Glossary
Browse the IADC Lexicon alphabetically or by category. Get comprehensive definitions of drilling industry terms.
Centralized E&P Waste Management Facility
Definition(s)
Centralized E&P Waste Management Facility
CENTRALIZED E&P WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY shall mean a facility, other than a commercial disposal facility regulated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, that (1) is either used exclusively by one owner or operator or used by more than one operator under an operating agreement; and (2) is operated for a period greater than three (3) years; and (3) receives for collection, treatment, temporary storage, and/or disposal produced water, drilling fluids, completion fluids, and any other exempt E&P wastes that are generated from two or more production units or areas or from a set of commonly owned or operated leases. This definition includes oil-field naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) related storage, decontamination, treatment, or disposal. This definition excludes a facility that is permitted in accordance with Rule 903 pursuant to Rule 902.e. Source: Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Practice and Procedure, Code of Colorado Regulations, 2 CCR 404-1, February 2013. RegulationsCease and Desist Order
Definition(s)
Cease and Desist Order
CEASE AND DESIST ORDER shall mean an order issued by the Commission or the Director pursuant to C.R.S. §34-60-121(5). Source: Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Practice and Procedure, Code of Colorado Regulations, 2 CCR 404-1, February 2013. RegulationsBuilding Unit
Definition(s)
Building Unit
BUILDING UNIT shall mean a building or structure intended for human occupancy. A dwelling unit is equal to one (1) building unit, every guest room in a hotel/motel is equal to one (1) building unit, and every five thousand (5.000) square feet of building floor area in commercial facilities, and every fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet of building floor area in warehouses, or other similar storage facilities, is equal to one (1) building unit. Source: Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Practice and Procedure, Code of Colorado Regulations, 2 CCR 404-1, February 2013. RegulationsBradenhead Test Area
Definition(s)
Bradenhead Test Area
BRADENHEAD TEST AREA shall mean any area designated as a bradenhead test area by the Commission under Rule 207.b. Source: Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Practice and Procedure, Code of Colorado Regulations, 2 CCR 404-1, February 2013. RegulationsBest Management Practices (BMPs)
Definition(s)
Best Management Practices (BMPs)
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPs) are practices that are designed to prevent or reduce impacts caused by oil and gas operations to air, water, soil, or biological resources, and to minimize adverse impacts to public health, safety and welfare, including the environment and wildlife resources. Source: Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Practice and Procedure, Code of Colorado Regulations, 2 CCR 404-1, February 2013. RegulationsBattery
Definition(s)
Battery
BATTERY shall mean the point of collection (tanks) and disbursement (tank, meter, LACT unit) of oil or gas from producing well(s). Source: Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Practice and Procedure, Code of Colorado Regulations, 2 CCR 404-1, February 2013. RegulationsBattery
Equipment used to process or store crude oil from one or more wells. Source: IADC UBO / MPD Glossary, December 2011. Global StandardsBase Fluid
Definition(s)
Base Fluid
BASE FLUID shall mean the continuous phase fluid type, such as water, used in a hydraulic fracturing treatment. Source: Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Practice and Procedure, Code of Colorado Regulations, 2 CCR 404-1, February 2013. RegulationsBase Fluid
The continuous phase fluid type, such as water, used in a particular hydraulic fracturing treatment. Source: Oil and Gas Division, Texas Administrative Code, Title 16, Chapter 3, February 2013. RegulationsAuthorized Deputy
Definition(s)
Authorized Deputy
AUTHORIZED DEPUTY shall mean a representative of the Director as authorized by the Commission. Source: Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Practice and Procedure, Code of Colorado Regulations, 2 CCR 404-1, February 2013. RegulationsAssembly Building
Definition(s)
Assembly Building
ASSEMBLY BUILDING shall mean any building or portion of building or structure used for the regular gathering of fifty (50) or more persons for such purposes as deliberation, education, instruction, worship, entertainment, amusement, drinking or dining, or awaiting transport. Source: Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Practice and Procedure, Code of Colorado Regulations, 2 CCR 404-1, February 2013. RegulationsAquifer
Definition(s)
Aquifer
