Important Petroleum

absorption Espaol | English

1. n . [Geophysics] 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. See: absorption band, attenuation, Q, wave 2. n . [Production Facilities] The property of some liquids or solids to soak up water or other fluids. The natural gas dehydration process uses glycols (liquids) that absorb the water vapor to finally obtain dehydrated gas. In the same way, light oil, also called absorption oil, is used to remove the heavier liquid hydrocarbons from a wet gas stream to obtain dry gas.

acid gas Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] 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.

as delivered BTU Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] The number of BTUs in a cubic foot of natural gas. The natural gas heat energy (BTU) will depend mainly on its water content at the delivered pressure and temperature conditions.

as-delivered BTU Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] The number of BTUs in a cubic foot of natural gas. The natural gas heat energy (BTU) will depend mainly on its water content at the delivered pressure and temperature conditions.

absorption oil

Espaol | English 1. n . [Production Facilities] 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.

adsorption Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities, Enhanced Oil Recovery] The property of some solids and liquids to attract a liquid or a gas to their surfaces. Some solids, such as activated charcoal or silica gel, are used as surfaces of adhesion to gather liquid hydrocarbons from a natural gas stream. To complete the process, the solids are treated with steam to recover the liquid hydrocarbons.

carry over Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A phenomenon in which free liquid leaves with the gas phase at the top of a separator. Carryover can indicate high liquid level, damage of the separator or plugged liquid valves at the bottom of the separator.

compressor Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A device that raises the pressure of air or natural gas. A compressor normally uses positive displacement to compress the gas to higher pressures so that the gas can flow into pipelines and other facilities.

cut oil Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A crude oil that contains water, normally in the form of an emulsion. The emulsion must be treated inside heaters using chemicals, which will break the mixture into its individual components (water and crude oil).

cycle gas

Espaol | English 1. n . [Production Facilities] A gas that is compressed and injected back to the reservoir. In gas-condensate reservoirs, after the liquids or condensate are recovered at the surface, the residue gas (dry gas) is returned to the reservoir to maintain pressure. This prevents retrograde condensation, which will form unrecoverable liquid hydrocarbons in the reservoir.

carryover Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A phenomenon in which free liquid leaves with the gas phase at the top of a separator. Carryover can indicate high liquid level, damage of the separator or plugged liquid valves at the bottom of the separator.

compressor plant Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A facility consisting of many compressors, auxiliary treatment equipment and pipeline installations to pump natural gas under pressure over long distances. A compressor plant is also called a compressor station. Several compressor stations can be used to repressurize gas in large interstate gas pipelines or to link offshore gas fields to their final terminals.

cycle condensate Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A condensate (liquid hydrocarbon) produced at surface from cycle gas.

cycling plant Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] An oilfield installation used when producing from a gas-condensate reservoir. In a cycling plant, the liquids are extracted from the natural gas and then the remaining dry gas is compressed and returned to the producing formation to maintain reservoir pressure. This process increases the ultimate recovery of liquids.

compression ratio Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] The ratio of the volume of an engines cylinder at the beginning of the compression to its volume at the end of the compression process. For example, a cylinder with a volume of 20 cubic inches before compression and 1 cubic inch as its final volume after compression has a compression ratio of 20:1.

DEA unit Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A treating system used to remove hydrogen sulfide [H2S], carbon dioxide [CO2] and carbonyl sulfide from a gas stream. The acid gases are absorbed by the diethanolamine (DEA), and sweet gas leaves at the top of the absorber.

desiccant Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A substance used in a gas-dehydration unit to remove water and moisture. The desiccant can be liquid, such as methanol, glycol (ethylene, diethylene, triethylene, and tetraethylene). Desiccants also can be solid, such as silica gel or calcium chloride [CaCl2]. The most common gas-dehydration system (glycol dehydrator) uses liquid desiccants such as diethylene, triethylene and tetraethylene, which are substances that can be regenerated. Regeneration means that the water absorbed by these substances can be separated from them. Some liquid desiccants such as methanol or ethylene cannot be regenerated. Solid desiccants are also used for gas dehydration. They are placed as beds through which wet gas is passed. The main limitation of the use of solid desiccants is that they absorb only limited quantities of water. When the desiccant saturation point is reached, the solid desiccant must be replaced. Another limitation is that sometimes water cannot be removed from it.

