Glossary
Browse the IADC Lexicon alphabetically or by category. Get comprehensive definitions of drilling industry terms.
Reel
Definition(s)
Reel
Large-diameter structure used for storage of long lengths of flexible pipe, which rotates about a horizontal axis. Source: API RP 17B, Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe, Fourth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsReel
Device for storing, transporting, or installing umbilicals or components comprised of two flanges, separated by a barrel, with the barrel axis normally being horizontal. NOTE Reels are designed for the intended use. Source: API SPEC 17E, Specification for Subsea Umbilicals, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, October 2010. Global StandardsRapid Decompression
Definition(s)
Rapid Decompression
Sudden depressurization of a system during which gas in the pipe expands rapidly and can cause blistering or collapse of the internal pressure sheath or other gas-saturated layers. Source: API RP 17B, Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe, Fourth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsPiggy Back
Definition(s)
Piggy Back
Attachment of two parallel and adjacent independent pipes, rigid or flexible, over a significant length. Source: API RP 17B, Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe, Fourth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsOvalization
Definition(s)
Ovalization
Out-of-roundness of the pipe, calculated as follows: (Dmax – Dmin) / (Dmax + Dmin), where Dmax and Dmin are maximum and minimum pipe outside diameter, respectively. Source: API RP 17B, Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe, Fourth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsOvalization
Deviation of the circumference from a circle which has the form of an elliptic cross section. Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global Standards Source: API RP 17G, Recommended Practice for Completion/Workover Risers, Second Edition, July 2006 (Reaffirmed April 2011). Global StandardsMultiple Configuration
Definition(s)
Multiple Configuration
Riser system with more than one riser connected at a mid-depth location. Source: API RP 17B, Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe, Fourth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsMulitbore
Definition(s)
Multibore
Multiple flexible pipes or umbilicals contained in a single construction with an outer sheath extruded over the bundle. NOTE See 4.3.7. Source: API RP 17B, Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe, Fourth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsLazy-S
Definition(s)
Lazy-S
Free-hanging catenary modified by a section with concentrated buoyancy modules NOTE See Figure 4. Source: API RP 17B, Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe, Fourth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsLazy Wave
Definition(s)
Lazy Wave
Free-hanging catenary modified by a section with distributed buoyancy modules. NOTE See Figure 4. Source: API RP 17B, Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe, Fourth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsIntegrated Service Umbilical
Definition(s)
Integrated Service Umbilical (ISU™1)
Structure in which the inner core is a standard flexible pipe construction. NOTE 1 Umbilical components are wound around the core pipe and covered with a protective outer sheath (see 4.3.6). NOTE 2 ISU is a trademark of Coflexip Stena Offshore. 1) ISU™ is an example of a suitable product available commercially. This information is given for the convenience of users of this part of ISO 13628 and does not constitute an endorsement by ISO of this product. Source: API RP 17B, Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe, Fourth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsFree-Hanging Catenary
Definition(s)
Free-Hanging Catenary
Riser configuration that spans the water column in a catenary shape modified by the bending stiffness of the riser. NOTE See Figure 4. Source: API RP 17B, Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe, Fourth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsEnd Fitting
Definition(s)
End Fitting
Termination in a flexible pipe. Source: API RP 17B, Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe, Fourth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsEnd Fitting
Mechanical device which forms the transition between the flexible pipe body and the connector whose different pipe layers are terminated in the end fitting in such a way as to transfer the load between the flexible pipe and the connector. Source: API SPEC 17J, Specification for Unbonded Flexible Pipe, Third Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsCarousel
Definition(s)
Carousel
Device used for storage and transport of very long lengths of flexible pipe and which rotates about a vertical axis. NOTE Pipe is wound under tension around the centre hub. Source: API RP 17B, Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe, Fourth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsCarousel
Storage container that can be rotated by a drive about a vertical axis. Source: API SPEC 17E, Specification for Subsea Umbilicals, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, October 2010. Global StandardsBird-Caging
Definition(s)
Bird-Caging
Buckling of the tensile-armour wires, usually caused by extreme axial compression, which results in significant radial deformation. Source: API RP 17B, Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe, Fourth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsBird-Caging
Phenomenon whereby armour wires locally rearrange with an increase and/or decrease in pitch-circle diameter as a result of accumulated axial and radial stresses in the armour layer(s). Source: API SPEC 17E, Specification for Subsea Umbilicals, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, October 2010. Global StandardsBasket
Definition(s)
Basket
Device used for storage and transport of flexible pipe. NOTE All pipes are laid freely into the basket. Source: API RP 17B, Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe, Fourth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsBasket
“Basket” means a personnel transfer basket (nacelle). Source: Canada Oil and Gas Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, SOR/87-612, February 2013. Regulations Source: Oil and Gas Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, SOR/87-612, Canada, current to April 29, 2013. RegulationsArrhenius Plot
Definition(s)
Arrhenius Plot
Log-linear scale used to plot service life against the inverse of temperature for some polymer materials. Source: API RP 17B, Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe, Fourth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsWellhead Connector
Definition(s)
Wellhead Connector (Stack Connector)
See hydraulic connector.
