Oil & Gas Terms in Category W

Well permit

Authorization, usually granted by a governmental conservation agency, to drill a well.

A permit is sometimes also required for deepening or remedial work.

Water drive

The reservoir drive mechanism in which oil is produced by the expansion of the underlying water and rock, which forces the oil into the wellbore.

In general, there are two types of water drive: bottom-water drive, in which the oil is totally underlain by water; and edgewater drive, in which only a portion of the oil is in contact with the water.

White oil

Shorter chain hydrocarbon liquids, generally after refining.

Wave

A periodic vibrational disturbance in which energy is propagated through or on the surface of a medium without translation of the material.

Waves can be differentiated by their frequency, amplitude, wavelength and speed of propagation.

Worms

See weevils.

Workstring

A string of pipe used in workover of well-servicing operations; not typically considered as production tubing.

Workover string

The string of drill pipe or tubing suspended in a well to which is attached a special tool or device that is used to carry out a certain task, such as squeeze cementing or fishing.

Work string

The string of drill pipe tubing suspended in a well to which is attached a special tool or device that is used to carry out a certain task, as squeeze cementing or fishing.

Wog

Abbreviation: water-oil-gas

Workover fluid

Any type of fluid used in the workover operation of a well.

See completion fluid.

Wireline preventer

A manually operated ram preventer especially adapted for closure around a wireline.

Wireline preventers

Preventers installed on top of the well or drill string as a precautionary measure while running wirelines.

The preventer packing will close around the wireline.

Working pressure

The pressure to which a particular piece of equipment is subjected during normal operations.

Wind guy line

The wireline attached to ground anchors to provide lateral support for a mast or derrick.

Wireline preventer

A manually operated ram preventer especially adapted for closure around a wireline.