a

The value a in the relation of formation factor (F) to porosity (phi): F = a/ phim. The value a
is derived empirically from best fits of measured values of F and phi on a...

6FF40
Referring to an induction log made with a particular array of transmitter and receiver coils.
The array was introduced in 1960 and became the industry standard for 30 years. T...

m
The exponent of porosity, m, in the relation of formation factor, F, to porosity, phi. In
the Archie equation, F = 1/phim, H. Guyod termed m the ...

Sw
Abbreviation for water saturation....

n
The exponent, n, in the relation of water saturation, Sw, to resistivity index, I (I = Sw-n) for a
sample of rock. It expresses the effect on the resistivity of desaturat...

abandonment costs

The costs associated with abandoning a well or production fac ility. Such costs are specified
in the authority for expenditure (AFE), and typically cover well plugging, removal of well
equipment, production tanks, and associated installations surface remediation.

abnormal events
A term to indicate features in seismic data other than reflections, including events such as
diffractions, multiples, refractions, and surface waves. Although the term suggest that such
events are not common, they often occur in seismic data.
abnormal pressure
A subsurface condition in which the pore pressure of a geologic formation exceeds or is
less than the expected, or normal, formation pressure.

abrasion test
A laboratory test to evaluate drilling-grade weighting material for potential abrasiveness.
The test measures weight loss of a specially shaped, stainless steel mixer blade after 20
min at 11,000 rpm running in a laboratory-prepared mud sample. Abrasiveness is
quantified by the rate of weight loss, reported in units of mg/min.

abrasive jetting
A wellbore treatment in which a fluid laden with solid particles is used to remove deposits
from the surface of wellbore tubulars and completion components.  is pumped at
high pressure through a downhole tool equipped with nozzles that direct a jet or jets of
fluid onto the target area.

absolute age
The measurement of age in years. The determination of the absolute age of rocks,
minerals, and fossils, in years before the present, is the basis for the field of geochronology.

absolute filter
A type of high-specification fluid filter frequently used to remove small solid particles from
workover or treatment fluids that may be injected into, or placed adjacent  to,
the reservoir formation. In using absolute filters, all particles larger than the micron rating
of the filter element in use will be removed from the treated fluid.

absolute open flow potential

The maximum flow rate a well could theoretically deliver with zero pressure at the middle of
the perforations. The term is commonly abbreviated as AOFP or OFP.

absolute permeability
The measurement of the permeability, or ability to flow or transmit fluids through a rock,
conducted when a single fluid, or phase, is present in the rock. The symbol most commonly
used for permeability is k, which is measured in units of darcies or millidarcies.

absolute pressure
The measurement of pressure relative to the pressure in a vacuum, equal to the sum of the
pressure shown on a pressure gauge and atmospheric pressure.
absolute volume
The volume a solid occupies or displaces when added to water divided by its weight, or the
volume per unit mass. In the oil field, absolute volume is typically given in units  of gallons
per pound (galUS/lbm) or cubic meters per kilogram (m3/kg).

absorbing boundary conditions

An algorithm used in numerical simulation along the boundary of a computational domain to
absorb all energy incident upon that boundary and to suppress reflection artifacts.

absorptance
The ratio of absorbed incident energy to the total energy to which a body is exposed.

absorption
The conversion of one form of energy into another as the energy passes through a medium.
For example, seismic waves are partially converted to heat as they pass through rock.

absorption band
The range of wavelengths of energy that can be absorbed by a given substance.

absorption oil
A light liquid hydrocarbon used to absorb or remove the heavier liquid hydrocarbons from a
wet gas stream. Absorption oil is also called wash oil.

abyss
The deepest area of the ocean basins. The depositional energy is low and fine-grained
sediments are deposited slowly by waning turbidity currents or from suspension in the
water. The water is thousands of meters deep (>2,000 m) [>6,520 ft] so it is cold and
sunlight is minimal.

