Page 105 - TTEG 19th Edition Directory 2021

• ABANDON: When production is stopped from a well that is depleted and no longer capable of producing profitably. A wildcat well may also be abandoned after it has been determined that it will not produce.
oilfield glossary 81 of terms
• ACIDIZING: Treatment of oil-bearing limestone or
carbonate formations with a solution of hydrochloric
acid and other chemicals to increase production. The acid is forced under pressure into the formation where it enlarges the flow channels by dissolving the limestone.
• AIR DRILLING: Drilling using air as the circulation medium (See DRILLING FLUIDS.)
• A-FRAME: “A”-shaped openwork structure which is the stationary and supporting component of the
derrick of a jack-knife rig and to which the derrick is anchored when it is in an upright or drilling position.
• ANGLE OF DEFLECTION: The angle, in degrees, at which a well is deflected from the vertical by means
of a whipstock or other deflecting tool.
• ANTICLINE: Arched stratified rock structure with layers dipping downward in opposite directions from
the crest.
• BIT: The cutting or boring element used in drilling oil and gas wells.
• BLOWOUT: Uncontrolled flow of gas, oil, or other well fluids from a well during drilling due to formation
pressure exceeding the pressure exerted by the column of drilling mud.
• BLOWOUT PREVENTER (BOP): Hydraulically or mechanically actuated high-pressure valve installed at
the wellhead to control pressure within the well.
• BREAKOUT: Act of unscrewing one section of pipe from another section, particularly when drill pipe is
being withdrawn from the wellbore.
• BREAK TOUR: When drilling crews start working eight-hour or twelve-hour shifts 24 hours a day.
Prior to this time crews have been working only during daylight hours while rigging up.
• BRING IN A WELL: Act of completing and bringing a well into production.
• BUDDY SYSTEM: Commonly used system among crew members to ensure that each man is accounted
for, particularly when pulling a test where gas is encountered.
• CABLE TOOL: Percussion method of drilling whereby the repeated pounding of a heavy bit makes the
hole. Largely replaced by the rotary rig.
• CAP ROCK: Impermeable rock overlying an oil or gas reservoir that tends to prevent migration of the
reservoir fluids from the reservoir.
• CAPPED WELL: A well capable of production but lacking wellhead installations and a pipeline
connection.
• CASING: Steel pipe threaded together and cemented into a well as drilling progresses to prevent the
wall of the hole from caving in during drilling and to provide a means of extracting oil/gas if the well is
productive.
• CASING HEAD: Heavy steel fitting that connects the first string of casing and provides a housing for the
slips and packing assemblies by which subsequent strings of casing are suspended and the annulus
sealed off.
• CASING HEAD GAS: Gas dissolved in crude oil which emerges at the casing head when pressure is
lowered.
• CASING STRING: Total feet of casing run in a well.
• CATWALK: Steel platform immediately in front of the derrick substructure on which joints of drill pipe
are stored prior to being lifted to the derrick floor by the catline.
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO ENERGY GUIDE