Glossary
Browse the IADC Lexicon alphabetically or by category. Get comprehensive definitions of drilling industry terms.
Atriums
Definition(s)
Atriums
Atriums are public spaces within a single main vertical zone spanning three or more open decks. <Chapter II-2, part A, regulation 3>. Source: IMO Resolution MSC.99(73), amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, 5 December 2000, International Maritime Organization. LegislationMWDP
Definition(s)
MWDP
Maximum well design pressure. Source: NORSOK D-010, Well integrity in drilling and well operations, Rev. 3, August 2004. Global StandardsDangerous Atmosphere
Definition(s)
Dangerous Atmosphere
"Dangerous atmosphere" means an atmosphere that may expose workers to the risk of death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue (i.e. to escape unaided from a space), injury or acute illness. Source: Resolution MEPC.210(63), 2012 Guidelines for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling, 2 March 2012, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceAdjacent Space
Definition(s)
Adjacent Space
"Adjacent space" means those spaces bordering a space in all directions, including all points of contact, corners, diagonals, decks, tank tops and bulkheads. Source: Resolution MEPC.210(63), 2012 Guidelines for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling, 2 March 2012, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceStates
Definition(s)
States
States means coastal, port or Member States as appropriate. Source: Resolution MEPC.207(62), 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species, 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceFPSOs
Definition(s)
FPSOs
floating production storage and off-loading units Source: Resolution MEPC.207(62), 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species, 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceFSUs
Definition(s)
FSUs
floating storage units Source: Resolution MEPC.207(62), 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species, 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidancePort State Authority
Definition(s)
Port State Authority
Port State authority means any official or organization authorized by the Government of a port State to verify the compliance and enforcement of standards and regulations relevant to the implementation of national and international shipping control measures. Source: Resolution MEPC.207(62), 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species, 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceNiche Areas
Definition(s)
Niche Areas
Niche areas mean areas on a ship that may be more susceptible to biofouling due to different hydrodynamic forces, susceptibility to coating system wear or damage, or being inadequately, or not, painted, e.g., sea chests, bow thrusters, propeller shafts, inlet gratings, dry-dock support strips, etc. Source: Resolution MEPC.207(62), 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species, 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceMicrofouling
Definition(s)
Microfouling
Microfouling means microscopic organisms including bacteria and diatoms and the slimy substances that they produce. Biofouling comprised of only microfouling is commonly referred to as a slime layer. Source: Resolution MEPC.207(62), 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species, 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceMacrofouling
Definition(s)
Macrofouling
Macrofouling means large, distinct multicellular organisms visible to the human eye such as barnacles, tubeworms, or fronds of algae. Source: Resolution MEPC.207(62), 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species, 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceMGPS
Definition(s)
MGPS
Marine Growth Prevention System Source: Resolution MEPC.207(62), 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species, 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceMarine Growth Prevention System (MGPS)
Definition(s)
Marine Growth Prevention System (MGPS)
Marine Growth Prevention System (MGPS) means an anti-fouling system used for the prevention of biofouling accumulation in internal seawater cooling systems and sea chests and can include the use of anodes, injection systems and electrolysis. Source: Resolution MEPC.207(62), 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species, 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceInvasive Aquatic Species
Definition(s)
Invasive Aquatic Species
Invasive aquatic species means a species which may pose threats to human, animal and plant life, economic and cultural activities and the aquatic environment. Source: Resolution MEPC.207(62), 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species, 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceIn-water Cleaning
Definition(s)
In-water Cleaning
In-water cleaning means the physical removal of biofouling from a ship while in the water. Source: Resolution MEPC.207(62), 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species, 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceBiofouling
Definition(s)
Biofouling
Biofouling means the accumulation of aquatic organisms such as micro-organisms, plants, and animals on surfaces and structures immersed in or exposed to the aquatic environment. Biofouling can include microfouling and macrofouling (see below. Source: Resolution MEPC.207(62), 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species, 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceAnti-fouling Coating system
Definition(s)
Anti-fouling Coating system
Anti-fouling coating system means the combination of all component coatings, surface treatments (including primer, sealer, binder, anti-corrosive and anti-fouling coatings) or other surface treatments, used on a ship to control or prevent attachment of unwanted aquatic organisms. Source: Resolution MEPC.207(62), 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species, 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceAFS Convention
Definition(s)
AFS Convention
AFS Convention means the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, 2001. Source: Resolution MEPC.207(62), 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species, 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceWider Caribbean Region
Definition(s)
Wider Caribbean Region
The Wider Caribbean Region means the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea proper including the bays and seas therein and that portion of the Atlantic Ocean within the boundary constituted by the 30° N parallel from Florida eastward to 77°30΄ W meridian, thence a rhumb line to the intersection of 20° N parallel and 59° W meridian, thence a rhumb line to the intersection of 7°20' N parallel and 50° W meridian, thence a rhumb line drawn southwesterly to the eastern boundary of French Guiana. Source: Resolution MEPC.201(62), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Revised MARPOL Annex V), 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. LegislationNorth Sea Area
Definition(s)
North Sea Area
The North Sea area means the North Sea proper including seas therein with the boundary between: .1 the North Sea southwards of latitude 62º N and eastwards of longitude 4º W; .2 the Skagerrak, the southern limit of which is determined east of the Skaw by latitude 57º 44.8΄ N; and .3 the English Channel and its approaches eastwards of longitude 5º W and northwards of latitude 48º 30΄ N. Source: Resolution MEPC.201(62), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Revised MARPOL Annex V), 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. LegislationRed Sea Area
