M
Macaroni String
A string of tubing of very small diameter.
Machinery Area
The location of equipment incorporating rotating or reciprocating mechanical equipment; e.g., internal combustion engines; gas turbines; electric motors; generators; pumps; compressors.
Magnetic Declination
The angular difference, east or west, at any geographical location, between true north or grid north and magnetic north.
Magnetic Field Flag
An indicator of whether or not a device which indicates the direction and strength of a magnetic field is present. Also referred to as a penetrameter.
Magnetic Force
The physical force experienced by a magnetic substance when placed in a magnetic field.
Magnetic Inclination
The angle between a magnetic line's direction and the horizontal.
Magnetic North
The direction from any geographical location on the earth's surface to the north magnetic pole.
Magnetic Permeability
The ease with which a material can become magnetized.
Magnetic Permeability Value
The ratio of flux density produced to magnetizing force.
Magnetic Susceptibility
A material property which is the ratio of induced magnetization to the strength of the magnetic field causing the magnetization.
Magneto
A machine which generates the current for the ignition in internal combustion engines and which receives its driving force from the operation of the engine.
Magnetometer
A device for measuring the strength of magnets or magnetic fields. Also referred to as: Gaussmeter.
Mailing Address
The street or post office address.
Mailing Clause Identifier
Identifies properties, maintained by the payment of delay rentals, where the lease instrument stipulates a payment mailed on the rental due date is sufficient to constitute a valid payment. Instruments silent with regard to mailing of the checks are also identified; i.e., no mailing clause in lease; not appropriate; lease has mailing clause.
Main Deck
The uppermost deck on the structure.
Main Line
A large diameter pipeline into which smaller lines connect. Usually a line that runs from an oil producing area to a refinery.
Major Cone
An imaginary cone that passes over the crest of the external thread and the root of internal thread.
Major Construction
Construction, installation, or expansion of fixed assets, excluding drilling and workover wells. Usually involves significant amounts of design work and indirect supervision.
Major Diameter
The crest diameter of the external thread and the root diameter of the internal thread; i.e., the largest diameter of the thread.
Major Lithology
The dominant lithology type of a formation, rock sample, zone or other rock related entity; e.g., arkose; dolomite; sand.
Major Structural Revision
A change to the structure which reduces the load carrying capability of any structural component or for which a revised load chart has been established.
Major Type Work Performed
The primary action that will be taken on the well during the course of the repair.
Make Tank
A tank in which a product ("Make") is stored.
Make- Up Gas
The volume of gas, taken by a purchaser, which has previously been paid for by means of a deficiency payment in a prior period. Gas delivered to a gas pipeline company or purchaser to replace gas volume reductions occasioned by the processing of gas belonging to the gas pipeline company or purchaser.
Make-up
To screw together, as drill pipe or a string of tools.
Male Connection
A connection with the threads or prongs on the outside.
Malfunction
Any condition of a device or piece of equipment that causes it to operate improperly, but does not prevent the performance of its design function.
Man Rack
A portable doghouse or cab mounted on a flatbed truck for transporting workers to and from a job.
Man Riding Winch
The designation for a type of winch used offshore for man riding applications; e.g., diving bells; divers' baskets; bird cages. The winches have a built in safety factor with special steel cable and dual braking systems.
Mandrel
A shaft, line or piece of tubular goods on which a working tool is mounted.
Manhole
A hole in the side of a tank or other vessel through which a man can enter. The hole is covered by a plate bolted in place with a gasket when the tank or vessel is in use. The hole can be used to clean out residue or other material build up or to make repairs to the interior of the tank or vessel.
Manifold
An area where pipelines entering and leaving a pumping station or tank farm converge and that contains all valves for controlling the incoming and outgoing stream.
Manifold Header
The gathering point where lines merge to one line.
Manometer
A continuous, borehole pressure measuring device used in some production logging tools.
Manufacturer
A term denoting individuals or companies who make or process equipment, material and/or software.
Map Locator Description
The legal description of a land property; e.g., township; range.
Map Projection
A scheme for displaying the Earth's curved surface on a plane surface. The relation between the spheroid coordinate system and planar coordinate system. Often given common names; e.g., Transverse Mercator; Lambert Conic Conformal.
Map Quadrangle Name
The name of a map quadrangle or, in Texas, a special map survey.
Map Quadrangle Type Code
The map quandrangle type; e.g., 7.5 or 15 minute area.
Map Scale
The ratio of the distance between two points shown on a map and the actual distance between the points on the earth's surface. Scale is commonly expressed as a representative fraction (r.f.) such as 1/1000.