drip Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A small vessel in a pipeline to receive water and heavy hydrocarbons that drop out of a gas stream. Drips are normally installed in the lower points of flow lines and must

be blown periodically to remove liquids. See: blowing the drip, flowline 2. n . [Production Testing] The water and heavy hydrocarbons that condense from the gas stream and accumulate in the lower points of the flowlines.

dry bed dehydrator Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A device that removes water and water vapor from a gas stream using two or more beds of solid desiccants, such as silica gel or calcium chloride [CaCl2]. Wet gas is passed through the solid material, which absorbs the water, and then dry gas is collected at the top of the device. The main limitation of this device is that the solid desiccant absorbs only limited quantities of water. When the desiccant saturation point is reached, it must be replaced and sometimes water cannot be removed from it.

defoaming plates Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] In a separator, a series of inclined parallel plates or tubes to promote coalescence, or merging, of the foam bubbles liberated from the liquid.

desulfurize Espaol | English

1. vb . [Production Facilities] To remove sulfur or sulfur compounds from an oil or gas stream.

drip accumulator Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A device used to collect water and heavy hydrocarbons that drop out of a gas stream in a pipeline.

dry oil Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A treated oil that contains small amounts of basic sediments and water (BS&W). Dry oil is also called clean oil.

dehydrate Espaol | English

1. vb . [Production Facilities] To remove water from a substance. The substance may be crude oil, natural gas or natural gas liquids (NGL). Fluid dehydration is needed to prevent corrosion and free-water accumulation in the low points of a pipeline. In the case of gas, it is especially important to avoid hydrate formation and also to meet pipeline requirements. Typical maximum allowable water vapor content is 7 pounds of water per million standard cubic feet. In colder climates, this threshold value could be 3 to 5 pounds per million standard cubic feet. Water vapor can also affect the sweetening and refining processes of a natural gas. Dehydration of crude oil is normally achieved using emulsion breakers, while gas dehydration is accomplished using various liquid desiccants such as glycols (ethylene, diethylene, triethylene and tetraethylene) or solid desiccants such as silica gel or calcium chloride [CaCl2].

downstream pipeline Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A pipeline that receives natural gas or oil from another pipeline at some specific connection point

dry bed Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A hygroscopic solid such as silica gel, calcium chloride [CaCl2] or other materials used in dry-bed dehydrators to absorb water and water vapor from a gas stream.

dry-bed dehydrator Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A device that removes water and water vapor from a gas stream using two or more beds of solid desiccants, such as silica gel or calcium chloride [CaCl2]. Wet gas is passed through the solid material, which absorbs the water, and then dry gas is

collected at the top of the device. The main limitation of this device is that the solid desiccant absorbs only limited quantities of water. When the desiccant saturation point is reached, it must be replaced and sometimes water cannot be removed from it.

dehydrator Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A device used to remove water and water vapors from gas. Gas dehydration can be accomplished through a glycol dehydrator or a dry-bed dehydrator, which use a liquid desiccant and a solid desiccant, respectively. Gas dehydrators are designed to handle only water and gas vapors. If liquid water or oil enters the dehydrator, the device cannot work properly.

evaporation pit Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A hole dug to contain brine for disposal by evaporation. Some evaporation pits are lined with plastic or asphalt to keep water from filtering through and contaminating nearby free-water aquifers.

flare Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] The burning of unwanted gas through a pipe (also called a flare). Flaring is a means of disposal used when there is no way to transport the gas to market and the operator cannot use the gas for another purpose. Flaring generally is not allowed because of the high value of gas and environmental concerns. See: flare gas 2. n . [Production Facilities] An arrangement consisting of a vertical tower and burners used to burn combustible vapors. A flare is usually situated near a producing well or at a gas plant or refinery. A flare is also called a flare stack.

free water knockout Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A vertical or horizontal separator used mainly to remove any free water that can cause

problems such as corrosion and formation of hydrates or tight emulsions, which are difficult to break. A free-water knockout is commonly called a three-phase separator because it can separate gas, oil and free water. The liquids that are discharged from the free-water knockout are further treated in vessels called treaters. Free-water knockout is abbreviated as FWKO.

free-water knockout Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A vertical or horizontal separator used mainly to remove any free water that can cause problems such as corrosion and formation of hydrates or tight emulsions, which are difficult to break. A free-water knockout is commonly called a three-phase separator because it can separate gas, oil and free water. The liquids that are discharged from the free-water knockout are further treated in vessels called treaters. Free-water knockout is abbreviated as FWKO.

