Glossary
Browse the IADC Lexicon alphabetically or by category. Get comprehensive definitions of drilling industry terms.
OCS Block Area
Definition(s)
OCS block area
OCS block area means the names given by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOE) to define the OCS areas used to facilitate management or leasing on the OCS. Source: Outer Continental Shelf Activities, 33 CFR 140-147 (2013). RegulationsOCS Activity
Definition(s)
OCS activity
OCS activity means any offshore activity associated with exploration for, or development or production of, the minerals of the Outer Continental Shelf. Source: Outer Continental Shelf Activities, 33 CFR 140-147 (2013). RegulationsMobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU)
Definition(s)
Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit
Mobile platform, including drilling ships, equipped for drilling for subsea hydrocarbon deposits and mobile platforms for purposes other than production and storage of hydrocarbon deposits- Note 1 to entry: Includes mobile offshore drilling units, drill ships, accommodation units, construction and pipe-lay units, well servicing and well stimulation vessels.
Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU)
A vessel capable of engaging in drilling or well workover operations for the exploration or exploitation of subsea resources. 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 75, Recommended Practice for Development of a Safety and Environmental Management Program for Offshore Operations and Facilities: Upstream Segment, Third Edition, May 2004. Global StandardsMobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU) or Unit
Mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) or unit is a vessel capable of engaging in drilling operations for the exploration for or exploitation of resources beneath the seabed such as liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons, sulphur or salt. Source: IMO Resolution A.1079(28), Recommendations for the Training and Certification of Personnel on Mobile Offshore Units (MOUs), Adopted on 4 December 2013, International Maritime Organization, Regulatory Guidance Source: IMO Resolution A.1023(26), Code for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (2009 MODU Code), 2009. Global Standards Source: IMO resolution MSC.267(85), International Code on Intact Stability, 2008 (2008 IS Code), 4 December 2008, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceMobile Offshore Drilling Unit
Structure capable of engaging in drilling and well intervention operations for exploration or exploitation of subsea petroleum resources. Source: ISO 19901-7:2013, Petroleum and natural gas industries – Specific requirements for offshore structures – Part 7: Stationkeeping systems for floating offshore structures and mobile offshore units. Global StandardsMobile Offshore Drilling Unit or Unit
Mobile offshore drilling unit or unit means a vessel, except a public vessel of the United States, capable of engaging in drilling operations for the exploration or exploitation of subsea resources that is- Seagoing and 300 or more gross tons and self-propelled by motor;
- Seagoing and 100 or more gross tons and non-self-propelled;
- More than 65 feet in length and propelled by steam
Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit or MODU
Mobile offshore drilling unit or MODU means a vessel, other than a public vessel of the United States, capable of engaging in drilling operations for exploration or exploitation of subsea resources. Source: Outer Continental Shelf Activities, 33 CFR 140-147 (2013). RegulationsMobile Offshore Drilling Unit
Mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU or unit) is a ship capable of engaging in drilling operations for the exploration or exploitation of resources beneath the sea-bed such as liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons, sulphur or salt. Source: IMO Resolution MSC.267(85), adoption of the International Code on Intact Stability, 2008 (2008 IS Code), 4 December 2008, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceMarine Inspector
Definition(s)
Marine inspector
Marine inspector means any person designated by an Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, as a marine inspector. Source: Mobile Offshore Drilling Units, 46 CFR 107-109 (2013). RegulationsMarine inspector
