Well Completion

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1. acetic acid An organic acid used in oil- and gas-well 16. back up ring A supporting ring used with an O-ring, or
stimulation treatments similar seal, to prevent extrusion of the seal
material under high differential pressures or
2. acidize To pump acid into the wellbore to remove
excess wear under dynamic sealing conditions
near-well formation damage and other
damaging substances. 17. backwash / To conduct reverse circulation, that is, to
reverse circulate fluid down the wellbore annulus, with
3. acidizing The pumping of acid into the wellbore to
circulation / returns being made up the tubing string.
remove near-well formation damage and
reversing
other damaging substances
out
4. acid job / acid The treatment of a reservoir formation with a
18. balance A plug of cement or similar material placed
stimulation / stimulation fluid containing a reactive acid.
plug as a slurry in a specific location within the
acidizing /
wellbore and which has set to provide a
matrix
means of pressure isolation or mechanical
stimulation
platform.
5. adjustable A valve, located on or near the Christmas
19. ball catcher A downhole device or assembly used to catch
choke tree that is used to control the production of
and retain balls used to actuate ball-operated
fluid from a well.
tools or equipment.
6. ambient The temperature at a point or area
20. ball Describing a mechanism or system that is
temperature expressed as an average of the surrounding
operated actuated by a ball that is dropped or pumped
areas or materials.
through the tubing string.
7. annular space The space surrounding one cylindrical
21. ball sealers Small spheres designed to seal perforations
object placed inside another, such as the
that are accepting the most fluid, thereby
space surrounding a tubular object placed
diverting reservoir treatments to other
in a wellbore.
portions of the target zone.
8. annular The linear velocity of a fluid passing
22. barefoot A well completion that has no casing or liner
velocity through an annular space
completion set across the reservoir formation, allowing
9. area open to The calculated flow area provided by / openhole the produced fluids to flow directly into the
flow perforations across a specific zone of completion wellbore
interest. The resulting value is used to
23. barite plug A plug made from barite weighting materials
calculate pressure drops and fluid-flow
that is placed at the bottom of a wellbore
performance.
24. beam pump An artificial-lift pumping system using a
10. artificial lift Any system that adds energy to the fluid
/ rod pump surface power source to drive a downhole
column in a wellbore with the objective of
/ sucker rod pump assembly.
initiating and improving production from the
pump
well.
25. bean choke A fixed choke used to control the flow of
11. atmospheric Corrosion (oxidization) resulting from
fluids, usually mounted on or close to the
corrosion exposure of susceptible materials to oxygen
Christmas tree.
and moisture.
26. BHIP / The downhole pressure at which a treatment
12. axial loading The force acting along the axis of an object.
Bottomhole fluid can be injected into a zone of interest.
13. back pressure The pressure within a system caused by fluid injection
friction or an induced resistance to flow pressure
through the system.
27. BHP / The downhole pressure, measured or
14. back pressure A type of check valve, typically installed in bottomhole calculated at a point of interest, generally the
valve the tubing hanger, to isolate the production pressure top of the perforated interval.
tubing.
28. BHST / The temperature of the undisturbed formation
15. backside A term used to describe the annulus bottomhole at the final depth in a well
surrounding a production tubing string static
above the production packer temperature
29. BHT / The downhole temperature measured or 45. buttress A thread profile used on casing or liner
bottomhole calculated at a point of interest. thread tubulars.
temperature
46. calcium A temporary plug formulated with graded
30. blank pipe A short section of plain tubing used to carbonate granules or flakes of calcium carbonate that are
separate or space-out specialized plug generally circulated into place as a slurry and
components in a completion assembly allowed to settle out.
31. blasting cap A small, electrically activated explosive 47. cap the To regain control of a blowout well by
charge that explodes a larger charge. well installing and closing a valve on the wellhead.
32. blasting cap A device containing primary high-explosive 48. carbonate A common type of mineral deposit that is often
material that is used to initiate an explosive scale found on wellbore tubulars and components as
sequence the saturation of produced water is affected by
changing temperature and pressure conditions
33. blast joint A section of heavy walled tubing that is
in the production conduit.
placed across any perforated interval through
which the production tubing must pass, such 49. carbon The deterioration of metal components
as may be required in multiple zone dioxide resulting from contact with a gas or solution
completions. corrosion / containing carbon dioxide.
sweet
34. blowdown To vent gas from a well or production
corrosion
system.
50. carrier A fluid that is used to transport materials into
35. bottomhole A downhole device used to control fluid flow
fluid or out of the wellbore.
choke under downhole conditions.
51. cased hole A wellbore lined with a string of casing or liner
36. bottomhole A tool or assembly used to retrieve samples
sampler of fluids or fill material from the wellbore. 52. casing Steel pipe cemented in place during the
construction process to stabilize the wellbore.
37. breakdown The pressure at which the rock matrix of an
pressure exposed formation fractures and allows fluid 53. casing A wellhead component or a profile formed in
to be injected. bowl / wellhead equipment in which the casing hanger
casing is located when a casing string has been
38. breakthrough A description of reservoir conditions under
spool installed.
which a fluid, previously isolated or
separated from production, gains access to a 54. casing The theoretical internal pressure differential at
producing wellbore. burst which a joint of casing will fail.
pressure
39. bridge A wellbore obstruction caused by a buildup
of material such as scale, wellbore fill or 55. Casing A downhole tool used to confirm or correlate
cuttings that can restrict wellbore access or, collar treatment depth using known reference points
in severe cases, eventually close the locator on the casing string.
wellbore.
