Oil and Gas Terms Beginning with “P” — Page 5

A pH indicator that is clear below pH 8.3 and red above 8.3. It is the indicator used in various alkalinity titrations. Read more →

A group of salts formed by neutralization of phosphorous or phosphoric acid with a base, such as NaOH or KOH. Orthophosphates are phosphoric acid (H3PO4) salts, where 1, 2 or 3 of the hydrogen ions are neutralized.… Read more →

A gamma ray interaction in which the gamma ray is fully absorbed by a bound electron. If the energy transferred exceeds the binding energy to the atom, the electron will be ejected. Normally, the ejected electron will… Read more →

A record of the density in and around a completed well using a radioactive source of gamma rays and a detector. The log is recorded with a nuclear fluid densimeter. Originally, photon logs were run to determine the size… Read more →

To interpret data, such as seismic sections, by selecting and tracking marker beds or other events. Read more →

The depth at which the tool string is picked up off the bottom of the well during a wireline logging survey. Pick-up can be observed by an increase in cable tension and by the start of activity in the log curves. When… Read more →

To use a relatively weak, inhibited acid to remove scale, rust and similar deposits from the internal surfaces of equipment such as treating lines, pumping equipment or the tubing string through which an acid or… Read more →

To run a scraper, or pig, through a pipeline for cleaning purposes. Read more →

The trip of a pig through a pipeline for cleaning purposes. Read more →

What Is Pigging in Oil and Gas? Pigging is the practice of forcing a device called a pig — a plug-shaped tool sized to fit the internal diameter of a pipeline — through the pipe bore using differential pressure from the… Read more →

A relatively small volume of specially prepared fluid placed or circulated in the wellbore. Fluid pills are commonly prepared for a variety of special functions, such as a sweep pill prepared at high viscosity to… Read more →

A downhole milling tool designed with an extended pilot or central stinger section that is inserted in the bore of the packer, tubular or equipment being milled. This design helps ensure that the mill follows the… Read more →

An experimental test, or series of tests, used to predict mud behavior and guide future actions by the mud engineer. Rather than experimenting on the full mud volume and risking serious and expensive mistakes, pilot… Read more →

Relating to the male threadform, as in the "pin end of the pipe." Read more →

(verb) To progressively thin and terminate laterally, as when a geological formation, reservoir sand, or coal seam tapers to zero thickness against an unconformity, fault, or facies change. Pinch-out geometries can form… Read more →

A reduction in bed thickness resulting from onlapping stratigraphic sequences. Read more →

A specially formulated blend of lubricating grease and fine metallic particles that prevents thread galling (a particular form of metal-to-metal damage) and seals the roots of threads. The American Petroleum Institute… Read more →

Offshore, the storage bins for drillpipe, drill collars and casing. The offshore pipe rack functions similarly to the onshore version. Due to space limitations, offshore pipe racks tend to be narrower and routinely… Read more →

A type of sealing element in high-pressure split seal blowout preventers that is manufactured with a half-circle hole on the edge (to mate with another horizontally opposed pipe ram) sized to fit around drillpipe. Most… Read more →

The increase in length resulting from the combination of forces acting on a string within the wellbore. The principal factors resulting in an increase in string length are the weight of the string itself and the effects… Read more →

A tube or system of tubes used for transporting crude oil and natural gas from the field or gathering system to the refinery. Read more →

The quantity (volume) of oil and gas required to maintain a full pipeline. The static capacity of a pipeline is usually expressed as a volume per unit length (for example, bbl/ft). Nevertheless, the fluid volume passing… Read more →

A sufficiently dry gas that will not drop out natural gas liquids (NGL) when entering the gas pipeline; also, gas with enough pressure to enter high-pressure gas pipelines. Read more →

Oil whose free water, sediment and emulsion content (BS&W) is sufficiently low to be acceptable for pipeline shipment. Read more →

An inspection of a pipeline to check for leaks, washouts or other abnormal conditions. A pipeline patrol is commonly performed using airplanes. Read more →

A type of corrosion in which there is loss of metal in localized areas. The corrosion rate in the pits is many times greater than the corrosion rate on the entire surface.The resultant pits can be large and shallow or… Read more →

A flat drawing board mounted on a tripod used in combination with an alidade to construct topographic or geologic maps in the field. A sheet of paper or mylar covering the plane table is annotated during map… Read more →

A wave that is far enough from its source that its wavefront has no effective curvature, or is planar, over a short distance. Seismic and electromagnetic waves are treated as plane waves even though that assumption is… Read more →

Minute organisms that float or drift passively near the surface of oceans and seas. Plant-like plankton, or phytoplankton, include diatoms. Zooplankton are animals that have a limited ability to move themselves. The… Read more →

To place seismometers on the ground. The seismometer should be firmly stuck or planted in the ground in the proper location and orientation for optimal seismic acquisition. Read more →