TE2PetroleumWorkSheets PDF
TE2PetroleumWorkSheets PDF
TE2PetroleumWorkSheets PDF
1 Label each illustration with the number of a verb from the glossary.
A B C
fingerboard
2
D E F
drill pipe
drill pipe
G H I
3 In your notebook, write sentences based on the table in 3, using by + -ing. Make any other
necessary changes (for example using it or them).
Example. 1 You trip in the drill string by lowering it through the rotary table into the well hole.
5 Write similar responses to these instructions in your notebook. Use dialogue 2 as your model.
1 Set these pipes back, please.
2 Lay those pipes down.
3 Pick up the string now.
4 Make up the string right away.
6 What equipment do you need to do these tasks? Choose from this list.
winch / hook / rotary table / drill bit / drill collar / casing pipe
1 Make the kelly rotate.
2 Prevent the sides of the well hole from collapsing.
3 Raise and lower the cable. __________
4 Cut the rock at the bottom of the well. __________
5 Attach the kelly to the swivel. __________
6 Add a heavy weight to the drill bit. __________
7 In your notebook, write sentences based on 7. Use by means of, using and by using.
Example. 1 You make the kelly rotate by means of the rotary table.
Word list
8 Write the meanings of these words and phrases in your own language.
VERBS
fingerboard ____________________
kelly ____________________
rig ____________________
tubing ____________________
NOUN PHRASES
1 Read the extract and put the job titles into the correct space in the organisation chart.
operating drilling
derrickhand company/ company/
owners contractors
toolpusher
drilling engineer
manager
roughnecks
on oil rig
driller
company 3
mud engineer representative
motorhand
roustabouts
2
geologist support staff nightcrew
1 day crew 4
assistant
driller
2 Complete these job descriptions. Choose the correct verb in brackets and use the correct form.
The toolpusher (1)__________ (manage / report to) all the drilling crews and the support staff. He/She
(2)__________ (report / supervise) directly to the manager of the drilling company contractors. Although
the toolpusher (3)__________ (do not / have not) report to the company representative, he/she often
(4)__________ (give / receive) instructions from him/her. The toolpusher (5)__________ (do / be)
responsible for the day and night drilling crews.
The derrickhand (6)__________ (supervise / report to) the assistant driller. The job of the derrickhand
is to (7)__________ (control / supervise) the upper end of the drill string. When the derrickhand is not
(8)__________ (handle / hand) the drill string, he/ she (9)__________ (work / supervise) closely with the
mud engineer. The derrickhand (10)__________ (supervise / report to) three roughnecks.
3 Complete Jon’s job application letter. Use the correct form of the verbs in brackets
Dear Mr Robertson,
I would like to apply for the job of Assistant Driller on the Supreme Oil Rig, as advertised in this
month’s Oil Rig magazine.
From 2002 to 2006, I (1)__________ (be) a Roustabout on the Marina Rig. From 2006 to
2008, I (2)__________ (study) Petroleum Technology at the Gulf Petroleum College, and I now
(3)__________ (have) a Technician’s Diploma in Petroleum Technology.
In 2008, I (4)__________ (join) the New Star offshore platform as Assistant Derrickhand. Now
the Derrickhand is on leave for two weeks, so I’m (5)__________ (do) the Derrickhand’s job.
During 2008, I (6)__________ (complete) two training courses (on safety and IT). Right now
I’m (7)__________ (attend) a course on leadership.
Yours sincerely,
Jon Winters
Word list
9 Write the meanings of these words and phrases in your own language.
NOUNS VERBS
motorhand ____________________
roughneck ____________________
roustabout ____________________
superintendent ____________________
supervisor ____________________
toolpusher ____________________
NOUN PHRASES
1 Write a letter (A – E) in each space in the description of types of offshore oil platforms.
metres
0
500
A
B 1000
C
1500
2000
D 2500
E
J7274
PEARSON Tech Eng Webiste Petroleum 02
aw_03_01_J7274.eps
Types of offshore oil platforms AW by HL Studios
Offshore oil platforms must be strong enough to resist wind speeds of over 50 kilometress per hour and
waves over 20 metres high. Even the shallowest platform, the fixed platform (see diagram) is in 500
metres of water. Compare this with the highest dam in the world, which is about 335 metres high.