Margin Money
Funds kept in an account as collateral against futures or derivative market losses. Earnest money that must be escrowed to open and maintain a financial market position.
Marginal Well
SEE: Stripper Well.
Marine Cable
(1) In offshore seismic acquisition, a marine cable incorporates pressure hydrophones, position sensors, and or equipment to control cable depth. The entire cable may be 3 to 6 km long. Also called a streamer.(2) SEE: Shipboard Cable.
Marine Riser System
The pipework that is designed to close the fluid system loop between the subsea blowout preventer (BOP) and the fixed flowlines of a rig. It also includes separate high pressure choke and kill lines to allow pressure kicks to be handled. Buoyancy devices may be attached as local conditions dictate.
Marker Well
Under the Natural Gas Policy Act (NGPA), 1978, as amended, any well from which natural gas was produced in commercial quantities at any time after January 1, 1970 and before April 20, 1977. Also, a well that qualifiies as a new well because its depth was increased after February 19, 1977 to at least 1,000 feet below the deepest completion location before February 19, 1977, and whose production began in commercial quantities before April 20, 1977, will qualify as a marker well.
Market Order
A request to purchase or sell securities, options, or futures in which the financial service provider is instructed to execute the transaction at the current market price. Buy/sell at whatever the market (floor price) is.
Market Out
Provision in gas contracts which provides for release of certain wells or acreage dedication when a price for such gas is considered economically unacceptable to either buyer or seller, or allows the buyer and seller to redetermine price in light of economic conditions.
Market Type
Indicates whether the gas delivered under the contract is for resale in the same state (intra) or in a different state (inter) from where it is produced. This is the contract requirement. What actually takes place could vary.
Marketer
A buyer and seller of natural gas. Also known as broker.
Marketing Agreement
A statement of the terms and conditions comprising a formal and legally binding agreement between two parties for the supply and receipt of specified quantities of products over specified periods of time. This agreement may be for compensation, or in kind, or both.
Marketing Cost Amount
The cost incurred in making gas merchantable, such as compression, dehydration or treating, and the cost of transporting gas to the point of delivery to the purchaser. Also called handling cost.
Marking
Refers to the assorted marks on tubular products, and includes inspection markings made with paint sticks and stencils, and ballpoint paint tubes.
Marsh Buggy
A tractor like vehicle whose wheels are fitted with extra large rubber tires for use in swamps.
Marsh Funnel
A calibrated funnel commonly used in field tests to determine the viscosity of drilling mud.
Marsh Funnel Viscosity
Commonly called the funnel viscosity. The Marsh funnel viscosity is reported as the number of seconds required for a given fluid to flow 1 qt through the Marsh funnel. In some areas the efflux quantity is 1,000 cc.
Mass
The property of a body that is a measure of its inertia, that is commonly taken as a measure of the amount of material it contains, and causes it to have weight in a gravitational field.
Mass Flow Meter
Provide measurement of fluid volume and fluid density through the same meter.
Mast
A long pole or tube rising in an almost vertical direction to support some member of a drilling or hoisting machine.
Mast Set Up Distance
The distance from the borehole axis at the wellbore orgin to a designated point on the mast structure defined by a manufacturer to assist in the setup of the rig.
Master Clutch
Disengages prime mover from all motions of the crane.
Master Coupling Link
An alloy steel welded coupling link used as an intermediate link to join alloy steel chain to master links.
Master Link Or Gathering Ring
Is a forged or welded steel link used to support all members (legs) of an alloy steel chain sling or wire rope sling.
Master Terminal Computer
An electronic equipment package used in a supervisory capacity over a network of remote units.
Master Valve
A large valve used to shut in a wellbore or well completion.
Material
Personal property, equipment, and/or supplies acquired or held for use.
Material Balance
(1) In reservoir engineering, a volumetric balance which states that since the volume of a reservoir is constant, the algebraic sum of the volume changes of the oil, free gas, and water volumes must be zero.(2) A mass balance in which all materials entering an area under study are equated to all materials leaving an area. Used as a tool in determining quantity of an unknown stream, verifying metered streams, etc.
Material Noise
In ultrasonic testing, extraneous signals caused by the structure of the material being tested.
Material To Surface Rate
The amount of material that surfaced in a specified or unspecified time during a drillstem test.
Material To Surface Time
The measured time that it took for the materials to travel to the surface during a drillstem test.
Material To Surface Type
Material that comes to the surface and flows during a formation test (drillstem test); e.g., condensate; gas; mud; oil; water; drilling fluid.
