GENERAL

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Revised: 12/28/2007

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Oilfield Glossary:
Terms and Definitions
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Acceptance Criteria: Defined limits placed on the

(General) characteristics of materials, products, or
services. Visually stated in referenced
industry specifications and standards

Acceptance Criteria: Reference documentation and/or

(NDT) illustrations that allow comparison of
Indications or Discontinuities found
during Nondestructive Testing to a
standard, for the purpose of acceptance
or rejection.

Adapter Flange: Any flange that will connect between two

other flanges that would otherwise not
connect. Usually a Double Studded
Adapter (DSA), or a Single Studded
Adapter (SSA).

Adapter Spool: A unit of pressure control equipment

with a body and two different end
connections used to connect together
other pieces of equipment that could
otherwise not connect. Sometimes used
instead of a Double Studded Adapter
because at least one of the units to
which it connects has a studded flange
connection.

Annular: Refers to the area of space between the

inside diameter of a drilled or cased hole
and a secondary string of pipe
suspended inside this space.

ANSI (ASA) American National Standards Institute.

An organization formerly known by the
name American Standards Association
(ASA). This organization sets standards
for the ANSI B16.5 Blind, Weld Neck,
and Threaded Flanges commonly used
in refineries and process industries.

For information comparing "ANSI" and

"API" Flanges, see A Brief History of
Well Head Flanges.

API American Petroleum Institute. The

organization that develops and
publishes API specification documents.
API Monogram: A registered trademark of the American
Petroleum Institute (API). Qualified
licensed manufacturers may apply the
API Monogram along with their license
number, as a mark onto a product or
equipment that meets the requirements
of API published specifications.

API Spec 6A: Also, ISO 10423; The American

Petroleum Institute publication that
serves as the industry Specification for
Wellhead and Christmas Tree
Equipment. Those companies granted a
license from API may apply an API
Monogram mark, along with their license
number, to products which they have
made in compliance with this
specification.

API Spec 16A: Also, ISO 13533; The American

Petroleum Institute publication that
serves as the industry Specification for
Drill Through Equipment. Those
companies granted a license from API
may apply an API Monogram mark,
along with their license number, to
products which they have made in
compliance with this specification.

API Spec 17D: The American Petroleum Institute

publication That serves as the industry
Specification for Subsea Wellhead and
Christmas Tree Equipment. Those
companies granted a license from API
may apply an API Monogram mark,
along with their license number, to
products which they have made in
compliance with this specification.

Axial Alignment: See Connector Axial Alignment

Balance: Also, Fluid Balance; That condition

when the fluid Head in a well bore
produces sufficient pressure inside the
well bore to equal the pressure of the
production zone and stop the outflow of
fluid or gas from that zone.

Bell Nipple: An upward pipe extension above the

uppermost BOP, used to discharge
returning drilling mud to the shakers,
separators, and pits during drilling
operations. The "Bell" term derives from
the bell mouth usually fabricated on its
upper end, See Flange, Bell Nipple.

BHN: An Abbreviation for Brinell Hardness

Number. Now abbreviated HBW.

BHTA: An Abbreviation for Bottom Hole Test

Adapter. See Top Connector

Blast Joint: For Choke Manifolds, see Blast Spool.

For tubing strings in wells, the term Blast
Joint applies to a piece of heavy walled
tubing, run in the tubing string and
positioned across from a perforated
interval to resist external erosion caused
by high velocity production fluid coming
from that zone, thus prolonging the life
of the completion.
Blast Spool: For Choke Manifolds, this term applies
to a specially constructed spool attached
directly to the outlet connection of a
Drilling Choke where high velocity fluid
erosion may occur. Manifold designers
build this spool with the maximum
practical wall thickness and sometimes
specify an erosion resistant liner for this
spool.

Blowout Preventer: A unit of equipment, installed singularly

(BOP) or as a part of an assembly, attached to
the Wellhead to control and/or contain
well pressure occurring inside the
Casing during Drilling, Workover, or
Snubbing operations.

BOP: An Abbreviation for Blowout Preventer.

Body: The portion of a unit of pressure control

equipment between separated end
connections.