Spar platforms (Figure _____ ) are the largest type of offshore platform. A spar platform is mounted
on a large cylinder. The cylinder does not go all the way to the sea bed. It is attached to the sea bed by
cables and lines. The large cylinder stabilises the platform in the water and allows the platform to move a
little during bad storms. Spar platforms can operate in water from about 700 to over 3,000 metres deep.
Tension leg platforms (Figure _____ ) do not have a cylinder. The platform is mounted on a set of long,
flexible legs. The legs go all the way down from the platform to the sea bed. The legs allow the platform
to move up to about 7 metres from side to side in a storm, but not up and down. Tension leg platforms
can operate in water up to about 2,300 metres deep.
Fixed platforms (Figure _____ ) are attached to the sea bed. The legs are rigid, and made of concrete
or steel. They extend down from the platform to the sea bed. The legs are fixed to the sea bed with
piles. They are stable and resist wind and water forces. However, these platforms cannot be used in very
deep water. It is too expensive to build longer legs. Fixed platforms can operate in water depths up to a
maximum of about 500 metres.
Compliant towers (Figure _____ ) are much like fixed platforms. The platform is mounted on a
narrow, compliant (or flexible) tower. The tower extends all the way from the platform to a solid
foundation on the sea bed. This tower is flexible (unlike the rigid legs of a fixed platform). This flexibility
allows it to operate in much deeper water, between 450 and 900 metres.
Sea star platforms (Figure _____ ) are similar to tension leg platforms, but smaller. The platform floats
on a short cylinder and a hull. The cylinder and hull are below sea level, and the hull is filled with water.
The hull is attached to tension legs. These narrow, flexible legs extend from the floating hull to the sea
bed. The platform can move a little from side to side (but not up and down). It can operate in water
depths of up to about 1,000 metres.
3 Complete these statements about the different platforms. Use the correct form of the adjectives in
brackets. Use more, most, less or least if necessary.
1 The cylinder on the spar is __________ (long and wide) than the one on the sea star.
2 Oil companies use spar platforms in the __________ (deep) waters in the world.
3 The ocean is too __________ (deep) for the fixed platform or the compliant tower.
4 The spar is the __________ (strong) and the __________ (flexible) of all the platforms.
5 The fixed platform is the __________ (flexible) of all the platforms.
6 The spar platform is too __________ (long) for the shallow waters near the coast.
The minimum facilities platform (MFP) is a small platform with no permanent crew and remote
operation.
The MFP is much (1) more lightweight (lightweight) than the spar and operates in
(2) shallower (shallow) waters. The legs of the MFP are much (3)__________ (short) and are
much (4)__________ (cheap) to build than the cylinder of the spar. J7274
PEARSON Tech Eng Webiste Petroleum 02
All the MFP wellheads are on the platform, while the spar wellheads are sub sea. This means that oil
aw_03_02_J7274.eps
AW by HL Studios
production on the MFP is (5)__________ (easy) and (6)__________ (safe) than on the spar. However, it
has (7)__________ (few) wellheads and produces much (8)__________ (little) oil than the spar.
Only a maximum of 12 crew can stay on the MFP platform overnight in an emergency. The room is too
(9)__________ (small) for the crew to stay for a longer period.
The spar platform is one of the (10)__________ (large) platforms in the world and can operate in the
(11)__________ (deep) waters in the world. On the other hand, the MFP is one of the (12)__________
(economical) platforms in the world.