Matrix
The finer grained material (noncement) within the pore spaces of a rock.
Matrix Density Used To Compute Porosity
Matrix density assumed for porosity computations.
Matrix Treatment
History of any treatments done on a well completion to restore or improve the flow performance of the near borehole reservoir rock, including treatments designed to clean the completion tubular goods. Materials used include acid, solvent, and surfactant treatments.
Matrix Treatment Type
The type of treatment performed on a borehole or well completion; e.g., mud acid; HCl; surfactant.
Matrix Used To Compute Porosity
Matrix rock type assumed in porosity computation.
Matting
Material (wood, steel, concrete, etc.) used for support.
Maturation Level
The level of maturation for the measured vitrinite reflectance.
Mature Field
Oil or gas property with a long reserve life and low activity.
Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure
The highest operating pressure allowable at any point in a system/vessel during normal flow or static conditions. Also referred to as MAOP.
Maximum Allowable Working Pressure
The highest operating pressure allowable at any point in any component other than a pipeline during normal operation or static conditions.
Maximum Anticipated Surface Pressure Measurement
The maximum pressure expected at the surface during workover/drilling operations.
Maximum Approved Injection Rate
The maximum approved injection rate for an injection well.
Maximum Blowout Preventer Rated Pressure Measurement The Api Maximum Blowout Preventer Pressure Rating.
Maximum Co2 Content
The maximum carbon dioxide content permitted in gas delivered under a contract. Normally measured and expressed in mol percent by volume of carbon dioxide.
Maximum Efficient Rate
The highest rate at which a well completion or reservoir may be produced without causing physical waste in the reservoir. Also referred to as: MER.
Maximum Fuel Consumption
The maximum percentage of the processed gas which can be used for plant fuel.
Maximum H2o Content
The maximum water vapor content permitted in gas delivered under a gas contract.
Maximum Hydrogen Sulfide Content
The maximum hydrogen sulfide content permitted in gas delivered under a gas contract.
Maximum Injection Pressure Measurement
1. The maximum approved operating pressure for an injection well. 2. The maximum surface pressure at which a formation takes fluid.
Maximum Injection Rate
The highest quantity per unit measured that is injected into a formation or through perforations during a particular job.
Maximum Operating Temperature
The highest operating temperature allowable at any point in a system/vessel during normal flow or static conditions.
Maximum Overhead Limit
A monetary amount stated in an operating agreement which limits the total amount of overhead that can be charged by the operator to a joint interest account.
Maximum Permeability
Absolute permeability measured horizontally on a conventional core sample in the direction of maximum permeability.
Maximum Pressure
The greatest amount of force applied per unit area to inject a substance into a formation or through perforations during a particular job.
Maximum Production Rate Current Date
The date the current maximum production rate (MPR) becomes effective for a well completion.
Maximum Production Rate Product Code
Indicates whether the current maximum production rate (MPR) product is oil or gas.
Maximum Reading Thermometer
A mercury filled thermometer with a constriction in the capillary tube which registers the maximum temperature attained.
Maximum Recorded Temperature
The highest temperature measured in the borehole during logging.
Maximum Residue Deduction Charge
Maximum amount deducted from a residue price for the sum of the compression, transportation, treating, and dehydration deductions.
Maximum Shear Stress Theory
Failure theory defined by the following equation: u1 - u2 = Fy where u1 is the maximum principal stress and u2 is the minimum principal stress, with tension positive and compression negative.
Maximum Stripper Rate Volume
The volume of oil produced by a well completion efficiently producing less than ten barrels per day.
Maximum Wellhead Rated Pressure Measurement
The minimum acceptable pressure for which the wellhead is rated.
Md
SEE: Measured Depth.
Mea
SEE: Monoethanolamine.
Mean Effective Pressure Measurement
The average pressure that exists in an engine power cylinder during operation. Commonly abbreviated as MEP.
Measured Depth
Depth into a wellbore measured along a wellbore path from the wellbore path datum to a wellbore point. Commonly abbreviated as: MD. All measured depth values are recorded relative to a wellbore path and its datum and basis.
Measured Depth Coordination System Axis
A coordinate system axis used to describe locations along a wellbore path in a well, typically used to describe measured depths. The wellbore path begins at the surface of the Earth, and extends into the Earth. The orientation of the path is positive in the direction that was initially toward the center of the Earth (downward).
Measured Depth True Vertical Depth Code
An indicator for the depth measurement value as to whether it is a measured depth or true vertical depth value.