Bolt Circle: The theoretical circle inscribed by the

center point of a series of holes, drilled
equally spaced, near the mid
circumference of a flange.

Bolt Tension: That energy achieved by applying

Torque to nuts on bolts providing the
compressive force necessary to hold
connections in contact under pressure
or load.

Bolt Torque : That rotational force applied to nuts on

stud bolts to tighten and apply Tension
to the bolts in order to hold flanges or
other connections in Make-up. This
force is usually expressed in Foot
Pounds (FT/LBS). See Torque Wrench.

Bottom Hole Test See Top Connector.

Adapter (BHTA):

Break-out: Also Break Apart; The act of

disconnecting joined flanges or other
Connectors.

Brinell Hardness: Now abbreviated HBW. A designation of

hardness, usually of steel, performed by
pressing a 10 mm spherical tungsten
carbide ball against a clean prepared
surface using a 3000 Kilogram force,
producing an impression, measured and
given a special numerical value. This
numerical value relates to steel tensile
strength. API Spec 6A specifies
minimum Brinell Hardness requirements
for different material designations.
NACE Standard MR0175 references
maximum hardness in determining
steel’s suitability for use in H2S Service.

Buffer Chamber Also, a Header; Typically, a fabricated

pressure vessel with multiple inlets and
outlets, used to contain and direct the
discharge from Chokes in a Manifold
system. An alternate method of buffer
system construction allows the use of
non-welded components.

Burn Through A term used to describe an undesirable

 event during welding when the welding
arc unintentionally burns trough a thin
wall, or weld joint root, causing
unacceptable irregularities on the
reverse side (or the I.D.) of the weld.
Excessive metal on the I.D. of a pipe
butt weld joint may interfere with the
passage of tools, or in extreme cases
the flow of fluid.

Butt Weld The completed weld made in a Butt

Weld Joint.

Butt Weld Joint This term describes a form of weld joint

having specially prepared surfaces that
makes a Full Penetration Weld possible,
usually by leaving a small gap between
the adjacent pieces that deposited weld
metal will bridge, fill, and close.

BX: See 6 BX

Carbon Steel An iron based metal with only carbon

and manganese deliberately added to
specific limits. Other elements residual,
except for small quantities added for
deoxidization or to control the effects of
sulfur.

Casing: Pipe used to line the bore hole of a well.

Casing Head: A single unit of well control equipment

(usually flanged) attached to the upper
end of surface casing, allowing the
attachment of Blowout Preventers
during drilling, and later suspending and
sealing a secondary string of casing set
inside.

Casing Spool: A single unit of well control equipment

attached above the Casing Head, used
to suspend and seal a secondary casing
string.

Cast Steel: Steel formed by pouring molten steel

into a mold to produce a desired near
finished shape after solidification and
cooling.

Casting: A shape made from cast steel. The term

casting may also apply to the process of
pouring liquid steel into a mold.

Certified Welder: See Qualified Welder.

Charpy V-Notch A test performed at a specified

Test: temperature by swinging a calibrated
(CVN) falling pendulum (hammer) fracturing
(breaking) a specifically configured
Specimen of Material and measuring
the force required, usually expressed in
foot pounds.

Chemistry: The chemical composition of Material.

The expression of the elemental
composition of material by percentage of
weight for each measured chemical
element.

Choke: Also, Choke Valve; A unit of pressure

control equipment used to restrict and
regulate the flow of well fluids to
maintain a desired pressure and flow
 rate. Chokes have hardened internal
expendable parts specifically designed
to resist erosion caused by high
pressure, high velocity fluid. Often used
as part of a Choke Manifold (also see
Drilling Choke) or Christmas Tree.

Choke Manifold: An assembly of valves, Fittings and

Chokes arranged to regulate and control
the flow of high pressure fluid from a
well bore.

Christmas Tree: An assembly of equipment topping off

the Wellhead, including valves, fittings,
Chokes, etc. used to regulate and
control the flow of oil or gas during
normal well production.

Coining: The condition of bringing metal surfaces

of differing hardness so tightly together
that the softer surface deforms to match
the harder surface exactly in shape and
finish. See Intimate Contact.

