Huruf N

1. N
n. [Formation Evaluation]
The exponent, n, in the relation of water saturation, Sw, to resistivity index, I (I = Sw-n) for a
sample of rock. It expresses the effect on the resistivity of desaturating the sample, or replacing
water with a non-conductive fluid. In petrophysically simple, water-wet rocks (Archie rocks), n is
constant for different values of Sw, and a single average n can be found for a particular reservoir
or formation. A typical value is 2. In more complex rocks, n changes with Sw, although often being
about 2 near Sw = 1. In rocks with conductive minerals, such as shaly sands, n becomes
increasingly lower as Sw is reduced. This change is negligible for high-salinity waters, but increases
as the salinity is reduced. In shaly-sand saturation equations, such as Waxman-Smits, dual water,
SGS and CRMM, n is the intrinsic n, determined with high-salinity water or with the clay effects
removed. The variation of I with Sw is then predicted, with varying success, by the different
equations. In carbonates with multiple pore types, such as fractures, vugs, interparticle porosity
and microporosity, n may change as each pore type is desaturated. A different n may be used for
a different range of Sw. In all cases, n increases if any pores are oil-wet. Values up to 8 have been
reported in very oil-wet rocks.
2. NACE
n. [General Terms]
NACE, or NACE International, is a worldwide professional organization committed to corrosion
prevention and control. NACE, founded in 1943, is headquartered in Houston, Texas, USA. Areas
of focus include oil and gas, water, transportation and infrastructure protection. The original
name was National Association of Corrosion Engineers—the source of its NACE acronym—
although the organization formally adopted NACE International—The Corrosion Society, in 1993.
Among its activities, the organization offers technical training and certification programs,
conducts regional and international conferences, publishes industry standards, reports,
publications and technical journals and assists in government relations activities. The NACE
Materials Requirements include the widely used MR0175, corrosion resistant materials for oil and
gas applications, and MR0103, sulfide stress cracking in corrosive environments
3. naphthene base crude oil
n. [Production Testing]
 Crude oil containing asphaltic materials but very little or no paraffin wax. This type of oil is suitable
for making gasoline, lubricating oil and asphalt. It is also called asphalt-base crude.
4. naphthenic hydrocarbon
n. [Drilling Fluids]
A type of organic compound of carbon and hydrogen that contains one or more saturated cyclic
(ring) structures, or contains such structures as a major portion of the molecule. The general
formula is CnH2n. Naphthenic compounds are sometimes called naphthenes, cycloparaffins or
hydrogenated benzenes. Naphtha is a refined petroleum fraction that contains a high percentage
of these types of hydrocarbons. In drilling fluids, particularly oil-base muds, the amounts and
types of hydrocarbons in the mud can be an important parameter in the overall performance of
the mud.
5. Narrow-azimuth seismic data
n. [Geophysics]
Conventional marine seismic data acquired using a single vessel to tow one or two seismic source
arrays in front of a receiver spread. The resulting angle between the source and receivers, is about
20°.
6. native clay
n. [Drilling Fluids]
Clays incorporated into a so-called native-solids mud when drilling shallow formations. Native
clays are undesirable in muds that are (or will be) weighted with barite. The viscosity of weighted
fluids can rise quickly with added native clays, making it difficult to control and pump the mud.
Better mud properties result when the drilled solids level, including the level of native clays, is
kept low.
7. native solids mud
n. [Drilling Fluids]
A mud in which the suspended solids are dispersed clays, sand, chert and other rock that
originated from formations being drilled. A spud mud is commonly a type of native-solids mud.
Native muds can be economically diluted with water and passed through banks of desilters and
desanders to keep solids down. No expensive weighting materials are being discarded and
replaced in such a process. At the depth that higher density is required, native mud is usually
totally or partially discarded and new mud is made using commercially prepared mud additives
and barite.
 Alternate Form: unweighted mud
8. native state core
n. [Formation Evaluation]
A core taken so as to preserve the in-situ water saturation of the rock. A native-state core is usually
drilled with oil-base mud or crude oil from the same reservoir.
9. native-solids mud
n. [Drilling Fluids]
A mud in which the suspended solids are dispersed clays, sand, chert and other rock that
originated from formations being drilled. A spud mud is commonly a type of native-solids mud.
Native muds can be economically diluted with water and passed through banks of desilters and
desanders to keep solids down. No expensive weighting materials are being discarded and
replaced in such a process. At the depth that higher density is required, native mud is usually
totally or partially discarded and new mud is made using commercially prepared mud additives
and barite.
Alternate Form: unweighted mud
10. natural completion
n. [Well Completions]
A completion system designed to utilize the natural flow capability of the reservoir.
