Dictionary of Oil Industry Terminology

Dictionary of Oil Industry Terminology

DEFINITIONS ACRONYMS and ABBREVIATIONS

 

A

AAV

Annulus access valve

AB3™ Valve

Alpha Thames’ compact, quarter-turn rotary, parallel full-bore, double block and bleed, expanding plug valve.

Abandon(ment)

To cease efforts to produce oil or gas from a well, and to plug the wells of a depleted formation and salvage all material and equipment OR final plugging of wells, and/or permanent dismantling, etc. of a production platform or other installation.

ABCB

Association of British Certification Bodies

ABOI

Association of British Offshore Industries

ABS

American Bureau of Shipping OR Acrylonitrile50

butadiene styrene (a hard, tough thermoplastic).

Absorption

To soak up as a sponge takes water. It is the ability of a gas, liquid or solid to attract and retain another substance without chemical combination. A quantity of such a substance that has absorbed as much of another as is physically possible is said to be saturated with it. Some refinery processes use this ability, for instance to separate different hydrocarbons. (See also adsorption.)

ac

Alternating current

ACB

Air circuit breaker

ACC

Annulus choke – closed

Accumulator

A pressure vessel charged with nitrogen gas and used to store hydraulic fluid under pressure for the operation of hydraulic valve actuators.

Actuator

A (hydraulic or electrical) device for the remote and/or automatic operation of a valve or choke.

ACFM

Alternating current field measurement

Acidizing

The treatment of formations with hydrochloric or other acids in order to increase production or injection.

ACO

Annulus choke - open

ACoP

Approved code of practice

Acre-foot

Unit used to measure the rock volume of an oil or gas reservoir structure.

ACQ

Annual contract quantity (UK gas sales)

AD

Auto drain

ADS

Atmospheric diving system.

Adsorption

The attraction exhibited by the surface of a solid for a liquid or a gas, when they are in contact, without absorbing the liquid or gas.

ADT

Advanced drilling techniques

 

Alpha Thames’ prototype System-Module™ for use in an AlphaCPU™

AFC

Approved for construction (or fabrication)

AFD

Approved for design

AFE

Approved for enquiry (or expenditure)

AFFF

Aqueous film forming foam

AFM

Approved for manufacture

AFP

Approved for purchase OR active fire protection

AGA

American Gas Association

AGSO

Australian Geological Survey Organisation

AHV

Anchor Handling Vessel.

AIP

Australian Institute of Petroleum

AISC

American Institute of Steel Construction

AISI

American Iron and Steel Institute

AIT

Auto ignition temperature

ALARP

As low (risk) as reasonably practicable.

Aliphatic hydrocarbons

A group of hydrocarbon substances, including the alkanes and most of the other fractions found naturally in crude oil.

Alkanes

Naturally occurring paraffin fractions of which the molecules are based on a “straight chain” of hydrogen; saturated carbon atoms.

Alkylation

A refining process used to produce improved gasoline components with, for instance, lower pollutant effects. The process is also used in the manufacture of plastics.

Alluvial fan

A pattern of sedimentary deposit frequently laid down by streams or rivers where they spread out into plains. Alluvial fans from past geological eras are potential reservoir structures.

AlphaPRIME™

Alpha Thames’ incremental field development solution for the production and processing of subsea hydrocarbons. It provides field control from reservoir to host, and can evolve to meet all future requirements.

AlphaCPU™

The AlphaCPU™ (Central Processing Unit) is a diverless, seabed, modular, processing system for the production of hydrocarbons, which forms the heart of an AlphaPRIME™ developed field. It comprises a foundation system, KeyMAN™ and a minimum of two System-Modules™. It utilises all-electric power and control for maximum efficiency and reliability. This ensures its suitability for all field developments including deepwater applications and those requiring long tie-backs.

AMV

Annulus master valve

Anion

A negatively charged ion; an ion that is attracted to the anode during electrolysis. Compare cation.

Annular space

The ring-shaped cavity between two concentric tubes OR the space around a pipe in a wellbore, the outer wall of which may be the wall of either the borehole or the casing; sometimes termed the annulus.

Annulus

Also called the annular space (see above).

Anode

An electrically positive electrode, see sacrificial anode.

Anomaly

A deviation from the norm. In geology, the term indicates an abnormality such as a fault or a dome in a sedimentary bed.

ANP

National Petroleum Agency (Brazil)

ANSI

American National Standards Institute

Anticlinal trap

A hydrocarbon trap in which petroleum accumulates in the top of an anticline. See anticline.

Anticline

An arched, inverted-trough configuration of folded and stratified rock layers. (Compare with syncline.)

