Glossary
Browse the IADC Lexicon alphabetically or by category. Get comprehensive definitions of drilling industry terms.
Diverter Housing
Definition(s)
Diverter Housing
A permanent installation under the rotary table which houses the diverter unit. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsDiverter Control System
Definition(s)
Diverter Control System
The assemblage of pumps, accumulators, manifolds, control panels, valves, lines, etc., used to operate the diverter system. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsDifferential Pressure-Set Valve
Definition(s)
Differential Pressure-Set Valve
A valve that is operated when its actuator senses a change in pressure of a pre-set limit. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsControl Function
Definition(s)
Control Function
1) The control system circuit (hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, mechanical, or a combination thereof) used to operate the position selection of a diverter unit, BOP, valve, or regulator. Examples: diverter “close” function, starboard vent valve “open” function. 2) Each position of a diverter unit, BOP, or valve and each regulator assignment that is operated by the control system. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsConductor Casing or Conductor Pipe (Floating Installations)
Definition(s)
Conductor Casing or Conductor Pipe (Floating Installations)
The first string of pipe installed below the structural casing on which the wellhead and BOP equipment are installed. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsConductor Casing or Conductor Pipe (Onshore and Bottom-Supported Offshore Installations)
Definition(s)
Conductor Casing or Conductor Pipe (Onshore and Bottom-Supported Offshore Installations)
A relatively short string of large diameter pipe that is set to keep the top of the hole open and provide a means of returning the upflowing drilling fluid from the wellbore to the surface drilling fluid system until the first casing string is set in the well. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsCleanout
Definition(s)
Cleanout
A point in the flow line piping where access to the internal area of the pipe can be achieved to remove accumulated debris and drill cuttings. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsBottom-Supported Drilling Vessels
Definition(s)
Bottom-Supported Drilling Vessels
Drilling vessels which float to the desired drilling location and are either ballasted or jacked-up so that the vessel is supported by the soil on the bottom while in the drilling mode. Rigs of this type include platforms, submersibles, swamp barges, and jack-up drilling rigs. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsBottoms-Up Gas
Definition(s)
Bottoms-Up Gas
Gas that has risen to the surface from previously drilled gas-bearing formations. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsBottom-Hole Assembly
Definition(s)
Bottom-Hole Assembly
That part of the drill string located directly above the drill bit. The components primarily include drill collars and other specialty tools such as stabilizers, reamers, drilling jars, bumper subs, heavy weight drill pipe, etc. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsBlooey Line
Definition(s)
Blooey Line
The flow line in air or gas drilling operations. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsBall Valve
Definition(s)
Ball Valve
A valve that employs a rotating ball to open or close the flow passage. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsBall Valve
ball-shaped valve with conduit port and 90 degree rotation. Normally full port with minor pressure loss. Source: IADC UBO / MPD Glossary, December 2011. Global StandardsAnnular Sealing Device
Definition(s)
Annular Sealing Device
Generally, a torus-shaped steel housing containing an annular packing element which facilitates closure of the annulus by constricting to seal on the pipe or kelly in the wellbore. Some annular sealing devices also facilitate shutoff of the open hole. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsAnnular Packing Element
Definition(s)
Annular Packing Element
A doughnut shaped, rubber/elastomer element that effects a seal in an annular preventer or diverter. The annular packing element is displaced toward the bore center by the upward movement of an annular piston. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsAir/Gas Drilling
Definition(s)
Air/Gas Drilling
Refer to Aerated Fluid, 6.3 and 6.3.3. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsAerated Fluid
Definition(s)
Aerated Fluid
Drilling fluid injected with air or gas in varying amounts for the purpose of reducing hydrostatic head. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsAccumulator system
Definition(s)
Accumulator System
Pore pressure in excess of that pressure resulting from the hydrostatic pressure exerted by a vertical column of water with salinity normal for the geographic area. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsSafety-Critical Elements
Definition(s)
Safety Critical Element
Part of a facility, including computer programs, whose purpose is to prevent or limit the consequences of a major accident, or whose failure could cause or contribute substantially to a major accident- Note: 1 to entry: Safety critical elements include measures for prevention, detection, control and mitigation (including personnel protection) of hazards.
Safety Critical Element
Any component part of structure, equipment, plant or system whose failure could cause a major accidentt. Source: API RP 2FB, Recommended Practice for the Design of Offshore Facilities Against Fire and Blast Loading, First Edition, April 2006. Global StandardsSafety-Critical Elements
“Safety-critical elements” means such parts of an installation and such of its plant (including computer programmes), or any part thereof—- the failure of which could cause or contribute substantially to; or
- a purpose of which is to prevent, or limit the effect of, a major accident.