Word list
5 Write the meanings of these words and phrases in your own language.
NOUNS ADJECTIVES
1 Read the explanation of how to lay a sub-sea pipeline. Then write these headings in the correct spaces.
Laying the pipeline on the sea bed / Cleaning out the pipeline before use / Planning the route of the pipeline /
Burying the pipeline under the sea bed / Connecting the pipes into a pipeline / Surveying and mapping the sea bed
/ Constructing the pipes
A
2 Write the captions Fig 1 and Fig 2 semi-submersible
laybarge
under the diagrams (see 6.1 and gravel dumping vessel
2
6.2 in 1). Then label the diagram
with the words in the box.
6 3 5 4
B
pipe trenching barge laybarge
2
1 3 5 4
3 Change these sentences from the active to the passive in your notebook. Begin each new sentence
with the words in italics.
Example. 1 The oil is brought onshore by means of pipelines.
1 The company brings the oil onshore by means of pipelines.
2 The pipe-makers cover the pipes with bitumen and concrete.
3 A welder welds the pipes together on the lay barge.
4 The men lay the new pipeline on the sea bed using a lay barge.
5 The sailors winch the lay barge forwards using its anchor lines.
6 They dig a trench under the pipeline using a pipe trenching barge.
4 Join these pairs of sentences to make single sentences in your notebook. Use who or which.
Example. 1 The pipes are coated with bitumen, which protects them from water.
1 The pipes are coated with bitumen. Bitumen protects them from water.
2 The sailors switch on the winch. The winch pulls the barge forwards.
3 The pipes are taken to the welders. The welders join them together into a pipeline.
4 The pipeline is guided by a stinger. The stinger prevents it from sinking too quickly.
5 They use a pipeline inspection gauge. The pipeline inspection gauge cleans out the pipe.
6 The pipeline route is planned by surveyors. The surveyors map the sea bed.
5 Write full sentences from this table in your notebook. Use the passive and to + verb to express
purpose.
Example. 1 The pipeline is inspected from the air to check that no-one is digging near the pipeline.
Safety procedures for onshore gas pipelines
Action taken Purpose of action
1 people inspect the pipeline from the air check no-one is digging near the pipeline
2 inspectors test the pipes check for corrosion in the pipeline
3 they place signs along the route warn the public about the pipeline
4 the company trains emergency teams respond quickly in a fire
6 Change this set of instructions into a paragraph, using the passive. Write in your notebook.
Begin: First, the jacket is fabricated onshore. Next, the finished jacket …
How to construct and install an offshore oil platform
1 Fabricate the jacket onshore.
2 Tow the finished jacket to the field in calm weather, and launch it into the sea.
3 Turn the jacket right side up by flooding the tanks in its legs.
4 Drive piles to secure the jacket to the sea bed.
6 Bring the platform to the jacket and lift the platform onto the jacket by means of cranes.
Word list
8 Write the meanings of these words and phrases in your own language.
NOUNS VERBS
2 Read the rest of the text and write the fi gure numbers in the spaces.
J7274
Fig 1 Fig 2 Fig 3 PEARSON Tech Eng Webiste Petroleum 02
aw_05_01_J7274.eps
AW by HL Studios
drill pipe
drill pipe
The annular BOP (Figure _____ ) forms a seal in the annular space (or annulus) between the drill pipe and the casing
of the well bore. In this type of valve, the seal is in the shape of a ring, made of elastomer (or elastic polymer), like a
large doughnut. The elastomer seal is mechanically squeezed inwards to close the annulus.
The blind ram BOP (Figure _____ ) has two heavy steel plates which move together like two gates and seal the
complete well hole. The sealing surfaces of the steel plates have elastomer components. Blind rams cannot be used
when there is a drill string in the well hole. In this situation, either the annular BOP or the shear rams are used.
Shear rams (Figure _____ ) have two heavy steel blades which move together and close the well hole by cutting
through the drillpipe. The section of drillpipe
J7274 is destroyed, but the rest of the drillstring is unharmed by the
shear rams.
