Definition(s)
Ball Joint
See flex joint.
Source: API Specification 16Q, Design, Selection, Operation, and Maintenance of Marine Drilling Riser Systems, Second Edition, April 2017. Global Standards
Ball Joint
Device(s) installed between the bottom of the diverter and the telescopic joint (upper flex or ball joint), in the top section of the LMRP (lower flex or ball joint), or under a keel joint (intermediate flex or ball joint, if used), to permit relative angular movement of the riser and reduce stresses due to vessel motion and environmental forces.
- NOTE: Upper flex ball joint is sometimes called a diverter flex ball joint.
Source: API Specification 16Q, Design, Selection, Operation, and Maintenance of Marine Drilling Riser Systems, Second Edition, April 2017. Global Standards
Ball Joint
A ball and socket assembly having central through passage equal to or greater than the riser internal diameter which may be positioned in the riser string to reduce local bending stresses.
Source: API RP 16Q, Recommended Practice for Design, Selection, Operation and Maintenance of Marine Drilling Riser Systems, First Edition, November 1993 (Reaffirmed August 2001). Global Standards
Ball Joint
Ball and socket assembly having a central through-passage equal to or greater than the riser internal diameter. NOTE This can be positioned in the riser string to reduce local bending stresses.
Source: API RP 17G, Recommended Practice for Completion/Workover Risers, Second Edition, July 2006 (Reaffirmed April 2011). Global Standards
Ball Joint
Ball-and-socket assembly that has a central through-passage equal to or greater than the riser internal diameter and that may be positioned in the riser string to reduce local bending stresses.
Source: ISO 13624-1:2009, Petroleum and natural gas industries – Drilling and production equipment – Part 1:Design and operation of marine drilling riser equipment. Global Standards