Marine inspector means a person designated as such by an Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, to perform inspections of units to determine whether or not the requirements of laws administered by the Coast Guard and of Coast Guard regulations are met. Source: Outer Continental Shelf Activities, 33 CFR 140-147 (2013). RegulationsManned Platform
Definition(s)
Manned Platform
A platform on which at least one person occupies an accommodation space (living quarters). Source: API RP 14G, Recommended Practice for Fire Prevention and Control on Fixed Open-type Offshore Production Platforms: Upstream Segment, Fourth Edition, April 2007. Global StandardsManned Platform
Manned platform means a fixed OCS facility on which people are routinely accommodated for more than 12 hours in successive 24 hour periods. Source: Outer Continental Shelf Activities, 33 CFR 140-147 (2013). RegulationsManned Facility
Definition(s)
Manned facility
Manned facility means an OCS facility on which people are routinely accommodated for more than 12 hours in successive 24 hour periods. Source: Outer Continental Shelf Activities, 33 CFR 140-147 (2013). RegulationsInvestigating Officer
Definition(s)
Investigating officer
Investigating officer means a person assigned by the Commandant, a District Commander, or an Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, to conduct an investigation of an accident, casualty, or other incident. Source: Outer Continental Shelf Activities, 33 CFR 140-147 (2013). RegulationsFixed OCS Facility
Definition(s)
Fixed OCS facility
Fixed OCS facility means a bottom founded OCS facility permanently attached to the seabed or subsoil of the OCS, including platforms, guyed towers, articulated gravity platforms, and other structures. Source: Outer Continental Shelf Activities, 33 CFR 140-147 (2013). RegulationsDistrict Commander
Definition(s)
District Commander
District Commander means an officer who commands a Coast Guard District described in part 3 of this chapter or that person's authorized representative. Source: Outer Continental Shelf Activities, 33 CFR 140-147 (2013). RegulationsDistrict Commander
District Commander means an officer of the Coast Guard who commands a Coast Guard District described in 33 CFR Part 3 or his authorized representative. Source: Mobile Offshore Drilling Units, 46 CFR 107-109 (2013). RegulationsCommandant
Definition(s)
Commandant
Commandant means Commandant of the Coast Guard or that person's authorized representative. Source: Outer Continental Shelf Activities, 33 CFR 140-147 (2013). RegulationsCommandant
Commandant means the Commandant of the Coast Guard or his authorized representative. Source: Mobile Offshore Drilling Units, 46 CFR 107-109 (2013). RegulationsCitizen of a Foreign Nation
Definition(s)
Citizen of a foreign nation
Citizen of a foreign nation means:- In the case of an individual, one who is not a citizen of the United States;
- In the case of a partnership, unincorporated company, or association, one in which more than 50% of the controlling interest is vested in citizens of a nation other than the United States; or
- In the case of a corporation, one which is incorporated under the laws of a nation other than the United States so long as
- the title to a majority of the stock thereof is free from any trust or fiduciary obligation in favor of any citizen of the United States;
- the majority of the voting power in the corporation is not vested in any citizen of the United States;
- through any contract or understanding, the majority of the voting power may not be exercised directly or indirectly on behalf of any citizen of the United States; or
- by no other means, control of the corporation is conferred upon or permitted to be exercised by any citizen of the United States.
Citizen of the United States
Definition(s)
Citizens of the United States
Citizens of the United States means:- In the case of an individual, one who is a native born, derivative, or fully naturalized citizen of the United States;
- In the case of a partnership, unincorporated company, or association, one in which 50% or more of the controlling interest is vested in citizens of the United States; or
- In the case of a corporation, one which is incorporated under the laws of the United States or of any State thereof.
