Glossary
Browse the IADC Lexicon alphabetically or by category. Get comprehensive definitions of drilling industry terms.
Outboard Tree Piping
Definition(s)
Outboard Tree Piping
Subsea tree piping that is downstream of the last tree valve (including choke assemblies) and upstream of flowline connection. See flow loop (3.1.24). Source: API STD 65 – Part 2, Isolating Potential Flow Zones During Well Construction, Upstream Segment, Second Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsOrienting Bushings
Definition(s)
Orienting Bushings
Non-pressure-containing parts that are used to orient equipment or tools with respect to the wellhead. Source: API STD 65 – Part 2, Isolating Potential Flow Zones During Well Construction, Upstream Segment, Second Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsLower Workover Riser Package (LWRP)
Definition(s)
Lower Workover Riser Package (LWRP)
Unitized assembly that interfaces with the tree upper connection and allows sealing of the tree vertical bore(s). Source: API SPEC 17D, Design and Operation of Subsea Production Systems—Subsea Wellhead and Tree Equipment, Upstream Segment, Second Edition May 2011 (Errata September 2011). Global StandardsLifting Pad Eye
Definition(s)
Lifting Pad Eye
Pad eye, intended for lifting and suspending a designed load or packaged assembly. Source: API SPEC 17D, Design and Operation of Subsea Production Systems—Subsea Wellhead and Tree Equipment, Upstream Segment, Second Edition May 2011 (Errata September 2011). Global StandardsIntervention Tool
Definition(s)
Intervention Tool
Device or ROT deployed by an intervention system to mate or interface with an intervention fixture. Source: API SPEC 17D, Design and Operation of Subsea Production Systems—Subsea Wellhead and Tree Equipment, Upstream Segment, Second Edition May 2011 (Errata September 2011). Global StandardsIntervention System
Definition(s)
Intervention System
Means to deploy or convey intervention tools to subsea well equipment to carry out intervention tasks, including ⎯ ROV; ⎯ ROT; ⎯ ADS; ⎯ Diver. Source: API SPEC 17D, Design and Operation of Subsea Production Systems—Subsea Wellhead and Tree Equipment, Upstream Segment, Second Edition May 2011 (Errata September 2011). Global StandardsIntervention Fixture
Definition(s)
Intervention Fixture
Device or feature permanently fitted to subsea well equipment to facilitate subsea intervention tasks including, but not limited to, ⎯ grasping intervention fixtures; ⎯ docking intervention fixtures; ⎯ landing intervention fixtures; ⎯ linear actuator intervention fixtures; ⎯ rotary actuator intervention fixtures; ⎯ fluid coupling intervention fixtures. Source: API SPEC 17D, Design and Operation of Subsea Production Systems—Subsea Wellhead and Tree Equipment, Upstream Segment, Second Edition May 2011 (Errata September 2011). Global StandardsHydraulic Rated Working Pressure
Definition(s)
Hydraulic Rated Working Pressure
Maximum internal pressure that the hydraulic equipment is designed to contain and/or control. NOTE Hydraulic pressure should not be confused with hydraulic test pressure. Source: API SPEC 17D, Design and Operation of Subsea Production Systems—Subsea Wellhead and Tree Equipment, Upstream Segment, Second Edition May 2011 (Errata September 2011). Global StandardsHigh-Pressure Riser
Definition(s)
High-Pressure Riser
Tubular member which extends the wellbore from the mudline wellhead or tubing head to a surface BOP. Source: API SPEC 17D, Design and Operation of Subsea Production Systems—Subsea Wellhead and Tree Equipment, Upstream Segment, Second Edition May 2011 (Errata September 2011). Global StandardsGuide Funnel
Definition(s)
Guide Funnel
Tapered enlargement at the end of a guidance member to provide primary guidance over another guidance member. Source: API SPEC 17D, Design and Operation of Subsea Production Systems—Subsea Wellhead and Tree Equipment, Upstream Segment, Second Edition May 2011 (Errata September 2011). Global StandardsFlow Loop
Definition(s)
Flow Loop
Piping that connects the outlet(s) of the subsea tree to the subsea flowline connection and/or to other tree piping connections (crossover piping, etc.). Source: API SPEC 17D, Design and Operation of Subsea Production Systems—Subsea Wellhead and Tree Equipment, Upstream Segment, Second Edition May 2011 (Errata September 2011). Global StandardsFlowline Connector System
Definition(s)
Flowline Connector System
Equipment used to attach subsea pipelines and/or control umbilicals to a subsea tree. EXAMPLE Tree-mounted connection systems used to connect a subsea flowline directly to a subsea tree, connect a flowline end termination to the subsea tree through a jumper, connect a subsea tree to a manifold through a jumper, etc. Source: API SPEC 17D, Design and Operation of Subsea Production Systems—Subsea Wellhead and Tree Equipment, Upstream Segment, Second Edition May 2011 (Errata September 2011). Global StandardsFlowline Connector Support Frame
Definition(s)
Flowline Connector Support Frame
Structural frame which receives and supports the flowline connector and transfers flowline loads back into the wellhead or seabed anchored structure. Source: API SPEC 17D, Design and Operation of Subsea Production Systems—Subsea Wellhead and Tree Equipment, Upstream Segment, Second Edition May 2011 (Errata September 2011). Global StandardsFail-Open Valve
Definition(s)
Fail-Open Valve
Actuated valve designed to fail to the open position. Source: API SPEC 17D, Design and Operation of Subsea Production Systems—Subsea Wellhead and Tree Equipment, Upstream Segment, Second Edition May 2011 (Errata September 2011). Global StandardsNearest Land
Definition(s)
Nearest Land
