Glossary
Browse the IADC Lexicon alphabetically or by category. Get comprehensive definitions of drilling industry terms.
Semi-Standardized Cargo
Definition(s)
Semi-Standardized Cargo
Semi-standardized cargo means cargo for which the ship is provided with a securing system capable of accommodating a limited variety of cargo units, such as vehicles, trailers, etc. Source: IMO MSC.1/Circ.1353, Revised Guidelines for the preparation of the Cargo Securing Manual, 30 June 2010, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSemi-Submersible
Definition(s)
Semi-Submersible
A floating offshore drilling vessel which is ballasted at the drilling location and conducts drilling operations in a stable, partly submerged position. Source: API RP 64, Recommended Practice for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations, Second Edition, November 2001 (March 1, 2007). Global StandardsSemi-Submersible
Floating structure normally consisting of a deck structure with a number of widely spaced, large cross-section, supporting columns connected to submerged pontoons. NOTE Pontoon/column geometry is usually chosen to minimize global motions in a broad range of wave frequencies. 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 StandardsSemi-submersible Installation
Definition(s)
Semi-submersible Installation
a drilling installation with the main deck connected to an underwater hull or hulls by columns or caissons. Source: Atlantic Canada Offshore Petroleum Industry, Standard Practice for the Training and Qualifications of Personnel, 2013, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Global StandardsSemi-submersible or Column-stabilised Units
Definition(s)
Semi-submersible or Column-stabilised Units
Semi-submersible or column-stabilised units have working platforms supported on widely spaced buoyant columns. The columns are normally attached to buoyant lower hulls or pontoons. These units are normally floating types but can be designed to rest on the sea bed, see also 2.2.3. Source: Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Mobile Offshore Units, Part 1, Regulations, June 2013, Lloyd’s Register, Global StandardsSEMS
Definition(s)
SEMS
Safety and environmental management system. Source: API RP 96, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, First Edition, March 2013. Global Standards Source: API Bulletin 97, Well Construction Interface Document Guidelines, First Edition, December 2013. Global Standards Source:API RP T-1, Creating Orientation Programs for Personnel Going Offshore, Fifth Edition, November 2016. Global StandardsSensing Part
Definition(s)
Sensing Part
Sensing part: a sensing function of detecting any heading information connected to the transmitting device. Source: IMO Resolution MSC.116(73), Recommendation on Performance Standards for Marine Transmitting Heading Devices (THDs), 1 December 2000, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSensitive Areaa
Definition(s)
Sensitive Areaa
SENSITIVE AREA is an area vulnerable to potential significant adverse groundwater impacts, due to factors such as the presence of shallow groundwater or pathways for communication with deeper groundwater; proximity to surface water, including lakes, rivers, perennial or intermittent streams, creeks, irrigation canals, and wetlands. Additionally, areas classified for domestic use by the Water Quality Control Commission, local (water supply) wellhead protection areas, areas within 1/8 mile of a domestic water well, areas within 1/4 mile of a public water supply well, ground water basins designated by the Colorado Ground Water Commission, and surface water supply areas are sensitive areas. Source: Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Practice and Procedure, Code of Colorado Regulations, 2 CCR 404-1, February 2013. RegulationsSensitive Areas
Definition(s)
Sensitive Areas
These areas are defined by the presence of factors, whether one or more, that make an area vulnerable to pollution from crude oil spills. Factors that are characteristic of sensitive areas include the presence of shallow groundwater or pathways for communication with deeper groundwater; proximity to surface water, including lakes, rivers, streams, dry or flowing creeks, irrigation canals, stock tanks, and wetlands; proximity to natural wildlife refuges or parks; or proximity to commercial or residential areas. Source: Oil and Gas Division, Texas Administrative Code, Title 16, Chapter 3, February 2013. RegulationsSensitive Reservoir
