Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Petroleum Engineering

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Petroleum Engineering 1. Reservoir vs. Reserve The terms 'reservoir' and 'reserve' are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. A reservoir refers to the underground formation that contains oil or gas. On the other hand, a reserve represents the portion of the reservoir that can be economically extracted. While a reservoir may have a vast volume, the reserve is the economically viable portion. 2. Porosity vs. Permeability Porosity and permeability are both important properties of a reservoir rock. Porosity refers to the percentage of void spaces or pores in the rock, while permeability measures how easily fluids can flow through those pores. A high porosity indicates the potential for storing fluids, while high permeability suggests the ease of fluid movement. 3. Primary vs. Secondary Recovery When it comes to oil extraction, primary recovery refers to the initial phase where natural reservoir pressure or artificial lift methods are used to bring oil to the surface. However, as the reservoir pressure declines, secondary recovery techniques are employed. These methods, such as water or gas injection, help maintain reservoir pressure and enhance oil recovery. 4. Sweet vs. Sour Crude Crude oil can be classified as sweet or sour based on its sulfur content. Sweet crude has a low sulfur content, making it less corrosive and easier to refine.