11. natural fracture
n. [Shale Gas, Geology]
A crack or surface of breakage within rock not related to foliation or cleavage in metamorphic
rock along which there has been no movement. A fracture along which there has been
displacement is a fault. When walls of a fracture have moved only normal to each other, the
fracture is called a joint. Fractures can enhance permeability of rocks greatly by connecting pores
together, and for that reason, fractures are induced mechanically in some reservoirs in order to
boost hydrocarbon flow. Fractures may also be referred to as natural fractures to distinguish them
from fractures induced as part of a reservoir stimulation or drilling operation. In some shale
reservoirs, natural fractures improve production by enhancing effective permeability. In other
cases, natural fractures can complicate reservoir stimulation.
12. natural frequency
n. [Geophysics]
 The frequency of the normal, free oscillation or vibration of an entity or a system, such as the
vibration of a tuning fork when struck or the open string of a musical instrument when plucked.
A system oscillating at its natural frequency is said to resonate.
13. natural gamma ray spectroscopy
n. [Formation Evaluation]
The technique of measuring the spectrum, or number and energy, of gamma rays emitted as
natural radioactivity by the formation. There are three sources of natural radioactivity in the
Earth: 40K, 232Th and 238U, or potassium, thorium and uranium. These radioactive isotopes emit
gamma rays that have characteristic energy levels. The quantity and energy of these gamma rays
can be measured in a scintillation detector. A log of natural gamma ray spectroscopy is usually
presented as a total gamma ray log and the weight fraction of potassium (%), thorium (ppm) and
uranium (ppm). The primary standards for the weight fractions are formations with known
quantities of the three isotopes. Natural gamma ray spectroscopy logs were introduced in the
early 1970s, although they had been studied from the 1950s.
14. natural gas
n. [Geology]
A naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon gases that is highly compressible and expansible.
Methane [CH4] is the chief constituent of most natural gas (constituting as much as 85% of some
natural gases), with lesser amounts of ethane [C2H6], propane [C3H8], butane [C4H10] and
pentane [C5H12]. Impurities can also be present in large proportions, including carbon dioxide,
helium, nitrogen and hydrogen sulfide.
n. [Shale Gas]
Natural gas produced from shale reservoirs is known as shale gas. The composition of the gas
stream is a function of the thermal maturity of the rock. Thermally immature rocks will contain
heavier hydrocarbon components, possibly even liquid components. Overmature reservoirs
typically contain appreciable quantities of carbon dioxide [CO2].
15. natural gas liquids
n. [Production Testing]
Components of natural gas that are liquid at surface in field facilities or in gas-processing plants.
Natural gas liquids can be classified according to their vapor pressures as low (condensate),
intermediate (natural gasoline) and high (liquefied petroleum gas) vapor pressure. Natural gas
liquids include propane, butane, pentane, hexane and heptane, but not methane and ethane,
 since these hydrocarbons need refrigeration to be liquefied. The term is commonly abbreviated
as NGL.
Alternate Form: NGL
16. natural gasoline
n. [Production Testing]
A natural gas liquid with a vapor pressure intermediate between condensate and liquefied
petroleum gas. This liquid hydrocarbon mixture is recovered at normal pressure and temperature
and is much more volatile and unstable than commercial gasoline.
17. natural remanent magnetism
. n. [Geophysics]
The magnetization retained by rocks from previous magnetic fields,abbreviated NRM. NRM is a
record of the Earth's magnetic field as it existed at the time that the rock formed, such as when
magnetic crystals in igneous rocks solidified (also known as chemical remanent magnetism, CRM)
or at the time of deposition of sedimentary rocks (known as depositional remanent magnetism,
DRM). During deposition of sediments that become sedimentary rock, magnetized particles can
settle with their magnetic pole aligned with that of the Earth at that time.
Alternate Form: NRM
18. naturally flowing well
n. [Well Testing]
A well in which the formation pressure is sufficient to produce oil at a commercial rate without
requiring a pump. Most reservoirs are initially at pressures high enough to allow a well to flow
naturally.
Antonyms: pumping well
Alternate Form: flowing well
19. naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM)
n. [Well Completions]
Materials typically found in certain types of barium or strontium scales that may be deposited in
the wellbore or production tubulars. Any attempt to remove and dispose of NORM materials
should be performed according to the legislation and policies associated with such potentially
hazardous materials.
20. nautical mile
n. [General Terms]
 A unit of distance used for marine and aerial navigation. A nautical mile is approximately
equivalent to the angle of one minute of latitude at Earth’s surface.

The conventional value for the nautical mile was established at the First International
Extraordinary Hydrographic Conference held in the Principality of Monaco in 1929 and named the
international nautical mile. In SI units, the nautical mile is equal to exactly 1,852 m, which is
approximately 6,076 ft.
21. near surface correction
n. [Geophysics]
Another term for static correction, a bulk shift of a seismic trace in time during seismic processing.
A common static correction is the weathering correction, which compensates for a layer of low
seismic velocity material near the surface of the Earth. Other corrections compensate for
differences in topography and differences in the elevations of sources and receivers.