Measurement Allocation
The assignment of a total measured quantity of gas at a point to the various contracts active at that point during a specific period of time.
Measurement Point
Point where measurements are gathered and/or quantified. Measurements may be implied or real.
Measurement While Drilling
A wireless system for making downhole measurements of azimuth, inclination, and tool orientation as well as rock properties such as natural radioactivity, resistivity and temperature. These measurements are made while drilling by sensors located close to the drill bit. Commonly abbreviated as: MWD.
Measuring Tank
A calibrated tank that automatically measures the volume of liquid run in and then released. Measuring tanks are used in Lease Automatic Custody Transfer (LACT) systems. Also referred to as metering tank or dump tank.
Mechanical Coupling Link
A nonwelded, mechanically closed steel link used to attach master links, hooks, etc., to alloy steel chain.
Mechanical Damage
SEE: Galling.
Mechanical Efficiency
The ratio of mechanical power output to mechanical power input, usually expressed as a percent.
Mechanical Integrity Test
The act of setting a packer or retrievable bridge plug above the perforations in a wellbore and applying pressure to the annulus in order to ensure soundness of the casing.
Mechanical Seal
A type of seal employed instead of packing to prevent leakage of fluid.
Mechanism
The working parts of a machine; or a system whose parts work together like those of a machine.
Media
Physical object used to exchange information. This includes magnetic tapes, disks, and storage chips. It is expected that this list will expand.
Media Bed
(1) A filter bed.(2) The filtering material through which a fluid gravitates or is pumped to remove impurities or suspended material. Filter beds can consist of sand, charcoal, walnut shells, or special clays.
Median Cut
The effectiveness of a device in separating solids particles from a specific liquid solids slurry under specified conditions expressed in the particle size that reports 50% to the overflow.
Median Lethal Concentration
A standard measure of toxicity. Indicates the concentration of a substance or test material that causes death to fifty percent (50%) of a population within a given time period.
Median Lethal Dose
The dose of a test material ingested or injected that kills fifty percent (50%) of a group of test organisms. Commonly abbreviated as LD50.
Medium Voltage Cable
Medium voltage solid dielectric insulated conductor or cable rated 2001 to 35,000 volts as defined by Article 326 of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Also referred to as MV Cable.
Megger Instrument
A device for measuring resistances. Used for determining coating insulation or electrolyte resistance.
Melt
(1) To convert a solid substance into the liquid state through a process of heating.(2) A quantity of metal melted at a single operation.
Membrane Stress
The in plane stress in the shell; e.g., longitudinal, circumferential; shear.
Meniscus
The curved upper surface of a liquid column, concave when the containing walls are wetted by the liquid and convex when not.
Mep
SEE: Mean Effective Pressure.
Mer
SEE: Maximum Efficient Rate; Most Efficient Rate.
Mer Waiver Flag
Indicates whether a waiver of maximum efficient rate (MER) reporting requirements have been granted for a sensitive reservoir.
Mercaptan
A compound chemically similar to alcohol with sulfur replacing oxygen in the chemical structure. Many mercaptans have an unpleasant odor and are used as odorants in natural gas.
Mercator Projection
The projection of a map onto a flat surface in which the meridians and latitudes appear to be at right angles, and the areas appear larger away from the equator.
Mercury Method
SEE: Borehole Survey Calculation Method (Refer to Mercury Method).
Meridian
The longitude from which ranges, azimuths or departures is measured.
Meridian Seeking Compass
A gyroscopic compass that has the capability to return itself to the meridian if moved away by some disturbing force.
Mesh
(1) The average openings (distance between parallel wires) both in the warp and shoot directions of a woven wire screen expressed as the number of openings per linear inch.(2) The number of openings (and fraction thereof) per linear inch in the screen, counting from the center of a wire.
Mesh Equivalent
As used in oilfield drilling applications; the US Sieve number which has the same opening as the minimum opening of the screen in question.
Metal Clad Cable
Metal clad cable as defined by Article 334 of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Also referred to as: MC Cable.
Metal Fold
Circumferential discontinuity produced when two surfaces of metal fold against each other without metallurgical bonding. This can occur when flash produced by one forging operation is pressed into the metal surface during a subsequent operation. Also referred to as: Cold Shut.
Metal Working Machine
Equipment used for threading, boring, or shaping metal.
Metallurgy
The art and science of extracting metals from their ores, refining them, and preparing them for use. Also includes the combining of metals into alloys.
Metamorphic Rock
Rock formed by alteration of a preexisting rock by intense heat and pressure.
Meter
A device designed to measure and record the volume or pressure of a fluid.