Combination A uniquely configured Ring Gasket that

Adapter Ring allows two flanges with ring grooves of
Gasket: different Pitch Diameters to join and seal
when Made-up.

Combination Bolts: Those special bolts made to join flanges

of different Working Pressures, having a
different diameter on each end to
correspond with the bolt holes in each
respective flange. See Cross Over
Connections for a full explanation.

Combination Ring A specially configured Ring Gasket that

Gasket: allows two flanges with Ring Grooves of
different width and depth but the same
pitch diameter to join and seal when
Made-up.

Connector: For Wellhead application, the part of

pressure containing / pressure
controlling equipment that allows a
mechanical joint that can provide a
pressure seal: Flange, Hub, Union, etc.,
that does not seal on a thread.

Connector Axial Alignment to within specified tolerances

Alignment: of the connector centerline, to the
centerline of the connector at the
opposite end of the equipment unit.

Connector, Loose: Any flange, hub, or Other End

Connector, not integral to a body of an
identified piece of equipment.

Connector A measure of the connector face (or

Parallelism: plane) with respect to the connector face
at the opposite end of the equipment
unit.

Corrosion Resistant Ring Grooves lined with material

Ring Grooves: resistant to Metal Loss Corrosion. This
material is either CRA or an austenitic
stainless steel.

Corrosion Resistant Nonferrous alloys where any one or the

Alloy: sum of the specified amount of the
(C.R.A) following alloy elements exceeds 50%:
titanium, nickel, cobalt, chromium, and
 molybdenum. A Material sometimes
used in critical service applications for
flanges, bodies, bonnets and other
components. Also frequently used as a
weld metal overlay for ring grooves to
prevent Rust damage between
connection make-ups.

Corrosion Resistant Ferrous or nonferrous alloys which are

Material: more corrosion resistant than low alloy
(C.R.M) steels. This term includes CRA's,
duplex, and stainless steels.

Cross: Any Fitting with four connections in the

same plane with two of these
connections forming an in-line Run.
Crosses may have more than four
connections.

Deep Ring Grooves: Now obsolete or withdrawn ring groove

specifications that allowed face to face
contact on Made-up hubs or flanges
when using RX ring gaskets. See SR
ring grooves.

Discontinued: Industry standard products or equipment

that the issuing standards organization
has announced it will no longer include
in its published specifications.

Discontinuity: A location, internal or external, where

the structural nature of Material (or a
weldment) has an interruption of its
normal or continuous regularity. A place
where metals exhibit some mechanical,
physical, or metallurgical irregularity that
requires evaluation by reference to
Acceptance Criteria.

Diverter: A specialized Annular Blowout

Preventer used, in conjunction with large
diameter flow valves, to close and divert
shallow gas encountered during drilling
operations.

Double Extra Also, Double Extra Heavy; A designation

Strong: of pipe with a wall thickness twice that of
(XXS) Extra Strong Pipe. See Carbon Steel
(XXH) Pipe Dimensions and Weights for
commonly available pipe sizes.

Double Studded A flange with a through bore and a ring

Adapter: groove on each side, drilled and tapped
(DSA) bolt circles on both sides and Tap End
Studs complete with nuts installed on
both sides. Usually the two sides are
Q&A different in size and/or pressure rating.
Usually used to adapt between different
flange end connections that would
otherwise not connect.

Drift: A gauge of special dimensions used to

pass through the Run of pressure
control equipment to demonstrate that
the Run bore will pass working tools.
Also, the act of passing this gauge
through the bore.

Drilling: The process of making a bored well hole

to test for and, if encountered in
commercial quantities, produce oil
and/or gas.
Drilling Choke: A Choke specifically designated by its
manufacturer as suitable for drilling
service, used as part of a Choke
Manifold.

Drilling Rig: The entire collection of machinery and

equipment brought together as a unit
and used to drill and set Casing for an
oil or gas well. An operating drilling rig
includes Blowout Preventers and drill
pipe.