56. casing A log provided by a casing collar locator tool
40. bridge plug A downhole tool that is located and set to collar log that generally incorporates a gamma ray log to
isolate the lower part of the wellbore. correlate the relative position of casing string
features, such as the location of a pup joint,
41. brine A water-based solution of inorganic salts
with the reservoir or formation of interest
used as a well-control fluid during the
completion and workover phases of well 57. casing A completion configuration in which a
operations. completion production casing string is set across the
reservoir interval and perforated to allow
42. bring in the To prepare a well for production by initiating
communication between the formation and
well flow from the reservoir. This is the final phase
wellbore.
of a completion or workover process.
58. casing The subassembly of a wellhead that supports
43. bubble flow A multiphase fluid flow regime characterized
hanger the casing string when it is run into the
by the gas phase being distributed as
wellbore.
bubbles through the liquid phase.
59. casing A generic term used to describe equipment
44. buoyancy The upward force acting on an object placed
hardware attached to, and run with, the casing string.
in a fluid.
60. casing joint A length of steel pipe, generally around 40 ft 76. cement A remedial cementing operation designed to
[13 m] long with a threaded connection at squeeze force cement into leak paths in wellbore
each end. tubulars.
61. casing A term used in well-control operations, 77. centralizer A device fitted with a hinged collar and
pressure typically during the drilling or workover bowsprings to keep the casing or liner in the
phases of a well, to describe the pressure in center of the wellbore to help ensure efficient
the drillpipe or tubing annulus. placement of a cement sheath around the
casing string.
62. casing Movement applied to the casing string during
reciprocation the cementing operation to help in removal of 78. centralizer A device used to keep a tool string in the
drilling fluid and efficient placement of the center of the tubing, casing or wellbor
cement slurry.
79. charged A formation interval that has become
63. casing shoe A pressure test applied to the formation zone overpressured by the injection of drilling or
test directly below a casing shoe. treatment fluids.
64. casing swage A short crossover joint used between two 80. check valve A mechanical device that permits fluid to flow
sizes or specifications of casing. or pressure to act in one direction only.
65. casing test A general term used to describe a drillstem 81. chelating A chemical used to bind metal ions to form a
test (DST) performed in cased hole. agent ring structure.
66. casing The threadform found on casing joints. 82. chelating A chemical added to an acid to stabilize iron
thread agent /
sequestering
67. casing valve A valve installed in the wellhead assembly to
agent
provide access to the casing annulus of non-
producing casings. 83. chemical A chemical agent used in stimulation
diverter / treatments to ensure uniform injection over
68. cement A generic term used to describe Portland
diverting the area to be treated.
cement used in oil- and gas-well
agent
applications.
84. chemical A fluid, generally water-based, to thin and
69. cement A chemical additive mixed with cement slurry
wash disperse mud in preparation for cementing
accelerator to reduce the time required for the set cement
to develop sufficient compressive strength to 85. choke A device incorporating an orifice that is used
enable drilling operations to continue. to control fluid flow rate or downstream
system pressure
70. cement Chemicals and materials added to a cement
additive slurry to modify the characteristics of the 86. choke A manifold assembly incorporating chokes,
slurry or set cement. manifold valves and pressure sensors used to provide
control of flow back or treatment fluids.
71. cement A chemical additive that reduces the cement
dispersant slurry viscosity to improve fluid flow 87. christmas An assembly of valves, spools, pressure
characteristics. tree gauges and chokes fitted to the wellhead of a
completed well to control production.
72. cement A chemical additive or inert material used to
extender decrease the density or increase the yield of 88. churn flow / A multiphase flow regime in near-vertical
a cement slurry. transition pipes in which large, irregular slugs of gas
flow / froth move up the center of the pipe, usually
73. cement plug A balanced plug of cement slurry placed in
flow carrying droplets of oil or water with them.
the wellbore.
89. circulation A completion component, generally included
74. cement An isolation tool set in the casing or liner that
device in the lower assembly near the packer, that
retainer enables treatments to be applied to a lower
allows communication between the tubing
interval while providing isolation from the
and annulus.
annulus above. It is typically used in cement
squeeze or similar remedial treatments. 90. cleanup A period of controlled production, generally
following a stimulation treatment, during
75. cement A chemical agent used to increase the
which time treatment fluids return from the
retarder thickening time of cement slurries to enable
reservoir formation.
proper placement.
91. clear brine A water-based solution of inorganic salts 105. conductor A short string of large-diameter casing set to
used as a well-control fluid during the pipe support the surface formations.
completion and workover phases of well
106. coning The change in oil-water contact or gas-oil
operations
contact profiles as a result of drawdown
92. close in To close a valve to stop or isolate fluid flow pressures during production, occurs in vertical
or slightly deviated wells and is affected by
93. coiled A completion that utilizes coiled tubing as the
the characteristics of the fluids involved and
tubing production conduit, or as a means of
the ratio of horizontal to vertical permeability
completion conveying and installing completion
equipment or components. 107. contigency A key component of the operational planning
plan process that takes account of reasonably
94. collar A threaded coupling used to join two lengths
foreseeable events that may prevent
of pipe such as production tubing, casing or
completion of normal operations.
liner.
108. continuous An artificial-lift method in which the gas-lift
95. collar A downhole tool or logging device used to
gas lift system is operated on a continuous basis to
locator detect and track (log) casing or tubing collars
sustain liquid production at an efficient rate.
across a zone of interest, typically for
correlation purposes. 109. control A small-diameter hydraulic line used to operate
line downhole completion equipment such as the
96. collar lock A type of lock designed to be set in the
surface controlled subsurface safety valve
recess of a tubing collar.
(SCSSV).
97. collar log A log showing the depth or relative position
110. correlate To compare and fix measured depths with
of casing or tubing collars that is used to
known features on baseline logs of the
correlate depth for depth-sensitive
wellbore tubulars and the surrounding
applications such as perforating or isolation
formation.
treatments.