Alternate Form: static correction, statics
22. neat cement
n. [Drilling]
Cement that has no additives to modify its setting time or rheological properties
23. needle valve
n. [Production]
A type of small valve used for flow metering, having a tapered needlepoint plug or closure element
and a seat having a small orifice.
24. Neritic
adj. [Geology]
Describing the environment and conditions of the marine zone between low tide and the edge of
the continental shelf, a depth of roughly 200 m [656 ft]. A neritic environment supports marine
organisms, also described as neritic, that are capable of surviving in shallow water with moderate
exposure to sunlight.
25. Nest
n. [Geophysics]
A geometrical arrangement of seismic receivers (geophones) with signals recorded by one
channel. The array can contain numerous closely spaced geophones.
Alternate Form: geophone array
26. nested fractal structures
n. [Reservoir Characterization]
Any model that incorporates more than one variable that is represented by fractal geometry or a
fractal function. These models can become very complex if the variables are interdependent.
27. net gas production
n. [Production Testing]
The volume of gas produced less gas injected.
28. net oil production
n. [Production Testing]
The volume of oil produced less oil injected. In hydraulic pumping, the oil injected is known as
power oil.
29. net profits interest
n. [Oil and Gas Business]
A share of net proceeds from production paid solely from the working interest owners share. It is
sometimes granted in lieu of a royalty interest.
30. neural networks
n. [Reservoir Characterization]
A concept for advanced computer calculations developed by Alan Turing to mimic some of the
operations of the neurons in a brain. Memory elements (neurons) are conceptually
interconnected by multiple paths connected with on-off switches to emulate the synapses of the
brain. The original intent was to build a data-processing machine. Modern applications reduce the
concept to structured digital software processing models. Repeated processing through a neural
network allows the network to learn from the data it processes. The learned process obtained
from a set of training data with solutions can then be applied to other data sets for which no
solution exists. An oilfield example includes training a network with wireline log and core data
and then using the network to interpret further log data in terms of the core data. Neural
networks are also being used in seismic processing, geological mapping and petrophysical
analysis.
31. neutral point
n. [Well Completions]
The point on a string of tubulars at which there are neither tension nor compression forces
present. Below the neutral point, there will be compression forces that build toward the bottom
 of the wellbore. Above the neutral point, tensile forces build to a maximum applied at the hanger
or as hook load.
32. Neutralization
n. [Drilling Fluids]
A chemical reaction between an acid and a base to form a salt and water. Neutralization is used
in the manufacture of mud products, removal of acidic contaminants from muds and formation
of emulsifiers in oil mud. Neutralization is used in the test for alkalinity of mud and mud filtrate.
33. Neutralize
vt. [Drilling Fluids]
To form a salt and water by chemical reaction between an acid and a base. Neutralization is used
in the manufacture of mud products, removal of acidic contaminants from muds, formation of
emulsifiers in oil mud and in the test for alkalinity of mud and mud filtrate.
34. neutralizing solution
n. [Well Workover and Intervention]
A fluid prepared to counteract the corrosive effect of acids or acidic treatment fluids. Neutralizing
solutions generally are used when the components to be protected cannot be adequately flushed
or when there is a risk that residual fluids may cause problems through prolonged exposure.
Neutralizing solutions are commonly formulated with soda ash to provide an inexpensive,
nondamaging alkaline fluid that does not create excessive disposal difficulties.
35. neutron activation log
n. [Production Logging]
A record of elemental concentrations derived from the characteristic energy levels of gamma rays
emitted by a nucleus that has been activated by neutron bombardment. In the context of
production logging, the term normally refers to the activation of silicon and aluminum to
determine the quality of a gravel pack. Silicon and aluminum are activated by a neutron source to
produce isotopes that decay with a half-life of 2.3 minutes emitting a 1.78 MeV gamma ray. These
gamma rays are counted in a detector placed below the source, with a high count indicating a
high quantity of silicon in a sand pack, or aluminum in a bauxite pack. The log is run slowly so that
oxygen and other activated elements have decayed before the detector crosses the activated
interval. The carbon-oxygen log, elemental-capture spectroscopy log, pulsed-neutron
spectroscopy log, aluminum-activation log and the oxygen-activation log are also examples of
neutron-activation logs.
36. neutron capture
n. [Formation Evaluation]
A neutron interaction in which the neutron is absorbed by the target nucleus, producing an
isotope in an excited state. The activated isotope de-excites instantly through the emission of
characteristic gamma rays. Neutron capture, also called thermal capture, usually occurs at low
thermal energies at which the neutrons have about the same energy as the surrounding matter,
typically below 0.4 eV (0.025 eV at room temperature). Some elements are better thermal
absorbers than others. Neutron capture is an important principle behind the pulsed neutron
capture log, the elemental capture spectroscopy log, the pulsed neutron spectroscopy log and the
thermal neutron porosity measurement.
Synonyms: thermal capture
37. neutron generator
n. [Formation Evaluation]
A device for producing high-energy neutrons by using a charged particle accelerator. Neutron
generators are used in various pulsed neutron devices and some neutron porosity measurements.