PEARSON Tech Eng Webiste Petroleum 02
aw_05_02_J7274.eps
When the well hole or annulusAW is completely closed, the drillers begin the kill operation. This procedure is designed
by HL Studios
to kill the well, or stop it from flowing. High-density drilling mud is pumped into the well through the kill line (or
pipe). The heavy mud weighs down the fluid from the well through force of gravity, and controls the flow. Then the
mud leaves the well hole via the choke line. The kill line and the choke line are small-diameter pipes.
3 Write questions in your notebook for answers. Use information from the text in 1 and/or 2.
Example. 1 What’s the blowout preventer for?
1 It’s for shutting down a well during a blowout and for preventing fluids from escaping.
2 It’s located at the top of the well hole, between the drilling platform and the ground.
3 It’s needed to protect the oil workers from serious accidents during a blowout.
4 It’s done by sliding together two heavy steel plates and sealing the well hole.
5 They start the kill procedure after the BOP has completely sealed the well hole.
6 By means of powerful hydraulic pistons.
4 Identify these items. All the items are in text 1 and/or text 2. Some items are described more than
once.
The definition and/or function of the item
1 This is a well-control device for controlling the flow of fluids under high pressure from a well hole.
What is it? ____________________
2 This device is designed to prevent fluids from flowing through the space between the drill pipe and
the casing of the well. What is it? ____________________
3 The purpose of this device is to close a well hole which contains a drill string. It does this by shearing
through the drill pipe. What is it? ____________________
4 This is a narrow pipe which carries heavy drilling mud out of the blowout preventer. What is it? _____
_______________
The appearance and/or material of the item
5 This device is made of a polymer with good elasticity and is shaped like a ring. What is it? ___________
_________
6 These two components look like a pair of heavy shears. What are they? ____________________
7 These two parts are in the shape of heavy steel doors or gates, which slide together. What are they?
____________________
8 This tree-shaped component is made of steel. It has pipes and rams, which look like the branches of a
tree. What is it? ____________________
1 A blowout preventer is a powerful valve __________ closes a well and seals it.
2 The choke line is __________ controlling the flow of mud from the well.
3 The kill line is used __________ allow high-density mud to enter the well.
4 A blind ram is a type of BOP __________ seals a complete well hole.
5 An annular BOP is designed __________ seal the space between the casing and the drill string.
6 A shear ram is used __________ cutting through a drill string and sealing the well.
7 The blades of the shear ram act __________ a powerful pair of cutters on the drill string.
8 High-density mud is __________ to push down on the fluid in the well and control it.
Word list
6 Write the meanings of these words and phrases in your own language.
NOUNS ADJECTIVES
1 Read about this accident and tick the safety rules which were broken.
D-ring
lanyard
body harness
lifeline
7 Workers must remove fall protection equipment (e.g. lanyards) immediately when it’s not needed.
8 Remove or confine loose clothing, long hair, jewellery, watches, etc.
9 Workers must not work near a moving rotary table if visibility is poor (e.g. in fog).
J7274
10 Supervisors must monitor the number of people working in particular areas.
PEARSON Tech Eng Webiste Petroleum 02
aw_06_02_J7274.eps
11 Workers must not bring dangerous items such as alcohol, matches, lighters, other flammable items, illegal
AW by HL Studios
drugs or weapons aboard offshore oil rigs.
12 Before coming aboard an offshore oil rig, all luggage must be checked.
13 Batteries must be removed from electrical equipment, and mobile phones should be turned off before you come
aboard the helicopter.
14 Every piece of equipment on the offshore oil rig must be tested regularly.
15 When equipment is tested, it must be identified with a colour code.
16 Workers must not use equipment with an out-of-date colour code.
2 Write the safety rule numbers (1 – 16) from 1 next to the best headings for the rules.
Most headings have more than one rule.
A Prevention of falls from height 6
B Prevention of accidents near moving equipment ____________________
C Prevention of general accidents on rig ____________________
D Safety during emergency ____________________
E Escape from rig in emergency ____________________
F Prohibited items on rig ____________________
G Testing and safe use of equipment ____________________
H Safety during travel to rig ____________________
3 Change active rules into passives in your notebook. Use each verb at least twice.
must / have to / need to
Example. 1 PPE must be worn at all times on the platform.
