Glossary
Browse the IADC Lexicon alphabetically or by category. Get comprehensive definitions of drilling industry terms.
Dry Gas
Definition(s)
Dry Gas
Natural gas composed mainly of methane with only minor amounts of ethane, propane, butane, and minimum heavier hydrocarbons in the gasoline range. Source: IADC UBO / MPD Glossary, December 2011. Global StadandardsDry Gas
Any natural gas produced from a stratum that does not produce crude petroleum oil. Source: Oil and Gas Division, Texas Administrative Code, Title 16, Chapter 3, February 2013. RegulationsWell Operator
Definition(s)
Well Operator
Company that has responsibility for the well. Source: ISO 16530-1:2017, Petroleum and natural gas industries — Well integrity – Part 1: Life cycle governance, First Edition, March 2017. Global StandardsWell Operator
Well operator or operator—The person designated as the well operator or operator on the permit application or well registration. If a permit or registration was not issued, the term means a person who locates, drills, operates, alters or plugs a well or reconditions a well with the purpose of production therefrom. In cases where a well is used in connection with the underground storage of gas, the term also means a storage operator. Source: Oil and Gas Wells, Pennsylvania Code, Title 25, Chapter 78, December 2012. RegulationsWell Operator
"Well operator" means a person as herein defined who has the responsibility, management, and general control of an oil or gas well, or lessee, sub-lessee, owner or assignee of same. Source: State of Wyoming Occupational Safety and Health Rules and Regulations for Oil and Gas Well Drilling, Revised January 8, 2013. RegulationsWell Operator
“well operator”, in relation to a well or proposed well, means—- the person appointed by the licensee for that well or proposed well to execute the function of organising and supervising the drilling of that well and all operations to be carried out by means of that well; or
- where no such person has been appointed, the licensee.
Well Operator
Well operator, in relation to a well or proposed well, means— (a) the employer appointed by the permit operator to perform the function of organising and supervising— (i) the drilling of that well; and (ii) all operations to be carried out by means of that well; or (b) the permit operator, if the permit operator is an employer of employees at the well site and— (i) no employer is appointed; or (ii) the permit operator has notified the appointed employer in writing that the permit operator is to be treated as the well operator for the purposes of these regulations. Source: Health and Safety in Employment (Petroleum Exploration and Extraction) Regulations 2013, SR 2013/208, New Zealand, as of May 2013. RegulationsSheen
Definition(s)
Sheen
Very thin layer of oil (less than 0.0002 in. or 0.005 mm) floating on the water surface; this is the most common form of oil seen in the later stages of a spill. NOTE According to their thickness, sheens vary in color from rainbows (for the thicker layers) to silver/gray (for thinner layers) to almost transparent (for the thinnest layers). Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsSheen
Sheen—An iridescent appearance on the surface of the water. Source: Oil and Gas Wells, Pennsylvania Code, Title 25, Chapter 78, December 2012. RegulationsSulfide Stress Cracking
Definition(s)
Sulfide Stress Cracking
Cracking of metallic materials due to exposure to fluid containing hydrogen sulfide. Source: API SPEC 6A, Specification for Wellhead and Christmas Tree Equipment, Twentieth Edition, October 2010 (Addendum November 2012). Global StandardsSulfide Stress Cracking
Cracking of metallic materials due to exposure to hydrogen sulfide containing fluids. Source: API SPEC 16C, Specification for Choke and Kill Systems, First Edition, January 1993 (Reaffirmed 2001). Global StandardsSulfide Stress Cracking
"Sulfide stress cracking" means the cracking phenomenon which is the result of corrosive action of hydrogen sulfide on susceptible metals under stress. Source: Corporation Commission, Oil and Gas Conservation, Oklahoma Administrative Code 165:10, February 2013. RegulationsSulfide Stress Cracking
The cracking phenomenon which is the result of corrosive action of hydrogen sulfide on susceptible metals under stress. Source: Oil and Gas Division, Texas Administrative Code, Title 16, Chapter 3, February 2013. RegulationsSeparator
Definition(s)
Separator
Horizontal, vertical, or spherical vessel used to remove liquid from gas, and gas from liquid. Source: IADC UBO / MPD Glossary, December 2011. Global StandardsSeparator
"Separator" means any apparatus for separating oil, gas, and water as they are produced from a well at the surface. Source: Corporation Commission, Oil and Gas Conservation, Oklahoma Administrative Code 165:10, February 2013. RegulationsSeafloor
Definition(s)
Seafloor
Interface between the sea and the seabed. Source: API RP 2GEO, Geotechnical Foundation Design Considerations, First Edition, April, 2011, Addendum 1, October 2014. Global Standards Source: API Recommended Practice 2GEO, Geotechnical and Foundation Design Considerations, First Edition, April 2015 (Addendum 1, October 2014). Global StandardsSeafloor
“Seafloor” means the surface of all that portion of land under the sea (fond marin). Source: Canada Oil and Gas Drilling and Production Regulations, SOR/2009-315, February 2013. Regulations Source: Drilling and Production Guidelines, The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board and Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, Canada, March 31, 2011. Regulatory Guidance Source: Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Drilling and Production Regulations, SOR/2009-317, Canada, current to May 31, 2012. RegulationsWell Integrity
Definition(s)
Well Integrity
Containment and prevention of the escape of fluids to subterranean formations or surface.
