NATURAL GAS NETWORK GLOSSARY

Abandoned Well: A well not in use because it was a dry hole originally, or because it has ceased to
produce. Statutes and regulations in many states require the plugging of abandoned wells to prevent the
seepage of oil, gas, or water from one stratum to another.
Absolute Zero: The zero point on the absolute temperature scale. It is equal to -!".#$ degrees %, or &
degrees ' ('elvin), or -*+,.$, degrees -, or & degrees . (.an/ine).
Absorption: The e0traction of one or more components from a mi0ture of gases when gases and liquids
are brought into contact. The assimilation or e0traction process causes (or is accompanied by) a physical or
chemical change, or both, in the sorbent material. %ompare A1S2.3TI24.
Air-Gas Ratio: The ratio of the air volume to the gas volume. A specified ratio is necessary to achieve a
desired character of combustion.
Anodic rotection: (#) A technique to reduce corrosion of a metal surface under some conditions by
passing sufficient anodic current to it to cause the electrode potential of the surface to enter and remain in
the passive region. () An appreciable reduction in corrosion by ma/ing a metal an anode and maintaining
this highly polarized condition with very little current flow.
At!osp"ere: The outdoor air in general. Also a mi0ture of gases within any specified chamber, such as
heat-treating furnace.
Au#iliar$ %e&ices: 1evices used with a meter to provide an ad5ustment of the meter reading to permit
obtaining special information, or to transmit information to a remote location.
A&era'e Re&enue er Unit o( Gas Sales )*$ +lass o(: .evenue from the sale of gas to a class of
service, e0clusive of forfeited discounts and penalties, divided by the corresponding number of units sold.
6nits may be therms, 7tu8s, or cubic feet.
*ac, ressure: 3ressure against which a fluid is flowing. 9ay be composed of friction in pipes, restrictions
in pipes, valves, pressure in vessels to which fluid is flowing, hydrostatic head, or other resistance to fluid
flow.
*ac,"aul: A transaction that results in the transportation of gas in a direction opposite of the aggregate
physical flow of gas in the pipeline. This is typically achieved when the transporting pipeline redelivers gas at
a point(s) upstream from the point(s) of receipt. A bac/haul condition will e0ist as long as the aggregate
bac/haul transactions total less than the aggregate forward haul transactions. A bac/haul transaction can
result in a delivery by non-delivery or cut bac/ (reduction) of physical flow at a delivery point.
*a((les: 3lates, louvers, or screens placed in the path of fluid flow to cause change in the direction of flow:
these are used to promote mi0ing of gases or to eliminate undesirable solid or liquid particles in the fluid
stream. Sometimes baffles are inserted in a flue to lengthen the travel of flue gases and increase efficiency
of operation.
*ar -ole: Small diameter hole made in the ground in the vicinity of gas piping for the purpose of e0tracting
a sample of the ground atmosphere for analysis such as when searching for lea/s.
*ar Test Sur&e$ ).or Gas /ains0: ;ea/age surveys made by driving or boring holes at regular intervals
along the route of an underground gas pipe and testing the atmosphere in the holes with a combustible gas
detector or other suitable device.
*aro!eter: Instrument used for measuring atmospheric pressure.