Glossary
Browse the IADC Lexicon alphabetically or by category. Get comprehensive definitions of drilling industry terms.
Fire Explosion Incident Rate
Definition(s)
Fire explosion incident rate
This value is the number of fires and explosions reported to MMS for a calendar year. An explosion is the bursting or rupture of a building or a container due to development of internal pressures. A fire is the phenomenon of combustion manifested in light, flame, and heat. Source: API RP 75, Recommended Practice for Development of a Safety and Environmental Management Program for Offshore Operations and Facilities: Upstream Segment, Third Edition, May 2004. Global StandardsExplosion
Definition(s)
Explosion
An explosion is the bursting or rupture of a building or a container due to development of internal pressures. Source: API RP 75, Recommended Practice for Development of a Safety and Environmental Management Program for Offshore Operations and Facilities: Upstream Segment, Third Edition, May 2004. Global StandardsExplosion
A release of energy resulting from an LOPC that causes a pressure discontinuity or blast wave (e.g. detonations, deflagrations, and rapid releases of high pressure caused by a rupture of equipment or piping). Source: OGP Report No. 456, Process Safety – Recommended Practice on Key Performance Indicators, International Association of Oil & Gas Producers, November 2011. Global StandardsExplosion
“Explosion” means unplanned explosion. Source: The Offshore Installations (Prevention of Fire and Explosion, and Emergency Response) Regulations 1995, S.I. 1995/743, 1995. RegulationsDays Away from Work Case
Definition(s)
Days away from work case
A case where a physician or other licensed health care professional recommends days away from work in connection with a work-related injury or illness. Source: API RP 75, Recommended Practice for Development of a Safety and Environmental Management Program for Offshore Operations and Facilities: Upstream Segment, Third Edition, May 2004. Global StandardsCrude Oil and Condensate Production, Gross Operated
Definition(s)
Crude oil and condensate production, gross operated
This value is the annual gross operated production of crude oil and condensate on the OCS by an operator in millions of barrels. Source: API RP 75, Recommended Practice for Development of a Safety and Environmental Management Program for Offshore Operations and Facilities: Upstream Segment, Third Edition, May 2004. Global StandardsBlow-out Incident Rate
Definition(s)
Blow-out incident rate
This value is the number of blowouts reported to MMS by the operator. A blowout, surface or underwater, is an uncontrolled flow of gas, oil or other well fluids into the atmosphere or between the sea floor and the water surface. A blowout occurs when formation pressure exceeds the pressure applied to it by the column of drilling or other fluids in the wellbore. Source: API RP 75, Recommended Practice for Development of a Safety and Environmental Management Program for Offshore Operations and Facilities: Upstream Segment, Third Edition, May 2004. Global StandardsBarrel Equivalent, Gross Operated
Definition(s)
Barrel equivalent, gross operated
This value equates the gas production volume to oil production volume. A factor of 5.614 MCF/BOE is used. Source: API RP 75, Recommended Practice for Development of a Safety and Environmental Management Program for Offshore Operations and Facilities: Upstream Segment, Third Edition, May 2004. Global StandardsWell Servicing
Definition(s)
Well Servicing
Well work involving pulling or running tubulars or sucker rods, to include but not limited to redrilling, completing, recompleting, workover, and abandoning operations. Source: API RP 74, Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Onshore Oil and Gas Production Operation, First Edition, October 2001 (March 2007). Global StandardsWell Servicing
Remedial or maintenance work performed within the well casing on any well, other than a drilling well. Source: Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production, Definitions, California Code of Regulations, 8 CCR § 6505, December 2012. RegulationsWell Servicing
“Well servicing” means the remedial or maintenance work performed on an oil or gas well to improve or maintain the production from a formation already producing. [Mich. Admin. Code R 408 (2013)]. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsHot Work
Definition(s)
Hot work
Work involving electric or gas welding, cutting, brazing, grinding or similar flame or spark producing operations. Source: API RP 74, Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Onshore Oil and Gas Production Operation, First Edition, October 2001 (March 2007). Global StandardsHot work
Deform metal plastically at a temperature above the recrystallization temperature. Source: API SPEC 6A, Specification for Wellhead and Christmas Tree Equipment, Twentieth Edition, October 2010 (Addendum November 2012). Global StandardsHot work