In a typical device, deuterium (2D) and tritium (3T) ions are accelerated towards a target also
containing the same isotopes. When 2D and 3T collide, they react to produce a neutron with an
energy of about 14.1 MeV. The first neutron generators were built in the late 1950s and soon led
to the first pulsed neutron capture log.
Synonyms: accelerator source
38. neutron interactions
n. [Formation Evaluation]
Phenomena involving the transfer of energy from neutrons to nuclei. The reaction rate of
neutrons with matter depends on the density of neutrons, their velocity, the nuclear density and
the particular interaction cross section. There are four principal neutron interactions that affect
formation evaluation: elastic neutron scattering, inelastic neutron scattering, fast-neutron
reactions and neutron capture.
39. neutron log
n. [Formation Evaluation]
Normally synonymous with a neutron porosity log. However, the term is sometimes broadened
to include an activation log.
40. neutron porosity
 adj. [Formation Evaluation]
Referring to a log of porosity based on the effect of the formation on fast neutrons emitted by a
source. Hydrogen has by far the biggest effect in slowing down and capturing neutrons. Since
hydrogen is found mainly in the pore fluids, the neutron porosity log responds principally to
porosity. However, the matrix and the type of fluid also have an effect. The log is calibrated to
read the correct porosity assuming that the pores are filled with fresh water and for a given matrix
(limestone, sandstone or dolomite). It is presented in units of porosity (vol/vol or p.u.) for the
matrix chosen. Older logs were presented in counts per second or API units. The depth of
investigation is several inches, so that the log reads mainly in the flushed zone. The neutron
porosity log is strongly affected by clay and gas. Hydrogen occurs in clays and hydrated minerals
as well as pore fluids. Gas has a low hydrogen density, so that gas zones have a very low apparent
porosity. The measurement is based on either thermal or epithermal neutron detection. Thermal
neutrons have about the same energy as the surrounding matter, typically less than 0.4 eV, while
epithermal neutrons have higher energy, between about 0.4 and 10 eV. Being a statistical
measurement, the precision is greatest at high count rates, which in this case occurs at low
porosity. Neutron porosity logs were introduced in the early 1940s. The first tools were known as
neutron-gamma tools, since the detector measured the gamma rays emitted on capture.
Neutron-neutron tools, using a thermal neutron detector were introduced in about 1950.
41. neutron-activation log
n. [Production Logging]
A record of elemental concentrations derived from the characteristic energy levels of gamma rays
emitted by a nucleus that has been activated by neutron bombardment. In the context of
production logging, the term normally refers to the activation of silicon and aluminum to
determine the quality of a gravel pack. Silicon and aluminum are activated by a neutron source to
produce isotopes that decay with a half-life of 2.3 minutes emitting a 1.78 MeV gamma ray. These
gamma rays are counted in a detector placed below the source, with a high count indicating a
high quantity of silicon in a sand pack, or aluminum in a bauxite pack. The log is run slowly so that
oxygen and other activated elements have decayed before the detector crosses the activated
interval. The carbon-oxygen log, elemental-capture spectroscopy log, pulsed-neutron
spectroscopy log, aluminum-activation log and the oxygen-activation log are also examples of
neutron-activation logs.
42. Newtonian fluid
 n. [Drilling Fluids]
A typical fluid. A fluid is said to be Newtonian if its viscosity—a measure of a fluid’s ability to resist
flow—only varies in response to changes in temperature or pressure. A Newtonian fluid will take
the shape of its container.

Under constant temperature and pressure conditions, the viscosity of a Newtonian fluid is the
constant of proportionality, or the ratio, between the shear stress that builds in the fluid to resist
flow and the shear rate applied to the fluid to induce flow; the viscosity is the same for all shear
rates applied to the fluid.

Water, sugar solutions, glycerin, silicone oils, light-hydrocarbon oils, air and other gases are
Newtonian fluids. Most drilling fluids are non-Newtonian fluids.
43. NGL
n. [Production Testing]
Abbreviation for natural gas liquids.
44. Nipple
n. [Drilling, Production]
Any short piece of pipe, especially if threaded at both ends with male threads.
n. [Well Completions]
A completion component fabricated as a short section of heavy wall tubular with a machined
internal surface that provides a seal area and a locking profile. Landing nipples are included in
most completions at predetermined intervals to enable the installation of flow-control devices,
such as plugs and chokes. Three basic types of landing nipple are commonly used: no-go nipples,
selective-landing nipples and ported or safety-valve nipples.
45. nipple down
vb. [Drilling]
To take apart, disassemble and otherwise prepare to move the rig or blowout preventers.
n. [Well Completions]
The process of disassembling well-control or pressure-control equipment on the wellhead.
Depending on the configuration of the wellhead and casing strings, it may be necessary to nipple-
down and nipple-up the blowout preventer (BOP) system as each casing string is run.