FWKO Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A vertical or horizontal separator used mainly to remove any free water that can cause problems such as corrosion and formation of hydrates or tight emulsions, which are difficult to break. A free-water knockout is commonly called a three-phase separator because it can separate gas, oil and free water. The liquids that are discharged from the free-water knockout are further treated in vessels called treaters. Free-water knockout is abbreviated as FWKO.

flare gas Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A vapor or gas that is burned through a pipe or burners.

gas processing plant Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] An installation that processes natural gas to recover natural gas liquids (condensate, natural gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas) and sometimes other substances such as sulfur. A gas processing plant is also known as a natural gas processing plant.

gathering lines Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] The pipes used to transport oil and gas from a field to the main pipeline in the area.

glycol absorber Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] In a glycol dehydrator unit, the cylinder composed of various perforated trays in which wet gas and glycol are put in contact.

gravity segregation Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] The tendency of fluids to stratify into different layers because of gravity forces. In gravity segregation, the heaviest fluid settles near the bottom and the lightest fluid rises to the top. Gravity segregation occurs inside reservoirs as well as in separator facilities.

gaswell gas Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] The gas produced or separated at surface conditions from the full well stream produced from a natural gas reservoir.

gathering system Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] The flowline network and process facilities that transport and control the flow of oil or gas from the wells to a main storage facility, processing plant or shipping point. A gathering system includes pumps, headers, separators, emulsion treaters, tanks, regulators, compressors, dehydrators, valves and associated equipment. There are two types of gathering systems, radial and trunk line. The radial type brings all the flowlines to a central header, while the trunk-line type uses several remote headers to

collect fluid. The latter is mainly used in large fields. The gathering system is also called the collecting system or gathering facility.

glycol dehydrator Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A unit used to remove minute water particles from natural gas if dehydration was not attained using separators. A glycol dehydrator unit is usually composed of an absorber and a reboiler. The wet gas enters at the bottom of the absorber. As the wet gas percolates upward, it releases its water into the glycol solution and dry gas is obtained at the top of the absorber. When the glycol solution becomes saturated with water, the glycol solution is pumped through a reboiler, also called a reconcentrator, which boils the glycol-water mixture and separates the glycol from the water. After separation, the glycol can return to the absorber to contact additional wet gas.

gun barrel Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A settling tank used for treating oil. Oil and brine are separated only by gravity segregation forces. The clean oil floats to the top and brine is removed from the bottom of the tank. Gun barrels are found predominantly in older or marginal fields. A gun barrel is also called a wash tank.

gaswell liquids Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] The liquids separated at surface conditions from the full well stream produced from a natural gas reservoir.

hatch Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] An opening in the top of a tank through which samples are taken or inspection is made.

heater

Espaol | English 1. n . [Production Facilities] Equipment that transfers heat to the produced gas stream. Heaters are especially used when producing natural gas or condensate to avoid the formation of ice and gas hydrates. These solids can plug the wellhead, chokes and flowlines. The production of natural gas is usually accompanied by water vapor. As this mixture is produced, it cools down on its way to the surface and also when the mixture passes through a surface production choke. This reduction of fluid temperature can favor the formation of gas hydrates if heaters are not used. Heaters may also be used to heat emulsions before further treating procedures or when producing crude oil in cold weather to prevent freezing of oil or formation of paraffin accumulations.

horizontal separator 1. n . [Production Facilities] A vessel, with its cylindrical axes parallel to the ground, that is used to separate oil, gas and water from the produced stream. The horizontal separator can be a two-phase or three-phase separator.

