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You are here:Home Glossary - Letter M

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Glossary

This glossary more specifically relates to oil and gas exploration and production terms.

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Magnetic (see fields):

Area in which magnetic phenomena occur.

Magnetometry:

Magnetic field measurements by geologists.

Magnitude:

a measure of the energy released by an earthquake.

Manifold:

Set of pipes and valves directing the effluent or production into facilities.

Mantle:

Impermeable stratum overlaying a reservoir which prevents the hydrocarbons contained in it from migrating to other rocks.

Mantle (earth's):

The part of the earth between the crust and the central core.

Mercaptan:

Molecules containing sulfur, with a low molecular weight and therefore very light.

Molecule:

Set of electrically neutral, chemically-linked atoms.

Mother (or source) rock:

Rock in which hydrocarbons are formed.