AOCC

Aberdeen Operations Control Centre

AODC

Association of Offshore Diving Contractors became International AODC (IAODC) now part of IMCA

AOF

Absolute open flow potential

AP

Annulus pressure

APAU

Accident Prevention Advisory Unit (of HSE)

API

American Petroleum Institute

APIA

Australian Pipeline Industry Association

API gravity

The standard adopted by API for measuring the density of a liquid, (especially hydrocarbons) expressed in degrees. It can be converted from specific gravity by the following equation: Degrees API gravity = (141.5/specific gravity @ 60°F) - 131.5

Appraisal well

A well drilled to further confirm and evaluate the presence of hydrocarbons in a reservoir that has been found by a wildcat well.

APT

Annulus pressure transducer

Aquifer

A water-bearing rock strata. In a water-drive field, the aquifer is the water zone of the reservoir underlying the oil zone.

Aromatic hydrocarbons

The group of hydrocarbon products which include benzene, toluene, etc. and provide feedstocks for many of the main petrochemical processes, as well as high octane rating gasoline blends. So-called from their “sweet” smell.

ARPA

Automatic radar plotting aid(s)

ARRC

Australian Resources Research Centre (Perth, Australia)

Artificial lift

Any method used to raise oil to the surface through a well after reservoir pressure has declined to the point at which the well no longer produces by means of natural energy. Sucker rod pumps, gas lift, hydraulic pumps, and submersible electric pumps are the most common forms of artificial lift.

Articulated platform

A semi-buoyant structure anchored to the seabed by means of a “Universal” joint coupling which allows it to “sway” with the forces of the sea etc.; such structures need less rigid strength than fixed platforms and so are relatively lighter and cheaper to install.

Artificial drive

Methods of producing oil when natural reservoir pressures are insufficient or have declined, such as injection of gas or water into the reservoir structure.

ASME

American Society of Mechanical Engineers. ASME International.

ASNT

American Society of Non-destructive Testing

Asphalt

A solid petroleum residue, similar to bitumen, tar and pitch.

Associated gas

Natural gas which is in contact with crude oil in the reservoir or which is dissolved in the oil.

ASSV

Annulus subsurface safety valve

ASTM

American Society for Testing and Materials

ASU

Automatic synchronising unit

ASV

Annulus swab valve

AUV

Autonomous underwater vehicle

AVr

Amps Volts Reactive

AVR

Automatic voltage regulator

AWS

American Welding Society

AWV

Annulus wing valve

Azimuthing thrusters

Rotatable ducted propeller used in conjunction with a DPS to enable ships to maintain position without the use of anchors.

B

BA

Breathing apparatus

Back off

In drilling, to pull the drill-string out of, or partly out of, the borehole to unscrew a joint of drillpipe or to slacken off a line or block.

Ballast

For ships: water taken onboard specific tanks in ships to permit proper angle of response of the vessel in the water, and to assure structural stability.

For mobile offshore drilling rigs: weight added to make the rig more seaworthy, increase draft, or sink it to the seabed. Seawater is used for ballast, but sometimes concrete or iron is used additionally to lower the rig’s centre of gravity permanently.

bar

Unit of pressure

bara

bar, absolute pressure

barg

bar, gauge pressure

Barite

A very heavy substance used as a main component of drilling mud, to increase its density (mud weight) and counter-balance downhole pressures.

Barityse

Heavy rock used for rock-dumping

BarOmega

Baroid’s (osmotic membrane efficiency generating aqueous) “green mud” drilling fluid

Barrel

A quantity of 42 US Gallons (34.97 UK Gallons). The traditional unit of measure of oil volume. 1m³ oil = 6.29 barrels of oil

Barrelage

A term for oil flow quantity measured by volume.

BASE

Basement rock (e.g. granite)

BASEEFA

British Approvals Service for Electrical Equipment in Flammable Atmospheres

Basket

A hollow tool used to retrieve junk from the well when fishing. The name is also sometimes given to the birdcage. OR Open framed “Basket” used for lowering/raising small components to the seabed.

Batter

The inward slope of the legs of a steel platform for stability so that the base of the jacket covers a larger area than at deck level.

bbl

barrel(s)

bbl/d

barrel(s) of oil per day (see also Mbbl/d and MMbbl/d)

bboe

Billion barrels of oil equivalent

BC

Barrels of condensate OR bottom choke

BCF

Bromochlorodifluoromethane (Halon 1211 extinguishant)

bcf

billion cubic feet (10⁹)

bcpmm

Barrels of condensate per million (cubic feet)

BD

Business development or basis of design

bdo

Barrels of diesel oil

bdpd

Barrels of distillate per day

BE

Bevel end

Bead

The fused metal resulting from a welding operation or “pass” in a major weld, as in a pipeline. There are normally three, the root or stringer bead, the filler bead and the cap bead.

