Glossary
Browse the IADC Lexicon alphabetically or by category. Get comprehensive definitions of drilling industry terms.
Combustible
Definition(s)
Combustible
Capable of burning. Source: API RP 14G, Recommended Practice for Fire Prevention and Control on Fixed Open-type Offshore Production Platforms: Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, April 2007. Global StandardsISO
Definition(s)
ISO
Inspection isometric drawing. Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global StandardsISO
International Organization for Standardization. Source: Rules for Classification – Offshore units, DNVGL-OU-0101, Offshore drilling and support units, DNV GL, July 2015. Global Standards 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 Standards Source: API STD 521, Pressure-relieving and Depressuring Systems, Sixth Edition, January 2014. Global Standards Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global Standards Source: NORSOK D-002, Well intervention equipment, Rev. 2, June 2013. Global Standards Source: Incident Reporting and Investigation Guidelines, The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board and Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, Canada, November 30, 2012. Regulatory Guidance Source: Oil & Gas UK, Guidelines on subsea BOP systems, Issue 1, July 2012, Global Standards Source: API Spec Q2, Specification for Quality Management System Requirements for Service, Supply Organizations for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries, Upstream Segment, First Edition, December 2011. Global Standards Source: Environmental Protection Plan Guidelines, The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board, and National Energy Board, Canada, March 31, 2011. Regulatory Guidance Source: 117 OLF, Norwegian Oil and Gas Association recommended guidelines for Well Integrity, No. 117, Revision No. 4, June 2011. Global Standards Source: Safety Plan Guidelines, The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board, and National Energy Board, Canada, March 31, 2011. Regulatory Guidance Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors, Appendix 2 to Health, Safety and Environment Case Guidelines for Offshore Drilling Contractors, Issue 3.3.2, February 2010. IADC Guidelines Source: ANSI/ISA–99.00.01–2007, Security for Industrial Automation and Control Systems, Part 1: Terminology, Concepts, and Models, 29 October 2007. National Standard Source: API RP 2FB, Recommended Practice for the Design of Offshore Facilities Against Fire and Blast Loading, First Edition, April 2006. Global StandardsISO
International Standards Organisation. Source: NOPSEMA Guidance Note: Control Measures and Performance Standards, N-04300 GN0271, Australia, Revision 3, December 2011. Regulatory GuidanceISO
International organisation of standardisation. Source: Offshore Standard DNV-OS-C101, Design of Offshore Steel Structures, General (LRFD Method, Det Norske Veritas, April 2011. Global Standards Source: Offshore Waste Treatment Guidelines, The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board, and National Energy Board, Canada, December 15, 2010. Regulatory GuidanceISO
International Organisation for Standardisation. Source: NOGEPA Industrial Guideline No. 44, Standards and Acceptance Guidelines, Enhance QA/QC for Critical Well Components, Netherlands, Version 0, July 2011. Global StandardsISO
International Standardisation Organisation Source: Verification of Lifting Appliances for the Oil and Gas Industry, DNV-OSS-308, October 2010, Det Norske Veritas AS, Global StandardsHVAC
Definition(s)
HVAC
Rockwell hardness C scale. Source: ISO 21457:2010, Petroleum and natural gas industries — Materials selection and corrosion control for oil and gas production systems, First Edition,September 2010. Global StandardsHVAC
Heating Ventilation and Air-conditioning. Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors, Appendix 2 to Health, Safety and Environment Case Guidelines for Offshore Drilling Contractors, Issue 3.3.2, February 2010. IADC Guidelines Source: NOPSEMA Guidance Note: Control Measures and Performance Standards, N-04300 GN0271, Australia, Revision 3, December 2011. Regulatory GuidanceHVAC
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Source: NORSOK D-001, Drilling facilities, Rev. 3, December 2012. Global Standards 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 StandardsAS
Definition(s)
AS
Autonomous System. Source: ISO/IEC 27032:2015, Information technology — Security techniques — Guidelines for cybersecurity, First Edition, July 2012. Global StandardsAS
Australian Standard. Source: API SPEC 17F, Specification for Subsea Production Control Systems, Second Edition, December 2006 (Reaffirmed April 2011). Global Standards Source: NOPSEMA Guidance Note: Control Measures and Performance Standards, N-04300 GN0271, Australia, Revision 3, December 2011. Regulatory GuidanceAs
Spudcan laterally projected embedded area.