Antonyms: nipple up, nipple-up
46. nipple up
vb. [Drilling]
To put together, connect parts and plumbing, or otherwise make ready for use. This term is usually
reserved for the installation of a blowout preventer stack.
n. [Well Completions]
The process of assembling well-control or pressure-control equipment on the wellhead.
47. nitrified fluid
n. [Well Workover and Intervention]
A multiphase fluid incorporating a liquid base and gaseous nitrogen. Nitrified fluids are frequently
used in stimulation treatments to enhance the performance of the treatment fluid and improve
the cleanup process following the treatment.
48. nitrogen cushion
n. [Perforating, Well Completions]
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.
49. nitrogen injection
n. [Enhanced Oil Recovery]
A process whereby nitrogen gas is injected into an oil reservoir to increase the oil recovery factor.
Below the minimum miscibility pressure (MMP), this is an immiscible process in which recovery is
increased by oil swelling, viscosity reduction and limited crude-oil vaporization. Above the MMP,
nitrogen injection is a miscible vaporizing drive. Miscibility of nitrogen can be achieved only with
light oils that are at high pressures; therefore, the miscible method is suitable only in deep
reservoirs.
50. nitrogen kickoff
n. [Well Completions]
Another term for nitrogen lift, the use of nitrogen gas circulated into the production conduit to
displace liquids and reduce the hydrostatic pressure created by the fluid column. Nitrogen lifting
is a common technique used to initiate production on a well following workover or overbalanced
completion. A coiled tubing string is generally used to apply the treatment, which involves running
 to depth while pumping high-pressure nitrogen gas. Once the kill-fluid column is unloaded and
the well is capable of natural flow, the coiled tubing string is removed and the well is prepared for
production.
51. nitrogen lift
n. [Well Completions]
The use of nitrogen gas circulated into the production conduit to displace liquids and reduce the
hydrostatic pressure created by the fluid column. Nitrogen lifting is a common technique used to
initiate production on a well following workover or overbalanced completion. A coiled tubing
string is generally used to apply the treatment, which involves running to depth while pumping
high-pressure nitrogen gas. Once the kill-fluid column is unloaded and the well is capable of
natural flow, the coiled tubing string is removed and the well is prepared for production.
Alternate Form: nitrogen kickoff
52. nitrogen lifting
vb. [Well Workover and Intervention]
The injection of nitrogen into the fluid column within the production conduit to initiate fluid flow
from the wellbore and production from the reservoir. Nitrogen lifting through a coiled tubing
string is a common technique used in well kickoff.
53. nitrogen unit
n. [Well Completions]
A high-pressure pump or compressor unit capable of delivering high-purity nitrogen gas for use in
oil or gas wells. Two basic types of unit are commonly available: a nitrogen converter unit that
pumps liquid nitrogen at high pressure through a heat exchanger or converter to deliver high-
pressure gas at ambient temperature, and a nitrogen generator unit that compresses and
separates air to provide a supply of high-pressure nitrogen gas.
54. NMO
n. [Geophysics]
The effect of the separation between receiver and source on the arrival time of a reflection that
does not dip, abbreviated NMO. A reflection typically arrives first at the receiver nearest the
source. The offset between the source and other receivers induces a delay in the arrival time of a
reflection from a horizontal surface at depth. A plot of arrival times versus offset has a hyperbolic
shape.
Alternate Form: normal moveout
55. NMR
n. [Geophysics]
Pertaining to a measurement of the nuclear magnetic properties of formation hydrogen. The basic
core and log measurement is the T2 decay, presented as a distribution of T2 amplitudes versus
time at each sample depth, typically from 0.3 ms to 3 s. The T2 decay is further processed to give
the total pore volume (the total porosity) and pore volumes within different ranges of T2. The
most common volumes are the bound fluid and free fluid. A permeability estimate is made using
a transform such as the Timur-Coates or SDR permeability transforms. By running the log with
different acquisition parameters, direct hydrocarbon typing and enhanced diffusion are possible.
Alternate Form: nuclear magnetic resonance
adj. [Formation Evaluation]
Pertaining to a measurement of the nuclear magnetic properties of formation hydrogen. The basic
core and log measurement is the T2 decay, presented as a distribution of T2 amplitudes versus
time at each sample depth, typically from 0.3 ms to 3 s. The T2 decay is further processed to give
the total pore volume (the total porosity) and pore volumes within different ranges of T2. The
most common volumes are the bound fluid and free fluid. A permeability estimate is made using
a transform such as the Timur-Coates or SDR permeability transforms. By running the log with
different acquisition parameters, direct hydrocarbon typing and enhanced diffusion are possible.
Alternate Form: nuclear magnetic resonance
56. no go landing nipple
n. [Well Completions]
A nipple that incorporates a reduced diameter internal profile that provides a positive indication
of seating by preventing the tool or device to be set from passing through the nipple. In many
completions, a no-go landing nipple is preferred for the deepest nipple location, providing a no-
go barrier to protect against a tool string being run or dropped below the tubing string.