Source: ISO 16530-1:2017, Petroleum and natural gas industries — Well integrity – Part 1: Life cycle governance, First Edition, March 2017. Global StandardsWell Integrity
Application of technical, operational and organizational solutions to reduce risk of uncontrolled release of formation fluids throughout the life cycle of a well. Source: API RP 90, Annular Casing Pressure Management for Offshore Wells, Upstream Segment. First Edition, August 2006. Global StandardsWell Integrity
“Well integrity” means the quality or condition of a well being structurally sound with competent pressure seals by the application of technical and operational solutions that prevent uncontrolled fluid release or migration of annular fluids into protected groundwater throughout the well life cycle. Source: Division of Mineral Resources Management - Oil and Gas, Ohio Administrative Code, Chapter 1501:9, January 2012. RegulationsManager
Definition(s)
Manager
“Manager” means the operator, whether the owner or not, of a well or wells. Source: Division of Mineral Resources Management - Oil and Gas, Ohio Administrative Code, Chapter 1501:9, January 2012. RegulationsManager
Manager means the person appointed for the purposes referred to in regulation 7(1)(a). Source: Health and Safety in Employment (Mining Administration) Regulations 1996, SR 1996/220, New Zealand, as of January 2011. RegulationsManager
Equipment, systems, and methods which, following initiation, can be used to control, mitigate, and extinguish fires. Source: IOGP Report No. 510, Operating Management System Framework for controlling risk and delivering high performance in the oil and gas industry, International Association of Oil & Gas Producers, June 2014. Global StandardsManager
“Manager” includes, where no manager is appointed pursuant to section 4 of the Act, any person made responsible by the owner for safety, health and welfare on board an offshore installation. Source: The Offshore Installations (Logbooks and Registration of Death) Regulations 1972, UK S.I. 1972/1542, 1972. RegulationsManager
“Manager” includes, where no manager is appointed pursuant to section 4 of the Act, any person made responsible by the owner for safety, health and welfare on board an offshore installation. Source: The Offshore Installations (Inspectors and Casualties) Regulations 1973, UK S.I. 1973/1842, 1973. RegulationsTransboundary Movement
Definition(s)
Transboundary Movement
Transboundary movement means maritime transport of wastes from an area under the national jurisdiction of one country to or through an area under the national jurisdiction of another country, or to or through an area not under the national jurisdiction of any country, provided at least two countries are concerned by the movement. Source: Resolution MEPC.119(52), 2004 amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), 15 October 2004. Regulatory guidance, International Maritime OrganizationLiquid Chemical Wastes
Definition(s)
Liquid Chemical Wastes
Liquid chemical wastes are substances, solutions or mixtures, offered for shipment, containing or contaminated with one or more constituents which are subject to the requirements of this Code and for which no direct use is envisaged but which are carried for dumping, incineration or other methods of disposal other than at sea. Source: Resolution MEPC.119(52), 2004 amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), 15 October 2004. Regulatory guidance, International Maritime OrganizationPressure Tank
Definition(s)
Pressure Tank
Pressure tank means a tank having a design pressure greater than 0.07 MPa gauge. A pressure tank shall be an independent tank and shall be of a configuration permitting the application of pressure-vessel design criteria according to recognized standards. Source: Resolution MEPC.119(52), 2004 amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), 15 October 2004. Regulatory guidance, International Maritime OrganizationGravity Tank
Definition(s)
Gravity Tank
Gravity tank means a tank having a design pressure not greater than 0.07 MPa gauge at the top of the tank. A gravity tank may be independent or integral. A gravity tank shall be constructed and tested according to recognized standards, taking account of the temperature of carriage and relative density of the cargo. Source: Resolution MEPC.119(52), 2004 amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), 15 October 2004. Regulatory guidance, International Maritime OrganizationIntegral Tank
Definition(s)
Integral Tank
Integral tank means a cargo-containment envelope which forms part of the ship’s hull and which may be stressed in the same manner and by the same loads which stress the contiguous hull structure and which is normally essential to the structural completeness of the ship’s hull. Source: Resolution MEPC.119(52), 2004 amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), 15 October 2004. Regulatory guidance, International Maritime OrganizationIndependent Tank
Definition(s)
Independent Tank