hydrogen sulfide Espaol | English

1. n . [Drilling, Drilling Fluids, Production Facilities, Well Testing, Well Workover and Intervention, Well Completions] [H2S] An extraordinarily poisonous gas with a molecular formula of H2S. At low concentrations, H2S has the odor of rotten eggs, but at higher, lethal concentrations, it is odorless. H2S is hazardous to workers and a few seconds of exposure at relatively low concentrations can be lethal, but exposure to lower concentrations can also be harmful. The effect of H2S depends on duration, frequency and intensity of exposure as well as the susceptibility of the individual. Hydrogen sulfide is a serious and potentially lethal hazard, so awareness, detection and monitoring of H2S is essential. Since hydrogen sulfide gas is present in some subsurface formations, drilling and other operational crews must be prepared to use detection equipment, personal protective equipment, proper training and contingency procedures in H2S-prone areas. Hydrogen sulfide is produced during the decomposition of organic matter and occurs with hydrocarbons in some areas. It enters drilling mud from subsurface formations and can also be generated by sulfate-reducing bacteria in stored muds. H2S can cause sulfide-stress-corrosion cracking of metals. Because it is corrosive, H2S production may require costly special production equipment such as stainless steel tubing. Sulfides can be precipitated harmlessly from water muds or oil muds by treatments with the proper sulfide scavenger. H2S is a weak acid, donating two hydrogen ions in neutralization reactions, forming HS- and S-2 ions. In water or water-base muds, the three sulfide species, H2S and HS- and S-2 ions, are in dynamic equilibrium with water and H+ and

OH- ions. The percent distribution among the three sulfide species depends on pH. H2S is dominant at low pH, the HS- ion is dominant at mid-range pH and S2 ions dominate at high pH. In this equilibrium situation, sulfide ions revert to H2S if pH falls. Sulfides in water mud and oil mud can be quantitatively measured with the Garrett Gas Train according to procedures set by API.

header Espaol | English

1. n . [Geophysics] The location, acquisition and processing parameters, and other pertinent information attached to a well log, seismic record and traces. See: parameter, seismic record, seismic section, well log 2. n . [Production Facilities] In a gathering system, a pipe arrangement that connects flowlines from several wellheads into a single gathering line. A header has production and testing valves to control the flow of each well, thus directing the produced fluids to production or testing vessels. Individual gas/oil ratios and well production rates of oil, gas and water can be assigned by opening and closing selected valves in a header and using individual metering equipment or separators.

heater treater Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A vessel that uses heat to break oil-water emulsions so the oil can be accepted by the pipeline or transport. There are vertical and horizontal treaters. The main difference between them is the residence time, which is shorter in the vertical configuration compared with the horizontal one.

lean glycol Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] In a glycol dehydrator, glycol that has been boiled and no longer contains any water. When the glycol is lean, it can be pumped back to the absorber for reuse

liquid desiccant Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities]

A hygroscopic liquid used to remove water and water vapor from a gas stream. Some liquid desiccants are glycols (diethylene, triethylene and tetraethylene), which are substances that can be regenerated. Regeneration means that the water absorbed by these substances can be separated from them. Some liquid desiccants, such as methanol or ethylene, cannot be regenerated.

LNGC Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] Abbreviation for liquefied natural gas carrier, which is a sea vessel used to transport liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

loose emulsion Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] An emulsion with large and widely distributed droplets. A loose emulsion can be easy to break.

liquefied natural gas carrier Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A sea vessel used to transport liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The term is commonly abbreviated as LNGC

mist Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] Small liquid droplets (moisture or liquid hydrocarbons) in a gas stream. In separators, mist extractors are used to collect mist.

mist extractor Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A device used to collect small liquid droplets (moisture or hydrocarbons) from the gas stream before it leaves the separator. The two most common types of mist extractors

are wire-mesh pads and vanes. Once the small droplets of liquid are collected, they are removed along with the other liquids from the separator.

multiphase pump Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A pump that can handle the complete production from a well (oil, natural gas, water and sand, for example) without needing to separate or process the production stream near or at the wellhead. This reduces the cost associated with the surface facilities. Using multiphase pumps allows development of remote locations or previously uneconomical fields. Additionally, since the surface equipment, including separators, heater-treaters, dehydrators and pipes, is reduced, the impact on the environment is also reduced. Multiphase pumps can handle high gas volumes as well as the slugging and different flow regimes associated with multiphase production. Multiphase pumps include twin-screw pumps, piston pumps and helicoaxial pumps.