57. NODAL* analysis
n. [Well Completions]
An analytical tool used in forecasting the performance of the various elements comprising the
completion and production system. NODAL* analysis is used to optimize the completion design
to suit the reservoir deliverability, identify restrictions or limits present in the production system
and identify any means of improving production efficiency. *NODAL (production system analysis)
is a mark of Schlumberger.
58. Noise
n. [Geophysics]
Anything other than desired signal. Noise includes disturbances in seismic data caused by any
unwanted seismic energy, such as shot generation ground roll, surface waves, multiples, effects
of weather and human activity, or random occurrences in the Earth. Noise can be minimized by
using source and receiver arrays, generating minimal noise during acquisition and by filtering and
stacking data during processing.
59. noise log
n. [Production Logging]
A record of the sound measured at different positions in the borehole. Since fluid turbulence
generates sound, high noise amplitudes indicate locations of greater turbulence such as leaks,
channels and perforations. Noise logging is used primarily for channel detection, but has also been
used to measure flow rates, identify open perforations, detect sand production and locate gas-
liquid interfaces. The log may be either a continuous record against depth or a series of stationary
readings. The log may indicate the total signal over all frequencies, the signal at a single frequency,
or consist of a set of logs for different frequency ranges. Different frequency ranges can be tied
to different sources of noise or different flow regimes. Although first introduced around 1955, the
technique was not used commercially until after laboratory studies in the early 1970s.
60. nominal filter
n. [Well Workover and Intervention]
A classification of filter used in the cleaning and treatment of brines and solids-free fluids. Nominal
filters trap or remove most particles of equal or larger size than the given filter specification.
61. nonconductive drilling fluid
n. [Drilling Fluids]
A mud that does not conduct electricity sufficiently well to allow spontaneous potential (SP)
logging or resistivity logging. Oil- and synthetic-base muds are nonconductive drilling fluids. Water
muds are not in this category.
62. Nonconformity
n. [Geology]
A geological surface that separates younger overlying sedimentary strata from eroded igneous or
metamorphic rocks and represents a large gap in the geologic record.
63. non-Darcy flow
 n. [Well Testing]
Fluid flow that deviates from Darcy's law, which assumes laminar flow in the formation. Non-
Darcy flow is typically observed in high-rate gas wells when the flow converging to the wellbore
reaches flow velocities exceeding the Reynolds number for laminar or Darcy flow, and results in
turbulent flow. Since most of the turbulent flow takes place near the wellbore in producing
formations, the effect of non-Darcy flow is a rate-dependent skin effect.
64. nondestructive examination (NDE)
n. [Production]
Inspection tests that are not destructive to the valve structure or function.
65. nondipole field
n. [Geophysics]
Contribution to Earth’s main magnetic field that is not represented by the dipole field.
66. nonhydrocarbon contaminants
n. [Production Testing]
Contaminants such as hydrogen sulfide [H2S], carbon dioxide [CO2], nitrogen [N2], and water,
which are commonly associated with oil and gas production.
67. nonideal gas
n. [Well Testing]
A gas described by an equation of state of the form pV = znRT, where z is the gas deviation factor
dependent on pressure, temperature and gas composition.
68. non-Newtonian fluid
n. [Drilling Fluids]
Not a typical fluid. Unlike a Newtonian fluid, which displays liquid behavior, a non-Newtonian fluid
has properties of a liquid and of a solid. Under certain conditions, a non-Newtonian fluid flows as
a liquid and under other conditions, it exhibits elasticity, plasticity and strength similar to a solid.
In addition, unlike Newtonian fluids, the viscosity of many non-Newtonian fluids varies with shear
rate.

Four classes of non-Newtonian fluids depend on how the fluid viscosity—a measure of a fluid’s
ability to resist flow—varies in response to the duration and magnitude of applied shear rate. The
viscosity of:
 Thixotropic fluids decreases over time under shearing. For example, solid honey becomes a liquid
after continuous stirring.
Rheopectic fluids increases over time under shearing. For example, cream will thicken after
continuous stirring.
Pseudoplastic fluids decreases with increasing shear rate; these fluids exhibit shear thinning
behavior. For example, ketchup will squirt through a hole in a bottle top at high velocity but stand
still as a dollop on a plate.
Dilatant fluids increases with increasing shear rate; these fluids exhibit shear thickening behavior.
Most successful drilling fluids are non-Newtonian and exhibit behaviors that are described by
rheological mathematical models of shear stress, or resistance, as a function of shear rate. In the
Bingham plastic model, flow will not begin until the shear stress attains a minimum value, the
yield stress, after which the flow is similar to that of a Newtonian fluid because the viscosity is
constant and does not vary with shear rate.

Pseudoplasticity, or shear thinning, is a non-Newtonian behavior that is desirable for drilling

fluids. Power-law and Herschel-Bulkley models describe pseudoplastic behavior, in which the
slope—the viscosity—of the shear stress versus shear rate curve decreases as the shear rate
decreases.