1 Workers must wear PPE at all times on the platform.
2 People must check the response time of the safety vessel.
3 Establish and clearly mark a danger zone around the rotary table.
4 Workers must take off lanyards near moving equipment.
5 Remove or confine loose clothing, long hair, jewellery and watches.
6 Workers must not bring dangerous items aboard offshore oil rigs.
4 Read about the accident in 1 again. Complete these recommendations by a safety inspector to the
rig manager. Use should and the passive of the verbs in brackets.
1 A danger zone should be clearly marked around the rotary table. (mark)
2 Guards ____________________ around the rotating equipment. (install)
3 Workers ____________________ to enter the danger zone when the rotary table is moving. (not/ permit)
4 At least four emergency stop buttons ____________________ near the rotary table. (locate)
5 Sensors ____________________ to give warnings when workers enter the danger zone. (set up)
6 Hoses, cables or other equipment ____________________ from the danger zone. (remove)
5 Read these directions and draw the route from A to the escape
to sea point on this offshore platform. Escape routes on oil platform
You are here (point A). To reach the escape-to-sea point, follow TSR
these directions. Go straight ahead. Take the first turning on your
left and go straight ahead. Then take the second turning on your
right and go straight ahead. You will come to a T junction. Turn
right. The escape-to-sea ladder is on your left.
Word list
7 Write the meanings of these words and phrases in your own language.
NOUNS VERBS
lifeline ____________________
A B C
How were oilfields formed? It began millions of years ago, when the remains of microscopic plants and animals (organic
matter) settled on the sea bed. Sediments, such as clay and sand, covered the organic matter. More sedimentary layers
were added, and the sediments became heavier. Pressure and temperature increased. The heat and pressure converted
much of the organic matter into the hydrocarbons that make up oil and gas.
J7274
PEARSON Tech Eng Webiste Petroleum 02
The oil and gas then flowed upwards. Some of it reached the surface and escaped. However, some was trapped
aw_07_02_J7274.eps
AW by HL Studios
underground in reservoir rock below a layer of cap rock. The oil remains in this geological ‘trap’ until it is drilled for and
brought to the surface.
Here are three types of geological trap. They were all caused by movements in the Earth’s crust:
1. A fold (or anticline). The layers of rock were bent into a dome shape. (See Fig 1)
2. A fault. The layers of rock cracked, and one side moved upwards or downwards. (See Fig 2)
3. A pinch-out. A mass of impermeable rock pushed upwards into the reservoir rock. (See Fig 3)
3 Circle T (true) or F (false) next to the statements about the texts in 1 and 2.
1 Granite and marble are examples of reservoir rock. (T / F)
2 If there is no layer of cap rock, oil and gas can flow to the surface and escape. (T / F)
3 Oil, gas and water can flow through small holes in rocks such as sandstone. (T / F)
4 Oil is composed of hydrocarbons, which were formed underneath the sea. (T / F)
4 Complete the four short dialogues. Three surveyors and geologists (A, B and C) are searching for
potential oil fi elds in an area of land.
1 A: This desert was a sea bed millions of years ago.
B: Yes. The desert must __________ (be / have) full of oil now.
C: Why __________ (aren’t / don’t) we drill our first well here?
2 A: The map shows an anticline or fold in the rock.
B: The cap rock may __________ (has/ have) trapped some oil under it
C: Why don’t we __________ (set up/ setting up) a rig and try __________ (drill / drilling) there?
3 A: The map shows a large fault where the rock has cracked and moved downwards.
B: The fault might __________ (have / be) blocking some oil or gas.
C: Let’s __________ (drill / we drill) a pilot hole under the fault.
4 A: On the map you can see a mass of salt has risen up into the reservoir rock.
B: That’s right. The salt mass must be __________ (trapping / trapped) some oil there.
A: I think we should try __________ (look / looking) for oil under here.