oil and gas separator Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A vessel that separates the well fluids into gas and total liquid. A two-phase separator can be horizontal, vertical or spherical. The liquid (oil, emulsion) leaves the vessel at the bottom through a level-control or dump valve. The gas leaves the vessel at the top, passing through a mist extractor to remove the small liquid droplets in the gas. Separators can be categorized according to their operating pressure. Low-pressure units handle pressures of 10 to 180 psi [69 to 1,241 kPa]. Medium-pressure separators operate from 230 to 700 psi [1,586 to 4,826 kPa]. High-pressure units handle pressures of 975 to 1,500 psi [6,722 to 10,342 kPa]. Gravity segregation is the main force that accomplishes the separation, which means the heaviest fluid settles to the bottom and the lightest fluid rises to the top. Additionally, inside the vessel, the degree of separation between gas and liquid will depend on the separator operating pressure, the residence time of the fluid mixture and the type of flow of the fluid. Turbulent flow allows more bubbles to escape than laminar flow.

pipeline Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A tube or system of tubes used for transporting crude oil and natural gas from the field or gathering system to the refinery

pipeline gas Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] 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.

pipeline patrol Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] An inspection of a pipeline to check for leaks, washouts or other abnormal conditions. A pipeline patrol is commonly performed using airplanes.

pressure storage tank Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A tank designed for storing volatile liquids such as gasoline and liquefied petroleum gases (LPG), which generate high internal pressures. A pressure storage tank is commonly spherical. Other types include spheroidal or hemispherical vessels. Some pressure storage tanks can support several hundred pounds per square inch of internal pressure. A pressure storage tank is also called a pressure-type tank.

pipeline capacity Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] 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 through a pipeline in a specific time period will depend on initial pressure, flow characteristics, ground elevation, density and delivery pressure.

pipeline oil Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] Oil whose free water, sediment and emulsion content (BS&W) is sufficiently low to

be acceptable for pipeline shipment.

raw natural gas Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] Gas produced from the well, unprocessed natural gas or the inlet natural gas to a plant. The raw gas still contains natural gas liquids (condensate, natural gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas), water and some other impurities such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and helium. The raw gas must be processed in a gas processing plant to make the gas commercial. 2. n . [Production Testing] Gas coming directly from the wellbore containing nonhydrocarbon contaminants and hydrocarbons that can be liquefied.

retention time Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] The amount of time a liquid stays in a vessel. The retention time assures that equilibrium between the liquid and gas has been reached at separator pressure. The retention time in a separator is determined by dividing the liquid volume inside the vessel by the liquid flow rate. The retention time usually varies between 30 seconds and 3 minutes. If a foaming crude is present, the retention time could be increased by four times its normal values.

roll a tank Espaol | English

1. vb . [Production Facilities] To agitate a tanks contents with gas or air injected through a roll line. This procedure is performed to settle out impurities or obtain a more homogeneous mixture of the chemicals added to oil, such as when chemicals used to break emulsions. The procedure is also used to mix chemicals before a stimulation treatment of an oil or gas well.

roll line Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A thin, perforated pipe placed around the internal circumference of a tank. The

purpose of the roll line is to agitate the contents of a tank.

residence time Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] Another term for retention time, the amount of time a liquid stays in a vessel. The retention time assures that equilibrium between the liquid and gas has been reached at separator pressure. The retention time in a separator is determined by dividing the liquid volume inside the vessel by the liquid flow rate. The retention time usually varies between 30 seconds and 3 minutes. If a foaming crude is present, the retention time could be increased by four times its normal values.

rich glycol Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] In a glycol dehydrator, glycol that contains water released by wet gas while percolating upward in the absorber.