111. CRA / A specially formulated material used for
98. commingled A term used to describe the flow pattern
corrosion completion components in wells likely to
flow where two or more fluid phases may be
resistant present corrosion problems.
present in a relatively even distribution.
allow
99. complete a To perform activities in the final stages of
112. cresting The change in oil-water contact or gas-oil
well well construction to prepare a well for
contact profiles as a result of drawdown
production.
pressures during production, occurs in
100. completion A generic term used to describe the horizontal or highly deviated wells and is
assembly of downhole tubulars and affected by the characteristics of the fluids
equipment required to enable safe and involved and the ratio of horizontal to vertical
efficient production from an oil or gas well. permeability
101. completion A generic term used to describe the events 113. crossflow A condition that exists when two production
and equipment necessary to bring a wellbore zones with dissimilar pressure characteristics
into production once drilling operations have are allowed to communicate during
been concluded, including but not limited to production.
the assembly of downhole tubulars and
114. crossover A short subassembly used to enable two
equipment required to enable safe and
components with different thread types or sizes
efficient production from an oil or gas well
to be connected.
102. completion A solids-free liquid used to "complete" an oil
115. crossover A specialized tool, frequently used in gravel-
fluid or gas well.
service pack operations, that enables the circulation of
103. completion An indicator used to determine the effect that tool the treatment fluid (slurry) from the internal
skin key completion components have on the flow path of the tool string into the annulus
production efficiency of a well. area to be packed.
104. compression A type of downhole packer that is activated
set packer or set by applying compressive force to the
packer assembly.
116. crown valve / The topmost valve on a Christmas tree that 129. drift / rabbit An accurately machined device that is pulled
lublicator provides vertical access to the wellbore. through the casing, tubulars and completion
valve / swab components to ensure minimum-diameter
valve specifications are within tolerance,
117. crushed zone The rubblized or damaged zone 130. drillable A packer assembly that can be removed from
surrounding a perforation tunnel where the packer the wellbore only by drilling or milling.
action of the perforating charge or bullet
131. driller's The depth of a well or features within the
has altered the formation structure and
depth wellbore as measured while drilling.
permeability.
132. drop ball A ball that is dropped or pumped through the
118. crystallization The temperature at which crystals will
wellbore tubulars to activate a downhole tool
temperature appear in a brine solution of a given density
or device.
as it cools.
133. dry gas / Gas produced from a well that produces little
119. damaged The area surrounding the wellbore that has
lean gas or no condensate or reservoir liquids.
zone been harmed by the drilling process,
generally as a result of mud or cement- 134. DSV / A downhole device that isolates wellbore
filtrate invasion. downhole pressure and fluids in the event of an
safety valve emergency or catastrophic failure of surface
120. datum A depth reference point, typically
equipment.
established at the time the well is
completed, against which subsequent depth 135. dual A single wellbore having tubulars and
measurements should be corrected or completion equipment that enable production from two
correlated. segregated zones.

121. depleted An isolated section of reservoir in which the 136. equalizing A device that is operated to equalize the
zone pressure has dropped below that of valve pressure across a valve, plug or similar
adjacent zones or the main body of the pressure or fluid isolation barrier.
reservoir formation. 137. ESP / An artificial-lift system that utilizes a
122. depth control The procedures and equipment used to Electrical downhole pumping system that is electrically
measure and correlate depth to ensure that Submersible driven.
a treatment is applied at the correct position Pump
within the wellbore. 138. expansion A device or completion component designed
123. depth A point within the wellbore from which joint to enable relative movement between two
reference accurate depth measurements can be made, fixed assemblies in the event of thermal
point such as the end of the tubing string, or a expansion or contraction
nipple or similar completion component. 139. expendable A temporary plug, inserted in the completion
124. disposal well A well, often a depleted oil or gas well, into plug assembly before it is run, to enable pressure
which waste fluids can be injected for safe testing of the completed string.
disposal. 140. external A downhole tool used to pull or retrieve
125. diverter A chemical agent or mechanical device pulling tool temporary plugs or similar equipment,
used in injection treatments, such as matrix engages on the external surfaces of the item
stimulation, to ensure a uniform distribution to be retrieved.
of treatment fluid across the treatment 141. external A type of tubing connection in which the
interval. upset external diameter of the tubing joint is larger
126. downhole A pressure gauge, typically run on slickline, adjacent to the tubing connection to provide
gauge used to measure and record downhole the necessary strength.
pressure. 142. filtered A completion or workover fluid that has been
127. downstream Pertaining to equipment, facilities or brine treated to remove debris and fine particles
systems that are located in the production that may cause near-wellbore damage if
train after the surface choke or Christmas allowed to enter the reservoir formation.
tree.
128. drain hole A hole or short conduit through which fluids
can flow.
143. fines The movement of fine clay, quartz particles 158. frac balls Another term for ball sealers, small spheres
migration or similar materials within the reservoir designed to seal perforations that are accepting
formation due to drag forces during the most fluid, thereby diverting reservoir
production. treatments to other portions of the target zone.
144. fixed choke A device used to control the flow of fluids by 159. frac fluid An abbreviation for fracturing fluid, a fluid
directing flow through a restriction or hole of injected into a well as part of a stimulation
a fixed size operation.
145. flag joint A joint of tubing or casing included in the 160. frac job Another term for hydraulic fracturing, a
string at a known position to provide a stimulation treatment routinely performed on oil
reference point for further operations. and gas wells in low-permeability reservoirs.