Definition(s)
Sensitive reservoir:
Sensitive reservoir means a reservoir in which the production rate will affect ultimate recovery. Source: Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf, 30 CFR 250 (2013). RegulationsSensitive Wildlife Habitat
Definition(s)
Sensitive Wildlife Habitat
SENSITIVE WILDLIFE HABITAT shall mean:- mule deer critical winter range (being both mule deer winter concentration areas (that part of the winter range where densities are at least 200% of the surrounding winter range density during the same period used to define winter range in 5 out of 10 winters), and mule deer severe winter range (that part of the winter range where 90% of the individuals are located during the average 5 winters out of 10 from the first heavy snowfall to spring green-up)) (west of Interstate 25 and excluding Las Animas County);
- elk winter concentration areas (west of Interstate 25 and excluding Las Animas County);
- pronghorn antelope winter concentration areas (west of Interstate 25);
- bighorn sheep winter range;
- elk production areas (being that part of the overall range occupied by the females for calving) (west of Interstate 25 and excluding Las Animas County);
- Columbian sharp-tailed grouse and plains sharp-tailed grouse production areas (being an area that contains 80% of nesting and brood rearing habitat for any identified population);
- greater sage-grouse and Gunnison sage-grouse production areas (being an area that contains 80% of nesting and brood rearing habitat for any population identified in the Colorado Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Plan (CDOW, 2008) or the Gunnison Sage-Grouse Range-Wide Conservation Plan (May 2005), respectively);
- lesser prairie chicken production areas (being an area that includes 80% of nesting and brood rearing habitat);
- black-footed ferret release areas;
- Bald Eagle nest sites and winter night roost sites; and
- Golden Eagle nest sites.
Sensitivity
Definition(s)
Sensitivity
Size of the smallest discontinuity detectable by an NDT method with a reasonable signal to-noise ratio. Source: API RP 5A5, Field Inspection of New Casing, Tubing, and Plain-end Drill Pipe, Reaffirmed August 2010. Global StandardsSensitivity Analysis
Definition(s)
Sensitivity Analysis
Process to determine how outputs of a methodology differ in response to variation of the inputs or conditions. Sample Usage: The sensitivity analysis showed that the population variable had the largest effect on the output of the model. Annotation:- When a factor considered in a risk assessment has uncertainty, sensitivity analysis examines the effect that the uncertainty has on the results.
- A sensitivity analysis can be used to examine how individual variables can affect the outputs of risk assessment methodologies.
- Alternatively, sensitivity analysis can show decision makers or evaluators the impact or predicted impact of risk management alternatives.
Sensitivity Analysis
Sensitivity analysis means an analysis to determine the effect of changes in individual input parameters on the results of a given model or calculation method. Source: IMO MSC.1/Circ.1002, Guidelines on alternative design and arrangements for fire safety, 26 June 2001, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory Guidance Source: IMO MSC.1/Circ.1212, Guidelines on alternative design and arrangements for SOLAS chapters II-1 and III, 15 December 2006, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSensor
Definition(s)
Sensor
Instrument used to measure operating information such as pressure, flow or temperature. Source: IADC UBO / MPD Glossary, December 2011. Global StandardsSensor (Types of Instruments)
Assembly in which the sensing element is housed and that may also contain associated circuit components. Source: IEC 60079-29-1, Explosive atmospheres – Part 29-1: Gas detectors – Performance requirements of detectors for flammable gases. Global StandardsSensor
Sensor means any unit external to the S-VDR, to which the S-VDR is connected and from which it obtains data to be recorded. Source: IMO Resolution MSC.163(78), Recommendation on Performance Standards for Shipborne Simplified Voyage Data Recorders (S-VDRs), 17 May 2004, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSensors and Actuators
Definition(s)
Sensors and Actuators
Measuring or actuating elements connected to process equipment and to the control system.