"Aquifer" means a geological formation, group of formations, or part of a formation that is capable of yielding a significant amount of water to a well or spring. Source: Corporation Commission, Oil and Gas Conservation, Oklahoma Administrative Code 165:10, February 2013. RegulationsAquifer
“Aquifer” means a geological formation, group of formations, or part of a formation that is capable of yielding a significant amount of water to a well or spring. Source: Division of Mineral Resources Management - Oil and Gas, Ohio Administrative Code, Chapter 1501:9, January 2012. RegulationsAquifer
A subsurface formation that is sufficiently permeable to hold and conduct groundwater and to yield economically significant quantities of water to wells and springs. Source: Identifying and assessing water sources: Guidance document for the onshore oil and gas industry, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), 2014. Global StandardsAquifer
AQUIFER shall mean a geologic formation, group of formations or part of a formation that can both store and transmit ground water. It includes both the saturated and unsaturated zone but does not include the confining layer which separates two (2) adjacent aquifers. Source: Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Practice and Procedure, Code of Colorado Regulations, 2 CCR 404-1, February 2013. RegulationsAquifer
“Aquifer” means a geological formation, group of formations or a part of a formation that is capable of yielding a significant amount of water to a well or spring. Source: Oil and Gas, New Mexico Administrative Code Title 19, Chapter 15, January 2013. RegulationsAncillary Facilities
Definition(s)
Ancillary Facilities
ANCILLARY FACILITIES shall mean all of the equipment, buildings, structures, and improvements associated with or required for the operation of a well site, pipeline, or compressor facility. Ancillary facilities include, but are not limited to, roads, well pads, tank batteries, combustion equipment and pits and exclude gathering lines. Source: Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Practice and Procedure, Code of Colorado Regulations, 2 CCR 404-1, February 2013. RegulationsWall, Retaining (Dike)
Definition(s)
Wall, Retaining (Dike)
A wall made of concrete, earthwork, or other noncombustible material, built for the purpose of protecting employees by confining hazardous substances. Source: Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production, Definitions, California Code of Regulations, 8 CCR § 6505, December 2012. RegulationsWall, Diversion
Definition(s)
Wall, Diversion
A wall made of concrete, earthwork or other noncombustible material, built for the purpose of protecting employees by diverting the flow of hazardous substances. Source: Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production, Definitions, California Code of Regulations, 8 CCR § 6505, December 2012. RegulationsValve
Definition(s)
Valve
Device used to stop or control the rate of flow in a line or vessel or to serve as an automatic or semiautomatic safety device. Common valves include the butterfly, gate, plug, globe, needle, check, and pressure relief. Source: IADC UBO / MPD Glossary, December 2011. Global StandardsValve
A device for regulating or controlling the flow of material by means of a movable part or parts which open or close a passage. Source: Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production, Definitions, California Code of Regulations, 8 CCR § 6505, December 2012. RegulationsTraveling Block Hook
Definition(s)
Traveling Block Hook
A hook or equivalent device suspended from the traveling block and from which the elevator links, swivel bail or other equipment is attached. Source: Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production, Definitions, California Code of Regulations, 8 CCR § 6505, December 2012. RegulationsTraveling Block
Definition(s)
Traveling Block
Two or more steel plates and other metal parts assembled into a framework within which are mounted one or more sheaves on which the hoisting line is reeved in connection with the sheaves on the crown block. The traveling block travels between the derrick or mast floor and the crown block. Source: Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production, Definitions, California Code of Regulations, 8 CCR § 6505, December 2012. RegulationsTank
Definition(s)
Tank
A receptacle (covered or uncovered) of 60 gallons (227.1 liters) or greater capacity. Unless referred to in these Orders as “stationary,” the above definition shall include such receptacle when used on tank cars, tank vehicles or skids. Source: Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production, Definitions, California Code of Regulations, 8 CCR § 6505, December 2012. RegulationsTank
TANK shall mean a stationary vessel that is used to contain fluids, constructed of non-earthen materials (e.g. concrete, steel, plastic) that provide structural support. Source: Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Practice and Procedure, Code of Colorado Regulations, 2 CCR 404-1, February 2013. RegulationsTank