Separator

1. n . [Production Facilities] A cylindrical or spherical vessel used to separate oil, gas and water from the total fluid stream produced by a well. Separators can be either horizontal or vertical. Separators can be classified into two-phase and three-phase separators (commonly called free-water knockout). The two-phase type deals only with oil and gas, while the three-phase type handles oil, water and gas. Additionally, separators can be categorized according to their operating pressure. Low-pressure units handle pressures of 10 to 180 psi [69 to 1241 kPa]. Medium-pressure separators operate from 230 to 700 psi [1586 to 4826 kPa]. High-pressure units handle pressures of 975 to 1500 psi [6722 to 10,342 kPa]. Gravity segregation is the main force that accomplishes the separation, which means the heaviest fluid settles to the bottom and the lightest fluid rises to the top. Additionally, inside the vessel, the degree of separation between gas and liquid will depend on the separator operating pressure, the residence time of the fluid mixture and the type of flow of the fluid. Turbulent flow allows more bubbles to escape than laminar flow.

solid desiccant Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A solid, such as silica gel or calcium chloride [CaCl2], used in a gas-dehydration unit to

remove water and moisture. The desiccants are placed as beds through which wet gas is passed. The main limitation of the use of solid desiccants is that they absorb only limited quantities of water. When the desiccant saturation point is reached, the solid desiccant must be replaced. Another limitation is that sometimes water cannot be removed from it.

spherical separator Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A ball-shaped vessel used for fluid separation. A spherical separator can be used for two-phase or three-phase separation purposes. Spherical separators are less efficient than either horizontal or vertical cylindrical separators and are seldom used. Nevertheless, their compact size and ease of transportation have made them suitable for crowded processing area

spot sample Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A sample of liquid or sediments obtained at a specific depth inside a tank using a thief or a bottle. Spot samples are analyzed to determine the gravity of the oil and BS&W content of the fluid in the tank.

stage separation Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] An operation in which the well stream is passed through two or more separators that are arranged in series. The first separator is called first-stage separator, the second separator is called second-stage separator and additional separators are named according to their position in the series. The operating pressures are sequentially reduced, so the highest pressure is found at the first separator and the lowest pressure at the final separator. The objective of stage separation is to maximize the hydrocarbon liquid recovery and to provide maximum stabilization to the resultant phases (liquid and gas) leaving the final separator. Stabilization means that considerable amounts of gas or liquid will not evolve from the final liquid and gas phases, respectively, in places such as stock tanks or gas pipelines. Additionally, stage separation reduces the horsepower required by a compressor, since the gas is fed at higher pressures.

STB

Espaol | English 1. n . [Production Facilities] Abbreviation for stock tank barrel.

stock tank Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A storage tank for oil production after the oil has been treated

stock tank barrel Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A measure of the volume of treated oil stored in stock tanks. A stock tank barrel is commonly abbreviated as STB.

strap Espaol | English

1. vb . [Well Completions] To measure a running string or assembled components while running in or out of the wellbore. 2. vb . [Production Facilities] To measure the dimensions of an oil tank, such as external diameter and height, using a steel tape. Once the measurements are recorded, they may be used to prepare tank tables, which describe tank capacity.

strapping tape Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A graduated tape use to measure, or strap, producing tanks. The measurements are used to generate a tank table, which describes tank capacity.

surge tank Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A vessel placed in a flowline through which liquids or gases are flowed to neutralize

sudden pressure surges.

sweetening Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A process used to remove hydrogen sulfide [H2S] and carbon dioxide [CO2] from a gas stream. These components are removed because they can form acidic solutions when they contact water, which will cause corrosion problems in gas pipelines. In a sweetening process, different types of ethanolamine can be used, including monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), diglycolamine (DGA) and methyldiethanolamine (MDEA). Hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide are absorbed by the ethanolamine and sweet gas leaves at the top of the absorber. The ethanolamine is heated and acid gas (hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide gases) and water vapor are obtained. The water is removed while the acid gas can be flared or further treated in a sulfur recovery unit to separate out elemental sulfur. Finally, the lean ethanolamine is returned to the absorber.

synthetic natural gas Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A gas obtained by heating coal or refining heavy hydrocarbons. Synthetic natural gas is abbreviated SNG.

tank Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A metal or plastic vessel used to store or measure a liquid. The three types of tanks in an oil field are drilling, production and storage tanks

tank battery Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A group of tanks that are connected to receive crude oil production from a well or a producing lease. A tank battery is also called a battery. In the tank battery, the oil volume is measured and tested before pumping the oil into the pipeline system.

tank bottoms

Espaol | English 1. n . [Production Facilities] The settlings -- sediment, dirt, oil emulsified with water and free water -- that accumulate in the bottom of storage tanks. The tank bottoms are periodically cleaned up and settlings can be disposed of or treated by chemicals to recover additional hydrocarbons. Tank bottoms are also called tank settlings or tank sludge.

tank calibration Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] Measurement of the dimensions of an oil tank, such as external diameter and height, using a steel tape. Once the measurements are recorded, they may be used to prepare tank tables, which describe tank capacity.

tank dike Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A structure constructed around an oil tank to contain the oil in case the tank collapses. The volume or space inside the tank dike should be greater than the volume of the tank. A tank dike is also called a fire wall.

