Water Storage Unit

Water Storage Unit

Definition(s)

Water Storage Unit

Any body in which water collects and resides for a period of time, e.g. the atmosphere, ponds, lakes, oceans, aquifers, etc. Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Water Stewardship

Water Stewardship

Definition(s)

Water Stewardship

Use of water that is socially beneficial, environmentally responsible and economically sustainable. (AWS, 2013. Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Water Stress

Water Stress

Definition(s)

Water Stress

Occurs when the demand for water exceeds the available amount of water over a given period, or when the poor quality of available water restricts its use (AWS, 2013). Leflaive et al. (2012) explain that water stress can be quantified by taking a ratio of water demand to water availability, and define four categories of water stress ranging from ‘no stress’ to ‘severe stress’ based on these ratios. Another measure is the Falkenmark Indicator, which defines water stress as when annual water supplies in a country or region drop below 1,700 cubic metres per person per year (United Nations). Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Water Security

Water Security

Definition(s)

Water Security

The reliable availability of an acceptable quantity and quality of water for health, livelihoods and production, coupled with an acceptable level of water-related risks. Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Water Scarcity

Water Scarcity

Definition(s)

Water Scarcity

The point at which the aggregate impact of all users impinges on the supply or quality of water under prevailing institutional arrangements to the extent that the demand by all sectors, including the environment, cannot be satisfied fully (United Nations, 2006). One measure is the Falkenmark Indicator, which defines water security as when annual water supplies in a country or region drop below 1,000 cubic metres per person per year. Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Water Quality

Water Quality

Definition(s)

Water Quality

The quality of a specific water body is defined by the suitability or condition of the water for a particular use based on its physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. (GEMI, 2012). Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Water Intensity

Water Intensity

Definition(s)

Water Intensity

The ratio between water intake and a defined unit of production. (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Water Governance

Water Governance

Definition(s)

Water Governance

Encompasses the internal and external mechanisms by which the water related aspects of an entity are controlled and by which the entity is accountable to its stakeholders, including which decisions are made, how and by whom. It defines the relationships between different stakeholders and between different parts of the system. The term governance applies to all entities and is distinct from the term government. (AWS, 2013, adapted from ISEAL Alliance, 2007: ISEAL Emerging Initiatives Module 4: Models of Governance, July 2007.). Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Water Discharge

Water Discharge

Definition(s)

Water Discharge

Water effluents discharged outside a reporting organization boundary to subsurface waters, surface waters, sewers that lead to rivers, oceans, lakes, wetlands, treatment facilities, and groundwater. (GEMI, 2012) Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Water Demand

Water Demand

Definition(s)

Water Demand

The total water requirements of a project. Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Water Consumption

Water Consumption

Definition(s)

Water Consumption

The difference between water withdrawal and water discharge to/from the same source (or watershed). Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Water Balance

Water Balance

Definition(s)

Water Balance

The relationship between input and output of water across a defined system boundary, e.g. a watershed or the project site boundary. If input > output, then storage within the system increases; if input < output, then storage decreases. (DRET, 2008). Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Water Availability

Water Availability

Definition(s)

Water Availability

The hydrologic capacity of a water source (surface water body, groundwater, municipal water) to sustain additional water demands after considering other current water uses and water conditions. (GEMI, 2012) Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Sustainability

Sustainability

Definition(s)

Sustainability

A system that is sustainable should meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (Brundtland Report—WCED, 1987). Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Secondary Stakeholders

Secondary Stakeholders

Definition(s)

Secondary Stakeholders

Those individuals or groups with an interest in the project, including local and national government, policy makers, regulators, advocacy groups and NGOs, that are not directly impacted by the project but nonetheless have a legitimate interest in and influence over it. Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Primary Stakeholders

Primary Stakeholders

Definition(s)

Primary Stakeholders

Those individuals or groups who are directly impacted (positively or negatively) by the project, including beneficiaries of the project. Primary stakeholders typically have a heightened interest in the project and have the ability to strongly influence its progress (positively or negatively). Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Stakeholders

Stakeholders

Definition(s)

Stakeholders

People that affect, or are affected by, company activities or operations (e.g. customers, shareholders, management, employees, suppliers, local communities, advocacy groups and government). (IPIECA, 2010) Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards  

Stakeholders

People who affect, or who are affected by, the operating activities, products, services and/or assets of the company. Stakeholders include employees, customers, communities, contractors, suppliers, shareholders, partners, governments, regulators, the general public, advocacy groups, industry associations and non-governmental organisations. 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
Sphere of Influence

Sphere of Influence

Definition(s)

Sphere of Influence

See ‘Area of influence’. Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Socially Beneficial Water Use

Socially Beneficial Water Use

Definition(s)

Socially Beneficial Water Use

Recognizes basic human needs and ensures long-term benefits (including Water Use economic benefits) for local people and society in general. (AWS, 2013) Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Site

Site

Definition(s)

Site

Location where piping system is installed. Source: ISO 14692-1:2017, Petroleum and natural gas industries — Glass-reinforced plastics (GRP) piping — Part 1: Vocabulary, symbols, applications and materials, Second Edition, August 2017. Global Standards

Site

A unique location of a business operation. (GEMI, 2012) Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Reused Water

Reused Water

Definition(s)

Reused Water

Used water/waste water employed through another process cycle with no or minimal treatment, before discharge for final treatment and/or discharge to the environment. Reuse includes waste water used for irrigation and harvesting of rainwater (both within a facility boundary). Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Recycled Water

Recycled Water

Definition(s)

Recycled Water

Used water/waste water employed through another process cycle after treatment, before discharge for final treatment and/or discharge to the environment. Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Opportunity

Opportunity

Definition(s)

Opportunity

Potential top line business enhancements created by voluntary sustainable water management actions. (GEMI, 2012). Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Municipal Supply

Municipal Supply

Definition(s)

Municipal Supply

Supply of drinking quality water by, or on behalf of, a public organization. Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Land Take

Land Take

Definition(s)

Land Take

The area of land that is ‘taken’ by infrastructure itself and other facilities that necessarily go along with the infrastructure, such as filling stations on roads and railway stations. (European Commission) Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Important Water Areas

Important Water Areas

Definition(s)

Important Water Areas

The specific ecological, socio-cultural, and economic areas of a drainage basin that, if impaired or lost, would have an adverse impact on the environmental, social, cultural or economic benefits derived from the watershed in a significant or disproportionate manner. This includes areas that are legally protected or under a conservation agreement, areas that have been identified by local or indigenous communities as having significance for cultural, spiritual, religious or recreational values, and areas that are recognized as providing important ecosystem services. (AWS, 2013) Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Fracture Stimulation or Hydraulic Fracturing

Fracture Stimulation or Hydraulic Fracturing

Definition(s)

Fracture Stimulation or Hydraulic Fracturing

A stimulation technique used to create a fracture in the reservoir formation to increase productivity of the well. NOTE Proppant is used in the fracturing fluid to hold the fracture open, thus maintaining a high conductivity path into the wellbore. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Groundwater Recharge Area

Groundwater Recharge Area

Definition(s)

Groundwater Recharge Area

That area of the land surface where precipitation or other sources of recharge area water recharge an aquifer. Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Groundwater Depression Area

Groundwater Depression Area

Definition(s)

Groundwater Depression Area

That area of an aquifer where abstraction has had an impact on the stored depression area quantity of water by lowering hydraulic heads. Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards
Flow Back

Flow Back

Definition(s)

Flow Back

The fracture fluids that return to surface after a hydraulic fracture is completed and prior to the well being brought into production. Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global Standards