Glossary
Browse the IADC Lexicon alphabetically or by category. Get comprehensive definitions of drilling industry terms.
Vortex-induced Vibrations
Definition(s)
Vortex-induced Vibrations
In-line and transverse oscillation of a riser in a current induced by the periodic shedding of vortices. Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global StandardsFlexible Joint
Definition(s)
Flexible Joint
Laminated metal and elastomer assembly, having a central through-passage equal to or greater in diameter than the interfacing pipe or tubing bore, that is positioned in the riser string to reduce the local bending stresses. Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global StandardsFatigue Loads
Definition(s)
Fatigue Loads
Fatigue loads are cyclic loads resulting in accumulated damage. Examples include loads due to FPS wave motion, direct wave loading on the riser, vortex-induced vibration and vortex-induced FPS motion. Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global StandardsFAT Test Pressure
Definition(s)
FAT Test Pressure
Hydrostatic test pressure applied to riser components upon completion of manufacture and fabrication to test the riser components for strength and/or leak tightness. Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global StandardsExtreme Event
Definition(s)
Extreme Event
An event having a 100-year return period, or an annual exceedence probability of 1 %. Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global StandardsExtreme Event
An extreme metocean, seismic, and/or ice condition that a structure may be subjected to during its operational life. Source: API RP 2SIM, Structural Integrity Management of Fixed Offshore Structures, First Edition, November 2014. Global StandardsExtended Shut-in
Definition(s)
Extended Shut-in
Closure of valve(s) at top of riser for a period that can last for days. EXAMPLE For production flowlines, the riser may be displaced to dead oil to limit the risk of formation of hydrates. Shut in conditions for each riser should be defined in the operating plan. Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global StandardsErosion Allowance
Definition(s)
Erosion Allowance
Amount of wall thickness added to the pipe or component to allow for corrosion/erosion/wear. Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global StandardsECA
Definition(s)
ECA
Engineering Criticality Assessment. Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global StandardsConstruction Loads
Definition(s)
Construction Loads
Construction loads are loads which arise as a result of the construction of the riser system including installation, pressure testing, commissioning, maintenance and repair. Examples include transportation, fabrication, installation and retrieval loads. Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global StandardsComponent, Protective
Definition(s)
Component, protective (as applied to intrinsic safety)
A component that is so unlikely to become defective in a manner that will lower the intrinsic safety of the circuit that it may be considered not subject to fault when analyses or tests for intrinsic safety are made. Source: API Recommended Practice 14FZ, Recommended Practice for Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Electrical Systems for Fixed and Floating Offshore Petroleum Facilities for Unclassified and Class I, Zone 0, Zone 1, and Zone 2 Locations, Second Edition, May 2013. Global Standards 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 StandardsComponent, make/break
Definition(s)
Component, make/break
Components having contacts that can interrupt a circuit (even if the interruption is transient in nature). Examples of make/break components are relays, circuit breakers, servo potentiometers, adjustable resistors, switches, connectors, and motor brushes. Source: API Recommended Practice 14FZ, Recommended Practice for Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Electrical Systems for Fixed and Floating Offshore Petroleum Facilities for Unclassified and Class I, Zone 0, Zone 1, and Zone 2 Locations, Second Edition, May 2013. Global Standards 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 StandardsComponent, make/break
Components having contacts that can interrupt a circuit (even if the interruption is transient in nature). Examples of make/break components are relays, circuit breakers, servo potentiometers, adjustable resistors, switches, connectors, and motor brushes. 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 StandardsBuoyancy Modules
Definition(s)
Buoyancy Modules
Structures of low weight materials, usually foamed polymers strapped or clamped to the exterior of riser joints, to reduce the submerged weight of the riser. Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global StandardsAUT
Definition(s)
AUT
Automated Ultrasonic Examination. Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global StandardsAUT
Automated ultrasonic testing. Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global StandardsAccidental Limit State
Definition(s)
Accidental Limit State
Events with an annual probability of exceedance less than 10-2 and larger than 10-4.- NOTE: 1 The accidental limit state (ALS) corresponds to conditions with a longer return period than ULS. ALS requires that the system survive, but has a higher risk of damage than ULS conditions.
- NOTE: 2 When considering potential damaged conditions, the damage should not lead to an escalation of undesirable events.
- EXAMPLE A failed mooring line, a flooded compartment, a tensioner failure, a tubing leak or unintended shut in conditions are some ALS cases.
