Kill-weight Fluid

Kill-weight Fluid

Definition(s)

Kill-weight fluid

Fluid with sufficient density such that the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid column is greater than formation pressure. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Negative Differential Test

Negative Differential Test

Definition(s)

Inflow test or negative test or negative differential test

A test in which the hydrostatic pressure is reduced such that the net differential pressure direction is from the formation into the wellbore. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Negative Test

Negative Test

Definition(s)

Inflow test or negative test or negative differential test

A test in which the hydrostatic pressure is reduced such that the net differential pressure direction is from the formation into the wellbore. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Inflow Test

Inflow Test

Definition(s)

Inflow test or negative test or negative differential test

A test in which the hydrostatic pressure is reduced such that the net differential pressure direction is from the formation into the wellbore. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Indirect Displacement

Indirect Displacement

Definition(s)

Indirect displacement

Staged (multi-step) displacement from one kill weight fluid to another (typically drilling mud to completion brine) in which an intermediate step involves a non-kill-weight fluid (e.g. seawater) being circulated into the well. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Fluid Column Barrier

Fluid Column Barrier

Definition(s)

Hydrostatic barrier or fluid column barrier

Hydrostatic pressure of a fluid column sufficient to prevent formation fluid influx into the wellbore. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Hydrostatic Barrier

Hydrostatic Barrier

Definition(s)

Hydrostatic barrier or fluid column barrier

Hydrostatic pressure of a fluid column sufficient to prevent formation fluid influx into the wellbore. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Fracture Stimulation

Fracture Stimulation

Definition(s)

Fracture stimulation or hydraulic fracturing

A stimulation technique used to create a fracture in the reservoir formation to increase productivity of the well. NOTE Proppant is used in the fracturing fluid to hold the fracture open, thus maintaining a high conductivity path into the wellbore. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Emergency Disconnect Sequence

Emergency Disconnect Sequence

Definition(s)

Emergency disconnect sequence

Upon human activation, provides automatic closure of the wellbore and automatic disconnect of lower riser package when specific emergency conditions occur on a floating drilling vessel. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Emergency Disconnect Package

Emergency Disconnect Package

Definition(s)

Emergency Disconnect Package

Subsea equipment package that typically forms part of the lower workover riser package and provides a disconnection point between the riser and subsea equipment. NOTE This equipment is used when it is required to disconnect the riser from the well, typically in case of a vessel drift-off or other emergency that could move the vessel away from the well location. Source: API RP 17G, Recommended Practice for Completion/Workover Risers, Second Edition, July 2006 (Reaffirmed April 2011). Global Standards

Emergency disconnect package (EDP)

Equipment that allows a completion/intervention riser to be disconnected from the lower riser package in an emergency situation. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards  
Operating Margin

Operating Margin

Definition(s)

Drilling margin or drilling window or operating margin

The difference between the maximum pore pressure and the minimum effective fracture pressure. It is used while drilling and can be determined for any point within an open-hole interval. NOTE Drilling margin is usually expressed in terms of equivalent mud weight. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Drilling Window

Drilling Window

Definition(s)

Drilling margin or drilling window or operating margin

The difference between the maximum pore pressure and the minimum effective fracture pressure. It is used while drilling and can be determined for any point within an open-hole interval. NOTE Drilling margin is usually expressed in terms of equivalent mud weight. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Drilling Margin

Drilling Margin

Definition(s)

Drilling margin or drilling window or operating margin

The difference between the maximum pore pressure and the minimum effective fracture pressure. It is used while drilling and can be determined for any point within an open-hole interval. NOTE Drilling margin is usually expressed in terms of equivalent mud weight. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Design Factor

Design Factor

Definition(s)

Design Factor

Factor (utilization factor equal to one or less) used to set load limit. Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global Standards

Design Factor

Minimum acceptable ratio of the capacity of a component to the load to which it can be subjected. Source: Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards  

Design Factor

Factor (usage factor) used in working stress design. Source: API RP 17G, Recommended Practice for Completion/Workover Risers, Second Edition, July 2006 (Reaffirmed April 2011). Global Standards  

Design Factor

Ratio between the rated strength of the material over the estimated load. Source: NORSOK D-010, Well integrity in drilling and well operations, Rev. 3, August 2004. Global Standards
Deepwater Well

Deepwater Well

Definition(s)

Deepwater well

Offshore well where subsea BOPs are used. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Deadman System

Deadman System

Definition(s)

Deadman system

A safety system designed to automatically shut in the wellbore in the event of a simultaneous absence of hydraulic supply and control of both subsea control pods. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Confirmed Barrier

Confirmed Barrier

Definition(s)

