Abandon

To cease producing oil and gas from a well when it becomes unprofitable. A wildcat well may be abandoned after it has proven nonproductive. Several steps are involved in abandoning a well: part of the casing is removed and salvaged; one or more cement plugs are placed in the borehole to prevent migration of fluids between the different formations penetrated by the borehole; and the well is abandoned. In many states, it is necessary to secure permission from official agencies before a well may be abandoned.

Absolute permeability

A measure of the ability of a single fluid (such as water, gas or oil) to flow' through a rock formation when the formation is totally filled (saturated) with the single fluid. The permeability measure of a rock filled with a: single fluid is different from the permeability measure of the same rock filled with two or more fluids. Compare effective permeability.

Absorber

A contacting tower in which natural gas is brought into intimate contact with lean glycol. The glycol absorbs most of the water from the gas.

Absorption of gases

The solution of gases in liquids. Sometimes also applied to the absorption of gases by liquids.

Absorption plant

An oil field facility that, applying the absorption principle, removes water and liquid hydrocarbons from natural gas.

Accommodation platform/rig

A platform or semi-submersible rig that has been specially built or adapted to act as a "hotel" for offshore personnel.

Accumulator

A vessel for temporary storage of a gas or liquid; usually used to ensure continuous operation.

Acid

A substance which forms hydrogen ions in solution which may be replaced by a metal to form salts. Acids are usually sour, corrosive and turn blue litmus red.

Acid fracture

To part or open fractures in productive, hard limestone formations by using a combination of oil and acid, or water and acid, under high pressure. See formation fracturing

Acid gas

Contains about 90 per cent of carbon dioxide (CO2), some water vapour, and minute amount of hydrocarbon. In the onshore treatment plant, acid gas accumulates in the sulfinol unit (there is one unit on each LNG train), then it is vented to the atmosphere.

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