Glossary
Browse the IADC Lexicon alphabetically or by category. Get comprehensive definitions of drilling industry terms.
Situations of Hazard and Accident
Definition(s)
Situations of Hazard and Accident
The situations of hazard and accident also include situations of hazard and accident other than the defined, complex situations of hazard and accident, stress situations and situations where key personnel are incapacitated or are unable to carry out their duties. Source: Guidance Notes on Petroleum and Natural Gas (Safety in Offshore Operations) Rules, 2008, Oil Industry Safety Directorate (India), 2012. Regulatory GuidanceSKIM
Definition(s)
SKIM
Cooperation forum offshore Chemicals, Industry and Environment Authorities. Source: Guidelines Regarding the Activities Regulations, Norway, updated December 2012. Regulatory GuidanceSlick Line
Definition(s)
Slick Line
“Slick line” means a single steel cable used to run tools in a well (câble lisse). 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. RegulationsSMART
Definition(s)
SMART
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Targeted. Source: NOPSEMA Guidance Note: Safety Management Systems, N04300-GN1052, Australia, Revision 0, December 2012. Regulatory GuidanceSMS
Definition(s)
SMS
Security Management System .
Source: API RP 781 Security Plan Methodology for the Oil and Natural Gas Industries.1st Ed. September 2016. Global StandardsSMS
Safety Management System. Source: NOPSEMA Guidance note: Safety Case Lifecycle Management, N04300-GN0087, Australia, Revision 5, December 2012. Regulatory Guidance Source: NOPSEMA Guidance note: Risk Assessment, N-04300-GN0165, Australia, Revision 4, December 2012. Regulatory Guidance Source: NOPSEMA Guidance Note: ALARP, N-04300-GN0166, Australia, Revision 4, December 2012. Regulatory Guidance Source: NOPSEMA Guidance Note: Control Measures and Performance Standards, N-04300 GN0271, Australia, Revision 3, December 2011. Regulatory Guidance Source: NOPSEMA Guidance Note: Safety Management Systems, N04300-GN1052, Australia, Revision 0, December 2012. 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: Prevention of Fire and Explosion, and Emergency Response on Offshore Installations, Offshore Installations (Prevention of Fire and Explosion, and Emergency Response) Regulations 1995, Approved Code of Practice and guidance (UK HSE L65), Second Edition, 1997. Regulatory Guidance Source: A Guide to the Offshore Installations and Pipelines Works (Management and Administration) Regulations 1995, Guidance on Regulations (UK HSE L70), Second Edition, 2002. Regulatory Guidance 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 GuidanceSnubbing
Definition(s)
Snubbing
Pulling or running pipe under pressure through a sealing element where special equipment is used to apply external force to push the pipe into the well, or to control the pipe movement out of the well. Source: API RP 54, Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations, Third Edition, August 1999 (2007). Global StandardsSnubbing
Conducting tripping operations when the force acting on the drill string or coiled tubing from the wellbore pressure equals or exceeds the drill string or coiled tubing weight. Source: IADC UBO / MPD Glossary, December 2011. Global StandardsSnubbing
“Snubbing” means pulling or running pipe under pressure through a resilient sealing element where special equipment is used to apply external force to push the pipe into the well or to control the pipe movement out of the well. [Mich. Admin. Code R 408 (2013)]. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsSnubbing
Snubbing units as mentioned in the last subsection, means mobile units that are installed so that forces are transferred directly to the wellhead. Source: Guidelines Regarding the Facilities Regulations, Norway, updated December 2012. Regulatory GuidanceSnubbing
Intervention using jointed pipe and where the primary well control is at surface. Source: NORSOK D-002, Well intervention equipment, Rev. 2, June 2013. Global StandardsSO2
Definition(s)
SO2
Sulfur dioxide. Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global Standards Source: Resolution MEPC.184(59), 2009 Guidelines for exhaust gas cleaning systems, 17 July 2009, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSocial Amplification of Risk
Definition(s)
Social Amplification of Risk
Distortion of the seriousness of a risk caused by public concern about the risk and/or about an activity contributing to the risk. Sample Usage: Social amplification of risk can result in public concern with an otherwise insignificant risk. Annotation:- Describes the phenomenon by which hazards interact with psychological, social, institutional, and cultural processes in ways that may amplify or attenuate the public's perceived level of risk.
- The social amplification of risk phenomenon is the subject of a field of study that seeks to systematically link the technical assessment of risk with sociological perspectives of risk perception and risk-related behavior.
