The industry standard method of expressing specific gravity of crude oils. Higher API gravities mean lower specific gravity and lighter oils.
ASTM
American Society for Testing Materials. Grade and quality specifications for petroleum products are determined by ASTM test methods.
Abandon
(1) The proper plugging and abandoning of a well in compliance with all applicable regulations, and the cleaning up of the wellsite to the satisfaction of any governmental body having jurisdiction with respect thereto and to the reasonable satisfaction of the operator.(2) To cease efforts to find or produce from a well or field.(3) To plug a well completion and salvage material and equipment.
Abatement
(1) The act or process of reducing the intensity of pollution.(2) The use of some method of abating pollution.
Abel tester
A closed-cup flash tester for kerosene and other oils
Absolute pressure
Total pressure equal to gauge pressure plus 14.7 lbs./sq. in at sea level
Acid stimulation
Form of hydrochloric acid is pumped down well hole to enlarge pore space in oil bearing rocks to increase flow and recovery.
Acidity
The presence of acid-type constituents whose concentration is usually defined in terms of neutralization number. The constituents vary in nature and may or may not markedly influence the behavior of the oil. (see neutralization number)
Acoustic log
Record of time taken by a sound wave to travel over a certain distance through geological formations
Air injection
An enhanced recovery technique in which air is injected into hydrocarbon formation to increase reservoir pressure.
Air-Fuel Ratio
The ratio of air weight to fuel wight consumed in an internal combustion engine or furnace.
Aliphatic
A class of saturated or unsaturated carbon compounds, in which the carbon atoms are joined in open chains.
American Petroleum Institute (API)
The American Petroleum Institute is the primary trade association representing the oil and natural gas industry in the United States.
Aniline Point
The aniline point of a petroleum product is the minimum equilibrium solution temperature with an equal volume of freshly distilled aniline.
Annulus
The space between: (1) The casing and the wall of the borehole.(2) Two strings of casing.(3) Tubing and casing.
Api County Code
An indicator developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API) to identify areas such as counties and other subdivision areas identified within state boundaries. Defined by API Bulletin D12A, as amended. This code becomes a part of the API Well Number.
Api State Code
The indicator assigned to a state, as defined in API Bulletin D12A, as amended. This code is a part of the API Well Number (The Api State Code for Colorado is 05).
Api Well Number
A well identifier assigned as defined in API (American Petroleum Institute) Bulletin D12A, as amended. The API Well Numbers are assigned by the appropriate state or federal regulatory agency.
Appraisal Well
A well drilled as part of an appraisal drilling program which is carried out to determine the physical extent, reserves and likely production rate of a field.