146. flange A connection profile used in pipe work and 161. fracture To perform a stimulation treatment, which is
associated equipment to provide a means of routine for oil and gas wells in low-permeability
assembling and disassembling components. reservoirs
147. float collar A component installed near the bottom of the 162. fracturing A fluid injected into a well as part of a
casing string on which cement plugs land fluid stimulation operation.
during the primary cementing operation,
163. free The aqueous phase that separates from a slurry
typically consists of a short length of casing
water or mixture of fluids
fitted with a check valve
164. fullbore A description of the internal area and surfaces of
148. float shoe A rounded profile component attached to the
a tool or tubular assembly through which there
downhole end of a casing string.
is an unimpeded internal diameter
149. flow check A test performed to ensure stable well
165. gas Relating to a formation or interval containing
conditions or the integrity of a plug, valve or
bearing gas, either dissolved in the formation fluid or as
flow-control device.
free gas.
150. flow A relatively short, heavy-walled completion
166. gas cap The gas that accumulates in the upper portions
coupling component installed in areas where
of a reservoir where the pressure, temperature
turbulence is anticipated.
and fluid characteristics are conducive to free
151. fluid A general term to describe the presence of a gas.
invasion particular fluid in an undesirable area, such as
167. gas Change in the gas-oil contact profile as a result
the movement of drilling mud into a section
coning of drawdown pressures during production.
of the reservoir formation.
168. gas drive A primary recovery mechanism for oil wells
152. fluid loss A chemical additive used to control the loss
containing dissolved and free gas, whereby the
additives of fluid to the formation through filtration.
energy of the expanding gas is used to drive the
153. flush joint A type of tubing connection in which the oil from the reservoir formation into the
internal or external surfaces are the same wellbore.
diameter throughout the tubing joint.
169. gas A reservoir maintenance or secondary recovery
154. formation A general term to describe the reduction in injection method that uses injected gas to supplement the
damage permeability to the near-wellbore area of a pressure in an oil reservoir or field.
reservoir formation.
170. gas lift An artificial-lift method in which gas is injected
155. formation Any fluid that occurs in the pores of a rock. into the production tubing to reduce the
fluid hydrostatic pressure of the fluid column.
156. formation Pressure above which injection of fluids will 171. gas lift A gas-lift system component that is assembled
fracture cause the rock formation to fracture mandrel with the production tubing string to provide a
pressure hydraulically. means of locating gas-lift valves.
157. formation The pressure within the reservoir rock. 172. gas lift A valve used in a gas-lift system to control the
pressure / valve flow of lift gas into the production tubing
pore conduit.
pressure /
173. gas lock A condition in pumping and processing
reservoir
equipment caused by the induction of free gas.
pressure
174. gas oil The interface between the gas and oil phases 189. hydraulic A technique to track the propagation of a
contact present in a reservoir formation. fracture hydraulic fracture as it advances through a
monitoring / formation.
175. gas A device used to separate entrained gas from
microseismic
separator production liquids.
monitoring
176. gas well A well that primarily produces natural gas.
190. hydraulic A stimulation treatment routinely performed
177. gauge The measured pressure within a system in which fracturing on oil and gas wells in low-permeability
pressure the pressure gauge reads 0 psi at nominal reservoirs.
atmospheric pressure.
191. hydraulic A type of packer used predominantly in
178. gauge A precisely machined test device, typically packer production applications.
ring fabricated from steel or similar durable material,
192. hydraulic set A setting or operating method that uses
having a specified internal or external diameter.
hydraulic force applied through the tubing
179. gravel A sand-control method used to prevent or running string to activate a downhole
pack production of formation sand. tool.
180. gravel A metal filter assembly used to support and 193. ICD / inflow A passive component installed as part of a
pack retain the sand placed during gravel pack control well completion to help optimize
screen operations. device production by equalizing reservoir inflow
181. H2S An extraordinarily poisonous gas, at low along the length of the wellbore.
concentrations, has the odor of rotten eggs, but 194. ICV / inflow An active component installed as part of a
at higher, lethal concentrations, it is odorless control valve well completion to partially or completely
182. HF A poisonous liquid acid composed of hydrogen choke flow into a well.
and fluorine, used primarily because it is the 195. inflatable A type of packer that uses an inflatable
only common, inexpensive mineral acid that can packer bladder to expand the packer element
dissolve siliceous minerals. against the casing or wellbore.
183. HF - HCl A mixture of hydrofluoric acid [HF] and 196. inhibitor A chemical agent added to a fluid system
acid hydrochloric acid [HCl] or organic acid used as to retard or prevent an undesirable reaction
the main fluid in a sandstone matrix treatment. that occurs within the fluid or with the
184. hookwall A type of packer than utilizes an assembly of materials present in the surrounding
packer friction blocks and slips to set and anchor the environment.
packer on the casing or liner wall. 197. injection line A small-diameter conduit that is run
185. horizontal A Christmas tree design for subsea applications, alongside production tubulars to enable
tree configured with the master valves and flow- injection of inhibitors or similar treatments
control equipment on a horizontal axis to during production.
minimize the assembly height 198. injection A downhole completion component that
186. hot oiling Circulation of heated fluid, typically oil, to mandrel enables injection of treatment chemicals or
dissolve or dislodge paraffin deposits from the inhibitors into the production conduit.
production tubing. 199. injection The pressure at which a treatment or test
187. hot The process of drilling a hole through a pressure pressure fluid can be injected into the formation
tapping barrier using special equipment and procedures matrix without causing a breakdown, or
to ensure that the pressure and fluids are safely fracture, of the rock matrix.
contained when access is made. 200. injection Any pump used to inject fluid into the
188. HUD / The point or depth at which a tool or drift of a pump reservoir or production system.
holdup specific size can no longer pass through the 201. injection well A well in which fluids are injected rather
depth wellbore. than produced, the primary objective
typically being to maintain reservoir
pressure.