69. nonparticipating royalty
n. [Oil and Gas Business]
A percentage share of production, or the value derived from production, which is free of the costs
of drilling and producing, created by the lessor or royalty owner and borne by the lessor or royalty
owner out of the lessor royalty. This royalty is paid to nonparticipating interest holders who do
not share or participate in bonus or rentals, or a right to explore, or a right to execute oil and gas
leases.
70. nonparticipating royalty interest
n. [Oil and Gas Business]
Ownership in a share of production, paid to an owner who does not share in the right to explore
or develop a lease, or receive bonus or rental payments. It is free of the cost of production, and is
deducted from the royalty interest.
71. nonrising stem
n. [Production]
 A gate valve having its stem threaded into the gate. As the stem turns, the gate moves but the
stem does not rise. Stem threads are exposed to line fluids.
72. Normal
adj. [Formation Evaluation]
Referring to a type of conventional electrical log in which the current emitting electrode (A) and
the measure electrode (M) are placed close together on the sonde, and the current return
electrode (B) and the measure reference electrode (N) far away. The response is determined
mainly by the distance between A and M. The larger AM, the deeper the measurement, but the
poorer the bed boundary response. Although many distances have been used, the most common
are 16 in. [40 cm], known as the short normal, and 64 in. [162 cm], known as the long normal.
73. normal fault
n. [Geology]
A type of fault in which the hanging wall moves down relative to the footwall, and the fault surface
dips steeply, commonly from 50o to 90o. Groups of normal faults can produce horst and graben
topography, or a series of relatively high- and low-standing fault blocks, as seen in areas where
the crust is rifting or being pulled apart by plate tectonic activity. A growth fault is a type of normal
fault that forms during sedimentation and typically has thicker strata on the downthrown hanging
wall than the footwall.
74. normal incidence
n. [Geophysics]
The case in which a wavefront is parallel to an interface and its raypath is perpendicular, or
normal, to the interface as the wave impinges upon the interface.
75. normal mode
n. [Formation Evaluation]
A type of acoustic energy that propagates in one direction while being confined in the other two
directions, in this case by the borehole wall. Normal modes are propagated as reflections off the
borehole wall, and exist only in hard rock. They are highly dispersive, starting with the formation
shear velocity at a certain cutoff frequency and decreasing at high frequencies to the borehole
fluid velocity. Below the cutoff frequency, they do not exist. Normal mode #0 is often considered
to be the tube wave and starts at zero frequency. Normal mode #1 is called the pseudoRayleigh,
and starts at around 5 kHz. The other normal modes start at increasingly higher frequencies.
76. normal moveout
 n. [Geophysics]
The effect of the separation between receiver and source on the arrival time of a reflection that
does not dip, abbreviated NMO. A reflection typically arrives first at the receiver nearest the
source. The offset between the source and other receivers induces a delay in the arrival time of a
reflection from a horizontal surface at depth. A plot of arrival times versus offset has a hyperbolic
shape.
Alternate Form: NMO
77. normal moveout correction
n. [Geophysics]
A function of time and offset that can be used in seismic processing to compensate for the effects
of normal moveout, or the delay in reflection arrival times when geophones and shotpoints are
offset from each other.
78. normal pressure
n. [Geology]
The pore pressure of rocks that is considered normal in areas in which the change in pressure per
unit of depth is equivalent to hydrostatic pressure. The normal hydrostatic pressure gradient for
freshwater is 0.433 pounds per square inch per foot (psi/ft), or 9.792 kilopascals per meter
(kPa/m), and 0.465 psi/ft for water with 100,000 ppm total dissolved solids (a typical Gulf Coast
water), or 10.516 kPa/m.
79. normality
n. [Drilling Fluids]
A unit of concentration for solutions of reagent chemicals used in testing mud chemistry.
Normality provides a simple relationship between the volume in cm3 of reagent added during a
titration and the chemical equivalents of a material with which the reagent reacts. A one-normal
(1N) solution contains the equivalent weight in grams dissolved in one liter of solution.
80. NPDES
n. [Drilling Fluids]
Abbreviation for "National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System." The US Congress passed this
Clean Water Act to control discharges of contaminants. Discharges are allowed in to US water
only by NPDES permits. Drilling fluids, drill cuttings, produced water, drilling rig deck drainage and
blowout preventor fluids are covered specifically. Barite must be monitored for heavy metals to
allow mud discharges. Oils are banned from discharge.
81. NRM
n. [Geophysics]
The magnetization retained by rocks from previous magnetic fields,abbreviated NRM. NRM is a
record of the Earth's magnetic field as it existed at the time that the rock formed, such as when
magnetic crystals in igneous rocks solidified (also known as chemical remanent magnetism, CRM)
or at the time of deposition of sedimentary rocks (known as depositional remanent magnetism,
DRM). During deposition of sediments that become sedimentary rock, magnetized particles can
settle with their magnetic pole aligned with that of the Earth at that time.