Socio-technical System
Definition(s)
Socio-technical System
A system that includes interaction between people, technology (i.e. equipment and systems) and their physical and organizational environments. Source: IMO MSC.1/Circ.1512, Guideline on Software Quality Assurance and Human-Centred Design for e-navigation, 8 June 2015, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSoftware Quality
Definition(s)
Software Quality
The degree to which a software product (system, component or process) meets specified requirements with the aim of also meeting stakeholder expectations. Source: IMO MSC.1/Circ.1512, Guideline on Software Quality Assurance and Human-Centred Design for e-navigation, 8 June 2015, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSoftware Quality Assurance (SQA)
Definition(s)
Software Quality Assurance (SQA)
A set of processes that ensures software meets and complies with required quality specifications. Designated SQA processes align with a system design life cycle. Source: IMO MSC.1/Circ.1512, Guideline on Software Quality Assurance and Human-Centred Design for e-navigation, 8 June 2015, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSoftware Quality Evaluation
Definition(s)
Software Quality Evaluation
A systematic examination of the extent to which a software product is capable of satisfying stated and implied needs. Source: IMO MSC.1/Circ.1512, Guideline on Software Quality Assurance and Human-Centred Design for e-navigation, 8 June 2015, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSoftware Quality in Use
Definition(s)
Software Quality in Use
Capability of a software product to enable specific users to achieve specific goals with effectiveness, productivity, safety and satisfaction in specific contexts of use. Source: IMO MSC.1/Circ.1512, Guideline on Software Quality Assurance and Human-Centred Design for e-navigation, 8 June 2015, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSOLAS
Definition(s)
SOLAS
SOLAS means the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended. Source:IMO MSC.1/Circ.1002, Guidelines on alternative design and arrangements for fire safety, 26 June 2001, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory Guidance Source: IMO MSC.1/Circ.1212, Guidelines on alternative design and arrangements for SOLAS chapters II-1 and III, 15 December 2006, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory Guidance Source: IMO Resolution A.1023(26), Code for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (2009 MODU Code), 2009. Global Standards Source: IMO Resolution MSC.253(83), Recommendation on Performance Standards for Navigation Lights, Navigation Light Controllers and associated equipment, 8 October 2007, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory Guidance Source: IMO Resolution MSC.266(84), Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships, 2008 (2008 SPS Code), 13 May 2008, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSOLAS
Safety of Life at Sea, International Maritime Organization. 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 GuidelinesSOLAS
International Convention of the International Maritime Organization, dealing with safety of life at sea. 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 GuidelinesSOLAS
Safety Of Life At Sea (Conference). Source: ISO 15544:2000, Petroleum and natural gas industries – Offshore production installations – Requirements and guidelines for emergency. Global StandardsSOLAS
SOLAS means the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended. 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, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSOx
Definition(s)
SOx
Sulphur oxides. Resolution MEPC.184(59), 2009 Guidelines for exhaust gas cleaning systems, 17 July 2009, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSP
Definition(s)
SP
Safety Plan. 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 GuidanceSpace
Definition(s)
Space
"Space" means a permanent or temporary three-dimensional structure or compartment on a ship such as, but not limited to, cargo tanks or holds; pump or engine rooms; storage lockers; tanks containing flammable or combustible liquids, gases, or solids; other rooms; crawl spaces; tunnels (i.e. shaft alleys); or access ways. The atmosphere within a space is the entire volume within its bounds. Source: Resolution MEPC.210(63), 2012 Guidelines for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling, 2 March 2012, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSpace
Spaces are separate compartments such as tanks, pump-rooms, cofferdams and void spaces bounding cargo holds, decks and outer hull. Source: Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Mobile Offshore Units, Part 1, Regulations, June 2013, Lloyd’s Register, Global StandardsSpaces
Separate compartments including holds and tanks. Source: Rules for Classification – Offshore units, DNVGL-OU-0101, Offshore drilling and support units, DNV GL, July 2015. Global StandardsSPAE
Definition(s)
Significant pipeline accident event (SPAE)
Term previously used by the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Pipelines) Regulations 2001, but not defined there, with similar implications to major accident event. Now only mentioned in the “object” of those regulations and no longer used by NOPSEMA. Source: NOPSEMA Guideline – Glossary – Regulatory Operations, N-09000-GL0326, Australia, Revision 5, December 2011. Regulatory GuidanceSpan Calibration Gas
Definition(s)
Span Calibration Gas
Span calibration gas is a gas mixture of known concentration used for calibration/adjustment of the gas analysis unit. Source: IMO MSC.1/Circ.1343, amendments to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual, 24 May 2010, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory Guidance Source: IMO MSC.1/Circ.1370, Guidelines for the design, construction and testing of fixed hydrocarbon gas detection systems, 22 June 2010, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSPECI
Definition(s)
SPECI
A character-based format for a special aviation weather observation. Source: Offshore Physical Environmental Guidelines, The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board, and National Energy Board, Canada, September 2008. Regulatory GuidanceSpecial Personnel
Definition(s)
Special Personnel
“Special personnel” means all persons who are not passengers or members of the crew or children of under one year of age and who are carried on board in connection with the special purpose of that ship or because of special work being carried out aboard that ship. Wherever in this Code the number of special personnel appears as a parameter, it should include the number of passengers carried on board which may not exceed 12. Special personnel are expected to be able bodied with a fair knowledge of the layout of the ship and to have received some training in safety procedures and the handling of the ship’s safety equipment before leaving port and include the following:- scientists, technicians and expeditionaries on ships engaged in research, non-commercial expeditions and survey;
- personnel engaging in training and practical marine experience to develop seafaring skills suitable for a professional career at sea. Such training should be in accordance with a training programme approved by the Administration;
- personnel who process the catch of fish, whales or other living resources of the sea on factory ships not engaged in catching;
- salvage personnel on salvage ships, cable-laying personnel on cable-laying ships, seismic personnel on seismic survey ships, diving personnel on diving support ships, pipe-laying personnel on pipe layers and crane operating personnel on floating cranes; and
- other personnel similar to those referred to in .1 to .4 who, in the opinion of the Administration, may be referred to this group.