An operation that can produce enough heat from flame, spark or other source of ignition, with sufficient energy to ignite flammable vapors, gases, or dust. Hot work includes such things as electric arc and gas welding, chipping, flaming, grinding, gas cutting, abrasive blasting, brazing and soldering. Special procedures and permits are required when hot work is to be performed in certain areas. (Appendix D of ANSI Z49.1 lists more than 90 welding and allied processes that would qualify as “hot work.”). API RP 2201, Safe Hot Tapping Practices in the Petroleum & Petrochemical Industries, Fifth Edition, July 2003 (Reaffirmed October 2010), Global Standards API RP 2009, Safe Welding, Cutting, and Hot Work Practices in the Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries, Seventh Edition, February 2002 (Reaffirmed, March 2012), Global StandardsHot work
Work done when hydrocarbons are present or probable. See API RP 500. Source: IADC UBO / MPD Glossary, December 2011. Global StandardsHot work
“Hot work” means welding, burning, rivetting, drilling, grinding, chipping or any other work where a flame is used or sparks are produced (travail à chaud). Source: Canada Oil and Gas Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, SOR/87-612, February 2013. Regulations Source: Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Occupational Health & Safety Requirements, Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board, Canada, December 2000. Regulations Source: Oil and Gas Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, SOR/87-612, Canada, current to April 29, 2013. RegulationsHot work
“Hot work” means, in respect of any equipment, machine or device, that the equipment, machine or device has been rendered inoperative and cannot be operated or energized without the consent of the person who rendered it inoperative; verrouillé. Source: Oil and Gas Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, SOR/87-612, Canada, current to April 29, 2013. RegulationsHot work
"Hot work" means any activity requiring the use of electric arc or gas welding equipment, cutting burner equipment or other forms of flame, as well as heating or spark-generating tools, regardless of where it is carried out on board a ship. Source: Resolution MEPC.210(63), 2012 Guidelines for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling, 2 March 2012, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceHot work
“Hot work” means any work which involves welding, burning, soldering, brazing and blasting, chipping by spark-producing tools, use of certain power-driven tools, non-flame proof electrical equipment or equipment with internal combustion engines and including any other work which is likely to produce sufficient heat, capable of igniting inflammable gases. Source: The Petroleum Rules, 1976, India, 1976. Regulations Source: The Petroleum Rules, 2002, India, 13th March 2002. RegulationsTubing
Definition(s)
Tubing
Pipe used in wells to conduct fluid from the well's producing formation into the subsea or surface tree. Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global StandardsTubing
See casing. Source: API RP 54, Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations, Third Edition, August 1999 (2007). Global StandardsTubing
Pipe installed in the wellbore inside the production casing, extending from the wellhead to a depth at or above the completion interval, and through which formation fluids are transported to the surface and through which stimulation or injection fluids are transported to the formation. Source: API BULLETIN E3, Environmental Guidance Document: Well Abandonment and Inactive Well Practices for U.S. Exploration and Production Operations, First Edition, January 1993 (Reaffirmed June 2000). Global StandardsTubing
Pipe placed within a well and serving as a conduit for produced well fluids or to inject fluids. Source: API RP 5A5, Field Inspection of New Casing, Tubing, and Plain-end Drill Pipe, Reaffirmed August 2010. Global StandardsTubing
“Tubing” means a small diameter pipe that is run into a well to serve as a conduit for the passage of oil or gas to the surface. [Mich. Admin. Code R 408 (2013)]. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsTubing
Pipe placed in a well to produce or inject fluids. Source: API SPEC 5CRA, Specification for Corrosion Resistant Alloy Seamless Tubes for Use as Casing, Tubing and Coupling Stock, Upstream Segment, First Edition, February 2010 (Errata August 2011). Global Standards Source: API SPEC 5CT, Specification for Casing and Tubing, Upstream Segment, Ninth Edition, July 2011 (Errata September 2012). Global StandardsTubing
Retrievable pipe placed within a well to conduct fluid from the well's producing formation into the christmas tree or to conduct kill or treatment fluids in a well. NOTE Tubing is distinguished from casing as being retrievable during the life of the well. Source: API SPEC 6A, Specification for Wellhead and Christmas Tree Equipment, Twentieth Edition, October 2010 (Addendum November 2012). Global StandardsTubing
Pipe placed within a well to serve as a production or injection conduit. Source: API SPEC 11D1, Packers and Bridge Plugs, Upstream Segment, Second Edition, July 2009. Global StandardsSurface Casing
Definition(s)
Surface Casing
Casing that is run inside the conductor casing to protect shallow water zones and weaker formations- Note: 1 to entry: Surface casing can be cemented within the conductor casing and is often cemented back to the mud-line or surface.