Accidental Loads/Actions
Definition(s)
Accidental Loads/Actions
Loads/actions to which the facility can be exposed as a result of incorrect use, technical failure or undesirable external influences. Source: Regulations relating to design and outfitting of facilities, etc. in the petroleum activities (the Facilities Regulations), Norway, April 2010 (amended December 2012). RegulationsAccidental Loads
Definition(s)
Accidental Loads
Accidental loads are loads caused by accidental occurrences. Examples include 1000-yr wave and current loads, operational malfunction, and loads from impacts/collisions. Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global StandardsAccidental Loads
Loads imposed on the riser system from unplanned conditions/occurrences during a reduced extreme environmental event or by survival environmental events. EXAMPLE Loads resulting from loss of vessel station-keeping and tensioner lock-up are examples of accidental loads Source: API Standard 2RD, Dynamic Risers for Floating Production Systems, Second Edition, September 2013. Global StandardsAccidental Loads
Accidental loads are loads which occur as a direct result of an accident or exceptional circumstances, e.g., loads due to collisions, dropped objects and explosions, etc. See also 4.16. Source: Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Mobile Offshore Units, Part 4, Steel Unit Structures, June 2013, Lloyd’s Register, Global StandardsAccidental Loads
Accidental loads are project-specific, and should be verified by a special risk analysis for the actual application. Accidental loads can include dropped objects, snag loads (fishing gear, anchors), abnormal environmental loads (earthquake), etc. Source: API RP 17A, Design and Operation of Subsea Production Systems—General Requirements and Recommendations, Fourth Edition, Reaffirmed 2011. Global StandardsAccidental Loads
Accidental loads (or low probability of occurrence loads) are loads related to abnormal operations or technical failure. Accidental loads are defined as events with a probability less than 10−2 and larger than 10−4. EXAMPLES Loads caused by vessel tensioner system failure or motion compensator system failure, e.g. loss of top tension or heave compensator lock-up, loss of dynamic positioning system (drive-off or drift-off) are examples of accidental loads. Loads caused by emergency operation, loss of buoyancy, change in intended pressure difference, unintended change in ballast distribution, fire, explosions, collision impact from infrequent vessel/riser interference, dropped objects and extreme environmental conditions are also accidental. Source: API RP 17G, Recommended Practice for Completion/Workover Risers, Second Edition, July 2006 (Reaffirmed April 2011). Global StandardsAccidental Loads
“Accidental loads” means loads which the facility can be subjected to in the event of incorrect use, technical failure or an undesirable external effect. Source: Petroleum and Natural Gas (Safety in Offshore Operations) Rules, 2008, India, 18th June 2008. RegulationsServicing
Definition(s)
Servicing
Product maintenance, adjustment, repair, and/or on-site installation when installation is required by applicable product specifications. Source: API SPEC Q1, Specification for Quality Management System Requirements for Manufacturing Organizations for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry, Ninth Edition, June 2013 (Errata 2, March 2014). Global StandardsQP
Definition(s)
QP
quality plan. Source: API SPEC Q1, Specification for Quality Management System Requirements for Manufacturing Organizations for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry, Ninth Edition, June 2013 (Errata 2, March 2014). Global StandardsQM
Definition(s)
QM
Quality manual. Source: API SPEC Q1, Specification for Quality Management System Requirements for Manufacturing Organizations for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry, Ninth Edition, June 2013 (Errata 2, March 2014). Global StandardsQAP
Definition(s)
QAP
Quality activity plan. Source: API SPEC Q1, Specification for Quality Management System Requirements for Manufacturing Organizations for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry, Ninth Edition, June 2013 (Errata 2, March 2014). Global StandardsPCP
Definition(s)
PCP
process control plan. Source: API SPEC Q1, Specification for Quality Management System Requirements for Manufacturing Organizations for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry, Ninth Edition, June 2013 (Errata 2, March 2014). Global StandardsOutsourced Activity
Definition(s)
Outsourced Activity
Function or process that is performed by an external supplier on behalf of the organization. Source: API SPEC Q1, Specification for Quality Management System Requirements for Manufacturing Organizations for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry, Ninth Edition, June 2013 (Errata 2, March 2014). Global StandardsOutsource
Definition(s)
Outsource
Function or process that is performed by an external supplier on behalf of the organization. Source: API SPEC Q1, Specification for Quality Management System Requirements for Manufacturing Organizations for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry, Ninth Edition, June 2013 (Errata 2, March 2014). Global StandardsOutsource
Make an arrangement where an external organization performs part of an organization’s function or process.- Note 1 to entry: An external organization is outside the scope of the management system, although the outsourced function or process is within the scope.