Special Personnel
Special personnel means all persons carried on board a MOU in connection with the special purpose of the MOU or with special work being carried out on the MOU, and who are neither seafarers nor directly or indirectly paying passengers. Source: IMO Resolution A.1079(28), Recommendations for the Training and Certification of Personnel on Mobile Offshore Units (MOUs), Adopted on 4 December 2013, International Maritime Organization, Regulatory GuidanceSpecial Purpose Ship
Definition(s)
Special Purpose Ship
Special purpose ship has the same definition as in the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships, 2008 (resolution MSC.266(84)). Source: IMO resolution MSC.267(85), International Code on Intact Stability, 2008 (2008 IS Code), 4 December 2008, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory Guidance Source: IMO Resolution MSC.267(85), adoption of the International Code on Intact Stability, 2008 (2008 IS Code), 4 December 2008, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSpecial Purpose Ship
“Special purpose ship” means a mechanically self-propelled ship which by reason of its function carries on board more than 12 special personnel. Note: Some sail training ships may be classified by the Administration as “not propelled by mechanical means” if fitted with mechanical propulsion for auxiliary and emergency purposes. Note: Where a ship carries more than 12 passengers, as defined in SOLAS, the ship should not be considered a special purpose ship as it is a passenger ship as defined by SOLAS. Source: IMO Resolution MSC.266(84), Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships, 2008 (2008 SPS Code), 13 May 2008, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSpecific Assessments
Definition(s)
Specific Assessments
Specific assessments as mentioned in the second subsection, mean assessments of the overall risk for all activities related to operation and maintenance of the facilities, including transport of employees. Source: Guidelines Regarding the Facilities Regulations, Norway, updated December 2012. Regulatory GuidanceSpecify
Definition(s)
Specify
Specify: to mention or name specifically or definitely; state in detail (The Macquarie Dictionary Online © 2007). Source: NOPSEMA Guidance note: Safety Case Content and Level of Detail, N-04300-GN0106, Australia, Revision 5, December 2012. Regulatory GuidanceSpill
Definition(s)
Spill
In sections 25 to 28, “spill” means a discharge, emission or escape of petroleum, other than one that is authorized under the regulations or any other federal law or that constitutes a discharge from a vessel to which Part 8 or 9 of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 applies or a ship to which Part 6 of the Marine Liability Act applies. Source: Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. O-7, Canada, current to April 29, 2013. LegislationSpill
“Spill” means a discharge, emission or escape of petroleum, other than one that is authorized under the regulations or any other federal law or that constitutes a discharge from a vessel to which Part 8 or 9 of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 applies or a ship to which Part 6 of the Marine Liability Act applies. 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 GuidanceSpill
Any discharge of petroleum (including but not limited to crude oil, natural gas, condensate, lubricants, hydraulic oils, fuels, petroleum based synthetic drilling fluids, or any other refined petroleum product ) that enters the sea shall be reported as a spill. Note: AIANL 160, 161; AIANS 165, 166; Newfoundland Offshore Area Oil and Gas Operations Regulations Section 6; DPR 76(1); INST 70; GR 27, 28. 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 GuidanceSpill
SPILL shall mean any unauthorized sudden discharge of E&P waste to the environment. Source: Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Practice and Procedure, Code of Colorado Regulations, 2 CCR 404-1, February 2013. RegulationsSpreading Coefficient
Definition(s)
Spreading Coefficient
Spreading coefficient is a measurement of the ability of one liquid to spontaneously spread across another. Source: IMO MSC.1/Circ.1312, Revised Guidelines for the performance and testing criteria, and surveys of foam concentrates for fixed fire-extinguishing systems, 10 June 2009, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSQA
Definition(s)
SQA
Software Quality Assurance.
Source: IMO MSC.1/Circ.1512, Guideline on Software Quality Assurance and Human-Centred Design for e-navigation, 8 June 2015, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory Guidance