Polymer Definition
A substance that consists of large molecules formed from smaller molecules in repeating structural units (monomers). in oilfield operations, various types of polymers are used to thicken drilling mud, fracturing fluid, acid, water, and other liquids. see micellar-polymer flooding, polymer mud. in petroleum refining, heat and pressure are used to polymerize light hydrocarbons into larger molecules, such as those that make up high-octane gasoline. in petrochemical production, polymer hydrocarbons are used as a feedstock for plastics.
Related Oil & Gas Terms
Surfactant
A soluble compound that concentrates on the surface boundary between two substances such as oil and water and reduces the surface tension between the substances. the use of surfactants permits the thorough surface contact or mixing of substances that ordinarily remain separate. surfactants are used in the petroleum industry as additives to drilling mud and...
Light crude oil
Light crude oil is liquid petroleum that has a low density and flows freely at room temperature. it has a low viscosity, low specific gravity and high api gravity due to the presence of a high proportion of light hydrocarbon fractions. it generally has a low wax content. light crude oil receives a...
Polymer mud
A drilling mud to which a polymer has been added to increase the viscosity of the mud....
Sodium polyacrylate
A synthetic high-molecular-weight polymer of acrylonitrile used primarily as a fluid loss control agent...
Hydrocarbons
Organic compounds of hydrogen and carbon, whose densities, boiling points, and freezing points increase as their molecular weights increase. although composed of only two elements. hydrocarbons exist in a variety of compounds because of the strong affinity of the carbon atom for other atoms and for itself. the smallest molecules of hydrocarbons are gaseous; the...
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