202. instrument A downhole tool on which downhole gauges 216. liner Any string of casing in which the top does
hanger or instruments that are to be temporarily left not extend to the surface but instead is
in the wellbore are attached. suspended from inside the previous casing
string
203. intellegent A well equipped with monitoring equipment
well and completion components that can be 217. liner hanger A device used to attach or hang liners from
adjusted to optimize production, either the internal wall of a previous casing string.
automatically or with some operator
218. live oil Oil containing dissolved gas in solution that
intervention.
may be released from solution at surface
204. intermediate A casing string that is generally set in place conditions.
casing after the surface casing and before the
219. lock A downhole device, run and retrieved on
production casing.
slickline, that is placed and anchored within
205. intermittent An artificial-lift method, used in relatively the tubing string to provide a setting point for
gas lift low-productivity wells, in which the gas-lift flow-control equipment such as valves,
system is operated on an intermittent basis to chokes and plugs.
enable the buildup of liquids in the wellbore.
220. make up To connect tools or tubulars by assembling
206. internal A downhole tool used to pull or retrieve the threaded connections incorporated at
pulling tool temporary plugs or similar equipment, either end of every tool and tubular.
engages on the internal surfaces of the item
221. mandrel A bar, shaft or spindle around which other
to be retrieved.
components are arranged or assembled.
207. IPR A mathematical tool used in production
222. manifold An arrangement of piping or valves designed
engineering to assess well performance by
to control, distribute and often monitor fluid
plotting the well production rate against the
flow.
flowing bottomhole pressure (BHP).
223. marginal A well that, for reasons of depletion or
208. iron Also known as a chelating agent, a chemical
well natural low productivity, is nearing the limits
stabilazier added to an acid to stabilize iron.
of viable production and profitability.
209. jar A downhole tool that is used to impart a
224. master A valve located on the Christmas tree that
heavy blow or impact load to a downhole
valve controls all flow from the wellbore
tool assembly
225. matrix A treatment designed to treat the near-
210. jet pump A type of pump that operates on the
stimulation wellbore reservoir formation rather than other
principle of a high-pressure fluid jet and the
areas of the production conduit, such as the
venturi effect it creates.
casing across the production interval,
211. J slot A type of mechanism commonly used in the production tubulars or the perforations.
setting and unsetting of downhole tools and
226. mechanical The reduction in permeability in the near-
equipment such as packers.
skin wellbore area resulting from mechanical
212. landing A component installed near the bottom of factors such as the displacement of debris
collar the casing string on which the cement plugs that plugs the perforations or formation
land during the primary cementing operation. matrix.
213. landing A completion component fabricated as a 227. microanullus A small gap that can form between the
nipple / short section of heavy wall tubular with a casing or liner and the surrounding cement
nipple / machined internal surface that provides a sheath, most commonly formed by variations
seating seal area and a locking profile. in temperature or pressure during or after the
nipple cementing process.
214. life of the The period of time during which 228. minimum The smallest diameter present in a wellbore
well economically sustainable production levels restriction through which a tool string must pass to
may be expected from a well. enable access to the operating depth or zone
of interest
215. lifting sub A short drillstring component that is
temporarily connected to the top of a tool 229. mist flow A multiphase fluid-flow regime characterized
assembly that is to be lifted vertically, such by the gas phase being distributed as
as when running or retrieving a tool string. bubbles through the liquid phase.
230. multiphase A fluid, generally a liquid, comprising more 244. OGLV / The lowermost gas-lift valve in a gas-lift
fluid than one phase, such as water- or oil-based operating completion through which the lift gas is
liquids, solid material or gas. gas lift injected during normal production.
valve
231. multiphase The commingled flow of different phase fluids,
fluid flow such as water, oil and gas. 245. open flow The calculated maximum flow rate that a
potential system may provide in the absence of
232. multiple A single wellbore having tubulars and
restrictions.
completion equipment that enable production from two or
more reservoir zones. 246. openhole A type of sand-control completion in which
gravel the gravel pack screen is packed off in an
233. natural A completion system designed to utilize the
pack openhole section with no casing or liner to
completion natural flow capability of the reservoir
support the producing formation.
234. neutral The point on a string of tubulars at which there
247. openhole A type of packer designed for use in openhole
point are neither tension nor compression forces
packer applications such as drillstem testing.
present
248. openhole A drillstem test performed in an openhole
235. nipple The process of disassembling well-control or
test section of the wellbore.
down pressure-control equipment on the wellhead.
249. opening A device used in stage cementing to open the
236. nipple up The process of assembling well-control or
bomb stage collar or diverting valve through which
pressure-control equipment on the wellhead.
the second or subsequent cement stage is
237. nitrogen A column of high-pressure nitrogen typically placed.
cushion applied to a tubing string in preparation for
250. orifice A type of valve, typically found on small-
drillstem testing or perforating operations in
valve diameter pipework, that incorporates an orifice
which the reservoir formation is to be opened
or flow-restriction device to control fluid flow
to the tubing string.
251. o-ring A type of circular seal commonly found in
238. nitrogen Another term for nitrogen lift, the use of
downhole tools and a wide range of surface
kickoff nitrogen gas circulated into the production
equipment applications.
conduit to displace liquids and reduce the
hydrostatic pressure created by the fluid 252. oxygen A chemical agent used in some brines and
column. scavanger completion fluids to reduce corrosion resulting
from, or exacerbated by, dissolved oxygen.
239. nitrogen The use of nitrogen gas circulated into the
lift production conduit to displace liquids and 253. packer A downhole device used in almost every
reduce the hydrostatic pressure created by the completion to isolate the annulus from the
fluid column. production conduit, enabling controlled
production, injection or treatment.