Source: API Specification 16Q, Design, Selection, Operation, and Maintenance of Marine Drilling Riser Systems, Second Edition, April 2017. Global StandardsWellhead Connector (Stack Connector)
A hydraulically operated connector that joins the BOP stack to the subsea wellhead. 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 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 StandardsVortex Induced Vibration
Definition(s)
Vortex Induced Vibration
The in-line and transverse oscillation of a riser in a current induced by the periodic shedding of vortices. 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 StandardsVortex-Induced Vibration
In-line and transverse oscillation of a riser caused by current-induced periodic shedding of vortices. Source: API RP 17G, Recommended Practice for Completion/Workover Risers, Second Edition, July 2006 (Reaffirmed April 2011). Global Standards 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 StandardsType Certification Testing
Definition(s)
Type Certification Testing
Testing of a representative product by the manufacturer that qualifies the design and validates the integrity of subsequent products of the same design, materials, and manufacture.
Source: API Specification 16Q, Design, Selection, Operation, and Maintenance of Marine Drilling Riser Systems, Second Edition, April 2017. Global StandardsType Certification Testing
Testing by a manufacturer of a representative specimen (or prototype) of a product which qualifies the design and, therefore, validates the integrity of other products of the same design, materials and manufacture. 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 StandardsType Certification Testing
Testing by a manufacturer of a representative specimen (or prototype) of a product that qualifies the design and, therefore, validates the integrity of other products of the same design, materials and manufacture. Source: API SPEC 16D, Specification for Control Systems for Drilling Well Control Equipment and Control Systems for Diverter Equipment, Upstream Segment, Second Edition, July 2004. Global Standards 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 StandardsThrust Collar
Definition(s)
Thrust Collar
Structural member for transmitting the vertical force from buoyancy modules to the riser to help restrain the buoyancy modules from moving along the riser joint.
Source: API Specification 16Q, Design, Selection, Operation, and Maintenance of Marine Drilling Riser Systems, Second Edition, April 2017. Global StandardsThrust Collar
A device for transmitting the buoyant force of a buoyancy module to the riser joint. 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 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 StandardsThreaded Union Coupling
Definition(s)
Threaded Union Coupling
Coupling having mating threaded members on the pin and box to form engagement.- NOTE: 1 Threads on one side of the coupling are free to rotate relative to the riser pipe such that the joint does not have to rotate to make up the coupling.
- NOTE: 2 The threads do not form a seal.
Threaded Union Coupling
A coupling having mating threaded members on the pin and box to form engagement. Threads on one side of the coupling are free to rotate relative to the riser pipe so that the joint does not have to rotate to make up the coupling. The threads do not form the seal. 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 StandardsThreaded-Union Coupling
Coupling having mating threaded members on the pin and box to form the engagement.- NOTE: The threads on one side of the coupling are free to rotate relative to the riser pipe, so it is not necessary that that the joint rotate to make up the coupling. The threads do not form the seal.