5 Show where these phrases should go in the letter. Write a number (1 – 9) in each space.
1 Unfortunately / 2 We therefore recommend that / 3 is attached / 4 Thank you for / 5 Please let me
know if / 6 I am pleased to inform you that / 7 For example / 8 This means that / 9 However
Dear Mr Robson,
RE: Exploration for oil and gas in Western Desert Zone 3
(a) _____ your letter of 18th August, in which you asked our company to do a survey of
Zone 3.
(b) _____ our surveyors completed the survey last week on schedule. I received the report
from the surveyors yesterday.
(c) _____ , the surveyors found no direct evidence of oil deposits in the area.
(d) _____ , they observed some interesting features. (e) _____ , they saw an anticline
and a fault. (f) _____ oil may be trapped below these features.
(g) _____ three small exploratory wells should be drilled above these features.
The full survey report (h) _____ .
(i) _____ you would like me to clarify any points in the report.
Yours sincerely,
6 Change the sentences in italics into the past simple passive in your notebook.
Example. 1 Our company was asked to do a survey of Zone 3.
Word list
7 Write the meanings of these words and phrases in your own language.
NOUNS NOUN PHRASES
sediment ____________________
shale ____________________
survey ____________________
surveyor ____________________
trap ____________________
lubricating oil
flow of gas 300 – 370° C
gas
crude fuel oil
oil 370 – 600° C
liquid
furnace
liquid residue
(e.g. asphalt)
>600° C
2 Read the description of the distillation process HOT
(350° C)
and answer the questions on the next page.
3 Put these stages in the distillation process into the correct order. Write a number (1 – 8) next to
each stage.
A As the vapour rises through the trays in the column, the temperature falls.
B The condensed liquid of the fraction is collected in a tray.
C When a fraction in the vapour cools to its own boiling point, it condenses.
D 1 This is how the distillation process in the fractionator works.
E Most of the fractions in the crude oil evaporate.
F The condensed liquid flows out of the fractionator through a pipe from the tray.
G High-pressure steam is used to heat the crude oil to a high temperature.
H The crude oil vapour enters the fractionator and rises up the column.
4 Complete these sentences using each word from the box once only. Use capital letters where necessary.
for / as / that / to / by / which / when / from
1 Jet fuel is made from kerosene, condenses between 175° C and 325° C.
2 naphtha vapour is cooled to between 60° and 100° C, it condenses.
3 Diesel oil is produced cooling crude oil vapour to between 250° and 300° C.
4 crude oil vapour rises through the fractionator, it cools.
5 Lubricating oil is used reducing friction between moving parts.
6 The boiling point of industrial fuel oil ranges 370° C to 600° C.
7 A fractionator is a tall column is filled with trays or plates at several levels.
8 The trays in the column are designed allow contact between vapour and liquid.
Word list
6 Write the meanings of these words and phrases in your own language.
NOUNS NOUN PHRASES
bubble ____________________
collect ____________________
extract ____________________
separate ____________________
4 Find noun + noun phrases from the text in 1 with the same meanings as these phrases. The two
nouns you need can be found in each phrase below.
1 survey of the ground ground survey
2 layers of rock ____________________
3 gun which fires compressed air ____________________
4 waves or vibrations which are caused by a shock or impact ____________________
5 In your notebook, rewrite these sentences to give the same meaning, using the word(s) in brackets.
Example. 1 Check how old the rock is.
1 Do you know the age of the rock? (how/ old)
2 Find out the rock type under this point. (what/ kind)
3 They study the rock to check its permeability. (how/ porous)
4 We need to know the fluid content of the rock. (how much/ liquid or gas/ contains)
5 Seismology studies the movement of seismic waves through the Earth. (how / move)
6 The geophysicist estimates the exact depth of the oil. (exactly / how / deep)
7 Complete this description of the table. Put these phrases into the spaces.
just under / one-tenth / about / one-eighth / just over / one-third
Word list
8 Write the meanings of these words and phrases in your own language.
NOUNS VERBS
seismology ____________________
thumper ____________________
vibration ____________________
NOUN PHRASES
1 Read the text and label the liquids with words describing their properties.
stable / viscous / fl uid / miscible / fl ammable / volatile / non-fl ammable / immiscible
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
oil salt
oil salt
water water
water water
__________ __________ __________ __________
5 6 7 8
5 6 7 8
3 Rewrite these statements to give the same or similar meaning. Use the word(s) in brackets.
Example. 1 When petrol evaporates, the gas is flammable.
