Glossary
Browse the IADC Lexicon alphabetically or by category. Get comprehensive definitions of drilling industry terms.
Secondary Equipment
Definition(s)
Secondary Equipment
Piece of equipment that can normally be isolated from the well fluid or well pressure. Source: API SPEC 6A, Specification for Wellhead and Christmas Tree Equipment, Twentieth Edition, October 2010 (Addendum November 2012). Global StandardsSandy Service
Definition(s)
Sandy Service
Intended for use in wells where particulates such as sand can be expected to cause equipment failure. Source: API SPEC 6A, Specification for Wellhead and Christmas Tree Equipment, Twentieth Edition, October 2010 (Addendum November 2012). Global StandardsSteering Gear Alarm
Definition(s)
Steering Gear Alarm
An alarm which indicates a malfunction or other abnormal condition of the steering gear system, e.g., overload alarm, phase failure alarm, no-voltage alarm and hydraulic oil tank low-level alarm. Source: IMO resolution A.1021(26), Code on Alarms and Indicators, 2009, 18 January 2010, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSilence
Definition(s)
Silence
Manual stopping of an audible signal. Source: IMO resolution A.1021(26), Code on Alarms and Indicators, 2009, 18 January 2010, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSample
Definition(s)
Sample
One or more units of product selected from a lot to represent that lot. Source: API SPEC 5DP, Specification for Drill Pipe, First Edition, August 2009. Global StandardsShip Recycling
Definition(s)
Ship Recycling
Ship Recycling means all associated operations including, mooring or beaching, dismantling, recovery of materials and reprocessing. Source: IMO Resolution A.951(23), IMO Guidelines on Ship Recycling (resolution A.962(23)), 4 March 2004, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSF
Definition(s)
SF
Special end finishing. Source: API SPEC 5CT, Specification for Casing and Tubing, Upstream Segment, Ninth Edition, July 2011 (Errata September 2012). Global StandardsSF
Safety factor. Source: API SPEC 17E, Specification for Subsea Umbilicals, Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, October 2010. Global StandardsSc
Definition(s)
Sc
Minimum acceptable result of the ANSI-NACE TM0177-2005 Method B test. Source: API SPEC 5CT, Specification for Casing and Tubing, Upstream Segment, Ninth Edition, July 2011 (Errata September 2012). Global StandardsSC
API Spec 5B short round thread casing connection. Source: API SPEC 5CT, Specification for Casing and Tubing, Upstream Segment, Ninth Edition, July 2011 (Errata September 2012). Global StandardsS
Definition(s)
S
Mass of lifting set. Source: API Standard 2CCU, Offshore Cargo Carrying Units, First Edition, August 2017. Global StandardsS
Seamless process (when not referencing the chemical element sulfur). Source: API SPEC 5CT, Specification for Casing and Tubing, Upstream Segment, Ninth Edition, July 2011 (Errata September 2012). Global StandardsStandardised Test Block
Definition(s)
Standardised Test Block
Test block, certified to a mean hardness number, used for the verification of the performance of hardness testing machines. Source: API SPEC 5CT, Specification for Casing and Tubing, Upstream Segment, Ninth Edition, July 2011 (Errata September 2012). Global StandardsSpecial End-Finish
Definition(s)
Special End-Finish
Threads with thread form and features, manufacturing specifications, dimensions, connection make-up and performance properties which are beyond the scope of this Standard. Source: API SPEC 5CT, Specification for Casing and Tubing, Upstream Segment, Ninth Edition, July 2011 (Errata September 2012). Global StandardsSolution Annealing
Definition(s)
Solution Annealing
Heat treatment requiring heating to a suitable temperature, holding at that temperature long enough to cause one or more constituents to enter into solid solution, then cooling rapidly enough to hold such constituents in solution. Source: API SPEC 5CRA, Specification for Corrosion Resistant Alloy Seamless Tubes for Use as Casing, Tubing and Coupling Stock, Upstream Segment, First Edition, February 2010 (Errata August 2011). Global StandardsSeafarer
Definition(s)
Seafarer
Seafarer means any person who is employed or engaged in any capacity on board a seagoing ship. Source: IMO Resolution A.930(22), Guidelines on Provision of Financial Security in Case of Abandonment of Seafarers, 17 December 2001, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory Guidance Source: IMO Resolution A.931(22), Guidelines on Shipowners' Responsibilities in respect of Contractual Claims for Personal Injury to or Death of Seafarers, 17 December 2001, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSeafarer
A seafarer means any person who is employed or engaged or works in any capacity on board a ship. Source: IMO Resolution MSC.255(84), Code of the International Standards and Recommended Practices for a Safety Investigation into a Marine Casualty or Marine Incident (Casualty Investigation Code), 16 May 2008, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSustained Casing Pressure (SCP)
Definition(s)
Sustained Casing Pressure (SCP)
Pressure in an annulus of non-structural casing strings that is: 1. measurable at the wellhead of a casing annulus that rebuilds to at least the same pressure level when bled down; 2. not caused solely by temperature fluctuations; and 3. not a pressure that has been imposed by the operator. Source: API RP 90, Annular Casing Pressure Management for Offshore Wells, Upstream Segment. First Edition, August 2006. Global StandardsSurface Well
Definition(s)
Surface Well