Source: ANSI/ISA–99.00.01–2007, Security for Industrial Automation and Control Systems, Part 1: Terminology, Concepts, and Models, 29 October 2007. National StandardSEP
Definition(s)
SEP
Surface Emissive Power. Source: API RP 2FB, Recommended Practice for the Design of Offshore Facilities Against Fire and Blast Loading, First Edition, April 2006. Global StandardsSeparate
Definition(s)
Separate
Separate means that a cargo piping system or cargo vent system, for example, is not connected to another cargo piping or cargo vent system. Source: Resolution MEPC.119(52), 2004 amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), 15 October 2004. Regulatory guidance, International Maritime OrganizationSeparately Owned Tract
Definition(s)
Separately Owned Tract
Any reference to a separately owned tract, although in general terms broad enough to include the surface and all underlying common sources of supply of oil and gas, shall have reference thereto only in relation to the unit source of supply or portion thereof embraced within the unit area of a particular unit. Source: Control of Oil and Gas Resources, North Dakota Century Code, Title 38, Chapter 8, February 2013. LegislationSeparator
Definition(s)
Separator
Horizontal, vertical, or spherical vessel used to remove liquid from gas, and gas from liquid. Source: IADC UBO / MPD Glossary, December 2011. Global StandardsSeparator
"Separator" means any apparatus for separating oil, gas, and water as they are produced from a well at the surface. Source: Corporation Commission, Oil and Gas Conservation, Oklahoma Administrative Code 165:10, February 2013. RegulationsSequential Method
Definition(s)
Sequential Method
Sequential method – a process by which a ballast tank intended for the carriage of ballast water is first emptied and then refilled with replacement ballast water to achieve at least a 95 per cent volumetric exchange. Source: Resolution MEPC.124(53), Guidelines for ballast water exchange (G6), 22 July 2005, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory Guidance Source: Resolution MEPC.149(55), Guidelines for ballast water exchange design and construction standards (G11), 13 October 2006, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory GuidanceSERC
Definition(s)
SERC
State Emergency Response Commission. Source: API RP 49, Recommended Practice for Drilling and Well Servicing Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulfide, Third Edition, May 2001. Global StandardsSerialization
Definition(s)
Serialization
Assignment of a unique code to individual parts and/or pieces of equipment to maintain records. Source: API Specification 16A, Specification for Drill-through Equipment, Fourth Edition, April 2017. Global Standards Source: API STANDARD 16AR, Standard for Repair and Remanufacture of Drill-through Equipment, First Edition, April 2017. Global Standards Source: API SPEC 6A, Specification for Wellhead and Christmas Tree Equipment, Twentieth Edition, October 2010 (Addendum November 2012). Global Standards Source: API SPEC 16A, Specification for Drill-through Equipment, Third Edition, June 2004 (Errata/Supplement November 2004). Global Standards Source: API SPEC 16C, Specification for Choke and Kill Systems, First Edition, January 1993 (Reaffirmed 2001). Global Standards Source: API SPEC 16RCD, Specification for Drill Through Equipment—Rotating Control Devices, Upstream Segment, First Edition, February 2005. Global StandardsSeries Configuration
Definition(s)
Series Configuration
A configuration of pumps or compressors linked together so that the discharge of one pump or compressor enters the inlet of another. Heads are additive at the same flow series/parallel operation flow is divided between the series pumps/compressors and the parallel pumps/compressors according to the capacity of each of the units. Source: IADC UBO / MPD Glossary, December 2011. Global StandardsSerious Bodily Injury
Definition(s)
Serious Bodily Injury
‘Serious bodily injury’ means:- head injuries involving concussion, loss of consciousness or other serious consequences;
- loss of consciousness as a result of working environment factors;
- skeletal injuries, with the exception of simple hairline fractures or fractures of fingers or toes;
- injuries to internal organs;
- whole or partial amputation of parts of the body;
- poisoning with danger of permanent health injury, such as H2S poisoning;
- burns or corrosive injuries with full thickness skin injury (third degree) or partial thickness skin injury (second degree) to the face, hands, feet or abdomen, as well as all partial thickness skin injury that covers more than five per cent of the surface of the body;
- general cooling (hypothermia);
- permanent inability to work.