Meter Calibration Interval
The interval of time between meter calibrations required by contract.
Meter Chart
A circular chart which records the differential and static pressures.
Meter Difference
Difference in a volume determined from separate meters measuring the same gas stream, occasioned by the fact that gas volumes in field operations are not precisely determinable.
Meter Factor
A factor, specific to each liquids meter, determined by meter calibrations and used to adjust measured volume to net volume.
Meter Number
The number assigned to the meter on the project or lease from which the well's production is supplied and receives an allocation of that meter's volume.
Meter Pressure Measurement
The pressure recorded at the meter.
Meter Prover
A device used to calibrate an oil or gas meter and measure its accuracy.
Meter Prover Size
The diameter of the device used to calibrate an oil or gas meter.
Meter Prover Type
The type of device that is used to calibrate an oil or gas meter.
Meter Prover Volume
The volume of the tank used to calibrate an oil or gas meter.
Meter Prover Wall Thickness
The pipe wall thickness in the proving device used to calibrate an oil or gas meter.
Meter Run Flag
An indicator of whether test was by meter run.
Meter Run Length
An orifice meter installation designed such that the pipe on each side of the orifice plate is of sufficient length to permit uniform flow and representative measurements of the static and differential pressures.
Meter Run Tubes
Two segments of pipe precisely bored, cut to predetermined lengths, then assembled with the segment of greatest length upstream of the orifice fitting and the segment of lesser length downstream of the orfiice fitting.
Meter Skid Unit
A unit consisting of recorders, meter runs, and piping which is mounted on a skid.
Meter Spring Size
The size of the spring in a gas measurement meter.
Meter Type Code
An indicator of the meter type.
Metered Separately Flag
An indicator of whether production from a well is being metered separately.
Metering Point Identifier
The number assigned to a metering point by the regulatory agency.
Metering Separator
A vessel which measures liquid after separation of gas, usually by means of a positive volume chamber which dumps a measured volume of liquid each time the chamber is filled.
Methane
Light gaseous, flammable paraffin hydrocarbon and is the chief component of natural gas. Chemical formula: CH4.
Methane Show
The amount of methane present in the gas extracted from the drilling fluid sample and injected into the chromatograph. Alternatively, where a steam still is not used, this is the value of methane measured from the gas stream at the peak of the show.
Methyl Alkalinity Test
The method for determining the alkalinity present in water up to the methyl orange end point.
Methylene Blue Test
A measurement of the activity (equivalent concentration) of clay in the drilling fluid.
Microballoon
A foam blanket that floats on the liquid in a storage tank to reduce losses from evaporation. The blanket is composed of billions of hollow, ballonlike plastic spheres containing a sealed in gas (usually nitrogen). The spheres are almost microscopic in size. When poured in sufficient quantity on top of crude oil or refined products, they spread across the surface, forming a dense layer that is sufficient to reduce evaporation.
Microresistivity Log
A log of the resistivity of the flushed zone in the rocks surrounding the borehole, measured with electrodes on a pad pressed against the borehole wall; e.g., microlog; microlaterolog; microspherically focused log; proximity log.
Mid Baffle
In horizontal emulsion treaters a baffle or bulkhead may be located between the heating section and the coalescing section.
Migration
(1) The re-arrangement of seismic energy so that reflections are vertically plotted at their true locations.(2) The reintepretation of a plan view map so that events are properly located directly below the surface.(3) The movement of oil from the area in which it was formed to another location.
Mill
A downhole tool having a rough, sharp and extremely hard cutting head for removing metal by grinding or cutting. Mills are run on drill pipe or tubing and are used for such purposes as grinding up debris in the wellbore, removing sections of casing for sidetracking and reaming out tight spots in the casing. They are also called junk mills, reaming mills, etc., according to the use for which they were designed.
Mill End
The pipe end having the coupling or box.
Mill Grind
An area of the pipe surface removed by grinding during the manufacturing process.
Mill Scale
An oxide of iron which forms on the surface of hot steel.
Mineral
Scientifically, a chemical element or compound occuring naturally as a product of inorganic processes. This has been broadened in the petroleum industry to include hydrocarbon products of organic processes; e.g., coal; oil; gas.
Mineral Acres
Acreage on which ownership of the minerals in place has not been divided into royalty and working interests.
Mineral Insulated Cable
Mineral insulated metal sheathed cable as defined by Article 330 of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Also referred to as: MI Cable.
Mineral Interest
The percent ownership of the mineral interest without regard to the ownership of the surface.