240. nitrogen A high-pressure pump or compressor unit
unit capable of delivering high-purity nitrogen gas 254. packer The fluid that remains in the tubing-casing
for use in oil or gas wells fluid annulus above the packer after the completion
has been run and all circulation devices have
241. Nodal An analytical tool used in forecasting the
been isolated.
analysis performance of the various elements
comprising the completion and production 255. packing A device used to seal around a reciprocating
system gland or rotating shaft or spindle.
242. no go A nipple that incorporates a reduced diameter 256. pack off To effect hydraulic isolation, either with a
landing internal profile that provides a positive sealing device, such as a packer, or with a
nipple indication of seating by preventing the tool or specialized plastic or fluid, such as a sealing
device to be set from passing through the compound.
nipple
257. paraffin A hydrocarbon compound that often
243. NORM / Materials typically found in certain types of precipitates on production components as a
Naturally barium or strontium scales that may be result of the changing temperatures and
Occurring deposited in the wellbore or production pressures within the production system.
Radioactive tubulars.
258. perforating An acid treatment placed in the wellbore over
Material
acid the interval to be perforated.
259. perforating A specially prepared fluid placed in the 274. production A casing string that is set across the reservoir
fluid wellbore over the interval to be perforated. casing interval and within which the primary
completion components are installed.
260. pipe stretch The increase in length resulting from the
combination of forces acting on a string 275. production A device used to isolate the annulus and
within the wellbore. packer anchor or secure the bottom of the
production tubing string.
261. Plug & To prepare a wellbore to be shut in and
Abandon permanently isolated. 276. production The primary conduit through which reservoir
string fluids are produced to surface.
262. plunger lift An artificial-lift method principally used in
gas wells to unload relatively small volumes 277. production A wellbore tubular used to produce reservoir
of liquid. tubing fluids.
263. polished joint A generic term for a completion component 278. production The portion of a Christmas tree or surface
that has been polished or prepared to wing production facility through which production
enable an efficient hydraulic seal. fluids flow.
264. polished rod The uppermost joint in the string of sucker 279. productivity A mathematical means of expressing the
rods used in a rod pump artificial-lift system. index ability of a reservoir to deliver fluids to the
It enables an efficient hydraulic seal to be wellbore.
made around the reciprocating rod string.
280. profile The process of controlling undesirable water
265. positive A type of fluid pump in which the modification production from a well by conducting
displacement displacement volume of the pump is fixed treatments to prevent coning or cresting.
pump for each rotation of the pump.
281. rabbit A slang term for an internal drift diameter
266. premium A class of high-performance thread types gauge typically used to check casing or
thread that are commonly used in modern oilwell tubing joints before they are picked up and
and gaswell completions. run into the wellbore.
267. Pressure An analysis of data obtained from 282. recorder A downhole tool used to locate or convey a
buildup measurements of the bottomhole pressure in carrier downhole gauge.
analysis a well that is shut-in after a flow period.
283. relative A measurement of the ability of two or more
268. pressure The differential pressure that drives fluids permeability fluid phases to pass through a formation
drawdown from the reservoir into the wellbore. matrix.
269. pressure A means of assessing reservoir performance 284. release joint A downhole tool that is designed to part
transient test by measuring flow rates and pressures under / safety under controlled conditions.
a range of flowing conditions and applying joint
the data to a mathematical model.
285. reservoir A measurement of the vertical thickness of
270. primary The process of placing a cement sheath height reservoir formation that is open to flow.
cementing around a casing or liner string.
286. retrievable A type of downhole isolation tool that may
271. primary The main elements of an oil or gas well, bridge plug be unset and retrieved from the wellbore
completion including the production tubing string, that after use, such as may be required following
components enable a particular type or design of treatment of an isolated zone.
completion to function as designed.
287. retrievable A type of packer that is run and retrieved on
272. primary The means by which the initial reservoir packer a running string or production string, unlike a
recovery production is achieved, such as natural permanent production packer that is set in
method production from a gas-drive reservoir. the casing or liner before the production
string is run.
273. produced A generic term used in a number of contexts
fluid but most commonly to describe any fluid 288. reverse A downhole tool that is designed to enable
produced from a wellbore that is not a circulating communication between the tubing internal
treatment fluid. valve diameter and the annulus, typically for
reverse circulation purposes
289. reversing Conducting reverse circulation, that is,
out circulating fluid down the wellbore annulus,
with returns being made up the tubing string
290. rigless A well-intervention operation conducted 305. screen out A condition that occurs when the solids
operation with equipment and support facilities that carried in a treatment fluid, such as proppant
precludes the requirement for a rig over the in a fracture fluid, create a bridge across the
wellbore. perforations or similar restricted flow area.
291. round thread A basic threadform commonly found in 306. screen out A condition encountered during some
oilfield applications. gravel-pack operations whereby the
treatment area cannot accept further pack
292. running tool A generic name for a tool or device that is
sand and a sudden increase in treatment
used in the placement or setting of
pressure occurs
downhole equipment such as permanent
packers or plugs. 307. SCSSV / A downhole safety valve that is operated
surface from surface facilities through a control line
293. rupture disk A high-precision component designed to
controlled strapped to the external surface of the
rupture with the application of a
subsurface production tubing.
predetermined hydraulic pressure.
safety valve
294. safety joint Another term for release joint, a downhole
308. seal A system of seals arranged on the
tool that is designed to part under
assembly / component that engages in a sealbore to
controlled conditions
tubing seal isolate the production-tubing conduit from
295. sallt plug A temporary plugging agent comprising assembly the annulus.
graded granules of salt that form a physical
309. sealbore A polished bore designed to accept a seal
or hydraulic barrier.
assembly, such as may be used in a
296. sand A generic term used to describe small permanent production packer.
formation particles known as fines that may
310. sealbore A type of production packer that
be produced with the reservoir fluid.
packer incorporates a sealbore that accepts a seal
297. sand bailer A downhole device, usually run on slickline, assembly fitted to the bottom of the
used to remove sand or debris from the production tubing.
bottom of the wellbore.