ULCC Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] Abbreviation for ultralarge crude carrier.

vapor recovery unit Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A system composed of a scrubber, a compressor and a switch. Its main purpose is to recover vapors formed inside completely sealed crude oil or condensate tanks. The switch detects pressure variations inside the tanks and turns the compressor on and off. The vapors are sucked through a scrubber, where the liquid trapped is returned to the liquid pipeline system or to the tanks, and the vapor recovered is pumped into gas lines.

wet gas

Espaol | English 1. n . [Geology] Natural gas that contains less methane (typically less than 85% methane) and more ethane and other more complex hydrocarbons. Antonyms: dry gas See: condensate, dry gas, fluid contact, hydrocarbon, natural gas 2. n . [Production Facilities] Natural gas that contains water. See: dehydrate 3. n . [Production Testing] Natural gas containing significant heavy hydrocarbons. Propane, butane and other liquid hydrocarbons can be liquefied. See: hydrocarbon

vertical separator Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A vessel with its cylindrical axes perpendicular to the ground that is used to separate oil, gas and water from the production stream. The vessel can be a two-phase or three-phase separator.

test separator Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A vessel used to separate and meter relatively small quantities of oil and gas. Test separators can be two-phase or three-phase, or horizontal, vertical or spherical. They can also be permanent or portable. Test separators sometimes are equipped with different meters to determine oil, water and gas rates, which are important to diagnose well problems, evaluate production performance of individual wells and manage reserves properly. Test separators can also be called well testers or a well checkers

TAPS Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] Abbreviation for Trans-Alaska Pipeline System

tanker

Espaol | English 1. n . [Production Facilities] A ship designed to transport crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), synthetic natural gas (SNG) or refined products. Tankers with 100,000 deadweight tons of capacity or more are called supertankers (very large crude carriers or ultralarge crude carriers). A tanker is also called a tank ship.

tankage Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] The capacity of all the tanks in a field

tank table Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A table that shows the tank capacity in barrels as a function of the liquid level inside the tank. A tank table is also called a tank capacity table or gauge table.

hief Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A device that can be lowered into a tank to obtain samples (liquid or sediments) at different depths. The samples are analyzed to determine the gravity and BS&W content of the fluid into the tank.

thief hatch Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] An opening in the top of the stock tank. The thief hatch allows tank access for a thief or other level measuring devices

three phase separator Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A vessel that separates the well fluids into gas and two types of liquids: oil and water. A

three-phase separator can be horizontal, vertical or spherical. This type of separator is commonly called a free-water knockout because its main use is to remove any free water that can cause problems such as corrosion and formation of hydrates or tight emulsions, which are difficult to break. A free-water knockout is commonly called a three-phase separator because it can separate gas, oil and free water. The liquids that are discharged from the free-water knockout are further treated in vessels called treaters. Free-water knockout is abbreviated as FWKO.

tight emulsion Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] An emulsion with small and closely distributed droplets. A tight emulsion can be difficult to break.

very large crude carrier Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A supertanker with a capacity between 100,000 and 500,000 deadweight tons. The term is commonly abbreviated as VLCC.

two-phase separator Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A vessel that separates the well fluids into gas and total liquid. A two-phase separator can be horizontal, vertical or spherical. The liquid (oil, emulsion) leaves the vessel at the bottom through a level-control or dump valve. The gas leaves the vessel at the top, passing through a mist extractor to remove the small liquid droplets in the gas.

two phase separator Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A vessel that separates the well fluids into gas and total liquid. A two-phase separator can be horizontal, vertical or spherical. The liquid (oil, emulsion) leaves the vessel at the bottom through a level-control or dump valve. The gas leaves the vessel at the top, passing through a mist extractor to remove the small liquid droplets in the gas. Alternate Form: oil and gas separator, two-phase separator

treater Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A vessel used to treat oil-water emulsions so the oil can be accepted by the pipeline or transport. A treater can use several mechanisms. These include heat, gravity segregation, chemical additives and electric current to break emulsions. There are vertical and horizontal treaters. The main difference between them is the residence time, which is shorter in the vertical configuration compared with the horizontal one. A treater can be called a heater treater or an emulsion treater.