Alternate Form: natural remanent magnetism
82. nuclear fluid densimeter
n. [Production Logging]
A device for measuring the density of fluids in a completed well, using a radioactive source of
gamma rays and a detector. In most instruments, a 137Cs (cesium) or 241Am (americium) source
is used to induce Compton scattering, as in the openhole density measurement, except that the
device is unfocused. The count rate at the detector then depends primarily on the density of the
fluids in the well. In some devices, the fluids pass through an open space in the body of the tool
within which the measurement is made. The results then reflect the density of the fluids passing
through the tool. In other devices, the source and detector are isolated so that the gamma rays
pass outside the tool. The results then reflect some average density of all the fluids within the
well. In smaller casings, some formation signal may contaminate the measurement. Compared
with a gradiomanometer, the nuclear fluid densimeter is a less direct measurement of density,
and has a statistical uncertainty and less resolution. On the other hand, it is not affected by well
deviation, friction or kinetic effects.
83. nuclear magnetic resonance
n. [Reservoir Characterization, Formation Evaluation]
A phenomenon by which a nucleus absorbs electromagnetic radiation of a specific frequency in
the presence of a strong magnetic field. Isidor Isaac Rabi (1898 to 1988), an American physicist
born in Austria, first detected magnetic resonance in 1938. Since then, magnetic resonance has
been applied to the detection of light atoms (such as hydrogen in hydrocarbons) and as a
nondestructive way to study the human body.
Alternate Form: NMR
adj. [Formation Evaluation]
 Pertaining to a measurement of the nuclear magnetic properties of formation hydrogen. The basic
core and log measurement is the T2 decay, presented as a distribution of T2 amplitudes versus
time at each sample depth, typically from 0.3 ms to 3 s. The T2 decay is further processed to give
the total pore volume (the total porosity) and pore volumes within different ranges of T2. The
most common volumes are the bound fluid and free fluid. A permeability estimate is made using
a transform such as the Timur-Coates or SDR permeability transforms. By running the log with
different acquisition parameters, direct hydrocarbon typing and enhanced diffusion are possible.
Alternate Form: NMR
84. nuclear fluid densimeter
n. [Production Logging]
A device for measuring the density of fluids in a completed well, using a radioactive source of
gamma rays and a detector. In most instruments, a 137Cs (cesium) or 241Am (americium) source
is used to induce Compton scattering, as in the openhole density measurement, except that the
device is unfocused. The count rate at the detector then depends primarily on the density of the
fluids in the well. In some devices, the fluids pass through an open space in the body of the tool
within which the measurement is made. The results then reflect the density of the fluids passing
through the tool. In other devices, the source and detector are isolated so that the gamma rays
pass outside the tool. The results then reflect some average density of all the fluids within the
well. In smaller casings, some formation signal may contaminate the measurement. Compared
with a gradiomanometer, the nuclear fluid densimeter is a less direct measurement of density,
and has a statistical uncertainty and less resolution. On the other hand, it is not affected by well
deviation, friction or kinetic effects.
85. nuclear magnetic resonance measurement
n. [Formation Evaluation]
A measurement of the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) properties of hydrogen in the
formation. There are two phases to the measurement: polarization and acquisition. First, the
hydrogen atoms are aligned in the direction of a static magnetic field (B0). This polarization takes
a characteristic time T1. Second, the hydrogen atoms are tipped by a short burst from an
oscillating magnetic field that is designed so that they precess in resonance in a plane
perpendicular to B0. The frequency of oscillation is the Larmor frequency. The precession of the
hydrogen atoms induces a signal in the antenna. The decay of this signal with time is caused by
transverse relaxation and is measured by the CPMG pulse sequence. The decay is the sum of
 different decay times, called T2. The T2 distribution is the basic output of a NMR measurement.
The NMR measurement made by both a laboratory instrument and a logging tool follow the same
principles very closely. An important feature of the NMR measurement is the time needed to
acquire it. In the laboratory, time presents no difficulty. In a log, there is a trade-off between the
time needed for polarization and acquisition, logging speed and frequency of sampling. The longer
the polarization and acquisition, the more complete the measurement. However, the longer times
require either lower logging speed or less frequent samples.
86. numerical methods
n. [Reservoir Characterization]
Mathematical methods that require iterative processing of data rather than applying
deterministic equations. Some relationships can be solved only by numerical methods, including
most integration problems, some differentials and some statistical processes.
87. numerical model
n. [Reservoir Characterization]
A rendering of a model of a reservoir or field in entirely numerical formats. Numerical models,
once built, may be used to perform many mathematical operations, including calculations of
available reserves and simulations of the behavior of the reservoir.
88. numerical reservoir simulation
n. [Reservoir Characterization]
The mathematical simulation of a numerical model of a reservoir's petrophysical characteristics
to analyze and predict fluid behavior in the reservoir over time.