Bean

The orifice in a flow control or choke valve. To “bean up” or “bean down” means to install a larger or smaller orifice, or to open or close a variable valve.

Bell nipple

Receptacle attached to the top of a BOP or marine drilling riser which directs the drilling mud returns to the shale shaker or mud pits.

Bentonite

See Mud.

BH

Bottom hole

BHA

Bottom hole assembly

BHAB

British Helicoptor Advisory Board

BHP

Bottom hole pressure

Billion

In oil and gas usage, a billion means 10⁹ not 10¹². One billion cubic feet (bcf) = one thousand million cubic feet.

Bit (Drill)

The cutting or boring element used in drilling oil and gas wells. The bit consists of a cutting element and a circulating element. The circulating element permits the passage of drilling fluid and utilises the hydraulic force of the fluid stream to improve drilling rates. In rotary drilling, several drill collars are joined to the bottom end of the drill pipe column, and the bit is attached to the end of the string of drill collars. Most bits are used in rotary drilling are roller cone bits, but diamond bits are also used extensively.

Bitumen

A form of heavy, solid petroleum. See Asphalt.

Black Oil/Black Cargo

Crude oil, or distilled crude containing the fractions heavier than middle distillates.

Block

The subdivided areas of the sea for the purposes of licensing to a company for exploration or production rights. In the UK, a block is one thirtieth of a quadrant (one degree by one degree) and is approximately 200 to 250 km²; OR any assembly of pulleys on a common framework; in mechanics, one or more pulleys, or sheaves, mounted to rotate on a common axis. The crown block is an assembly of sheaves mounted on beams at the top of the derrick. The drilling line is reeved over the sheaves of the crown block alternately with the sheaves of the travelling block, which is raised and lowered in the derrick by the drilling line. When elevators are attached to a hook on the travelling block and drill pipe latched in the elevators, the pipe can be raised or lowered. See crown block and travelling block.

Bloom

The rainbow-like fluorescence shown by oil for instance when floating on water.

Blow down

The process of releasing pressure in e.g. a refinery pressure vessel by venting to atmosphere OR primary production of a crude oil or condensate reservoir using the pressure of the associated gas.

Blowout

Uncontrolled release of well fluids from the well bore during drilling operations.

Blowout preventer

See BOP

blpd

Barrels of liquid per day

BoM

Bill of material

bo

Barrels of oil

BOD

Basis of design

BOE

Barrels of oil equivalent (10 Mcf is equivalent to 1 bbl of oil. This factor is not based on either energy content or price.)

boi

Initial barrels of oil (in place).

Boomer

This expression normally refers to a compressed air, or electrical, source of sound used in marine seismic survey work.

BOP

Blowout preventer: An arrangement of valves installed at the wellhead to prevent the sudden escape of reservoir and hydrocarbon pressure during drilling completion operations. Blowout preventers on land rigs are located beneath the rig at the land’s surface; on jackup or platform rigs, at the water’s surface; and on floating rigs, on the seabed.

bopd

Barrels of oil per day

Borehole

A well, especially referring to the face of the rock outside or below the casing. Test boreholes are also sunk to examine the suitability of a site for major foundation work, and to examine geological formations at points where no hydrocarbons are expected.

Bottles

Small pressure vessels of various kinds, especially to absorb pressure fluctuations OR cylindrical flotation tanks such as those temporarily attached to a platform jacket during placement.

Bottom-hole

The deepest part of a well

Bottom-hole assembly (BHA)

This includes the drilling bit, drill collars, stabilizers and other drilling components run into the well on the end of the drillpipe. See Drill String.

Bottom-hole pressure

Formation pressures measured at reservoir depth.

Bottom-hole pump

A pump installed in the lower end of the wellbore, to increase productivity. (Also downhole pump.)

Bottom of the barrel

See Fuel Oil, Heavy Ends, etc.

Bottoms up

Circulation of drilling fluid in a well, until the bottom hole mud and cuttings reach the surface, indicating that normal circulation can commence.

Bow thruster

A propeller mounted transversely in the bows of a vessel to assist in docking, manoeuvring and station keeping. (See Thrusters.)

Box

The hollow, or female end in a threaded connection, such as a drillpipe.

bpd

Barrels per day

Bridge plug

A down hole packer assembly used in a well to seal off or isolate a particular formation for testing, acidizing, cementing, etc. Also a type of plug used to seal off a well temporarily while the wellhead is removed.

