Glossary
Browse the IADC Lexicon alphabetically or by category. Get comprehensive definitions of drilling industry terms.
Casinghead Gas
Definition(s)
Casinghead Gas
"Casinghead gas" means any gas or vapor, or both gas and vapor, indigenous to and produced from a pool classified as an oil pool by the commission. Source: Oil and gas Conservation, North Dakota Administrative Code, Chapter 43-02-03, April 2012. RegulationsCasinghead Gas
Any gas or vapor, or both, indigenous to an oil stratum and produced from such stratum with oil. Source: Oil and Gas Division, Texas Administrative Code, Title 16, Chapter 3, February 2013. RegulationsCasinghead Gas
“Casinghead gas” means a gas or vapor or both gas and vapor indigenous to and produced from a pool the division classifies as an oil pool. This also includes gas-cap gas produced from such an oil pool. Source: Oil and Gas, New Mexico Administrative Code Title 19, Chapter 15, January 2013. RegulationsBradenhead Gas Well
Definition(s)
Bradenhead Gas Well
"Bradenhead gas well" means any well capable of producing gas through wellhead connections from a gas reservoir which has been successfully cased off from an underlying oil or gas reservoir. Source: Oil and gas Conservation, North Dakota Administrative Code, Chapter 43-02-03, April 2012. RegulationsBradenhead Gas Well
“Bradenhead gas well” means a well producing gas through wellhead connections from a gas reservoir that has been successfully cased off from an underlying oil or gas reservoir. Source: Oil and Gas, New Mexico Administrative Code Title 19, Chapter 15, January 2013. RegulationsBottom Hole Or Subsurface Pressure
Definition(s)
Bottom Hole Or Subsurface Pressure
"Bottom hole or subsurface pressure" means the pressure in pounds per square inch gauge under conditions existing at or near the producing horizon. Source: Oil and gas Conservation, North Dakota Administrative Code, Chapter 43-02-03, April 2012. RegulationsBarrel Of Oil
Definition(s)
Barrel Of Oil
"Barrel of oil" means forty-two United States gallons [158.99 liters] of oil after deductions for the full amount of basic sedi ment, water, and other impurities present, ascertained by centrifugal or other recognized and customary test. Source: Oil and gas Conservation, North Dakota Administrative Code, Chapter 43-02-03, April 2012. RegulationsBarrel Of Oil
“Barrel of oil” means 42 United States gallons of oil, after deductions for the full amount of basic sediment, water and other impurities present, ascertained by centrifugal or other recognized and customary test. Source: Oil and Gas, New Mexico Administrative Code Title 19, Chapter 15, January 2013. RegulationsAllowable Production
Definition(s)
Allowable Production
"Allowable production" means that number of barrels of oil or cubic feet of natural gas authorized to be produced from the respective proration units in an allocated pool. Source: Oil and gas Conservation, North Dakota Administrative Code, Chapter 43-02-03, April 2012. RegulationsAllowable Production
“Allowable production” means that number of barrels of oil or cubic feet of gas the division authorizes to be produced from an allocated pool. Source: Oil and Gas, New Mexico Administrative Code Title 19, Chapter 15, January 2013. RegulationsAllocated Pool
Definition(s)
Allocated Pool
"Allocated pool" is one in which the total oil or natural gas production is restricted and allocated to various proration units therein in accordance with proration schedules. Source: Oil and gas Conservation, North Dakota Administrative Code, Chapter 43-02-03, April 2012. RegulationsAllocated Pool
“Allocated pool” means a pool in which the total oil or gas production is restricted and is allocated to various wells in the pool in accordance with proration schedules. Source: Oil and Gas, New Mexico Administrative Code Title 19, Chapter 15, January 2013. RegulationsAdjusted Allowable
Definition(s)
Adjustable Allowable
“Adjusted allowable” means the allowable production a well or proration unit receives after all adjustments are made. Source: Oil and Gas, New Mexico Administrative Code Title 19, Chapter 15, January 2013. RegulationsAdjusted Allowable
"Adjusted allowable" means the allowable production a proration unit receives after all adjustments are applied. Source: Oil and gas Conservation, North Dakota Administrative Code, Chapter 43-02-03, April 2012. RegulationsSafe Landing
Definition(s)
Safe Landing
A safe landing means that a user using a manually operated braking emergency escape unit will stop a minimum of 20 feet from the anchor point and a user using an automatic velocity-limiting device or controlled descent device will stop a minimum of 5 feet from the anchor point. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsWire Line Wiper
Definition(s)
Wire Line Wiper
“Wire line wiper” means a device used to wipe off oil, mud, or liquid from a wire line as it is pulled out of the well. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsWeight Indicator
Definition(s)
Weight Indicator
“Weight indicator” means an instrument that shows the weight suspended from the hooks. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsShale Shake
Definition(s)
Shale Shake
“Shale shaker” means a vibrating sieve used to remove cuttings from the circulating fluid. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsQualified Employee
Definition(s)
Qualified Employee
“Qualified employee” means a person who, by possession of recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by knowledge, training, or experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to perform work relating to the subject matter. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsPower Tongs
Definition(s)
Power Tongs
“Power tongs” means pneumatically or hydraulically operated tools that serve to spin the pipe up tight or, in some instances, serve to apply the final makeup torque. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsOutriggers
Definition(s)
Outriggers
“Outriggers” means structural extensions of the mast or pole base protruding at approximately 90 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the rig to provide overturn stability. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsNip Point