Source: ABS Guidance Notes on Geotechnical Performance of Spudcan Foundations, January 2017. Global StandardsLSA
Definition(s)
LSA
Life Saving Appliances. Source: NOPSEMA Guidance Note: ALARP, N-04300-GN0166, Australia, Revision 4, December 2012. Regulatory Guidance. Regulatory GuidanceLSA
Low Specific Activity. Source: NOGEPA Industrial Guideline No. 16, Working with Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM), Netherlands, Version 1, January 2009. Global StandardsLSA
LSA stands for Low Specific Activity and is a general term for naturally occurring radioactive materials that may be present in gas and oil processing installations. Traces of naturally radioactive materials have been present in the earth’s crust since it was formed, and are extracted together with gas, oil and especially, water. LSA is found on the insides of installations in the form of scale on the walls, dust between flanges and sludge on the bottom of vats and tanks. Closed installation: LSA is found on the inside and not on the outside. There is therefore no radiation risk on closed installations. For LSA, there is virtually no radiation risks, but there is a risk of (internal) contamination. This risk is especially high if LSA materials are present as dust in the air and may be inhaled. For work involving opened installations, special precautions are taken, such as wearing disposable overalls , boots, gloves and, if necessary, breathing protection. Additionally, when carrying out work involving LSA, there is always a radiation protection expert who provides instruction, supervises activities and makes screening measurements. Source: NOGEPA Industrial Guideline No. 16, Working with Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM), Netherlands, Version 1, January 2009. Global StandardsHSC
Definition(s)
HSC
Health and Safety Commission. Source: Commercial Diving Projects Offshore, Diving at Work Regulations 1997, Approved Code of Practice (UK HSE L103), First Edition, 1998. Regulatory Guidance Source: NOPSEMA Guidance Note: ALARP, N-04300-GN0166, Australia, Revision 4, December 2012. Regulatory Guidance. Regulatory GuidanceHSC
Hydrogen stress cracking. Source: ISO 21457:2010, Petroleum and natural gas industries — Materials selection and corrosion control for oil and gas production systems, First Edition,September 2010. Global StandardsHSC
Cracking that results from the presence of hydrogen in a metal and tensile stress (residual and/or applied). NOTE HSC describes cracking in metals that are not sensitive to SSC but which can be embrittled by hydrogen when galvanically coupled, as the cathode, to another metal that is corroding actively as an anode. The term “galvanically induced HSC” has been used for this mechanism of cracking. [ISO 15156-1:2009, definition 3.13] Source: ISO 21457:2010, Petroleum and natural gas industries — Materials selection and corrosion control for oil and gas production systems, First Edition,September 2010. Global StandardsEERA
Definition(s)
EERA
Evacuation, Escape and Rescue Analysis. Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors, Appendix 2 to Health, Safety and Environment Case Guidelines for Offshore Drilling Contractors, Issue 3.3.2, February 2010. IADC Guidelines Source: ISO 17776:2000, Petroleum and natural gas industries – Offshore production installations – Guidelines on tools and techniques for hazard identification and risk assessment. Global Standards Source: NOPSEMA Guidance Note: ALARP, N-04300-GN0166, Australia, Revision 4, December 2012. Regulatory Guidance. Regulatory GuidanceCBA
Definition(s)
CBA
Cost-benefit Analysis. Source: DHS Risk Lexicon, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2010 Edition. September 2010 Regulatory GuidanceCost Benefit Analysis (CBA)
An analysis which evaluates the costs to be made versus the benefits obtained to reduce risk associated with an activity. Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors, Appendix 2 to Health, Safety and Environment Case Guidelines for Offshore Drilling Contractors, Issue 3.3.2, February 2010. IADC GuidelinesCBA
Cost Benefit Analysis. Source: ISO 17776:2000, Petroleum and natural gas industries – Offshore production installations – Guidelines on tools and techniques for hazard identification and risk assessment. Global Standards Source: NOPSEMA Guidance Note: ALARP, N-04300-GN0166, Australia, Revision 4, December 2012. Regulatory Guidance Source: NOPSEMA Guidance Note: Noise Management—Principles of Assessment and Control, N-09000-GN0401, Australia, Revision 3, December 2011. Regulatory GuidanceCapture
Definition(s)
Capture
Capture is defined as the mass fraction of incoming suspended solids that are conveyed to the reject stream. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsWeighting Material
Definition(s)
Weighting Material
High specific-gravity solids used to increase the density of drilling fluids. NOTE This material is commonly barite or haematite, and in special applications may be limestone. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsWeighted Drilling Fluid
Definition(s)
Weighted Drilling Fluid
Drilling fluid to which high specific-gravity solids have been added to increase its density. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsWater-Based Drilling Fluid
Definition(s)
Water-Based Drilling Fluid
Drilling fluid in which water is the suspending medium for solids and is the continuous phase, whether oil is present or not. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsVortex
Definition(s)
Vortex
Cylindrical or conical shaped core of air or vapour lying along the central axis of the rotating slurry inside a hydrocyclone. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsVolume of Solids Drilled
Definition(s)
Volume of Solids Drilled
