Glossary
Browse the IADC Lexicon alphabetically or by category. Get comprehensive definitions of drilling industry terms.
RCRA
Definition(s)
RCRA
Resource Conservation & Recovery Act. Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global StandardsRCRA
“RCRA” means the federal Resource Recovery and Conservation Act. Source: Oil and Gas, New Mexico Administrative Code Title 19, Chapter 15, January 2013. RegulationsPPM
Definition(s)
PPM
"Ppm" means parts per million. Source: Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Definitions, Alaska Admin. Code tit. 20, § 25.990, December 7, 2012. Regulations Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global Standards Source: Oil and Gas, New Mexico Administrative Code Title 19, Chapter 15, January 2013. RegulationsPPM
PPM means ml/m3. <Annex II, Chapter 1, Regulation 1>. 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. LegislationPG
Definition(s)
PG
Pasquill-Gifford. Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global StandardsPermissible Exposure Limit
Definition(s)
Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)
TWA concentrations that must not be exceeded during any 8-hour work shift of a 40-hour work week. PELs are subject to change. Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global StandardsPermissible Exposure Limit
Exposure limit that is published and enforced by OSHA as a legal standard (see 29 CFR 1910.1000, Subpart Z), expressed as 8-hour TWAs, ceiling values, and STELs. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsPEL
Definition(s)
PEL
Permissible exposure limit. Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global Standards Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsPEL
Exposure limit that is published and enforced by OSHA as a legal standard (see 29 CFR 1910.1000, Subpart Z), expressed as 8-hour TWAs, ceiling values, and STELs. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsOSHA
Definition(s)
OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Source: API STD 521, Pressure-relieving and Depressuring Systems, Sixth Edition, January 2014. Global Standards Source:API SPECIFICATION 19TT, Specification for Downhole Well Test Tools and Related Equipment, First Edition, October 2016. Global Standards Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global Standards Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsNTIS
Definition(s)
NTIS
National Technical Information Service. Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global StandardsNIOSH
Definition(s)
NIOSH
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global Standards Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsMSDS
Definition(s)
MSDS
Material safety data sheet. Source:API Standards 2217A, Guidelines for Safe Work in Inert Confined Spaces in the Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries, Fourth Edition, July 2009. Global Standards Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global Standards Source: NOPSEMA Guidance note: Hazard Identification, N-04300-GN0107, Australia, Revision 5, December 2012. Regulatory GuidanceMSDS
Written or printed material concerning a hazardous chemical and prepared in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200, ANSI Z400.1 or comparable international standard. An MSDS provides data on physical properties, safety, fire, and health hazards for a particular chemical, mixture or substance. Source:API Standards 2217A, Guidelines for Safe Work in Inert Confined Spaces in the Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries, Fourth Edition, July 2009. Global StandardsMSDS
Material Safety Data Sheets. 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 GuidelinesLength-of-stain Detector
Definition(s)
Length-of-stain detector
A specially designed pump and colorimetric indicator tube detector (length-of-stain), with a supply of detector tubes, that operates by using the pump to pull a known volume of air or gas through a detector tube. The tubes contain chemical reagents that are designed to detect the presence and display the concentration of specific gases or vapors in the sample. The length of the resultant color band in the tube indicates an instantaneous quantitative concentration of the specific chemical in the sample. Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global StandardsImmediately Dangerous to Life and Health
Definition(s)
Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH)
An atmospheric concentration of any toxic, corrosive, or asphyxiant substance that poses an immediate threat to life or would cause irreversible or delayed adverse health effects or would interfere with an individual’s ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere. The ACGIH has established 300 ppm or greater of H2S as an IDLH exposure. Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global StandardsImmediately Dangerous to Life and Health
Value defined by OSHA in their HAZWOPER regulation as an atmospheric concentration of any toxic, corrosive or asphyxiating substance that poses an immediate threat to life or would cause irreversible or delayed adverse health effects or would interfere with an individual's ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere” (29 CFR 1910.120). Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsImmediately Dangerous to Life and Health
The traditional NIOSH definition for published IDLH values is the maximum concentration of an air contaminant from which one could escape within 30 minutes without a respirator and without experiencing any escape-impairing or irreversible health effects. Total loss of respiratory protection in an inert atmosphere can cause virtually immediate impairment and result in rapid asphyxiation. While inert atmospheres are indeed “IDLH” by NIOSH criteria, the hazard is much more immediate and severe. Source: API Standards 2217A, Guidelines for Safe Work in Inert Confined Spaces in the Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries, Fourth Edition, July 2009. Global StandardsIDLH
Definition(s)
IDLH
The NIOSH traditional definition is the maximum concentration of an air contaminant from which one could escape within 30 min. without a respirator and without experiencing any escape-impairing or irreversible health effects. API RP 2201, Safe Hot Tapping Practices in the Petroleum & Petrochemical Industries, Fifth Edition, July 2003 (Reaffirmed October 2010), Global StandardsIDLH