A stationary device designed to contain an accumulation of hazardous waste that is constructed primarily of non-earthen materials (e. g., wood, concrete, steel, plastic) that provide structural support. Source: Oil and Gas Division, Texas Administrative Code, Title 16, Chapter 3, February 2013. RegulationsTank
“Tank” means a receptacle for petroleum exceeding 1000 litres in capacity. Source: The Petroleum Rules, 1976, India, 1976. Regulations Source: The Petroleum Rules, 2002, India, 13th March 2002. RegulationsStationary Internal Combustion Engine
Definition(s)
Stationary Internal Combustion Engine
An engine that is permanently attached to a fixed foundation. Source: Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production, Definitions, California Code of Regulations, 8 CCR § 6505, December 2012. RegulationsStatic Electricity
Definition(s)
Static Electricity
The type of electrical charge resulting from the separation of materials, friction or similar causes. Source: Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production, Definitions, California Code of Regulations, 8 CCR § 6505, December 2012. RegulationsStandpipe
Definition(s)
Standpipe
A vertical pipe which joins the rotary hose to the circulating system. Source: Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production, Definitions, California Code of Regulations, 8 CCR § 6505, December 2012. RegulationsSource of Ignition
Definition(s)
Source of Ignition
Any flame, arc, spark, or heat capable of igniting flammable liquids, gases or vapors. Source: Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production, Definitions, California Code of Regulations, 8 CCR § 6505, December 2012. RegulationsSlips
Definition(s)
Slips
The wedge-shaped pieces of metal with gripping elements used to prevent pipe from slipping down the well bore. Source: Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production, Definitions, California Code of Regulations, 8 CCR § 6505, December 2012. RegulationsSecured
Definition(s)
Secured
The device or object referred to is so anchored that it will not become accidentally detached, displaced or removed under normal use or foreseen circumstances. Source: Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production, Definitions, California Code of Regulations, 8 CCR § 6505, December 2012. RegulationsSamson Post
Definition(s)
Samson Post
The main upright post or column that supports the walking beam. Source: Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production, Definitions, California Code of Regulations, 8 CCR § 6505, December 2012. RegulationsRunaway
Definition(s)
Runaway
A condition affecting diesel engines, where the engine overspeeds out of control, as a result of the introduction of airborne flammable gas or vapor via the air intake causing the engine to accelerate to progressively higher and higher revolutions per minute beyond the normal operating range to a point where the engine becomes damaged due to mechanical failure. Source: Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production, Definitions, California Code of Regulations, 8 CCR § 6505, December 2012. RegulationsRotary Hose (Kelly Hose)
Definition(s)
Rotary Hose (Kelly Hose)
Length or section of hose between the swivel and the top of the standpipe. Source: Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production, Definitions, California Code of Regulations, 8 CCR § 6505, December 2012. RegulationsRod-wheel Wrench
Definition(s)
Rod-wheel Wrench
"Reservoir" means the same as "pool" in AS 31.05.170. Source: Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production, Definitions, California Code of Regulations, 8 CCR § 6505, December 2012. RegulationsRepair (Pressure Vessel)
Definition(s)
Repair (Pressure Vessel)
A repair is any work necessary to restore a pressure vessel to a safe operating condition, provided there is no deviation from the original design. Examples of repair include:- Weld repair or replacement of pressure retaining parts or attachments that have failed in a weld or in the base material;
- Addition of welded attachments to pressure parts;
- Replacement of pressure retaining parts identical or equivalent to those existing on the pressure vessel and described in the original ASME Manufacturer's Data Report;
- Replacement or addition of a nozzle where reinforcement is not required to be considered by the code under which the vessel was constructed;
- The addition of a nozzle where reinforcement is a consideration provided the nozzle is identical or equivalent to the one in the original design and located in a similar part of the vessel;
- Repairs of base material by weld overlay;
- Repair or replacement of a pressure part with an ASME Code accepted material that has a nominal chemical composition and strength equivalent to the original material and is suitable for the intended service.