

The difference in hydrostatic head between the pump depth and the dynamic fluid level above the pump. The pump submergence is continuously monitored to adjust the pump flow rate and avoid a pump-off condition. Read more →

The relationship between actual pump displacement and the pump displacement under ideal conditions. The relationship can be expressed as percentage. A reduction in pump volumetric efficiency is an indication of an… Read more →

A phenomenon produced when pump submergence into the fluid column is low. A pump-off situation will increase the gas intake, thus reducing the pump efficiency. Read more →

The ability of the slurry to be pumped. Pumpability is usually measured by the API thickening-time test. Read more →

A mobile high-pressure pumping unit commonly used for cementing or stimulation operations. Most pump units are configured with a high-pressure triplex pump and one or more centrifugal pumps to precharge the triplex pump… Read more →

A document prepared to list the sequence, type and volume of fluids to be pumped during a specific treatment. Read more →

The total time required for pumping the cementslurry into the well, plus a safety factor. Pumping time can also be the time required to reach a consistency deemed to be unpumpable (generally 70 Bc) during an API… Read more →

A well produced by use of some kind of downhole pump. Pumps are required when the formationpressure is not sufficient to allow flowing production of fluids at the desired or necessary rate. The performance of well tests… Read more →

Testing that is accomplished by measuring pressure in the annulus, or by pulling the pump and running a pressure gauge in the hole. The preferred method is usually to measure the pressure in the annulus if no packer is… Read more →

A phenomenon of relative seismic velocities of strata whereby a shallow layer or feature with a low seismic velocity (e.g., a shalediapir or a gas chimney) surrounded by rock with a higher seismic velocity causes what… Read more →

A type of geochemical analysis in which a rock sample is subject to controlled heating in an inert gas to or past the point of generating hydrocarbons in order to assess its quality as a source rock, the abundance of… Read more →

A mineral containing ferrous sulfide, FeS, that typically contains inclusions of free sulfur and other minerals. It is commonly present in shales, and may occur as a trace mineral in some barite ores. Pyrrhotite can… Read more →