Drilling Spool: Also, Mud Cross; A unit of equipment

used with Blowout Preventers to space
pieces of equipment apart and provide
outlets to attach lines extending to
Choke and Kill Manifolds.

DSA: An abbreviation for Double Studded

Adapter.

Dual Flanges: See Segmented Flanges.

Ductility: A property of Material that allows it to

yield or "bend before breaking."
Technically expressed by measurement
records of Elongation and Reduction of
Area determined as the result of a
Tensile Test.

Elongation: That amount that a Material Specimen

will stretch before fracture (separation).
Usually expressed as a percentage of
the original length.

End Connection: That connection on either end of the

Run (through the central bore) of
pressure control equipment.

Extra Strong: Also, Extra Heavy; A designation of pipe

(XS) wall thickness specified in API Spec 5L
(XH) in addition to many other pipe wall
thicknesses. See Carbon Steel Pipe
Dimensions and Weights for commonly
available pipe sizes.

15 M: An abbreviation for 15,000 pounds per

square inch (psi) Maximum Service
Pressure.

Fabricated That equipment, made with 2 or more

Equipment: pieces of steel joined together by
welding. Such fabricated equipment may
contain pressure or provide structural
support for pressure containing
equipment. See One Piece Construction
for comparison.

Figure 1502: A term, preceded by an inch size,

describing a specific union design widely
used on flange by union adapters.

Figure 2202: A term, preceded by an inch size,

describing a specific union design widely
used on flange by union adapters

Fitting: A unit of pressure containing equipment

designed to fit between other equipment
for the purpose of adapting or arranging
that other equipment to facilitate
pressure control. See Tee or Cross.
"5 Bolt" Flanges: See Segmented Flanges.

5 M: An abbreviation for 5,000 pounds per

square inch (psi) Maximum Service
Pressure.

Flange: A single disc or a protruding disc

extension on a body with holes to accept
bolts or with holes drilled and tapped
into its surface with Tap End Studs
installed, with a sealing means, used to
join pressure containing equipment.

Flange, ANSI: A flange specified in American National

Standards Institute published standards.

Flange, API: A flange specified, now or in the past, in

American Petroleum Institute published
standards.

Flange, Adapter: Any flange that will connect between two

other flanges that would otherwise not
connect. Usually a Double Studded
Adapter (DSA), or a Single Studded
Adapter (SSA).

Flange, Bell Nipple: The Flange attached to the Bell Nipple

used to secure it to the top of the
uppermost BOP.

Flange, Blind: A flange with no center opening,

designed to close off an outlet or end
connection.

Flange, Double A flange with two Bolt Circles drilled

Drilled: through, or tapped for studs, so that it
may join another flange of a lower
working pressure.

Flange, End A flange integral with a body (e.g.

Connection: spacer spool, etc.) with an opposite
integral connection.

Flange, Instrument: A flange, usually made as a spacer with

a ring groove on both sides to go
between two other flanges, with special
tapped connections through its side
(O.D.), to facilitate the injection or
sampling of fluid or the measurement of
pressure.

Flange, Integral: A flange made as part of a Body or

attached to a body by welding. The
flange Material conforms to specification
requirements for integral flanges.

Flange, Loose: See Connector, Loose

Flange, MSS: A flange specified in Manufacturing

Standardization Society, Standard
Practice SP-44. Used by manufact-
urers of Diverters in 30" 500 and 30"
1000 psi working pressure.

Flange, Open Face: A flange connection with through bolt

holes. An open face flange will mate
with another open face flange or with a
Studded Face Flange.

Flange, Outlet An integral flange connected to a Body

Connection: (e.g. Tee,) usually at 90 degrees from
the end connection.
Flange, RTJ: A flange that utilizes a Ring Gasket has
the designation "Ring Type Joint",
abbreviated "RTJ" in flange standards
other than API Spec. 6A. All API Spec.
6A flanges have "Ring Type Joint"
sealing surfaces.

Flange Series: An out of date term, applied in the past

to API flanges now described in terms of
working pressure.

Flange, Spacer: A flange, made with a ring joint

connection on both sides, to go between
two other flanges to space them apart
for some special purpose.