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health. Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global Standards Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsIDLH
Value defined by OSHA in their HAZWOPER regulation as an atmospheric concentration of any toxic, corrosive or asphyxiating substance that poses an immediate threat to life or would cause irreversible or delayed adverse health effects or would interfere with an individual's ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere” (29 CFR 1910.120). Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsIDLH
The traditional NIOSH definition for published IDLH values is the maximum concentration of an air contaminant from which one could escape within 30 minutes without a respirator and without experiencing any escape-impairing or irreversible health effects. Total loss of respiratory protection in an inert atmosphere can cause virtually immediate impairment and result in rapid asphyxiation. While inert atmospheres are indeed “IDLH” by NIOSH criteria, the hazard is much more immediate and severe. Source: API Standards 2217A, Guidelines for Safe Work in Inert Confined Spaces in the Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries, Fourth Edition, July 2009. Global StandardsIDLH
Immediately dangerous to life or health. Source: API Standards 2217A, Guidelines for Safe Work in Inert Confined Spaces in the Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries, Fourth Edition, July 2009. Global StandardsH2S
Definition(s)
H2S
Hydrogen sulfide. Source: API Specification 16Q, Design, Selection, Operation, and Maintenance of Marine Drilling Riser Systems, Second Edition, April 2017. Global Standards Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global Standards Source: API STD 53, Blowout Prevention Equipment Systems for Drilling Wells, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, November 2012. Global Standards Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsH2S
An abbreviation for hydrogen sulfide. Source: API RP 59, Recommended Practice for Well Control Operations, Second Edition, May 2006. Global StandardsH2S
Hydrogen Sulphide. Source: API RP 67, Recommended Practice for Oilfield Explosives Safety, Upstream Segment, Second Edition, May 2007. Global Standards 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: OGP Report No. 476, Recommendations for enhancements to well control training, examination and certification, International Association of Oil & Gas Producers, October 2012. Global StandardsH2S
Colorless, flammable, extremely hazardous gas with a “rotten egg” smell that occurs naturally in crude petroleum, natural gas, and hot springs and is produced by bacterial breakdown of organic materials and human and animal wastes (e.g. sewage). NOTE 1 Some common names for the gas include sewer gas, stink damp, swamp gas, and manure gas. NOTE 2 Industrial activities that can produce the gas include petroleum/natural gas drilling and refining, wastewater treatment, coke ovens, tanneries, and paper mills. Hydrogen sulfide can also exist as a liquid compressed gas. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsH2S
“H2S” means hydrogen sulfide. Source: Oil and Gas, New Mexico Administrative Code Title 19, Chapter 15, January 2013. RegulationsHydrogen Sulfide
Definition(s)
Hydrogen sulfide
Chemical formula is H2S. A flammable, toxic gas that is heavier than air and sometimes found in fluids encountered in oil and gas producing and gas processing operations. Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global StandardsHydrogen sulfide (H2S)
A highly toxic, flammable, corrosive gas sometimes encountered in hydrocarbon bearing formations. Source: API RP 59, Recommended Practice for Well Control Operations, Second Edition, May 2006. Global Standards Source: API STD 53, Blowout Prevention Equipment Systems for Drilling Wells, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, November 2012. Global StandardsHydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
A highly toxic, flammable corrosive gas sometimes encountered in hydrocarbon bearing formations. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsHydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
Colorless, flammable, extremely hazardous gas with a “rotten egg” smell that occurs naturally in crude petroleum, natural gas, and hot springs and is produced by bacterial breakdown of organic materials and human and animal wastes (e.g. sewage). NOTE 1 Some common names for the gas include sewer gas, stink damp, swamp gas, and manure gas. NOTE 2 Industrial activities that can produce the gas include petroleum/natural gas drilling and refining, wastewater treatment, coke ovens, tanneries, and paper mills. Hydrogen sulfide can also exist as a liquid compressed gas. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsHAZWOPER
Definition(s)
HAZWOPER
Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global Standards Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global Standards Source:API RP T-1, Creating Orientation Programs for Personnel Going Offshore, Fifth Edition, November 2016. Global StandardsGas Detection Instrument
Definition(s)
Gas detection instrument
An assembly of electrical, mechanical, and chemical components designed to sense and respond continuously to the presence of chemical gases in atmospheric mixtures. Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global StandardsFR
Definition(s)
FR
Federal Register. Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global Standardsfr
Reduction factor.
Source: ABS Guidance Notes on Geotechnical Performance of Spudcan Foundations, January 2017. Global StandardsEssential Personnel
Definition(s)
Essential personnel
Those individuals required to provide proper and prudent safe operations activities and those required to effect control of the hazardous hydrogen sulfide or sulfur dioxide conditions. Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global StandardsEPCRA
Definition(s)
EPCRA
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global StandardsEPA
Definition(s)
EPA
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency .
Source: API RP 781 Security Plan Methodology for the Oil and Natural Gas Industries.1st Ed. September 2016. Global Standards