Definition(s)
Nip Point
“Nip point” means the point where the wire line becomes tangent to a sheave. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsHot Oil Operation
Definition(s)
Hot Oil Operation
“Hot oil operations” means the treatment of a producing well with heated oil to melt accumulated paraffin in the tubing and annulus. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsFlow Line
Definition(s)
Flow Line
The piping that exits the bell nipple and conducts drilling fluid and cuttings to the shale shaker and drilling fluid pits. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsFlow Line
Conduit for well returns routed from the wellhead to the choke manifold and from the wellhead to processing equipment. Considerations of design include size, connections, geometry, and pressure rating and anticipated flow conditions. Source: IADC UBO / MPD Glossary, December 2011. Global StandardsFlow Line
“Flow line” means the surface pipe which carries drilling fluid from surface tanks or other storage. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsDraw Works
Definition(s)
Draw Works
“Draw works” means the hoisting mechanism on a drilling, well servicing, or workover rig. It is essentially a large winch that spools off or takes in the hoisting line. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsDrawworks
Any assembly of power transmission equipment and machine parts used in the rotary method of drilling or well servicing, for hoisting and lowering the drill pipe, casing, tubing and drilling tools used in a well. Source: Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production, Definitions, California Code of Regulations, 8 CCR § 6505, December 2012. RegulationsDerrick Board
Definition(s)
Derrick Board
“Derrick board” means the platform on which the derrickmen work. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsCrown Block
Definition(s)
Crown Block
“Crown block” means an assembly of sheaves or pulleys mounted on beams at the top of the derrick or mast over which a hoisting line is reeved. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsBreadth (B)
Definition(s)
Breadth (B)
Breadth (B) means the maximum breadth of the ship, measured amidships to the moulded line of the frame in a ship with a metal shell and to the outer surface of the hull in a ship with a shell of any other material. The breadth (B) shall be measured in metres. 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 Guidance Source: Resolution MEPC.141(54), amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Amendments to regulation 1, addition to regulation 12A, consequential amendments to the IOPP Certificate and amendments to regulation 21 of the revised Annex I of MARPOL 73/78), 24 March 2006, International Maritime Organization. Legislation Source: IMO Resolution MSC.266(84), Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships, 2008 (2008 SPS Code), 13 May 2008, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceBreadth
Breadth. Unless expressly provided otherwise, the breadth (B) is the maximum breadth of the ship, measured amidships to the moulded line of the frame in a ship with a metal shell and to the outer surface of the hull in a ship with a shell of any other material. <Chapter I, regulation 3>. Source: IMO Resolution MSC.143(77), amendments to Annex B to the 1988 Load Lines Protocol, 5 June 2003, International Maritime Organization. LegislationBreadth (B)
Breadth (B) is the greatest moulded breadth of the ship at or below the deepest subdivision draught. <Chapter II-1, regulation 2>. Source: IMO Resolution MSC.216(82), amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, 8 December 2006, International Maritime Organization. LegislationBreadth (B)
Breadth, B, is the greatest moulded breadth, in metres. Source: Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Mobile Offshore Units, Part 4, Steel Unit Structures, June 2013, Lloyd’s Register, Global StandardsPublic Spaces
Definition(s)
Public Spaces
Public spaces are those portions of the accommodation spaces which are used for halls, dining rooms, lounges and similar permanently enclosed spaces. 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 GuidancePublic Spaces
Public spaces are those portions of the accommodation which are used for halls, dining rooms, lounges and similar permanently enclosed spaces. <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. LegislationBleed-off Line or Blooey Line
Definition(s)
Bleed-off Line or Blooey Line
“Bleed-off line” or “blooey line” means a pipe used to discharge materials or release pressure away from a well or pressurized equipment. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsAnchor
Definition(s)
Anchor
“Anchor” means a device that is used to secure, fasten, or stabilize. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsAnchor
Device used to secure items of equipment, important in the context of UBD where vibration is a factor or concern. Source: IADC UBO / MPD Glossary, December 2011. Global StandardsAir, Gas, or Mist Drilling
Definition(s)
Air, Gas, or Mist Drilling
“Air, gas, or mist drilling” means a method of rotary drilling using compressed air or gas as its primary circulation medium. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsProduced Water Injection Project
Definition(s)
Produced Water Injection Project
Produced Water Injection Project―project approved in accordance with R.S. 47:633.5 and the rules adopted herein for the purpose of increasing the recovery of hydrocarbons therefrom. Source: Natural Resources, Office of Conservation – General Operations, Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 43, Part XIX, March 2013. RegulationsPertinent Data
Definition(s)
Pertinent Data
Pertinent Data―with respect to any unit proceedings, all basic factual information available from wells drilled or drilling which can reasonably be utilized in determining the unit configuration, including but not limited to:- electric logs, porosity logs and dipmeter logs;
- tests, completion and production data; and
- core data. All data that will be employed at a hearing shall be considered pertinent data.