Definition(s)
Red Sea Area
The Red Sea area means the Red Sea proper including the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba bounded at the south by the rhumb line between Ras si Ane (12º 28.5΄ N, 43º 19.6΄ E) and Husn Murad (12º 40.4΄ N, 43º 30.2΄ E). Source: Resolution MEPC.201(62), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Revised MARPOL Annex V), 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. LegislationBlack Sea Area
Definition(s)
Black Sea Area
The Black Sea area means the Black Sea proper with the boundary between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea constituted by the parallel 41º N. Source: Resolution MEPC.201(62), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Revised MARPOL Annex V), 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. LegislationBaltic Sea Area
Definition(s)
Baltic Sea Area
The Baltic Sea area means the Baltic Sea proper with the Gulf of Bothni and the Gulf of Finland and the entrance to the Baltic Sea bounded by the parallel of the Skaw in the Skagerrak at 57º 44.8΄ N. Source: Resolution MEPC.201(62), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Revised MARPOL Annex V), 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. LegislationMediterranean Sea Area
Definition(s)
Mediterranean Sea Area
The Mediterranean Sea area means the Mediterranean Sea proper including the gulfs and seas therein with the boundary between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea constituted by the 41º N parallel and bounded to the west by the Straits of Gibraltar at the meridian 5°36΄ W. Source: Resolution MEPC.201(62), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Revised MARPOL Annex V), 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. LegislationSpecial Area
Definition(s)
Special Area
Special area means a sea area where for recognized technical reasons in relation to its oceanographic and ecological condition and to the particular character of its traffic the adoption of special mandatory methods for the prevention of sea pollution by garbage is required. For the purposes of this Annex the special areas are the Mediterranean Sea area, the Baltic Sea area, the Black Sea area, the Red Sea area, the Gulfs area, the North Sea area, the Antarctic area and the Wider Caribbean Region, which are defined as follows: .1 The Mediterranean Sea area means the Mediterranean Sea proper including the gulfs and seas therein with the boundary between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea constituted by the 41º N parallel and bounded to the west by the Straits of Gibraltar at the meridian 5°36΄ W. .2 The Baltic Sea area means the Baltic Sea proper with the Gulf of Bothni and the Gulf of Finland and the entrance to the Baltic Sea bounded by the parallel of the Skaw in the Skagerrak at 57º 44.8΄ N. .3 The Black Sea area means the Black Sea proper with the boundary between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea constituted by the parallel 41º N. .4 The Red Sea area means the Red Sea proper including the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba bounded at the south by the rhumb line between Ras si Ane (12º 28.5΄ N, 43º 19.6΄ E) and Husn Murad (12º 40.4΄ N, 43º 30.2΄ E). .5 The Gulfs area means the sea area located north-west of the rhumb line between Ras al Hadd (22º 30΄ N, 59º 48΄ E) and Ras al Fasteh (25º 04΄ N, 61º 25΄ E). .6 The North Sea area means the North Sea proper including seas therein with the boundary between: .1 the North Sea southwards of latitude 62º N and eastwards of longitude 4º W; .2 the Skagerrak, the southern limit of which is determined east of the Skaw by latitude 57º 44.8΄ N; and .3 the English Channel and its approaches eastwards of longitude 5º W and northwards of latitude 48º 30΄ N. .7 The Antarctic area means the sea area south of latitude 60º S. .8 The Wider Caribbean Region means the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea proper including the bays and seas therein and that portion of the Atlantic Ocean within the boundary constituted by the 30° N parallel from Florida eastward to 77°30΄ W meridian, thence a rhumb line to the intersection of 20° N parallel and 59° W meridian, thence a rhumb line to the intersection of 7°20' N parallel and 50° W meridian, thence a rhumb line drawn southwesterly to the eastern boundary of French Guianat. Source: Resolution MEPC.201(62), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Revised MARPOL Annex V), 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. LegislationPlastic
Definition(s)
Plastic
Plastic means a solid material which contains as an essential ingredient one or more high molecular mass polymers and which is formed (shaped) during either manufacture of the polymer or the fabrication into a finished product by heat and/or pressure. Plastics have material properties ranging from hard and brittle to soft and elastic. For the purposes of this annex, "all plastics" means all garbage that consists of or includes plastic in any form, including synthetic ropes, synthetic fishing nets, plastic garbage bags and incinerator ashes from plastic products. Source: Resolution MEPC.201(62), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Revised MARPOL Annex V), 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. LegislationOperational Wastes
Definition(s)
Operational Wastes
Operational wastes means all solid wastes (including slurries) not covered by other Annexes that are collected on board during normal maintenance or operations of a ship, or used for cargo stowage and handling. Operational wastes also includes cleaning agents and additives contained in cargo hold and external wash water. Operational wastes does not include grey water, bilge water, or other similar discharges essential to the operation of a ship, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization. Source: Resolution MEPC.201(62), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Revised MARPOL Annex V), 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. LegislationIncinerator
Definition(s)
Incinerator
Incinerator ashes means ash and clinkers resulting from shipboard incinerators used for the incineration of garbage. Source: Resolution MEPC.201(62), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Revised MARPOL Annex V), 15 July 2011, International Maritime Organization. LegislationHazardous Atmosphere
Definition(s)
Hazardous Atmosphere
Atmosphere that has the potential to expose entrants to the risk of death, incapacitation, impaired ability to self-rescue (e.g. escape unaided from a permit required confined space), injury, or acute illness from one or more of the following causes:- flammable gas, vapor, or mist in excess of 10 % LEL;
- airborne combustible dust at a concentration that meets or exceeds its LEL;
- atmospheric oxygen concentrations below 19.5 % and above 23.5 %;
- atmospheric concentration of any substance for which a dose or OEL is published in applicable government regulations, safety data sheets (SDS), standards, or other published or internal documents and could result in responder exposure in excess of its dose or PEL;
- any other IDLH atmospheric condition.