Mineral Right
The right of ownership of gas, oil, and other minerals beneath the surface of the earth, conveyed by deed.
Mineralogy
The branch of geology dealing with minerals, their formation, occurence, properties, composition and classification.
Minerals Management Service
Minerals Management Service (MMS) of the Department of the Interior. A regulatory agency; a collector of lease rental fees and royalties from Indian Lands; Federal lands, both onshore and offshore. Also, conducts sealed bid lease offerings for minerals, both onshore and offshore.
Minimum Curvature Method
SEE: Borehole Survey Calculation Method.
Minimum Injection Rate
The lowest quantity per unit measured that is injected into a formation or through perforations during a particular job.
Minimum Payment Flag
An indicator of whether a minimum payment obligation exists.
Minimum Price Adjustment Frequency
Frequency at which the minimum price is adjusted. The adjustment is dependent upon the minimum price adjustment rate.
Minimum Price Adjustment Rate
The rate of periodic adjustment of the minimum price as specified by contract. This adjustment is dependent upon the minimum price adjustment frequency.
Minimum Residue Btu
The minimum British thermal unit (BTU) required in the residue gas after processing under a gas processing agreement.
Minimum Royalty Payment
A payment to be made regardless of production. Such payment is to be chargeable against future production, if any, accruing to the royalty interest.
Minimum Royalty Payor Flag
Indicates the party who completed the form will be responsible for the payment of any minimum royalty deficiencies.
Minor Cone
An imaginary cone that passes over the root of the external threads and the crest of internal threads.
Minor Diameter
The root diameter of the external thread and the crest diameter of the internal thread; i.e, the smallest diameter of the thread.
Minor Type Work Performed
The secondary action(s) that will also be taken on the well during the course of the repair.
Miscible Displacement
SEE: Miscible Flood.
Miscible Flood
An oil recovery process which involves the injection into a reservoir of fluids that will mix with the native reservoir fluids to displace oil that would not be recovered with natural reservoir energy. The injected substance can be dry gas, enriched gas, liquefied petroleum gases, or, in some cases, nonhydrocarbon fluids. Also referred to as: Miscible Displacement.
Miscible Hydrocarbon Injection
Miscible hydrocarbon injected into a formation to maintain or restore reservoir pressure to enhance ultimate recovery of hydrocarbons.
Misrun
The failure of operations; e.g., perforations; log run; drillstem test.
Missing Section
A portion of the rock column missing during drilling or surface transect. Missing sections are encountered across normal faults and unconformities, but they can also be encountered in severly deformed rocks without faults. Also referred to as: Lost Section.
Mist Extractor
A finely woven pad usually of stainless steel placed in scrubbers, towers, and other process vessels for the removal of entrained liquids in the vapor stream.
Mixer, Pilot, Burner
Mechanical device located in the arrestor housing and breeching which mix the fuel and air and control burning and flame position.
Mms
SEE: Minerals Management Service.
Mms Inspection Enforcement Code
The designator of an enforcement action taken by a regulatory inspector of an offshore pipeline, platform, drilling rig, or other site in the event of an Incident of Noncompliance (INC). Each Potential Incident of Noncompliance (PINC) has one or more possible enforcement actions associated with it based upon the severity of the infraction and the magnitude of the safety hazard involved.
Mms Lease
A legal document authorized by and approved by the Minerals Management Service (MMS), for onshore properties, offshore properties, or for Indian Tribal Properties. The lease conveys certain rights to a lessee to explore for and to recover specified minerals or materials.
Mms Lease Number
A number assigned by the Minerals Management Service (MMS) to a lease instrument on Federal (either onshore or offshore) or Indian property.
Mobile
Capable of moving or being moved from one place to another.
Mobile Platform
A self contained, offshore drilling platform with the means for self propulsion. Some of the larger semisubmersible drilling platforms are capable of moving in the open sea at five to seven knots.
Mobile Production Units
More or less temporary production units offshore that serve as oil and gas processing stations with oil storage and loading facilities.
Mobilization And Demobilization Cost
Costs incurred from time to time to move in, arrange for, and assemble a drilling unit or other vessels, personnel, equipment, materials, services, and supplies, including without limitation, inspection and certification costs of the drilling unit or other vessels, and the cost in returning same.
Modified Schmidt Diagram
A plot of dipmeter information on polar chart paper where 0 degrees dip is represented on the circumference and 90 degrees at the center. Dips close to the structure form a group near the circumference. The center of this group represents the structural dip.
Module
An assembly that is functional as a unit and can be joined with other units to increase the functionality.
