WAITING ON CEMENT (W.O.C.) Time period that drilling is suspended while the cement used to hold casing in the well bore hardens.
WATER SATURATIONThe proportion of water in the pore spaces of a reservoir. See Porosity.
WEIGHT ON BIT (WOB) The amount of downward force placed on a bit by the weight of the drill stem.
WELLHEAD"Wellhead" is descriptive of a location or function rather than a specific item of equipment. See Production Wellhead.
WELL LOGGING Recording information about subsurface geologic formations; methods include records kept by the driller, mud and cutting analysis, core analysis, drill stem tests, electric and radioactivity procedures.
WELL TESTINGTesting in an exploration or appraisal well is directed at estimation of reserves in communication with that well, in addition to well productivity.
WILDCAT WELLAn exploration well in an unproved area.
WIRELINE A slender rod-like or threadlike small-diameter piece of metal used to lower tools, such as logging tools, perforating guns, valves, and fishing tools into a well. May include electrical conductors to power and control instruments and to convey data to the surface.
WORKOVERA maintenance job on a well usually to replace equipment or to stimulate production.
ZONEThe interval between two depths in a well containing a reservoir or other distinctive characteristics.