Glossary
Heavy fractions, or heavy ends |
the high-molecular-weight, high-boiling-point fractions that emerge from the lower part of a fractionating column during the oil refining process. |
Heavy oil |
crude oil with a high specific gravity and a low API gravity due to the presence of a high proportion of heavy hydrocarbon fractions |
Heptane |
the saturated hydrocarbon (alkane) with seven carbon atoms in its molecule (C7H16); the seventh member of the paraffin series - a liquid under normal conditions. |
Hexane |
the saturated hydrocarbon (alkane) with six hydrocarbon atoms in its molecule (C6H14); the sixth member of the paraffin series - a liquid under normal conditions |
Horizon |
a stratum or layer of strata assumed to have been laid down in a continuous manner. Horizontal well: deviated wells that exceed 80 degrees from the vertical are known as horizontal wells. Horizontal wells are used when the reservoir permeability is low or the oil and gas is being produced from fractures in the rock. The flow from a horizontal well may be over five times the flow from a normal vertical well . |
Hybrid platform |
a gravity platform where the base and storage area is made of reinforced concrete but the upper sections are made of steel. |
Hydrocarbons |
compounds containing only the elements hydrogen and carbon. They may exist as solids, liquids or gases. Bitumens such as petroleum are composed principally (but not only) of hydrocarbons. |