1 When petrol evaporates, the gas can be ignited very easily. (flammable)
2 Oil floats on the surface of the sea because it is immiscible. (cannot / mixed / water)
3 This lubricating oil has a high viscosity index. (remains / viscous / high temperatures)
4 We need to buy an oil which has a low pour point. (can / poured / easily / cold)
5 Jet fuels such as avtur must not evaporate at high temperatures. (low / volatility)
6 This oil is too dangerous because it has a low flash point. (can / ignited / low / temperature)
5 In your notebook, rewrite the text in 4 without using any passive forms of the verb. Use the
imperative, or you + active verb.
Begin: First, heat a hot plate …
7 Rewrite these sentences in your notebook. Use the words in brackets and make any other
necessary changes.
Begin: 1 This oil must not be used because it …
1 This oil contains water, and so it must not be used. (because)
2 This fuel is too dangerous for cars, because it ignites at low temperatures. (and so)
3 Jet planes fly at high altitudes, and therefore they need fuels with low volatility. (since)
4 We must use an oil with a low pour point, as we’ll be driving in a cold country. (and therefore)
Word list
9 Write the meanings of these words and phrases in your own language.
NOUNS ADJECTIVES
gas
gas unit
production
gas sulphuric
acid
1 naptha 2 5
platinum
crude 3 6 petroleum
oil products
residue 4
bauxite
3 Write short paragraphs in your notebook explaining three of the items in the chart.
Example. 1 Fractional distillation takes place in the distillation column. The purpose of this process is to
separate the fractions. It is done by cooling the fractions at different temperatures.
4 A speaker is giving a talk about the refining process. Use the words and phrases in the box to
complete the sentences.
brings me to / by saying / for coming / let’s look at / like to / move / shown / shows / to explain / turn to
5 Complete the sentences. In each sentence, insert one word from list A and one word from list B.
Use each word once only.
A: advantage / benefit / disadvantage / drawback / recommend / suggest
B: be / of / should / that / which / would
1 An important __________ of petroleum is __________ it can be refined into many different products.
2 One __________ of petroleum is that it contains carbon, __________ is emitted as a greenhouse gas.
3 Another major __________ __________ petroleum is that it is a finite resource which will run out one
day.
4 One __________ of the treatment process is that some dangerous chemicals can __________ extracted
from the petroleum fraction.
5 I __________ __________ that the heavy gas oil should be cracked into a lighter hydrocarbon.
6 I __________ that the light hydrocarbon __________ be reformed into a slightly heavier product.
Word list
6 Write the meanings of these words and phrases in your own language.
NOUNS VERBS
reformer ____________________
reforming ____________________
treating ____________________
NOUN PHRASES
J7274
Snake wells PEARSON Tech Eng Webiste Petroleum 02
aw_12_01_J7274.eps
Snake wells are not vertical. They follow horizontal underground routes, and they bend from side to side, backwards and
AW by HL Studios
forwards, like a snake. They can cut into many layers of reservoir rock. One snake well can produce more oil than three
or four vertical wells. This makes oil fields cheaper and easier to develop.
Snake wells use drills that can be steered with high accuracy. Special software generates detailed computer models
of underground geology and reservoirs. This enables drills to hit a target far underground that is less than two
metres across.
The oil company Shell uses snake wells. Shell’s first snake well was drilled at Brunei’s Iron Duke oil field. This field contains
many small pockets of oil and gas in an area which is only 28 metres deep, two kilometres long and 300 metres wide.
