WELL COMPLETIONS

Area open to flow : The calculated flow area provided by perforations across a
specific zone of interest. The resulting value is used to calculate pressure drops
and fluid-flow performance.

Blast joint : A section of heavy walled tubing that is placed across any perforated
interval through which the production tubing must pass, such as may be required
in multiple zone completions. In addition to being heavier than normal completion
components, the wall of a blast joint is often treated to resist the jetting action
that may result in the proximity of the perforations.

Blasting cap : detonator

Bridge plug : A downhole tool that is located and set to isolate the lower part of
the wellbore. Bridge plugs may be permanent or retrievable, enabling the lower
wellbore to be permanently sealed from production or temporarily isolated from a
treatment conducted on an upper zone.

Casing collar locator (CCL) : A downhole tool used to confirm or correlate

treatment depth using known reference points on the casing string. The casing
collar locator is an electric logging tool that detects the magnetic anomaly caused
by the relatively high mass of the casing collar. A signal is transmitted to surface
equipment that provides a screen display and printed log enabling the output to
be correlated with previous logs and known casing features such as pup joints
installed for correlation purposes.

Casing collar log : A log provided by a casing collar locator tool that generally
incorporates a gamma ray log to correlate the relative position of casing string
features, such as the location of a pup joint, with the reservoir or formation of
interest.

Crushed zone : The rubblized or damaged zone surrounding a perforation tunnel

where the action of the perforating charge or bullet has altered the formation
structure and permeability. Although it is generally damaging to production, the
severity or extent of the crushed zone depend greatly on the characteristics of the
formation, the perforating charge and the underbalance or overbalance conditions
at time of perforating. Measures to reduce the effect of the crushed zone include
underbalanced perforating in which the crushed zone and perforating debris are
flushed from the perforating tunnel by the reservoir fluid as soon as the
perforation is created. Where overbalanced perforating techniques are used, it
may be necessary to acidize the crushed zone to achieve maximum productivity
from the perforated interval.

Damaged zone : The area surrounding the wellbore that has been harmed by the
drilling process, generally as a result of mud or cement-filtrate invasion. Near-
wellbore damage can significantly affect productivity and is typically easier to
prevent than it is to cure. Although almost always present, a lightly damaged
zone around the wellbore can be bypassed by perforation tunnels to create

~ 1 ~
 connecting conduits from the wellbore to the undamaged reservoir formation.
More severe cases of damage may require a matrix-acidizing treatment to restore
the natural permeability, or a hydraulic fracturing treatment to create a new high-
conductivity flow path to the reservoir.

Detonator / blasting cap : A device containing primary high-explosive material

that is used to initiate an explosive sequence. The two common types of
detonators are electrical detonators (also known as blasting caps) and percussion
detonators. Electrical detonators have a fuse material that burns when high
voltage is applied to initiate the primary high explosive. Percussion detonators
contain abrasive grit and primary high explosive in a sealed container that is
activated by a firing pin. The impact force of the firing pin is sufficient to initiate
the ballistic sequence that is then transmitted to the detonating cord. Several
safety systems are used in conjunction with detonators to avoid accidental firing
during rig-up or rig-down. Safety systems also are used to disarm the gun or
ballistic assembly if downhole conditions are unsafe for firing.

Drop ball : A ball that is dropped or pumped through the wellbore tubulars to
activate a downhole tool or device. When the ball is located on a landing seat,
hydraulic pressure generally is applied to operate the tool mechanism.

Mechanical skin : The reduction in permeability in the near-wellbore area

resulting from mechanical factors such as the displacement of debris that plugs
the perforations or formation matrix. Such damage in the near-wellbore area can
have a significant effect on the productivity of a well.

Nitrogen cushion : A column of high-pressure nitrogen typically applied to a

tubing string in preparation for drillstem testing or perforating operations in which
the reservoir formation is to be opened to the tubing string. The nitrogen cushion
allows a precise pressure differential to be applied before opening flow from the
reservoir. Once flow begins, the nitrogen cushion pressure can be easily and
safely bled down to flow formation fluids under a high degree of control.

Perforating acid : An acid treatment placed in the wellbore over the interval to be
perforated. Because of the overbalance conditions at the time of perforating, the
perforating acid is forced into the newly formed perforation tunnel to stimulate
the crushed zone. Formulation of the perforating acid depends on the
characteristics of the formation and the downhole equipment used.

Perforating fluid : A specially prepared fluid placed in the wellbore over the
interval to be perforated. The ideal fluid is clean and solids-free (filtered), and will
not react to cause damaging by-products on contact with the reservoir formation.
Perforating in a dirty fluid may result in significant permeability damage that is
difficult to treat and remove.

Tubing puncher : A special perforating gun, or charge, that is designed for limited
penetration to allow an inner tubing or casing string to be perforated without
damaging a surrounding outer string. These guns often are used in remedial or

~ 2 ~
workover operations in which downhole communication devices, such as sliding
sleeves, cannot be opened to allow circulation of well-kill fluids.

~ 3 ~