- Note: 2 to entry: The surface wellhead is normally installed on this casing for surface wells.
Surface Casing
See casing. Source: API RP 54, Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations, Third Edition, August 1999 (2007). Global StandardsSurface Casing
The first string of casing to be set and cemented in a well, the principal purpose of which is to protect fresh water aquifers. It also prevents lost circulation while drilling deeper, supports blowout prevention equipment (if used), and supports deeper casing strings and the tubing. Source: API BULLETIN E3, Environmental Guidance Document: Well Abandonment and Inactive Well Practices for U.S. Exploration and Production Operations, First Edition, January 1993 (Reaffirmed June 2000). Global StandardsSurface
Casing including HPWHH (first casing string attached to subsea BOPs. Normal clearance casing OD in.: 20. Tight clearance casing OD in.: 22. NOTE These are examples only. Each well can have variations in number of casing strings and sizes. Naming conventions can vary. The heavy-wall surface casing designs may allow 13 5/8 in. to be run as a liner and not tied back. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global StandardsSurface Casing
"Surface casing" means a string of casing set and cemented in a well to prevent lost circulation while drilling deeper and to protect strata known or reasonably expected to serve as a source of drinking water for human consumption; usually "surface casing" is the first string of casing upon which BOPE is set. Source: Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Definitions, Alaska Admin. Code tit. 20, § 25.990, December 7, 2012. RegulationsSurface Casing
“Surface casing” means the casing that is installed in a well to a sufficient depth, in a competent formation, to establish well control for the continuation of the drilling operations (tubage de surface). Source: Canada Oil and Gas Drilling and Production Regulations, SOR/2009-315, February 2013. Regulations Source: Drilling and Production Guidelines, The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board and Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, Canada, March 31, 2011. Regulatory Guidance Source: Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Drilling and Production Regulations, SOR/2009-317, Canada, current to May 31, 2012. RegulationsSurface Casing
“Surface casing” means a string of casing set and cemented to isolate and protect the deepest underground source of drinking water and to serve as a base for well control equipment. Source: Division of Mineral Resources Management - Oil and Gas, Ohio Administrative Code, Chapter 1501:9, January 2012. RegulationsSurface Casing
“Surface casing” means any casing placed in the well bore for the purpose of protecting fresh water strata and other reservoir rock, and/or for the prevention of the invasion of fresh water into the well bore. Source: Division of Mineral Resources Management - Oil and Gas, Ohio Administrative Code, Chapter 1501:9, January 2012. RegulationsSurface Casing
"Surface casing" means the first casing string designed and run to protect the treatable water formations and/or control fluid or gas flow from the well. Source: Corporation Commission, Oil and Gas Conservation, Oklahoma Administrative Code 165:10, February 2013. RegulationsSurface Casing
"Surface casing—A string or strings of casing used to isolate the wellbore from fresh groundwater and to prevent the escape or migration of gas, oil or other fluids from the wellbore into fresh groundwater. The surface casing is also commonly referred to as the water string or water casing. Source: Oil and Gas Wells, Pennsylvania Code, Title 25, Chapter 78, December 2012. RegulationsSurface Casing
Casing run inside the conductor casing to protect shallow water zones and weaker formations and may be cemented within the conductor string and is often cemented back to the mudline. The surface wellhead is normally installed on this string for surface wells. Source: API RP 90, Annular Casing Pressure Management for Offshore Wells, Upstream Segment. First Edition, August 2006. Global StandardsProtective (Intermediate) Casing
Definition(s)
Protective (intermediate) casing
See casing. Source: API RP 54, Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations, Third Edition, August 1999 (2007). Global StandardsProduction Casing
Definition(s)
Production Casing
Innermost string of casing in the well [SOURCE: API RP 90, modified]. Source: ISO 16530-1:2017, Petroleum and natural gas industries — Well integrity – Part 1: Life cycle governance, First Edition, March 2017. Global StandardsProduction Casing
See casing. Source: API RP 54, Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations, Third Edition, August 1999 (2007). Global StandardsProduction Casing (or Long String Casing)