Modulus Of Elasticity
The degree to which a solid body undergoes elastic deformation under stress.
Moisture Analyzer
A device to monitor the presence of moisture in the inlet stream to a cryogenic plant by means of an electronic probe and a recorder.
Molar Solution
A solution containing one gram mol of solute in one liter of total solution. Mistakenly referred to as: Molal Solution.
Mole
That quantity of any substance whose weight in pounds, grams, or other units is numerically equal to its molecular weight. Also referred to as Mol.
Molecular Adjustment Method
The method to use in determining the residue molecular percent. This is used in the theoretical residue calculations.
Molecular Sieve
A bed of desiccant material that absorbs water from a refinery or hydrocarbon recovery unit's feedstock. The material is in layers in a bed and the feedstock is passed through the material which absorbs the water.
Molecular Weight
The sum of the atomic weights of all the constituent atoms in the molecule of an element or compound.
Molecule
The smallest particle of any substance that can exist free and still exhibit all the properties of the original substance.
Moment
The product of quantity (as a force) and a distance to a given point or axis.
Moment Controlling Device
Devices such as ball joints or elastomeric joints used to reduce bending stresses induced by relative angular movements at the ends of the riser. When curvature control is necessary, tapered joints may also be used.
Monkey Board
Platform on which the derrickman works during the time a trip is being made.
Monocline
A local steepening in an otherwise uniform gentle dip.
Monoethanolamine
An organic base used in an amine unit to remove hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide from a gas stream.
Monte Carlo Simulation
A mathematical model of a process in which variables cannot be fixed to single values but are represented by probability distributions. A sample value of each variable is randomly selected and answers are calculated. The process is repeated many times to derive a probability distribution of answers.
Monthly Allowable Volume
The permissible amount, as assigned by a regulatory agency, that the entity can produce during a month of the identified product involved; e.g., oil; gas.
Monthly Disposition Volume
The monthly movement (disposition) volume of oil, gas or condensate which has been produced.
Monthly Downtime
SEE: Downtime.
Monthly Gas Disposition Volume
The gas quantity relating to a specific method of disposition of lease or unit production in a given month.
Monthly Gas Production Volume
The quantity of gas well gas or solution gas that was produced from a property/well/reservoir during the month indicated.
Monthly Oil /condensate Disposition Volume
The monthly movement (disposition) volume of oil/condensate relating to a specific method of disposition of lease or unit production in a given month.
Monthly Oil Production Volume
The amount of oil or condensate that was produced from a property/well/reservoir during the month indicated.
Monthly Production Volume
The quantity of a product (oil, gas, water, etc.) produced and reported during a calendar month.
Monthly Water Disposition Volume
The water volume relating to a specific method of disposition of lease or unit production in a given month.
Monthly Water Production Volume
The amount of water that was produced from a property/well/reservoir during the month indicated.
Monthly Well Injection Volume
The volume of substance injected into the well during the month for the identified cycle phase. This may be an input volume or an allocated volume.
Montmorillonite
A clay mineral commonly used as an additive to drilling fluids and cements. Sodium montmorillonite is the main constituent in bentonite.
Moonpool
The opening in a drillship through which drilling operations are conducted.
Mosquito Bill
A tube mounted at the bottom of a sucker rod pump and inside a gas anchor to provide a conduit for well fluids into the pump.
Most Efficient Rate
The highest rate at which a reservoir can be produced without either reservoir or surface physical waste; i.e., a reservoir may be produced at the maximum efficient rate, but at such a rate, gas production will be in excess of the capacity of facilities in the field to handle the gas, so a lower or most efficient rate is set up for the reservoir to avoid surface waste of valuable hydrocarbons in the form of flared gas.
Mouse Hole
A hole drilled under the derrick floor and temporarily cased in which a length of drill pipe is temporarily suspended for later connection to the drillstring.
Movable Oil Plot
A computed log, based on several logging operations, prepared for the purpose of determining the presence and quantity of movable hydrocarbon (usually oil) at different parts of a formation.
Moveout
The difference in arrival time of a reflection event at different source receiver distances.
Mud
SEE: Drilling Fluid.
Mud Additive
SEE: Drilling Fluid Additive.
Mud Analysis
SEE: Drilling Fluid Analysis.
Mud Annular Velocity
SEE: Drilling Fluid Annular Velocity.
Mud Balance
SEE: Drilling Fluid Balance.
Mud Cake
SEE: Drilling Fluid Cake.
Mud Cake Resistivity
SEE: Drilling Fluid Cake Resistivity.