Nearest land. The term “from the nearest land” means from the baseline from which the territorial sea in question is established in accordance with international law, except that, for the purposes of the present Convention “from the nearest land” off the north-eastern coast of Australia shall mean from the line drawn from a point on the coast of Australia in: latitude 11°00' S, longitude 142°08' E to a point in latitude 10°35' S, longitude 141°55' E, thence to a point latitude 10°00' S, longitude 142°00' E, thence to a point latitude 9°10' S, longitude 143°52' E, thence to a point latitude 9°00' S, longitude 144°30' E, thence to a point latitude 10°41' S, longitude 145°00' E, thence to a point latitude 13°00' S, longitude 145°00' E, thence to a point latitude 15°00' S, longitude 146°00' E, thence to a point latitude 17°30' S, longitude 147°00' E, thence to a point latitude 21°00' S, longitude 152°55' E, thence to a point latitude 24°30' S, longitude 154°00' E, thence to a point on the coast of Australia in latitude 24°42' S, longitude 153°15' E. <Annex II, Chapter 1, Regulation 1>. Source: Resolution MEPC.118(52), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Revised Annex II of MARPOL 73/78), 15 October 2004, International Maritime Organization. Legislation 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. LegislationManual
Definition(s)
Manual
Manual means Procedures and Arrangements Manual in accordance with the model given in appendix 6 of this Annex. <Annex II, Chapter 1, Regulation 1>. Source: Resolution MEPC.118(52), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Revised Annex II of MARPOL 73/78), 15 October 2004, International Maritime Organization. LegislationLiquid Substances
Definition(s)
Liquid Substances
Liquid substances are those having a vapour pressure not exceeding 0.28 MPa absolute at a temperature of 37.8°C. <Annex II, Chapter 1, Regulation 1>. Source: Resolution MEPC.118(52), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Revised Annex II of MARPOL 73/78), 15 October 2004, International Maritime Organization. LegislationEn Route
Definition(s)
En Route
En route means that the ship is under way at sea on a course or courses, including deviation from the shortest direct route, which as far as practicable for navigational purposes, will cause any discharge to be spread over as great an area of the sea as is reasonable and practicable. <Annex II, Chapter 1, Regulation 1>. Source: Resolution MEPC.118(52), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Revised Annex II of MARPOL 73/78), 15 October 2004, International Maritime Organization. Legislation 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. LegislationDepth of Water
Definition(s)
Depth of Water
Depth of water means the charted depth. <Annex II, Chapter 1, Regulation 1>. Source: Resolution MEPC.118(52), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Revised Annex II of MARPOL 73/78), 15 October 2004, International Maritime Organization. LegislationInternational Bulk Chemical Code
Definition(s)
International Bulk Chemical Code
International Bulk Chemical Code means the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the Organization by resolution MEPC.19(22), as amended by the Organization, provided that such amendments are adopted and brought into force in accordance with the provisions of article 16 of the present Convention concerning amendment procedures applicable to an appendix to an Annex. <Annex II, Chapter 1, Regulation 1>. Source: Resolution MEPC.118(52), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Revised Annex II of MARPOL 73/78), 15 October 2004, International Maritime Organization. LegislationBulk Chemical Code
Definition(s)
Bulk Chemical Code
Bulk Chemical Code means the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the Organization by resolution MEPC.20(22), as amended by the Organization, provided that such amendments are adopted and brought into force in accordance with the provisions of article 16 of the present Convention concerning amendment procedures applicable to an appendix to an Annex. <Annex II, Chapter 1, Regulation 1>. Source: Resolution MEPC.118(52), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Revised Annex II of MARPOL 73/78), 15 October 2004, International Maritime Organization. LegislationSegregated Ballast
Definition(s)
Segregated Ballast
Segregated ballast means ballast water introduced into a tank permanently allocated to the carriage of ballast or cargoes other than oil or Noxious Liquid Substances as variously defined in the Annexes of the present Convention, and which is completely separated from the cargo and oil fuel system. <Annex II, Chapter 1, Regulation 1>. Source: Resolution MEPC.118(52), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Revised Annex II of MARPOL 73/78), 15 October 2004, International Maritime Organization. LegislationWetted Surface
Definition(s)
Wetted Surface
Any surface that has contact with pressurized well fluid, either by design or because of internal seal leakage. Source: API SPEC 6A, Specification for Wellhead and Christmas Tree Equipment, Twentieth Edition, October 2010 (Addendum November 2012). Global StandardsWetted Surface
Any surface which will be in contact with pressurized well fluid either by design or because of internal seal leakage. Source: API SPEC 16C, Specification for Choke and Kill Systems, First Edition, January 1993 (Reaffirmed 2001). Global StandardsClean Ballast
Definition(s)
Clean Ballast
Clean ballast means ballast water carried in a tank which, since it was last used to carry a cargo containing a substance in Category X, Y or Z, has been thoroughly cleaned and the residues resulting there from have been discharged and the tank emptied in accordance with the appropriate requirements of this Annex. <Annex II, Chapter 1, Regulation 1>. Source: Resolution MEPC.118(52), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Revised Annex II of MARPOL 73/78), 15 October 2004, International Maritime Organization. LegislationWell
Definition(s)
Well
"Well"- means a hole penetrating the earth, usually cased with steel pipe, and
- from which oil or gas, or both, or geothermal resources, is obtained or obtainable; or
- that is made for the purpose of finding or obtaining oil, gas, or geothermal resources, or of supporting oil, gas, or geothermal resources production; and
- includes a well with multiple well branches drilled to different bottom-hole locations.