The casing which is installed from the wellhead to the top of, or through, the completion interval and is cemented in place to seal off producing/injection zones and waterbearing formations. The tubing string, if used, is suspended in the production casing. In deeper wells, the production casing may be replaced by a production liner. Source: API BULLETIN E3, Environmental Guidance Document: Well Abandonment and Inactive Well Practices for U.S. Exploration and Production Operations, First Edition, January 1993 (Reaffirmed June 2000). Global StandardsProduction Casing
Casing that is set through a productive interval. Source: API STD 65 – Part 2, Isolating Potential Flow Zones During Well Construction, Upstream Segment, Second Edition, December 2010. Global StandardsProduction Casing
Full string of production casing from below the objective interval with casing hanger in the subsea wellhead housing. Normal clearance casing OD in.: 9 5/8. Tight clearance casing OD in.: N/A. NOTE These are examples only. Each well can have variations in number of casing strings and sizes. Naming conventions can vary. The heavy-wall surface casing designs may allow 13 5/8 in. to be run as a liner and not tied back. NOTE These are examples only. Each well can have variations in number of casing strings and sizes. Naming conventions can vary. The heavy-wall surface casing designs may allow 13 5/8 in. to be run as a liner and not tied back. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global StandardsProduction Casing
"Production casing" means the casing installed from the wellhead to the top of or through the completion interval and cemented in place to seal off production or injection zones and water-bearing formations. Source: Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Definitions, Alaska Admin. Code tit. 20, § 25.990, December 7, 2012. RegulationsProduction Casing
“Production casing” means a string of casing set to isolate the permitted hydrocarbon bearing reservoir(s), and other pressurized flow or corrosive, hydrogen sulfide-bearing zones not effectively isolated by previous casing(s). Source: Division of Mineral Resources Management - Oil and Gas, Ohio Administrative Code, Chapter 1501:9, January 2012. RegulationsProduction Casing
"Production casing" means the casing string set above or through the producing zone of a well which serves the purpose of confining and/or producing the well production fluids. Source: Corporation Commission, Oil and Gas Conservation, Oklahoma Administrative Code 165:10, February 2013. RegulationsProduction Casing
Production casing—A string of pipe other than surface casing and coal protective casing which is run for the purpose of confining or conducting hydrocarbons and associated fluids from one or more producing horizons to the surface. Source: Oil and Gas Wells, Pennsylvania Code, Title 25, Chapter 78, December 2012. RegulationsProduction Casing
Casing that is the innermost string of casing in the well. Production fluids enter the casing below the production packer and continue to the surface through the production string. At a minimum, the production casing will be rated for the maximum anticipated pressure that may be encountered from the production zone. Source: API RP 90, Annular Casing Pressure Management for Offshore Wells, Upstream Segment. First Edition, August 2006. Global StandardsSupervisor
Definition(s)
Supervisor
Person who has been given the control, direction, or supervision of work performed by one or more personnel. Source: API RP 54, Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations, Third Edition, August 1999 (2007). Global Standards Source: API RP 74, Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Onshore Oil and Gas Production Operation, First Edition, October 2001 (March 2007). Global StandardsSupervisor
“Supervisor” means a person appointed in writing by a diving contractor, pursuant to subsection 9(3), as a diving supervisor or an ADS supervisor to supervise a diving operation (directeur). Source: Canada Oil and Gas Diving Regulations, SOR/88-600, February 2013. Regulations Source: Nova Scotia Offshore Area Petroleum Diving Regulations, SOR/95-189, Canada, current to May 31, 2012. RegulationsSupervisor
“Supervisor” means a person who has charge of a workplace or authority over a worker. Source: Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Occupational Health & Safety Requirements, Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board, Canada, December 2000. RegulationsSupervisor
"Supervisor" means a person who has been given the control, direction and/or supervision of work performed by one or more employees. Source: State of Wyoming Occupational Safety and Health Rules and Regulations for Oil and Gas Well Drilling, Revised January 8, 2013. RegulationsSupervisor
“Supervisor” means a person appointed to supervise under regulation 6(2)(b). Source: The Diving at Work Regulations 1997, UK S.I. 1997/2776, 1997. RegulationsStabbing a Valve
Definition(s)
Stabbing a valve