abyssal
Pertaining to the depositional environment of the deepest area of the ocean basins, the
abyss. The depositional energy is low, the abyssal plain is flat and nearly horizontal,
and fine-grained sediments are deposited slowly by waning turbidity currents or from
suspension in the water.

accelerator
A downhole tool used in conjunction with a jar to store energy that is suddenly released
when the jar is activated. The energy provides an impact force that operates
associate downhole tools or, in a contingency role, helps release a tool string that has
become stuck. 

accelerator source
A device for producing high-energy neutrons by using a charged particle accelerator.
Neutron generators are used in various pulsed neutron devices and some neutron porosity
measurements

accelerometer
A device used during surveying to measure the acceleration of a ship or aircraft, or to detect
ground acceleration in boreholes or on the Earth's surface produced by acoustic vibrations.

accommodation
Sequence stratigraphic term for the amount of space available for sediment accumulation.
Dominant influences on the amount of accommodation, or accommodation space, include
subsidence and eustasy.

accretion
The mechanism by which partially hydrated cuttings stick to parts of the bottomhole
assembly and accumulate as a compacted, layered deposit.

accumulation
The phase in the development of a petroleum system during which hydrocarbons migrate
into and remain trapped in a reservoir.

accumulator
A device used in a hydraulic system to store energy or, in some applications, dampen
pressure fluctuations. Energy is stored by compressing a precharged gas bladder with
hydraulic fluid from the operating or charging system.

accuracy
The closeness of the agreement between the result of the measurement and the
conventional true value of the quantity. Accuracy should not be confused with precision.
(ISO)  Core measurements have well-defined calibration techniques and standards.

acetic acid
An organic acid used in oil- and gas-well stimulation treatments. Less corrosive than the
commonly used hydrochloric acid, acetic acid treatments can be more easily inhibited or
retarded for treatments of long duration.
acid
Pertaining to an aqueous solution, such as a water-base drilling fluid, which has more
hydrogen ions (H+) than hydroxyl ions (OH–) and pH less than 7.

acid effect
The change in a pulsed neutron capture measurement produced by acidizing a carbonate
formation. Acidizing tends to increase the porosity as well as leave chlorides in the
formation, thereby increasing the capture cross section.

acid frac
A hydraulic fracturing treatment performed in carbonate formations to etch the open faces of
induced fractures using a hydrochloric acid treatment. When the treatment is complete and
the fracture closes, the etched surface provides a high-conductivity path from
the reservoir to the wellbore.

acid gas
A gas that can form acidic solutions when mixed with water. The most common acid gases
are hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2) gases. Both gases  cause corrosion;
hydrogen sulfide is extremely poisonous. Hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide gases are
obtained after a sweetening process applied to a sour gas.

acid inhibitor
A chemical additive used to protect wellbore components and treatment equipment from the
corrosive action of an acid. The type and concentration of acid inhibitors are determined by
the type of metal to be protected and the specific wellbore conditions, such as temperature
and the length of exposure time anticipated during the treatment. 

acid job
The treatment of a reservoir formation with a stimulation fluid containing a reactive acid. In
sandstone formations, the acid reacts with the soluble substances in the  formation matrix
to enlarge the pore spaces.

acid number
A measure of the amount of acidic components present in a crude oil. This measurement is
the mass of potassium hydroxide (KOH) in milligrams titrated into a one-gram sample of oil
—such as stock-tank oil—that is required reach a neutral pH of 7. The test is performed
under ASTM Standard D664.

‘
acid stimulation
The treatment of a reservoir formation with a stimulation fluid containing a reactive acid. In
sandstone formations, the acid reacts with the soluble substances in the formation matrix
to enlarge the pore spaces. 

acid tank
The rubber-lined vessel used to transport raw or concentrated acid to the wellsite. Some
acid additives attack or degrade rubber. Consequently, acid treatment fluids are not
generally mixed or transported in acid tanks, but are instead mixed in special batch tanks
or continuously mixed as the treatment is pumped.