Glossary
Browse the IADC Lexicon alphabetically or by category. Get comprehensive definitions of drilling industry terms.
Sample Catcher
Definition(s)
Sample Catcher
Designed to take a portion of the flow from the wellbore, direct it through a chamber to remove drilled solids but reject liquids and gas. Source: IADC UBO / MPD Glossary, December 2011. Global StandardsSafety Valves (pop offs)
Definition(s)
Safety Valves (pop offs)
Valves most commonly used for temperature or pressure relief. Ensure venting from these valves terminate in a safe area. Source: IADC UBO / MPD Glossary, December 2011. Global StandardsSharing and Implementation of Lessons Learned
Definition(s)
Sharing and Implementation of Lessons Learned
The process of standardizing a well control event investigation, gathering and distributing lessons learned to the industry, and then implementing the lessons learned within the industry in a systematic way that enables results to be shared with others without legal risk. Sharing and implementation of lessons learned includes:- Clearing legal and other barriers to an organizations’ sharing of lessons learned
- Defining a format for lessons learned to be shared
- Creating a means of collecting and sharing lessons learned: the database, who owns it, what information is made available, how the information is shared and with whom
Scenario-Based Well Control Training
Definition(s)
Scenario-Based Well Control Training
A group or team well control training that blends human factors and technical training through a series of lectures, exercises and well control scenarios that have the team or group interact to resolve well control issues, often achieved through the use of simulators. Feedback is given to each participant to further their human factor development and technical aspects of well control performance. Scenario-based well control training includes:- Team or group-learning environment
- Human factors and technical skill training and coaching
- Well control scenarios that involve all participants, whether desktop or simulator-driven.
SITP
Definition(s)
SITP
Shut-in tubing pressure. Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global StandardsServiceability Limit State
Definition(s)
Serviceability Limit State
Category describing events with an annual probability of exceedance larger than 10-2. NOTE 1 The serviceability limit state (SLS) requires that the system survive with no damage and operate as intended. NOTE 2 The limiting conditions for normal operation, installation and testing depend on the particular situation. SLS conditions are defined by the operator and reflect the operating plan. These very important cases define the intended operation. Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global StandardsSeal, Hermetic
Definition(s)
Seal, Hermetic
See device, hermetically sealed. Source: API Recommended Practice 14FZ, Recommended Practice for Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Electrical Systems for Fixed and Floating Offshore Petroleum Facilities for Unclassified and Class I, Zone 0, Zone 1, and Zone 2 Locations, Second Edition, May 2013. Global Standards Source: API RP 14F, Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Electrical Systems for Fixed and Floating Offshore Petroleum Facilities for Unclassified and Class 1, Division 1 and Division 2 Locations, Fifth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsSeal, Factory
Definition(s)
Seal, Factory
A construction where components capable of initiating an internal explosion due to arcing, sparking, or thermal effects under normal conditions are isolated from the wiring system by means of factory installed flame-proof seal or joint for the purpose of eliminating the need for an external, field-installed conduit seal and, in some cases, a field-installed cable seal. Source: API Recommended Practice 14FZ, Recommended Practice for Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Electrical Systems for Fixed and Floating Offshore Petroleum Facilities for Unclassified and Class I, Zone 0, Zone 1, and Zone 2 Locations, Second Edition, May 2013. Global Standards Source: API RP 14F, Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Electrical Systems for Fixed and Floating Offshore Petroleum Facilities for Unclassified and Class 1, Division 1 and Division 2 Locations, Fifth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsSeal, Explosion-proof Conduit
Definition(s)
Seal, Explosion-proof Conduit
