Petroleum Engineering Concepts

A collection of essential terms and definitions related to petroleum engineering concepts for review and exam preparation.

Negative Skin Value

Indicates an improvement over pure radial (Darcy) flow.

High Gamma Ray

Indicates the presence of radioactive sand (K+ presence) in a sandstone formation.

Archie's Law

Used for resistivity log interpretation.

Pressure Drawdown

The difference between reservoir pressure and flowing wellbore pressure driving fluids into the wellbore.

Two-Phase Flow Correlation

Hagedorn and Brown developed this for vertical, upward flow.

Seal Bore Packer

Type of packer used when tubing movement is allowed during well life.

Deep Penetrating Charges

Type of perforation that reduces breakdown pressure.

D F I T

Stands for Diagnostic Fracture Injection Test.

Hydrostatic Pressure

The parameter by which surface and bottomhole pressure differ under static conditions.

Hydraulic Fracturing

Process using high-pressure liquids to create fractures in rocks.

Capillary Pressure

Pressure difference between wetting and non-wetting phases.

Well Barrier

Envelops of well barrier elements preventing unintended fluid flow.

Material Balance Equation

Accounting for fluid volumes in a reservoir during depletion.

EOR

Enhanced Oil Recovery, methods used to increase oil production.

API Grades

Markings on steel indicating chemical composition and yield stress.

Slug Flow

Alternate arrival of liquid and gas at a point in the production system.

SPE Committee

Diversity and Inclusion Committee, promoting gender diversity.

Seismic Waves

Three main types: shear, compressional, and Stoneley waves.