BRINDEX

Association of British Independent Oil Exploration Companies

BS

British Standard OR bottom sediment

BS&W

Basic sediment and water (e.g. crude oil shipment adjustment

Brown Book

The Department of Trade and Industry’s annual publication which contains facts and figures relevant to oil and gas production in the UK; it is available from HMSO

BSI

British Standards Institution

British Trade International

part of DTI, (Not to be referred to as BTI), see also IEP

BTEX

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene

BTM

Bromotrifluoromethane (Halon 1301 extinguishant)

Btu

British thermal unit

Bubble point

The point at which dissolved gasses begin to vaporise from a liquid. It is dependent upon temperature, pressure, and gas/liquid composition.

Bunker ‘C’

A heavy residual fuel oil obtained as a result of distillation of crude oil, and used as fuel primarily for marine steam generation.

Bureau Veritas

Verification authority

BV

Bureau Veritas

BW

Butt weld

bwpd

Barrels of water per day

C

°C

Degrees Celsius - °C = 5/9(°F-32)

CA

Certifying Authority

CAA

Civil Aviation Authority

Caisson

Length of pipe extending vertically downwards from an installation into the sea as a means of disposing of waste waters, or for the location of a seawater pump OR one of several columns made of steel or concrete, which serves as the foundation for a rigid offshore platform rig, such as the concrete gravity platform rig OR a steel or concrete chamber that surrounds equipment below the waterline of an arctic submersible rig, thereby protecting the equipment from damage by moving ice.

Caisson-type platform rig

A rigid offshore drilling platform that stands on steel caissons and is used to drill development wells. The caissons are firmly affixed to the seabed and the drilling and production decks are laid on top of them. The platform is used in certain artic waters where the caissons are needed to protect equipment from moving ice. See also platform rig.

Caliper

(Calliper in the UK) A tool for checking casing in a well for deformation before e.g. running drilling tools, which might become stuck, or packers which might leak.

CALM

Catenary anchor leg mooring.

Calorific value

The quantity of heat produced by complete combustion of unit weight of a material. Expressed as either calories per gram, or British Thermal Units (btu) per pound, or btu per standard cubic foot of gas.

C&C

Circulating and conditioning (drilling fluid).

C&F

Cost and freight only. (See also CIF)

C&W

Coat and wrap (e.g. pipeline protection)

Cantilevered jackup

A jackup drilling unit in which the drilling rig is mounted on two cantilevers that extend outward from the barge hull of the unit. The cantilevers are supported only at the barge end.

CAP 437

Helicopter Landing Areas (CAP - Civil Aviation Publication).

Cap bead

Welding term, see Bead.

CAPEX

Capital expenditure

CAPO

Computer assisted platform operations

CAPP

Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers

Cap rock

An impermeable layer of rock above a discovered or potential hydrocarbon reservoir, providing a seal to contain the reservoir fluids.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) injection

A method used in secondary recovery from an oil reservoir, in conjunction with water flooding.

Casing

Steel pipe placed in an oil or gas well as drilling progresses to seal the well and to prevent the wall of the hole caving in during drilling, to prevent seepage of fluids, and to provide a means of extracting petroleum if the well is productive. A number of casing strings (lengths) are used in decreasing diameters.

Catenary

The curve assumed by a chain or cable suspended between two points (e.g. an anchor chain).

Cathodic protection

Corrosion protection system which relies on sacrificial anodes or impressed current to protect submerged steel components from corrosion by electrolytic action.

Cation

A positively charged ion; an ion that is attracted to the cathode during electrolysis. Compare anion.

Catwalk

A narrow elevated platform or walkway for access to equipment.

Cave-in

Collapse of part of the wall of a borehole usually in a poorly consolidated rock formation.

Cavern storage

Underground natural or man-made storage chambers in suitable impermeable or artificially-lined rock formations. They may also be designed for cryogenic storage. See also Jug.

CB

Centre of buoyancy

CBI

Confederation of British Industry

CC

Choke valve – close

cc

Cubic centimetre (cm³)

CCR

Central control room

CCTV

Closed circuit television

CCU

Catalytic cracking unit

CD

Calendar day OR cellar deck OR closed drains OR compact disk OR contract depth

CE

Carbon equivalent OR Community European

CEI

Council for Engineering Institution

Cellar deck

The deck or floor beneath the working floor of a drilling rig OR the deck below the main superstructure of an offshore platform.

Cement

A powder consisting of alumina, silica, lime and other substances that hardens when mixed with water. Extensively used in the oil industry to bond casi

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