A sealing fitting, filled with a poured potting compound, designed to contain an explosion in the enclosure to which it is attached and to minimize passage of flammable gases or vapors from one location to another. Source: API RP 14F, Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Electrical Systems for Fixed and Floating Offshore Petroleum Facilities for Unclassified and Class 1, Division 1 and Division 2 Locations, Fifth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsSeal, Explosion-proof Cable
Definition(s)
Seal, Explosion-proof Cable
A cable termination fitting filled with compound and designed to contain an explosion in the enclosure to which it is attached or to minimize passage of flammable gases or vapors from one location to another. An explosion-proof conduit seal may also be used in combination with a cable termination fitting as an explosion-proof cable seal. Source: API RP 14F, Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Electrical Systems for Fixed and Floating Offshore Petroleum Facilities for Unclassified and Class 1, Division 1 and Division 2 Locations, Fifth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsSeal, Environmental
Definition(s)
Seal, Environmental
A seal that uses O-rings, epoxy, molded elastomer, silicone compound, or potting compound to prevent corrosion due to moisture or vapors. Source: API Recommended Practice 14FZ, Recommended Practice for Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Electrical Systems for Fixed and Floating Offshore Petroleum Facilities for Unclassified and Class I, Zone 0, Zone 1, and Zone 2 Locations, Second Edition, May 2013. Global Standards Source: API RP 14F, Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Electrical Systems for Fixed and Floating Offshore Petroleum Facilities for Unclassified and Class 1, Division 1 and Division 2 Locations, Fifth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsServiceability Limit States
Definition(s)
Serviceability Limit States (SLS)
Corresponding to the criteria applicable to normal use or durability. Offshore Standard DNV-OS-C101, Design of Offshore Steel Structures, General (LRFD Method, Det Norske Veritas, April 2011. Global StandardsStrain-based Design
Definition(s)
Strain-based Design
Design where total nominal strain in any direction (excluding strain concentration) due to installation and operations exceeds 0.5 % at the OD surface. Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global StandardsStructural Riser Components
Definition(s)
Structural Riser Components
Structural riser components are defined as components that are not pressurized or welded to pressurized riser components. Some examples of structural riser components are buoyancy cans, tensioners, porches, pull tubes, etc. Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global StandardsSurvival Event
Definition(s)
Survival Event
A survival environmental condition with a return period between 100 years and 10,000 years. NOTE There can be several survival events. Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global StandardsServicing
Definition(s)
Servicing
Product maintenance, adjustment, repair, and/or on-site installation when installation is required by applicable product specifications. Source: API SPEC Q1, Specification for Quality Management System Requirements for Manufacturing Organizations for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry, Ninth Edition, June 2013 (Errata 2, March 2014). Global StandardsSkid System
Definition(s)
Skid System
Storage, transportation, lifting, and testing frames to facilitate movement of the ROT systems and the modules and components to be replaced or installed. NOTE Skids are used in combination with a skidding system. Source: API Recommended Practice 17H, Remotely Operated Tools and Interfaces on Subsea Production Systems, Second Edition, June 2013 (Addendum 1, October 2014). Global StandardsSwell
Definition(s)
Swell
Sea state in which waves generated by winds remote from the site have travelled to the site, rather than being locally generated. Source: API RP 2MET, Derivation of Metocean Design and Operating Conditions, First Edition, November 2014. Global StandardsStorm Surge
Definition(s)
Storm Surge
Change in sea level (either positive or negative) that is due to meteorological (rather than tidal) forcing. Source: API RP 2MET, Derivation of Metocean Design and Operating Conditions, First Edition, November 2014. Global StandardsSquall
Definition(s)
Squall