Trans-Alaska Pipeline System Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] An 800-mile [1287-km], 48-in. [122-cm] pipeline that transports more than 1 million barrels of oil from Deadhorse (near Prudhoe Bay) to Valdez, Alaska, USA. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System was completed in 1977 and it is often abbreviated as TAPS.

battery Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] The installation of similar or identical units of equipment in a group, such as a separator battery, header battery, filter battery or tank battery.

low-by Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A phenomenon in which free gas leaves with the liquid phase at the bottom of the separator. This condition may indicate a low liquid level or improper level control inside the separator.

bottomhole heater Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A device installed at the bottom of a well to increase the temperature of the fluid coming from the reservoir. Bottomhole heaters are used in low API gravity crude oils to reduce the

fluid viscosity, thus reducing the high friction forces normally associated with these types of fluids

British thermal unit Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A measure of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. British thermal unit is abbreviated as BTU.

battery site Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A portion of land that contains separators, treaters, dehydrators, storage tanks, pumps, compressors and other surface equipment in which fluids coming from a well are separated, measured or stored.

blowing the drip Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] Opening the valve on a drip to allow natural gas to blow or clear the pipe of all liquids.

brine Espaol | English

1. n . [Geology] Water containing more dissolved inorganic salt than typical seawater. See: connate water, formation water, fresh water, interstitial water 2. n . [Drilling] Saline liquid usually used in completion operations and, increasingly, when penetrating a pay zone. Brines are preferred because they have higher densities than fresh water but lack solid particles that might damage producible formations. Classes of brines include chloride brines (calcium and sodium), bromides and formates. See: aquifer, completion fluid, producing formation 3. n . [Drilling Fluids] A general term that refers to various salts and salt mixtures dissolved in an aqueous solution. Brine can be used more strictly, however, to refer to solutions of sodium chloride. We prefer to use brine as a general term. The emulsified calcium chloride [CaCl2] solution (or any other saline phase) in an oil mud is referred to as "brine" or "brine phase." The oil/brine

ratio, abbreviated OBR, is used to compare solids content and salinities of oil muds. Clear brines are salt solutions that have few or no suspended solids. Synonyms: clear brine See: balanced-activity oil mud, bromide brine, calcium bromide, calcium carbonate, calcium chloride, carboxymethyl hydroxyethylcellulose, cesium acetate, drill-in fluid, formate, guar gum, hydrometer, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl starch, PVT, synthetic/brine ratio, undersaturated fluid 4. n . [Well Completions] A water-based solution of inorganic salts used as a well-control fluid during the completion and workover phases of well operations. Brines are solids free, containing no particles that might plug or damage a producing formation. In addition, the salts in brine can inhibit undesirable formation reactions such as clay swelling. Brines are typically formulated and prepared for specific conditions, with a range of salts available to achieve densities ranging from 8.4 to over 20 lbm/gal (ppg) [1.0 to 2.4 g/cmo]. Common salts used in the preparation of simple brine systems include sodium chloride, calcium chloride and potassium chloride. More complex brine systems may contain zinc, bromide or iodine salts. These brines are generally corrosive and costly. See: producing formation 5. n . [Production Facilities] Water containing salts in solution, such as sodium, calcium or bromides. Brine is commonly produced along with oil. The disposal of oilfield brine is usually accomplished by underground injection into salt-water saturated formations or by evaporation in surface pits.

BTU Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] Abbreviation for British thermal unit.

blanket gas Espaol | English

1. n . [Production Facilities] A gas phase maintained above a liquid in a vessel to protect the liquid against air contamination, to reduce the hazard of detonation or to pressurize the liquid. The gas source is located outside the vessel.

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