A layer of natural gas sits in the upper part of the reservoir. The pressure of the gas drives the oil to the well. As a result,
accurate drilling was essential to prevent the drill bit from hitting the gas layer.
This field was not economic using a vertical well, because of the shape of the reservoir rock. However, the snake well
caused a 15 per cent increase in production and delayed water breakthrough by 2 years.
Shell’s second snake well was used in the Champion West oil field. This field was first discovered in 1975, but was not
developed for 30 years, because it was uneconomical using traditional vertical well technology. It is located in shallow
water, 35 kilometres off the coast of Brunei. The oil is trapped in 11 separate small pockets scattered over a large area.
A snake well was drilled more than two miles deep beneath the sea bed. The well is eight kilometres long and extracts oil
from the 11 separate pockets of reservoir rock. It drains the same area as two vertical wells.
The Champion West snake well uses smart technology. Sensors and remotely controlled valves are located throughout
the field. These devices allow engineers to monitor the temperature and pressure of the reservoir and to control the fluid
flow by using a fibre-optic cable from the equipment to the surface.
The snake wells at Champion West field are the most productive wells in Brunei Shell Petroleum’s history. By replacing
several vertical wells with a single snake well that produces oil from two or more zones, Shell reduced development costs
for the field by 60 per cent. The field has added over 25,000 b/d of production. This has increased Brunei’s production
to the highest level in 25 years.
3 Write questions to get these answers. Use information about the snake wells from the text in 1.
1 They’re horizontal, and they bend from side to side like snakes.
2 One advantage is that snake wells can enter more than one reservoir. Another is that they can target
very small pockets of oil.
3 Because they use special software that can steer them remotely.
4 By means of sensors and remotely controlled valves.
5 In 1974, but it wasn’t developed for 30 years.
6 Via fibre-optic cables.
4 Complete this text, using the passive form of the verbs in brackets.
Snake wells are more productive than vertical wells. In fact, more oil can (1)__________ (produce) by
one snake well than by three or four vertical wells. As a result, oil fields can (2)__________ (develop)
more cheaply and easily using snake wells. Smart IT makes the drilling equipment more accurate. The
drill bits and strings in snake wells (3)__________ (control) using special software. 3D computer models
of underground geology (4)__________ (generate), and the temperature and pressure in the snake well
(5)__________ (monitor) by sensors. The data from the sensors (6)__________ (transmit) to the surface
by means of fibre-optic cables.
The Champion West oil field remained undeveloped for 30 years. From 1975 to 2005, no wells
(7)__________ (drill) and no oil (8)__________ (extract) from this offshore oil field. This was because
the oil (9)__________ (not/ locate) in a single large reservoir layer, but (10)__________ (find) in eleven
separate small pockets. A single vertical well hole (11)__________ (not/ use) because it was unable to
reach all eleven pockets. Instead, a single snake well (12)__________ (insert) horizontally two miles
under the sea. The oil from the eleven pockets (13)__________ (extract) using a single snake well.
The accuracy of the drilling operation (14)__________ (increase) by using state-of-the-art sensors and
software. As a result, the oil company’s development costs (15)__________ (reduce) by 60 per cent, and
more than 25,000 b/d (16)__________ (add) to Brunei’s oil output.
5 Delete a pair of words from each sentence to give the same meaning.
1 Snake wells use drills that are steered by smart software.
2 Champion West was an oilfield which was undeveloped for 30 years.
3 The snake well extracts the oil which is located in 11 separate pockets.
4 A snake well is a special type of well that is drilled using a flexible drill string.
5 The sensors which were installed in the Champion West field were invented by my colleague.
6 Seismic geophones can detect the rock layers which are located miles below the ground.
Word list
6 Write the meanings of these words and phrases in your own language.
NOUNS ADJECTIVES
software ____________________
target ____________________
NOUN PHRASES
VERBS
develop ____________________
drain ____________________
extract ____________________
generate ____________________
steer ____________________