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement Inspector
Definition(s)
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement inspector or BOEMRE inspector
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement inspector or BOEMRE inspector means an individual employed by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement who inspects fixed OCS facilities on behalf of the Coast Guard to determine whether the requirements of this subchapter are met. Source: Outer Continental Shelf Activities, 33 CFR 140-147 (2013). RegulationsAttending Vessel
Definition(s)
Attending vessel
Attending vessel means a vessel which is moored close to and readily accessible from an OCS facility for the purpose of providing power, fuel, or other services to the operation being conducted on the facility. Unless otherwise stated, the term “attending vessel” refers to any vessel which is operated by the owner or operator of an OCS facility located in the safety zone, which is used for the purpose of carrying supplies, equipment or personnel to or from the facility, which is engaged in construction, maintenance, alteration, or repair of the facility, or which is used for further exploration, production, transfer or storage of natural resources from the seabed beneath the safety zone. Source: Outer Continental Shelf Activities, 33 CFR 140-147 (2013). RegulationsArrives on the OCS
Definition(s)
Arrives on the OCS
Arrives on the OCS means when a floating facility enters any OCS block area for the purpose of engaging in operations subject to the jurisdiction of the OCS Lands Act. Arrives on the OCS means when a MODU enters any OCS block area for the purpose of engaging in operations subject to the jurisdiction of the OCS Lands Act. Arrives on the OCS means when a vessel enters any OCS block area to commence operations for which it has submitted a Notice of Arrival under § 146.405(b)(2). Source: Outer Continental Shelf Activities, 33 CFR 140-147 (2013). RegulationsApproved
Definition(s)
Approved
Denotes acceptance by DNV GL of documentation showing design solutions, arrangements and equipment that complies with the Rules. Source: Rules for Classification – Offshore units, DNVGL-OU-0101, Offshore drilling and support units, DNV GL, July 2015. Global StandardApproved
Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. [Electrical devices that are listed or approved by a NRTL (e.g. UL, FM or CSA) normally are acceptable].- NOTE: The means for identifying listed equipment may vary for each organization concerned with product evaluation, some of which do not recognize equipment as listed unless it is also labeled. The authority having jurisdiction should utilize the system employed by the listing organization to identify a listed product.
Approved
"Approved" means sanctioned, endorsed, accredited, certified, or accepted by a duly constituted and recognized authority or agency. Source: State of Wyoming Occupational Safety and Health Rules and Regulations for Oil and Gas Well Drilling, Revised January 8, 2013. RegulationsApproved
Approved means approved by the Commandant, unless otherwise indicated. Source: Outer Continental Shelf Activities, 33 CFR 140-147 (2013). RegulationsApproved
Approved:- when used in any of the following provisions:
- Chapter 3;
- section 775;
- means approved in writing by the responsible Commonwealth Minister; or
- in any other case—means approved in writing by the Titles Administrator.
- the expression approved site plan; or
- section 286A; or
- section 650; or
- subsection 695B(3); or
- section 695F; or
- section 774.
Approved
Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. API RP 500, Recommended Practice for Classification of Locations for Electrical Installations at Petroleum Facilities Classified as Class I, Division 1 and Division 2, Third Edition, December 2012, Global StandardsApproved
Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. (Electrical devices that are listed or approved by UL, FM or CSA normally are acceptable.) NOTE: The means for identifying listed equipment may vary for each organization concerned with product evaluation, some of which do not recognize equipment as listed unless it is also labeled. The authority having jurisdiction should utilize the system employed by the listing organization to identify a listed product. Source: API RP 14F, Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Electrical Systems for Fixed and Floating Offshore Petroleum Facilities for Unclassified and Class 1, Division 1 and Division 2 Locations, Fifth Edition, July 2008. Global StandardsApproved
Sanctioned, endorsed, accredited, certified, or accepted by a duly constituted and recognized authority or agency. 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 StandardsApproved
- where applied to specification, means that the specification is authorized by the Chief Controller;
- where applied to an appliance or fitting, means that the appliance or fitting bears a label of a designated test organization certifying conformity with a specification approved by the Chief Controller or with a laboratory test report accepted by the Chief Controller, or
- where applied to any facility for petroleum means that it conforms to these rules.
Approved
- Where applied to a specification, means that the specification authorized by the Chief Controller including the following Oil Industry Safety Directorates Standards: OISD-105, OISD-116, OISD-117, OISD-118, OISD-141 and OISD-156.
- where applied to an appliance or fitting, means that the appliance or fitting bears a label of a designated testing organization certifying conformity with a specification approved by the Chief Controller or with a laboratory test report accepted by the Chief Controller.
- where applied to any facility for petroleum, means that it conforms to these rules.