A well completed on the surface with individual casing heads, tubing head, a surface tubing hanger, and a surface christmas tree, all residing at a designated level above the water line on a fixed platform. Source: API RP 90, Annular Casing Pressure Management for Offshore Wells, Upstream Segment. First Edition, August 2006. Global StandardsStructural Pipe Casing Strings
Definition(s)
Structural Pipe Casing Strings
Casing strings used to facilitate the drilling of the well, but not needed for pressure containment after the well has been drilled. Support unconsolidated sediments and provide hole stability for initial drilling operations, axial support for casing loads and bending loads from the subsea wellhead. Source: API RP 90, Annular Casing Pressure Management for Offshore Wells, Upstream Segment. First Edition, August 2006. Global StandardsSection Of A Casing String
Definition(s)
Section Of A Casing String
A section of a casing string is defined as a continuous length of casing. Source: API RP 90, Annular Casing Pressure Management for Offshore Wells, Upstream Segment. First Edition, August 2006. Global StandardsSecondary Well Barrier
Definition(s)
Secondary Well Barrier
Second set of well barrier elements that prevent flow from a source of inflow. [SOURCE: API RP 90, modified] Source: ISO 16530-1:2017, Petroleum and natural gas industries — Well integrity – Part 1: Life cycle governance, First Edition, March 2017. Global StandardsSecondary Well Barrier
Second set of barrier elements that prevents flow from a source. Source: API RP 90, Annular Casing Pressure Management for Offshore Wells, Upstream Segment. First Edition, August 2006. Global StandardsSecurity Vulnerability Assessment (SVA)
Definition(s)
Security Vulnerability Assessment (SVA)
A secondary evaluation that examines a facility’s characteristics and operations to identify potential threats or vulnerabilities and existing and prospective security measures and procedures designed to protect a facility. Source: API RP 70, Security for Offshore Oil and Natural Gas Operations, Downstream Segment, First Edition, March 2003. Global Standards Source: API RP 70I, Security for Worldwide Offshore Oil and Natural Gas Operations, Upstream Segment, First Edition, May 2004. Global StandardsSingle Point Safety Switch
Definition(s)
Single Point Safety Switch
A single keylock safety switch with a properly secured single key which isolates all power from the wireline prior to attachment of an explosive device. Source: API RP 67, Recommended Practice for Oilfield Explosives Safety, Upstream Segment, Second Edition, May 2007. Global StandardsSidewall Sample Taker
Definition(s)
Should
A ballistic or mechanical tool used to extract and retrieve formation core samples from the sidewall of the wellbore. Source: API RP 67, Recommended Practice for Oilfield Explosives Safety, Upstream Segment, Second Edition, May 2007. Global StandardsSelect Fire Perforating Gun System
Definition(s)
Select Fire Perforating Gun System
A method of sequentially firing a number of perforating guns in a gun string after relocation of the gun string to perforate a number of intervals in a single run. Source: API RP 67, Recommended Practice for Oilfield Explosives Safety, Upstream Segment, Second Edition, May 2007. Global StandardsSecondary Explosive
Definition(s)
Secondary Explosive
A high explosive that is less sensitive than a primary explosive to heat and shock. Also referred to as secondary high explosive. Source: API RP 67, Recommended Practice for Oilfield Explosives Safety, Upstream Segment, Second Edition, May 2007. Global StandardsSafety Sub
Definition(s)
Safety Sub
Used in tubing conveyed perforating gun strings, the safety sub is the very top section that does not contain shaped charge perforators. The purpose is to place the perforator loaded guns below the rig floor when the firing head is installed to augment rig crew safety. Source: API RP 67, Recommended Practice for Oilfield Explosives Safety, Upstream Segment, Second Edition, May 2007. Global StandardsSwitchable Three-Way Target Valve
Definition(s)
Switchable Three-Way Target Valve
All natural gas except sour gas and casinghead gas. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsStandard Well Kill Procedure
Definition(s)
Standard Well Kill Procedure
Any of industry’s proven techniques to control a flowing well wherein well control is obtained through pumping drilling fluid of increased density at a predetermined pumping rate with BOP(s) closed and simultaneously controlling casing and drill pipe surface pressures by varying choke manifold choke settings until the well is stable and static with zero surface pressure. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsSpool
Definition(s)
Spool
Refer to Drilling Spool. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsSupplementary Unit
Definition(s)
Supplementary Unit
“Supplementary unit” means a fixed or floating structure, other than a vessel, for providing energy, information or substances to an offshore installation. Source: The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application outside Great Britain) Order 2001, UK S.I. 2013/214, 2013. RegulationsSpecified Plant
Definition(s)
Specified Plant
“Specified plant” means the plant for an installation which is provided—- in compliance with regulations 11(1)(a), 13, 15 and 16 of the PFEER Regulations;
- as means required to be provided by regulation 10 of the PFEER Regulations—
- for detecting fire; and
- for detecting and recording accumulations of flammable gases; and
- pursuant to the measures required by regulation 12 of the PFEER Regulations to combat fire and explosion,
- plant which is part of the safety-critical elements for that installation; and
- aircraft or equipment to which regulation 18 of the PFEER Regulations applies.