311. seal A profiled completion component designed
298. sand A means of controlling the undesirable receptacle to accept a mating component equipped
consolidation production of sand from weak sandstone with a seal assembly.
formations.
312. secondary The method used to sustain production
299. sand control The installation of equipment or application production levels at viable rates following a fall in flow
of techniques to prevent migration of rate as the efficiency of the primary
reservoir sand into the wellbore or near- production methods declines
wellbore area.
313. selective A type of landing nipple designed to be run
300. sandface The physical interface between the nipple in a series throughout the wellbore.
formation and the wellbore.
314. selective A wireline tool to set and retrieve selectively
301. sand The migration of formation sand caused by running tool set downhole equipment such as plugs and
production the flow of reservoir fluids. similar flow-control devices.
302. scale A mineral salt deposit that may occur on 315. sequestering Another term for chelating agent, a chemical
wellbore tubulars and components as the agent used to bind metal ions to form a ring
saturation of produced water is affected by structure.
changing temperature and pressure
316. setting tool Another term for running tool, a generic
conditions in the production conduit
name for a tool or device that is used in the
303. scale A chemical treatment used to control or placement or setting of downhole
inhibitor prevent scale deposition in the production equipment such as permanent packers or
conduit or completion system. plugs
304. screen A device used in sand control applications 317. shear pin A short piece of brass or steel that is used to
to support the gravel pack. retain sliding components in a fixed position
until sufficient force is applied to break the
pin
318. shear stock The material from which shear pins are
typically cut
319. shifting tool A downhole tool, most commonly 331. solution A type of reservoir-drive system in which the
associated with slickline operations, that is gas drive energy for the transport and production of
used to open, close or shift the position of reservoir fluids is derived from the gas
downhole flow control or circulation dissolved in the fluid.
devices, such as sliding sleeves.
332. sour Corrosion associated with the presence of
320. shoe track Another term for float joint, a full-sized corrosion hydrogen sulfide [H2S]
length of casing placed at the bottom of the
333. space out To assemble components to ensure that all
casing string that is usually left full of
critical length dimensions are met, as is
cement on the inside to ensure that good
required to ensure that the production tubing
cement remains on the outside of the bottom
can be landed in the wellhead and production
of the casing.
packer with the desired weight distribution
321. side pocket A completion component that is used to
334. spacer A viscous fluid used to aid removal of drilling
mandrel house gas-lift valves and similar devices that
fluids before a primary cementing operation.
require communication with the annulus.
335. SSCSV / A downhole safety valve designed to close
322. sieve The process of analyzing the size distribution
subsurface automatically in an emergency situation.
analysis of a sand or gravel sample.
surface
323. SIMOP / A term used mainly on offshore platforms, or controlled
simultaneous installations with multiple wellheads, where safety
operation more than one wellbore is being accessed, valve
such as where a drilling rig, slickline unit or
336. SSSV / A safety device installed in the upper wellbore
coiled tubing unit may be operating at the
subsurface to provide emergency closure of the producing
same time.
safety conduits in the event of an emergency.
324. skin A dimensionless factor calculated to valve
determine the production efficiency of a well
337. stab in To guide and engage components that are
by comparing actual conditions with
designed to couple, such as a seal assembly in
theoretical or ideal conditions.
a sealbore packer.
325. slickline A thin nonelectric cable used for selective
338. standing A downhole valve assembly that is designed
placement and retrieval of wellbore
valve to hold pressure from above while allowing
hardware, such as plugs, gauges and valves
fluids to flow from below.
located in sidepocket mandrels.
339. steam A method of thermal recovery in which steam
326. sliding A completion device that can be operated to
flood generated at surface is injected into the
sleeve provide a flow path between the production
reservoir through specially distributed injection
conduit and the annulus.
wells.
327. slip joint A completion component designed to
340. step rate A test performed in preparation for a hydraulic
accommodate tubing movement or length
test fracturing treatment in which an injection fluid
changes while maintaining a hydraulic seal
is injected for a defined period in a series of
between the production conduit and the
increasing pump rates.
annulus.
341. stimulation A treatment performed to restore or enhance
328. slip lock A downhole lock device, run on slickline,
/ well the productivity of a well.
that incorporates a slip mechanism that
stimulation
engages on the tubing wall to anchor the
lock at the desired setting depth. 342. storm A downhole valve that operates by fluid
choke velocity and closes when the fluid flow from
329. slug flow A multiphase-fluid flow regime characterized
the well exceeds preset limits.
by a series of liquid plugs (slugs) separated
by a relatively large gas pockets. 343. storm A heavy-duty retrievable packer assembly that
packer can be run in to isolate the wellbore of a new
330. solution gas Dissolved gas in wellbore or reservoir fluids.
well in the event of suspended activities, for
example, during a severe storm.
344. strap To measure a running string or assembled 360. TEL / tubing A downhole tool frequently used in slickline
components while running in or out of the end locator or coiled tubing tool assemblies to confirm
wellbore. or correlate the tool position on depth-
sensitive applications.
345. subsea A well in which the wellhead, Christmas tree and
well production-control equipment is located on the 361. tension set A type of packer that is set by applying
seabed. packer tension to the running string.