Terminal Fitting
Definition(s)
Terminal Fitting
Connection, commonly referred to as a gooseneck, between a rigid choke, kill, or auxiliary line on a telescopic joint and its mating drape hose, affecting a nominal 180° turn in flow direction.
Source: API Specification 16Q, Design, Selection, Operation, and Maintenance of Marine Drilling Riser Systems, Second Edition, April 2017. Global StandardsTerminal Fitting
The connection between a rigid choke, kill, or auxiliary line on a telescopic joint and its drape hose, effecting a nominal 180" turn in flow direction. 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 StandardsTerminal Fitting
Connection between a rigid choke, kill or auxiliary line on a telescopic joint and its drape hose, effecting a nominal 180° turn in flow direction. 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 StandardsTelescopic Joint Packer
Definition(s)
Telescopic Joint Packer
Means of sealing the annular space between the inner and outer barrels of a telescopic joint.
Source: API Specification 16Q, Design, Selection, Operation, and Maintenance of Marine Drilling Riser Systems, Second Edition, April 2017. Global StandardsTelescopic Joint Packer
The means of sealing the annular space between the inner and outer barrels of the telescopic joint. 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 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 StandardsTelescopic Joint (TJ)
Definition(s)
Telescopic Joint (Slip Joint)
Riser joint having a stroking inner barrel (pipe) inside an outer barrel (pipe) with a sealing means between them to retain bore pressure.
Source: API Specification 16Q, Design, Selection, Operation, and Maintenance of Marine Drilling Riser Systems, Second Edition, April 2017. Global StandardsTelescopic Joint (Slip Joint)
A riser joint having an inner barrel and an outer barrel with sealing means between. The inner and outer barrels of the telescopic joint move relative to each other to compensate for the required change in the length of the riser string as the vessel experiences surge, sway and heave. 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 StandardsTelescopic Joint
Riser joint having an inner barrel and an outer barrel with a means of sealing between them.- NOTE: The inner and outer barrels of the telescopic joint move relative to each other to compensate for the required change in the length of the riser string as the vessel experiences surge, sway, and heave.
Sway
Definition(s)
Sway
Vessel motion along the port/starboard axis. 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 Source: API RP 17G, Recommended Practice for Completion/Workover Risers, Second Edition, July 2006 (Reaffirmed April 2011). Global Standards 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 StandardsSupport Brackets
Definition(s)
Support Brackets (clamps)
Structural members positioned at sufficient intervals along the riser main tube to support the choke, kill, and auxiliary lines and prevent line buckling.
Source: API Specification 16Q, Design, Selection, Operation, and Maintenance of Marine Drilling Riser Systems, Second Edition, April 2017. Global StandardsSupport Brackets
Brackets positioned at intervals along a riser joint that provide intermediate radial and lateral support from the riser main tube to the choke, kill and auxiliary lines. 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 StandardsSupport Bracket
Bracket positioned at intervals along a riser joint that provides intermediate radial and lateral support from the riser main tube to the choke, kill and auxiliary lines. 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 StandardsSubsea Fillup Valve
Definition(s)
Subsea Fillup Valve
A special riser joint having a valve means to allow the riser annulus to be opened to the sea. To prevent riser pipe collapse, the valve may be opened by an automatic actuator controlled by a differential-pressure sensor. 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 StandardsSubsea Fill-Up Valve
Special riser joint having a valve means to allow the riser annulus to be opened to the sea. NOTE To prevent riser pipe collapse, the valve can be opened by an automatic actuator controlled by a differential pressure sensor. 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 StandardsSubmerged Weight
Definition(s)
Submerged Weight
In-air weight minus buoyancy due to water displacement.- NOTE: 1 The submerged weight of a riser string depends on the mode of operation, i.e. connected or suspended. For a connected riser and a suspended riser, internal and external pressures act on internal and external surfaces of the pipe and buoyancy.
- NOTE: 2 For a suspended riser, pressure end loads occur at the exposed areas at the bottom of the riser string