strong wind event characterized by a sudden onset, a duration of the order of minutes and a rather sudden decrease in speed NOTE 1 A squall is often accompanied by a change in wind direction, a drop in air temperature and by heavy precipitation. NOTE 2 To be classed as a squall the wind speed would typically be greater than about 8 m/s and last for longer than 2 min (thereby distinguishing it from a gust). Source: API RP 2MET, Derivation of Metocean Design and Operating Conditions, First Edition, November 2014. Global StandardsSpectral Moment
Definition(s)
Spectral Moment
Source: API RP 2MET, Derivation of Metocean Design and Operating Conditions, First Edition, November 2014. Global StandardsShort-term Distribution
Definition(s)
Short-term Distribution
probability distribution of a variable within a short interval of time during which conditions are assumed to be statistically constant NOTE The interval chosen is most often the duration of a sea state. Source: API RP 2MET, Derivation of Metocean Design and Operating Conditions, First Edition, November 2014. Global StandardsSeiche
Definition(s)
Seiche
oscillation of a body of water at its natural period. Source: API RP 2MET, Derivation of Metocean Design and Operating Conditions, First Edition, November 2014. Global StandardsSettlement
Definition(s)
Settlement
Permanent downward movement of a structure as a result of its own weight and other actions. Source: API RP 2GEO, Geotechnical Foundation Design Considerations, First Edition, April, 2011, Addendum 1, October 2014. Global Standards Source: API Recommended Practice 2GEO, Geotechnical and Foundation Design Considerations, First Edition, April 2015 (Addendum 1, October 2014). Global StandardsSeabed
Definition(s)
Seabed
Materials below the sea in which a structure is founded. NOTE The seabed can be considered as the half-space below the sea floor. Source:API RP 2EQ, Seismic Design Procedures and Criteria for Offshore Structures, First Edition, November 2014. Global StandardsSeabed
Materials below the sea in which a structure is founded, whether of soils such as sand, silt or clay, cemented material or of rock NOTE The seabed can be considered as the half-space below the sea floor. [ISO 19901-4:2003] Source: API RP 2MET, Derivation of Metocean Design and Operating Conditions, First Edition, November 2014. Global StandardsSeabed
Materials below the sea in which a structure is founded, whether of soils such as sand, silt or clay, cemented materials or of rock NOTE 1 The seabed can be considered as the half-space below the seafloor. NOTE 2 Offshore foundations are most commonly installed in soils, and the terminology in this part of ISO 19901 reflects this. However, the requirements equally apply to cemented seabed materials and rocks. Thus, the term “soil” does not exclude any other material at or below the seafloor. NOTE 3 As yet there are no universally accepted definitions of the various types of soil and rock, see A.6.4.3. Source: API RP 2GEO, Geotechnical Foundation Design Considerations, First Edition, April, 2011, Addendum 1, October 2014. Global Standards Source: API Recommended Practice 2GEO, Geotechnical and Foundation Design Considerations, First Edition, April 2015 (Addendum 1, October 2014). Global StandardsStatic/Onboard Lift
Definition(s)
Static/Onboard Lift
A crane lifting a load from and to the deck of the platform/vessel that the crane is mounted on. Source: API RP 2D, Operation and Maintenance of Offshore Cranes, Seventh Edition, December 2014. Global StandardsSlewing
Definition(s)
Slewing
Rotation of the upper-structure for movement of loads in a horizontal direction about the axis of rotation. Source: API RP 2D, Operation and Maintenance of Offshore Cranes, Seventh Edition, December 2014. Global StandardsSelf-erecting Cranes
Definition(s)
Self-erecting Cranes
A lifting device that is not part of the original platform design and installed for a specific application or task and will not remain as a permanent part of the facility. NOTE A temporary crane can be certified to API 2C or other justification by engineering analysis, review and materials of construction. Source: API RP 2D, Operation and Maintenance of Offshore Cranes, Seventh Edition, December 2014. Global StandardsSimple Lifts
Definition(s)
Simple Lifts
The following are classified as simple lifting operations:- equipment specifically installed by a crane operator;
- load has known and evaluated weight;
- center of gravity below the lifting point;
- use of a certified lifting point directly above the load;
- ample headroom;
- not sensitive, difficult or in restricted areas;
- use of one crane;
- unlikely to be affected by changing environmental conditions;
- experienced and competent crane operator;
- standard rigging arrangements;
- suitable working area available;
- relevant permits.