Safety Critical Element
Safety Critical Element (SCE) means such part of an installation and such of its plant (including computer programmes) or any part there of, the failure of which would cause or contribute substantially to, or a purpose of which is to prevent, or limit the effect of, a major accident. Source: NOGEPA Industrial Guideline No. 43, Surface BOP Review, Best Practices Checklist, Netherlands, Version 0, December 2011. Global StandardsSafety Critical Element
Safety-critical element— (a) means any part of an installation or its plant (including a computer program)— (i) that has the purpose of preventing, or limiting the effect of, a major accident; or (ii) the failure of which could cause or contribute substantially to a major accident; and (b) without limiting the generality of paragraph (a), includes plant installed at the installation for the purpose of— (i) detecting smoke, fire, accumulations of flammable (and other hazardous) gases, leakages of flammable liquids, and other events that may require an emergency response; or (ii) giving warning of an emergency by audible and, where necessary, visual alarm systems; or (iii) limiting the extent of an emergency, including— (A) measures to combat fire and explosions: (B) emergency shut-down systems: (C) facilities for the monitoring and control of the emergency and for organizing evacuation; or (iv) protecting petroleum workers from explosion, fire, heat, smoke, hazardous gas, or fumes during any period while petroleum workers may need to remain on an installation during an emergency; or (v) safely evacuating all petroleum workers to a place of safety; or (vi) providing safe means of escape in the event that arrangements for evacuation fail. Source: Health and Safety in Employment (Petroleum Exploration and Extraction) Regulations 2013, SR 2013/208, New Zealand, as of May 2013. RegulationsTSA
Definition(s)
TSA
Transportation Security Agency.
Source: API RP 781 Security Plan Methodology for the Oil and Natural Gas Industries.1st Ed. September 2016. Global StandardsTSA
Training Services Agency. Source: Commercial Diving Projects Offshore, Diving at Work Regulations 1997, Approved Code of Practice (UK HSE L103), First Edition, 1998. Regulatory GuidanceDeluge System
Definition(s)
Deluge System
A sprinkler system employing open sprinklers attached to a piping system connected to a water supply through a valve that is opened by the operation of a detection system installed in the same areas as the sprinklers. When this valve opens, water flows into the piping system and discharges from all sprinklers attached thereto. Source: Resolution A.800(19), Revised Guidelines for Approval of Sprinkler Systems Equivalent to that Referred to in SOLAS Regulation 11-2/12, 23 November 1995, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceDeluge System
System to apply fire-water through an array of open spray nozzles by operation of a valve on the inlet to the system. Source: ISO 13702:2015, Petroleum and natural gas industries — Control and mitigation of fires and explosions on offshore production installations — Requirements and guidelines, Second Edition, August 2015. Global StandardsContinuous Saturation Diving Operations
Definition(s)
Continuous Saturation Diving Operations
Continuous saturation diving operations will exist when less than 8 hours separate the return to the living chambers of one team of divers and the departure from the living chamber of another team of divers. Source: Commercial Diving Projects Offshore, Diving at Work Regulations 1997, Approved Code of Practice (UK HSE L103), First Edition, 1998. Regulatory GuidanceHLV
Definition(s)
HLV
Heavy Lift Vessel. Source: API RP 2SIM, Structural Integrity Management of Fixed Offshore Structures, First Edition, November 2014. Global StandardsHLV
Heavy Lifting vessel. Source: A Guide to the Offshore Installations and Pipelines Works (Management and Administration) Regulations 1995, Guidance on Regulations (UK HSE L70), Second Edition, 2002. Regulatory GuidanceDSV
Definition(s)
DSV
Diving Support Vessel. Source: A Guide to the Offshore Installations and Pipelines Works (Management and Administration) Regulations 1995, Guidance on Regulations (UK HSE L70), Second Edition, 2002. Regulatory Guidance Source: NOGEPA Guideline 14, Helideck Operations and Procedures Manual, Netherlands, Version 2, December 2011. Global StandardsPerformance Standards
Definition(s)
Performance Standards
A measurable statement, expressed in qualitative or quantitative terms, of the performance required of a system, item of equipment, person or procedure, and that is relied upon as the basis for managing a hazard. Source: OGP Report No. 415, Asset integrity – the key to managing major incident risks, International Association of Oil & Gas Producers, December 2008. Global StandardsPerformance Standards
Performance standards are explained in the box below: A performance standard is a statement, which can be expressed in qualitative or quantitative terms, of the performance required of a system, item of equipment, person or procedure, and which is used as the basis for managing the hazard - eg planning, measuring, control or audit - through the life cycle of the installation. The regulation does not specify what performance standards should be - that is for the duty holder to decide, taking account of the circumstances on the particular installation. Source: Prevention of Fire and Explosion, and Emergency Response on Offshore Installations, Offshore Installations (Prevention of Fire and Explosion, and Emergency Response) Regulations 1995, Approved Code of Practice and guidance (UK HSE L65), Second Edition, 1997. Regulatory GuidanceType
Definition(s)
Type
Components of common function.- Note: 1 to entry: Pipes, prime connections, flanges, reducers, tees and elbows are examples of different component types.
Type
A product with unique characteristics or functionality, which differentiates it from other equipment.
Source:API SPECIFICATION 19TT, Specification for Downhole Well Test Tools and Related Equipment, First Edition, October 2016. Global StandardsType
SSSV equipment with unique characteristics which differentiate it from other functionally similar SSSV equipment.- EXAMPLES: SCSSV, velocity-type SSCSV and low-tubing-pressure-type SSCSV are types of SSSV.