Independent tank means a cargo-containment envelope, which is not contiguous with, or part of, the hull structure. An independent tank is built and installed so as to eliminate whenever possible (or in any event to minimize) its stressing as a result of stressing or motion of the adjacent hull structure. An independent tank is not essential to the structural completeness of the ship’s hull. Source: Resolution MEPC.119(52), 2004 amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), 15 October 2004. Regulatory guidance, International Maritime OrganizationIndependent Tank
Self-supporting tank which does not form part of the vessel's hull and does not contribute to the hull strength. Source: Rules for Classification – Offshore units, DNVGL-OU-0101, Offshore drilling and support units, DNV GL, July 2015. Global StandardsVoid Space
Definition(s)
Void Space
Void space is an enclosed space in the cargo area external to a cargo tank, other than a hold space, ballast space, oil fuel tank, cargo pump-room, pump-room, or any space in normal use by personnel. Source: Resolution MEPC.119(52), 2004 amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), 15 October 2004. Regulatory guidance, International Maritime OrganizationSeparate
Definition(s)
Separate
Separate means that a cargo piping system or cargo vent system, for example, is not connected to another cargo piping or cargo vent system. Source: Resolution MEPC.119(52), 2004 amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), 15 October 2004. Regulatory guidance, International Maritime OrganizationReference Temperature
Definition(s)
Reference Temperature
Reference temperature is the temperature at which the vapour pressure of the cargo corresponds to the set pressure of the pressure-relief valve. Source: Resolution MEPC.119(52), 2004 amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), 15 October 2004. Regulatory guidance, International Maritime OrganizationRecognized Standards
Definition(s)
Recognized Standards
Recognized standards are applicable international or national standards acceptable to the Administration or standards laid down and maintained by an organization which complies with the standards adopted by the Organization and which is recognized by the Administration. Source: Resolution MEPC.119(52), 2004 amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), 15 October 2004. Regulatory guidance, International Maritime OrganizationPump-Room
Definition(s)
Pump-Room
Pump-room is a space, located in the cargo area, containing pumps and their accessories for the handling of ballast and oil fuel. Source: Resolution MEPC.119(52), 2004 amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), 15 October 2004. Regulatory guidance, International Maritime OrganizationPort Administration
Definition(s)
Port Administration
Port administration means the appropriate authority of the country in the port of which the ship is loading or unloading. Source: Resolution MEPC.119(52), 2004 amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), 15 October 2004. Regulatory guidance, International Maritime OrganizationNoxious Liquid Substance
Definition(s)
Noxious Liquid Substance
Noxious Liquid Substance means any substance indicated in the Pollution Category column of chapters 17 or 18 of the International Bulk Chemical Code, or the current MEPC.2/Circular or provisionally assessed under the provisions of regulation 6.3 of MARPOL Annex II as falling into categories X, Y or Z. Source: Resolution MEPC.118(52), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Revised Annex II of MARPOL 73/78), 15 October 2004, International Maritime Organization. Legislation Source: Resolution MEPC.119(52), 2004 amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), 15 October 2004. Regulatory guidance, International Maritime Organization Source: Resolution MEPC.144(54), amendments to the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (BCH Code), 24 March 2006, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceIndependent
Definition(s)
Independent
Independent means that a piping or venting system, for example, is in no way connected to another system and that there are no provisions available for the potential connection to other systems. Source: Resolution MEPC.119(52), 2004 amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), 15 October 2004. Regulatory guidance, International Maritime OrganizationIndependent
For the purposes of paragraph (6) and regulations 19 and 20, a person shall be regarded as independent only where—- his function will not involve the consideration by him of an aspect, of a thing liable to be examined, for which he bears or has borne such responsibility as might compromise his objectivity; and
- he will be sufficiently independent of a management system, or of a part thereof, which bears or has borne any responsibility for an aspect of which he might consider, of a thing liable to be examined, to ensure that he will be objective in discharging his function