Mud Cake Temperature
SEE: Drilling Fluid Cake Temperature.
Mud Cake Thickness
SEE: Drilling Fluid Cake Thickness.
Mud Conditioning Equipment
SEE: Drilling Fluid Conditioning Equipment.
Mud Density
SEE: Drilling Fluid Density.
Mud Filtrate Resistivity
SEE: Drilling Fluid Filtrate Resistivity.
Mud Filtrate Temperature
SEE: Drilling Fluid Filtrate Temperature.
Mud Fluid Loss
SEE: Drilling Fluid Loss.
Mud House
A structure at the rig to store and shelter sacked materials used in drilling fluids.
Mud Log Received Date
The date the drilling fluid (mud) log(s) was/were received.
Mud Logging
SEE: Drilling Fluid Logging.
Mud Motor
A downstring motor at the end of the bottomhole assembly whose power source is the drilling fluid.
Mud Ph
SEE: Drilling Fluid pH.
Mud Pit
Earthen or steel storage facilities for the surface drilling fluid system. Mud pits which vary in volume and number are of two types: circulating and reserve. Drilling fluid testing and conditioning is normally done in the circulating pit system.
Mud Plan
SEE: Drilling Fluid Plan; Mud Program.
Mud Program
A proposed or followed plan or procedure for the type(s) and properties of drilling fluid(s) used in drilling a well with respect to depth. Some factors that influence the mud program are the casing program and rock characteristics, such as type, competence, solubility, temperature, pressure, etc.
Mud Pump
SEE: Drilling Fluid Pump.
Mud Raw
Mud to be processed by solids removal equipment, before dilution.
Mud Resistivity
SEE: Drilling Fluid Resistivity.
Mud Resistivity Temperature
SEE: Drilling Fluid Resistivity Temperature.
Mud Salinity
SEE: Drilling Fluid Salinity.
Mud Scale
SEE: Drilling Fluid Balance.
Mud Screen
SEE: Shale Shaker.
Mud Still
An instrument used to distill oil, water, and other volatile material in a drilling fluid to determine oil, water, and total solids contents in volume percent.
Mud Tank Volume
SEE: Drilling Fluid Tank Volume.
Mud Temperature
SEE: Drilling Fluid Temperature.
Mud Type
SEE: Drilling Fluid Type.
Mud Viscosity
SEE: Drilling Fluid Viscosity.
Mud Weight
SEE: Drilling Fluid Weight.
Mud Yield Point
SEE: Drilling Fluid Yield Point.
Mudding Off
Commonly thought of as reduced productivity caused by the penetrating, sealing, or plastering effect of a drilling fluid.
Mule Head
(1) The curved device on the end of a walking beam of an oil well pumping unit.(2) A horse head.
Mule Shoe
A shaped form used on the bottom of orienting tools to position the tool. The shape resembles a mule shoe or that of the end of a pipe cut both diagonally and concave. The shaped end forms a wedge to rotate the tool when lowered into a mating seat for the mule shoe.
Multibuoy Mooring System
A tanker loading facility with multiple mooring buoys to which the vessels are moored as they take on cargo or bunkers from submerged hoses that are lifted from the seabottom.
Multiple Back Reflection
A repetitive echo from the far boundary of the material being examined.
Multiple Drilling
The drilling of one or more sidetracks within the same wellbore to to reach two or more reservoirs, or to drain one reservoir at widely separated points.
Multiple Lease Recovery Code
An indication of whether an overpayment will be recovered from the original lease affected or also from additional leases. Indications are: Recover from the original lease only; Recover from additional leases specified; Recover from all leases the owner has an interest in except Louisiana leases.
Multiple Well Completion
A wellbore with completions in more than one zone.
Multiple Well Completion Code
Indicates whether the well will be completed as a single or multiple producer or injector.
Multiple Zone Order Number
A number identifying an order or authorization by a regulatory agency permitting a well to produce from more than one common source of supply with such common sources of supply completely segregated.
Multistage Tool
SEE: DV Tool
Multiyear Floe
An ice floe that has survived one or more melt seasons. The floe may contain an embedded ridge having a weathered, rounded, consolidated sail and a relatively solid keel, approximately 3 to 4 times the sail height.
Multiyear Ice
Sea ice that has survived one or more melt seasons.
Multiyear Ridge
An ice ridge that has survived one or more summer melt seasons.
Mute
The concept of treating specific samples of a seismic trace as being zero. Used to remove refracted energy and other unwanted energy from seismic traces.
Mwd
SEE: Measurement While Drilling.
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