346. sucker A steel rod that is used to make up the 362. TFL / Pertaining to treatments performed on
rod mechanical assembly between the surface and through subsea wells where the fluids and associated
downhole components of a rod pumping flowline pump-down equipment, such as plugs or
system. darts, are pumped through the flowline
normally used for production fluids.
347. sulfide A type of spontaneous brittle failure in steels
stress and other high-strength alloys when they are in 363. thread A protective sleeve or cap generally made
cracking contact with moist hydrogen sulfide and other protector up on the threads of tubular goods during
sulfidic environments. transport and storage.
348. swab To unload liquids from the production tubing to 364. thread rule A pocket-size thread gauge used in field
initiate flow from the reservoir, by moving up the operations to correctly identify or confirm
pipe the thread type and size of tubular goods.
349. swage A threaded adapter used to connect a 365. through Pertaining to any reservoir or wellbore
circulating line to a casing or tubing string. tubing treatment performed through the tubing
string.
350. sweep A relatively small volume of viscous fluid,
pill typically a carrier gel, that is circulated to 366. tie back A section of liner that is run from a liner
sweep, or remove, debris or residual fluids from liner / tie hanger back to the wellhead after the initial
the circulation system. back string liner and hanger system have been installed
and cemented.
351. sweet The deterioration of metal due to contact with
corrosion carbon dioxide or similar corrosive agents, but 367. tie back A specially designed packer assembly used
excluding hydrogen sulfide [H2S]. packer in conjunction with a tie-back liner.
352. sweet Crude oil containing low levels of sulfur 368. tie-back Another term for tie-back liner, a section of
crude compounds, especially hydrogen sulfide [H2S]. string liner that is run from a liner hanger back to
the wellhead after the initial liner and hanger
353. sweet Natural gas that does not contain hydrogen
system have been installed and cemented.
gas sulfide [H2S] or significant quantities of carbon
dioxide [CO2]. 369. TPC / tubing A mathematical tool used in production
performance engineering to assess the performance of the
354. swellable An isolation device that relies on elastomers to
curve completion string by plotting the surface
packer expand and form an annular seal when
production rate against the flowing
immersed in certain wellbore fluids.
bottomhole pressure.
355. tag To contact, or tag, a known reference point or
370. transition A multiphase flow regime in near-vertical
obstruction in the wellbore with the tubing
flow / churn pipes in which large, irregular slugs of gas
string, wireline or other intervention equipment.
flow move up the center of the pipe, usually
356. tail pipe The tubulars and completion components run carrying droplets of oil or water with them.
below a production packer.
371. travel joint Also known as slip joint, a completion
357. tally A list containing details of tubulars that have component designed to accommodate
been prepared for running, or that have been tubing movement or length changes while
retrieved from the wellbore. maintaining a hydraulic seal between the
358. tapered A string comprising tubing or components of production conduit and the annulus
string varying size or dimension. 372. TRSV / A type of subsurface safety valve that is run
359. tell tale A device used to indicate the position or tubing and retrieved as part of the production
function of mechanical components that cannot retrievable tubing string.
be easily observed, such as to indicate the safety valve
launch of a cementing plug or dart
373. tubing A downhole tool used to repair damaged or 390. water drive A reservoir-drive mechanism whereby the oil
broach collapsed tubing. is driven through the reservoir by an active
aquifer.
374. tubing A system of classifying the material
grade specifications for steel alloys used in the 391. waterflood A method of secondary recovery in which
manufacture of tubing. water is injected into the reservoir formation
to displace residual oil.
375. tubing A device attached to the topmost tubing joint
hanger in the wellhead to support the tubing string. 392. water wet Pertaining to the adhesion of a liquid to the
surface of a solid.
376. tubing A wellhead component that supports the
head tubing hanger and provides a means of 393. wellbore A schematic diagram that identifies the main
attaching the Christmas tree to the wellhead. diagram completion components installed in a
wellbore.
377. tubing joint A single length of the pipe that is assembled
to provide a conduit through which the oil or 394. wellhead The surface termination of a wellbore that
gas will be produced from a wellbore. incorporates facilities for installing casing
hangers during the well construction phase
378. tubingless A completion design in which the reservoir
completion fluids are produced through small-diameter 395. wire type of screen used in sand control
casing. wrapped applications to support the gravel pack.
screen
379. tubing A special perforating gun, or charge, that is
puncher designed for limited penetration to allow an 396. WOC / wait To suspend operations while a cement slurry
inner tubing or casing string to be perforated on cement to develops sufficient compressive strength
without damaging a surrounding outer string. to allow drilling or other wellbore activity to
continue
380. tubing seal A system of seals arranged on the component
assambly that engages in a sealbore to isolate the 397. WRSV / A type of safety valve in which the principal
production-tubing conduit from the annulus. wireline components can be run and retrieved by
retrievable wireline or slickline
381. tubing The threaded connection used to assemble the
safety valve
thread tubing string from individual tubing joints.
382. turbulent A fluid-flow regime characterized by swirling
flow or chaotic motion as the fluid moves along the
pipe or conduit.
383. unload To initiate flow from a reservoir by removing
the column of kill fluid from the wellbore.
384. upstream Pertaining to equipment, facilities or systems
located in the wellbore or production train
before the surface choke or Christmas tree.
385. velocity A small-diameter tubing string run inside the
string production tubing of a well as a remedial
treatment to resolve liquid-loading problems
386. vertical lift The vertical distance between two points in a
horizontal or deviated wellbore.
387. water A condition caused by an increase in water
block saturation in the near-wellbore area.
388. water The change in the oil-water contact profile as a
coning result of drawdown pressures during
production.
389. water A volume of water placed in a tubing string
cushion prior to conducting a drillstem test or opening
a well to flow