Confirmed barrier

A barrier whose performance has been verified by satisfying placement acceptance criteria through evaluating data collected during installation. NOTE A confirmed barrier has a lower level of assurance than a tested barrier. EXAMPLE A barrier that is intended to resist pressure from below during its service is tested successfully after installation with pressure from above. The barrier in this scenario is considered to be a confirmed barrier but does not meet the definition of a tested barrier because it was not tested in the direction of flow in service. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Cement Barrier

Cement Barrier

Definition(s)

Cement barrier

A cement column designed and placed to prevent formation fluid or gas flow between geologic formations, within annular spaces, or in the wellbore (a subset of physical barriers). Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Containment Stack

Containment Stack

Definition(s)

Capping stack or containment stack

A device that controls, diverts, and shuts in a well flow stream during a well containment operation. NOTE This equipment is deployed only as required and is not a part of standard rig equipment. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Capping Stack

Capping Stack

Definition(s)

Capping stack or containment stack

A device that controls, diverts, and shuts in a well flow stream during a well containment operation. NOTE This equipment is deployed only as required and is not a part of standard rig equipment. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Basis of Design

Basis of Design

Definition(s)

Basis of design

All information and assumptions utilized to design the well. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Barrier System

Barrier System

Definition(s)

Barrier system

A combination of barriers acting together to prevent unintended fluid and/or gas flow. NOTE The barrier system includes both physical and operational barriers. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Barrier Plan

Barrier Plan

Definition(s)

Barrier plan

The operator’s specific operating procedure for barrier placement, verification, and removal. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Backup Gradient

Backup Gradient

Definition(s)

Backup gradient

Hydrostatic gradient of fluid assumed to be on the other side of the tubular string from the design load case being considered. NOTE Typically subtracted from the design pressure load profile in order to calculate a “net” pressure. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Autoshear System

Autoshear System

Definition(s)

Autoshear system

A safety system that is designed to automatically shut-in the wellbore in the event of a disconnect of the LMRP. NOTE When the autoshear is engaged, disconnecting the LMRP closes the shear rams. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards
Can

Can

Definition(s)

Can

The term “can” is used to express possibility or capability. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards  

Can

“Can”, means an alternative, equal way of fulfilling the regulatory requirements, e.g. where the guidelines recommend using maritime standards as an alternative to following a NORSOK standard. Source: Guidelines Regarding the Framework Regulations, Norway, updated December 2012. Regulatory Guidance  

Can

Verbal form used for statements of possibility and capability, whether material, physical or casual. Source: NORSOK D-010, Well integrity in drilling and well operations, Rev. 3, August 2004. Global Standards Source: NORSOK D-002, Well intervention equipment, Rev. 2, June 2013. Global Standards  

Can

Can requirements are conditional and indicates a possibility open to the user of the standard. Source: NORSOK D-007, Well Testing Systems, Rev. 1, January 1996. Global Standards  

Can

verbal form used for statements of possibility and capability whether material, physical or casual Source: Rules for Classification and Construction, IV Industrial Services, 6 Offshore Technology, 9 Guideline for Personnel Transfers by Means of Lifting Appliances, Edition 2011, Germanischer Lloyd SE, Global Standards
Well Simulation Test

Well Simulation Test

Definition(s)

Well Simulation Test

Test whose parameters are designed and modified as required to simulate the conditions found in a wellbore. Source: API RP 10B-2, Recommended Practice for Testing Well Cements, First Edition, July 2005 (Reaffirmed: July 2010). Global Standards
Weigh Batch Mixer

Weigh Batch Mixer

Definition(s)

Weigh Batch Mixer (or Scale Tank)

Device or system for the weighing and blending of cement with dry additives. Source: API RP 10B-2, Recommended Practice for Testing Well Cements, First Edition, July 2005 (Reaffirmed: July 2010). Global Standards
Thickening Time

Thickening Time

Definition(s)

Thickening Time

Time required for a cement slurry to develop a selected Bearden consistency value. NOTE The results of a thickening-time test provide an indication of the length of time a cement slurry can remain pumpable under the test conditions. Source: API RP 10B-2, Recommended Practice for Testing Well Cements, First Edition, July 2005 (Reaffirmed: July 2010). Global Standards  

Thickening Time

Time after which the consistency of a cement slurry has become so high that the slurry is considered unpumpable. NOTE The results of a thickening-time test provide an indication of the length of time a cement slurry remains pumpable under the test conditions. Source: API SPEC 10A, Specification for Cements and Materials for Well Cementing, Twenty-fourth Edition, December 2010. Global Standards
Strength Retrogression

Strength Retrogression

Definition(s)

Strength Retrogression

Reduction in compressive strength and increase in permeability of a cement caused by exposure to temperatures exceeding 110 °C (230 °F). Source: API RP 10B-2, Recommended Practice for Testing Well Cements, First Edition, July 2005 (Reaffirmed: July 2010). Global Standards