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Term |
Definition |
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API gravity |
An American Petroleum Institute measure of liquid gravity. Water is 10 degrees API, and a typical light crude is from 35 to 40. Heavy oil is, by convention, typically from 9.0 to 11 degrees API, while bitumen is 7.5 to 8.5. |
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Bitumen |
Naturally occurring, viscous mixture of hydrocarbons that contains high levels of sulphur and nitrogen compounds. In its natural state, it is not recoverable at a commercial rate through a well because it is too thick to flow. Bitumen typically makes up about 10% by weight of oil sand, but saturation varies |
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Cleaned crude bitumen |
Crude bitumen that has had impurities removed to the extent that it is possible to blend it with diluent and transport it by pipeline |
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Condensate |
A mixture of extremely light hydrocarbons recoverable from gas reservoirs. Condensate is also referred to as a natural gas liquid and is used as a diluent to reduce bitumen viscosity for pipeline transportation |
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Conventional crude oil |
Petroleum in liquid form that can be pumped without processing or dilution |
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Heavy crude oil |
Crude oil that is very dense, highly viscous, and has a high boiling point, with an API gravity of less than 25 degrees |
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Initial established reserves |
Established reserves prior to the deduction of any production |
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Initial volume in place |
The volume calculated or interpreted to exist in a reservoir before any volume has been produced |
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Naptha |
The portion of a crude barrel with a boiling point between 145°F and 400°F. Naphtha can be used as diluent |
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Oilsands |
A naturally occurring mixture of sand, clay, silt, rocks, other minerals and bitumen, also known as tar sands or bituminous sands. |
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Overburden |
A layer of sand, gravel, and shale between the surface and the underlying oil sand. Must be removed before oil sands can be mined. Overburden underlies muskeg in many places |
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Pay thickness |
The average thickness of an oil or oil sand zone. Differs depending on the type of oil and method of recovery |
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Possible reserves |
Attributed to known accumulations with a greater than 10% confidence of being recovered than probable reserves, also known as P10 reserves. The sum of Proved, Probable and Possible reserves is known as 3P |
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Probable reserves |
Attributed to known accumulations and claim ~50% confidence level of recovery, also known as P50 reserves. The sum of Proved and Probable reserves is known as 2P |
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Proved developed reserves |
'PDs' - P1 reserves that can be produced with existing wells and perforations, or from additional reservoirs where minimal additional operating expense is required |
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Proved reserves |
Classified as having a 90% or greater likelihood of being present and economically viable for extraction in current conditions and with existing technology. Also known as P90 or 1P reserves |
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Proved undeveloped reserves |
'PUDs' - P1 reserves that require additional capital investment (e.g., drilling new wells or facilities) to recover the identified hydrocarbons |
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Remediation |
Returning disturbed land to a stable, biologically productive state. |
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Recovery factor |
Percentage of in-place petroleum in a reservoir that ultimately can be recovered at a specific point in time. Typically assumed as reserves divided by volume in place at a given point in time |
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Resources |
Quantities of petroleum estimated to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations, but not yet ready for commercial development. Includes all known quantities of petroleum that can be technically recovered, regardless of economic conditions. |
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Saturation |
The relative amount of water, oil and gas in the pores of a source material, usually as a percentage of volume |
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Solvent |
Chemical additive for stimulation treatments that is soluble in oil, water and acid-based treatment fluids |
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Tailings |
A combination of water, sand, silt, and fine clay particles that is a byproduct of removing the bitumen from the oil sands |
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Thermal recovery |
Any process by which heat energy is used to reduce the viscosity of bitumen in situ to facilitate recovery |
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Upgrading |
The process of converting bitumen extracted from oil sands into lighter synthetic crude oil. The term “synthetic crude oil” is used interchangeably with “upgraded crude oil.” |
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Visbreaking |
A process designed to reduce residue viscosity by thermal means, but without appreciable coke formation |
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Viscosity |
The ability of a liquid to flow. The lower the viscosity, the more easily the liquid will flow |