Well
“Well” means any borehole, whether drilled or bored, for stratigraphic exploration or for the production, extraction or injection of any gas or liquid mineral, excluding potable water to be used as such, but including natural or artificial brines and oil field waters, sewage, and any liquid used in or resulting from any process of industry, manufacture, trade, business, or agriculture. Source: Division of Mineral Resources Management - Oil and Gas, Ohio Administrative Code, Chapter 1501:9, January 2012. RegulationsWell
“Well” means any borehole, whether drilled or bored, within the state, for production, extraction, or injection of any gas or liquid mineral, excluding potable water to be used as such, but including natural or artificial brines and oil field waters. Source: Division of Mineral Resources Management - Oil and Gas, Ohio Administrative Code, Chapter 1501:9, January 2012. RegulationsWell
“Well" means any opening in the ground (not being a seismic shot hole) that is made, is to be made or is in the process of being made, by drilling, boring or other method,- for the production of petroleum,
- for the purpose of searching for or obtaining petroleum,
- for the purpose of obtaining water to inject into an underground formation,
- for the purpose of injecting gas, air, water or other substance into an under ground formation,
- for any purpose, if made through sedimentary rocks to a depth of at least one hundred and fifty metres.
Well
Well―all wells drilled within the confines of any unit(s) sought to be terminated. Source: Natural Resources, Office of Conservation – General Operations, Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 43, Part XIX, March 2013. RegulationsWell
Well includes all equipment located downhole from a well. Examples:- Equipment leading to a blow-out preventer.
- Equipment leading to a well head.
- Equipment leading to a Christmas Tree.
Well
Well means a hole in the seabed or subsoil made by drilling, boring or any other means in connection with:- exploration for petroleum; or
- petroleum recovery operations; or
- exploration for potential greenhouse gas storage formations; or
- exploration for potential greenhouse gas injection sites; or
- the injection of a greenhouse gas substance into an identified greenhouse gas storage formation; or
- the injection, on an appraisal basis, of a greenhouse gas substance into a part of a geological formation; or
- the injection, on an appraisal basis, of air, petroleum or water into a part of a geological formation;
Well
Well includes well-related equipment associated with a well. Source: Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, Australia, amended 2012. LegislationWell
WELL when used alone in these Rules and Regulations, shall mean an oil or gas well, a hole drilled for the purpose of producing oil or gas, a well into which fluids are injected, a stratigraphic well, a gas storage well, or a well used for the purpose of monitoring or observing a reservoir. Source: Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Practice and Procedure, Code of Colorado Regulations, 2 CCR 404-1, February 2013. RegulationsWell
“Well” means a well bore with single or multiple completions, including all horizons and producing formations from the surface to total depth. Source: Oil and Gas, New Mexico Administrative Code Title 19, Chapter 15, January 2013. RegulationsWell
A well drilled for any purpose related to exploration for or production or storage of oil or gas or geothermal resources, including a well drilled for injection of fluids to enhance hydrocarbon recovery, disposal of produced fluids, disposal of waste from exploration or production activity, or brine mining. Source: Oil and Gas Division, Texas Administrative Code, Title 16, Chapter 3, February 2013. RegulationsWell
A well as defined in Texas Natural Resources Code, Chapter 89. Source: Oil and Gas Division, Texas Administrative Code, Title 16, Chapter 3, February 2013. RegulationsWell
a well made by drilling; and a borehole drilled with a view to the extraction of minerals through it or another well Regulation 2, DCR. Source: Oil & Gas UK, Guidelines on subsea BOP systems, Issue 1, July 2012, Global StandardsWell
"Well" means a hole in the ground:- made, or being made, by drilling, boring, or in any other manner, and from which oil or gas is obtained, or is obtainable; or is for the purpose of attempting to obtain oil or gas;
- made, or being made, by drilling or boring for the purpose of obtaining water to inject to an underground formation;
- used, drilled, or being drilled for the purpose of injecting gas, air, water or other substance to an underground formation;
- which is a test-hole, excluding seismic drilling; or
- drilled or being drilled, for any other purpose than listed above using equipment and machinery normally used for oil and gas well drilling.