Aligning and screwing a valve onto the end of a pipe. Source: API RP 54, Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations, Third Edition, August 1999 (2007). Global StandardsStabbing a valve
“Stabbing a valve” means aligning and screwing a valve onto the end of a pipe. [Mich. Admin. Code R 408 (2013)]. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsSpecial Services
Definition(s)
Special services
Those operations utilizing specialized equipment and personnel to perform work processes to support well drilling and servicing operations. Source: API RP 54, Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations, Third Edition, August 1999 (2007). Global StandardsSpecial services
“Special services” means those operations requiring specialized equipment and personnel to perform work processes to support well drilling and servicing operations. [Mich. Admin. Code R 408 (2013)]. Source: Oil and Gas Drilling and Servicing Operations, Michigan Administrative Code R 408, February 8, 2013. RegulationsQualified Person
Definition(s)
Qualified Person
An individual or individuals with competencies gained through training and experience as measured against established requirements, such as standards or tests that enable the individual to perform a required function.
Source:API SPECIFICATION 19TT, Specification for Downhole Well Test Tools and Related Equipment, First Edition, October 2016. Global StandardsQualified Person
A person designated by the employer who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or by extensive knowledge, training and experience, has successfully demonstrated ability to identify and solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project and, when required, is properly licensed in accordance with federal, state, or local laws and regulations. API RP 2201, Safe Hot Tapping Practices in the Petroleum & Petrochemical Industries, Fifth Edition, July 2003 (Reaffirmed October 2010), Global Standards Source:API RP 2009 (2002) Safe welding, cutting and hot work practices in the petroleum and petrochemical industries. Global StandardQualified Person
in respect of a specified duty, a person who, because of his knowledge, training and experience, is qualified to perform that duty safely and properly. Source: Atlantic Canada Offshore Petroleum Industry, Standard Practice for the Training and Qualifications of Personnel, 2013, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Global StandardsQualified Person
A person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by knowledge, training, or experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter or the work. Source: API Standard 2CCU, Offshore Cargo Carrying Units, First Edition, August 2017. Global Standards Source: API RP 54, Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations, Third Edition, August 1999 (2007). Global Standards Source: API RP 74, Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Onshore Oil and Gas Production Operation, First Edition, October 2001 (March 2007). Global StandardsQualified
A person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate of professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter and work. Source: API RP 2D, Operation and Maintenance of Offshore Cranes, Sixth Edition, May 2007. Global StandardsQualified Person
“Qualified person” means, in respect of a specified duty, a person who, because of his knowledge, training and experience, is qualified to perform that duty safely and properly (personne qualifiée). Source: Canada Oil and Gas Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, SOR/87-612, February 2013. Regulations Source: Oil and Gas Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, SOR/87-612, Canada, current to April 29, 2013. RegulationsQualified Person
A person designated by the employer who by reason of training and experience has demonstrated the ability to safely perform his duties and, where required, is licensed in accordance with federal, state, or local laws and regulations. Source: Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production, Definitions, California Code of Regulations, 8 CCR § 6505, December 2012. RegulationsQualified Person
Individual with characteristics or abilities gained through training or experience, or both, as measured against established requirements, such as standards or tests that enable the individual to perform a required function effectively. Source: API SPEC 11D1, Packers and Bridge Plugs, Upstream Segment, Second Edition, July 2009. Global StandardsQualified Person
“Qualified person” means a person who is- qualified because of the person’s knowledge, training and experience to do the assigned work in a manner that will ensure the health and safety of every person in the workplace, and
- knowledgeable about the provisions of the Accord Acts and Requirements that apply to the assigned work, and about hazards associated with the assigned work.