Volume of solids drilled over a specified interval. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsViscosity
Definition(s)
Viscosity
Ratio of shear stress to shear rate. NOTE 1 In the SI system, viscosity is expressed in pascal seconds (Pa⋅s). NOTE 2 If the shear stress is expressed in the CGS system (dynes per square centimetre) and the shear rate is expressed in reciprocal seconds, the viscosity is expressed in poise, P. 1 P = 1 dyn·s/cm2 = 1 g⋅cm−1⋅s−1 = 10−1 Pa⋅s. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsViscosity
Measure of a fluid's tendency to resist flow. Source: IADC UBO / MPD Glossary, December 2011. Global StandardsUnweighted Drilling Fluid
Definition(s)
Unweighted Drilling Fluid
Drilling fluid that does not contain commercial suspended solids added for the purpose of increasing the density of the drilling fluid. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsUnoccluded
Definition(s)
Unoccluded
Unobstructed area of a screen opening. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsUnderflow
Definition(s)
Underflow (Centrifugal Separator)
Discharge stream from a centrifugal separator that contains a higher percentage of solids than does the feed. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsUnderflow (Screen Separator)
Discharge stream from a screen separator that contains a lower percentage of solids than does the feed. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsTrip Tank
Definition(s)
Trip Tank
Gauged and calibrated vessel used to account for fill and displacement volumes as pipe is pulled from and run into the hole. NOTE Close observation allows early detection of formation fluid entering a wellbore and of drilling fluid loss to a formation. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsTotal Non-Blanked Area
Definition(s)
Total Non-Blanked Area
Net unblocked area that will permit the passage of fluid through a screen. NOTE 1 It is expressed in square metres (square feet). NOTE 2 Some screen designs can eliminate as much as 40 % of the gross screen panel area from fluid flow due to backing-plate and bonding-material blockage. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsTotal Dilution
Definition(s)
Total Dilution
Volume of drilling fluid that would be built to maintain a specified volume fraction of drilled solids over a specified interval of footage if there were no solids removal system. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsTensioning
Definition(s)
Tensioning
Stretching of a screening surface of a shale shaker to the proper tension while positioning it within the vibrating frame. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsSump
Definition(s)
Sump
Pan or lower compartment below the lowest shale-shaker screen. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsSump
Sump―a container constructed of steel, fiberglass, sealed concrete, or some other impermeable material utilized for temporary storage of E and P Waste, including, but not limited to, wash water and solids (sludge) generated by the removal/cleaning of residual amounts of E and P Waste from storage containers. Source: Natural Resources, Office of Conservation – General Operations, Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 43, Part XIX, March 2013. RegulationsSump
“Sump” means an impermeable vessel, or a collection device incorporated within a secondary containment system, with a capacity less than 500 gallons, which remains predominantly empty, serves as a drain or receptacle for de minimis releases on an intermittent basis and is not used to store, treat, dispose of or evaporate products or wastes. Source: Oil and Gas, New Mexico Administrative Code Title 19, Chapter 15, January 2013. RegulationsSump
A pit or excavation, for holding liquids. Source: Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production, Definitions, California Code of Regulations, 8 CCR § 6505, December 2012. RegulationsSuction Compartment
Definition(s)
Suction Compartment (General)
Any compartment from which a pump removes fluid. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsSuction Compartment (Specific)
Area of the check/suction section that supplies drilling fluid to the suction of the drilling fluid pumps. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsSlug Tank
Definition(s)
Slug Tank
Small compartment, normally adjacent to the suction compartment, used to mix special fluids to pump downhole. NOTE Slug tanks are most commonly used to prepare a small volume of weighted drilling fluid before a drillstem trip in and out of the borehole. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsSieve Analysis
Definition(s)
Sieve Analysis
Classification by mass of solid particles passing through or retained on a sequence of screens with decreasing aperture sizes. NOTE Sieve analysis can be carried out by wet or dry methods. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsSieve
Definition(s)
Sieve
Laboratory screen with wire-mesh or electronically-punched holes of known dimensions. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsShale Shaker
Definition(s)
Shale Shaker
Mechanical device that separates cuttings and large solids from a drilling fluid. NOTE The separation methods can include vibrating screens, rotating cylindrical screens, etc. Source: API RP 13C, Recommended Practice on Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsShale Shaker
A vibrating screen that removes relatively large size cuttings from the drilling fluid returns. Source: API RP 59, Recommended Practice for Well Control Operations, Second Edition, May 2006. Global Standards Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsScreening
Definition(s)
Screening
The maximum uplift force during spud can extraction.
Source: API RP 781 Security Plan Methodology for the Oil and Natural Gas Industries.1st Ed. September 2016. Global Standards