Flange, Studded A flange connection with the bolt circles

Face: drilled and tapped into its face so as to
accept Tap End Studs (e.g. the
connections on a Studded Cross). A
studded face flange will mate only with
an Open Face Flange.

Flange, Target: A Blind Flange, usually with a lead filled

cavity, used to cushion and minimize the
erosion of high velocity abrasive fluid.

Flange, Test: A flange with a tapped port in its center

or side to allow application of pressure
or attachment of a gauge.

Flange, Threaded: A flange with an internal or external

thread opposite its Ring Groove side to
mate with standard threaded pipe.

Flange, Weld Neck: A flange with a butt weld neck for

welding attachment to pipe or tubing.
Material may vary from that required for
Integral Flanges in order to facilitate field
welding.

Flowline: Any line of pipe, that contains and

controls the flow of fluid.

Foot Pounds: A term usually used to express the

(FT/LBS) amount of rotational force (Torque)
applied to nuts on stud bolts. "One Foot
Pound" equals the force of one pound of
pull on a wrench with a handle that
extends 12 inches from the center axis
of a bolt and nut upon which the force
acts. See Bolt Torque and Torque
Wrench.

Forged Steel: Steel, plastically deformed and shaped,

usually when hot, using compressive
force to breakup and close any internal
Discontinuities.

Forging: See Forged Steel. Also, the act of using

compressive equipment (presses or
hammers) to plastically deform steel into
a desired shape.

Full Penetration A weld performed on a prepared joint

Weld between adjacent pieces, the weld metal
extending through the entire wall.

4130: A low alloy steel containing molybdenum

and chromium as strengthening agents.
The carbon content is nominally 0.30%
and with this relatively low carbon
content the alloy is excellent from the
 fusion weldability standpoint. The alloy
can be hardened by heat treatment.

4140: One of the chromium, molybdenum,

manganese low alloy steels noted for
toughness, good torsional strength and
good fatigue strength after heat
treatment. The carbon content of 0.40%
makes this steel less easily welded than
4130.

45K: An API Spec 6A abbreviation for 45,000

psi, minimum yield strength Material.

Gage: Also, Gauge; A preset device for

determining the relative size or shape of
an object compared to a standard (e.g. a
Drift). The act of using a gage to
compare or confirm a size or shape. A
device to measure pressure within a
pressure containing or controlling
system.

Gauge: See Gage.

H2S: An abbreviation for the chemical

Hydrogen Sulfide.

H2S Service: Short for Hydrogen Sulfide Service

(HSS). A term used to designate that
equipment material specifications meet
the requirements of NACE Standard
MR0175, for use in controlling fluid
containing partial pressure (some
percentage) of Hydrogen Sulfide.

Hammer Wrench: A box end wrench with a shortened

heavy handle having an elongated
square shaped end. Designed to
withstand heavy striking with a sledge
hammer to tighten or loosen nuts on
stud bolts.

Hardness: A measured factor that reasonably

predicts the amount metal will resist
abrasion and bending, as well as
indicating Ultimate Strength. Most
commonly expressed as Brinell
Hardness and Rockwell Hardness.
ASTM E 140 provides a guide for
comparing hardness determined by
different methods and expressed on
different scales.

Head: The standing column of fluid in a well

bore. The measure of fluid pressure at
the bottom of a column of fluid in a well
bore or in any vertical fluid containing
pipe or system.

Header: See Buffer Chamber.

Heat Affected Zone That part of the base metal formed as a

(HAZ) narrow band immediately adjacent to
deposited weld metal, affected by
welding heat input but not melted.

Heat Treatment: Heating and cooling metallic Material in

such a way as to produce selected and
intended conditions and properties in the
material. This process affects Tensile
Strength, Yield Strength, Elongation,
Reduction of Area, and toughness
 (usually measured as Impact Strength).

HBW: Abbreviation for Brinell Hardness.

HRB: (Sometimes RB) An abbreviation for

Rockwell Harness measured on the B
scale. The abbreviation usually appears
after a number, e.g. 83 HRB. See:
Rockwell B Hardness.

HRC: (Sometimes RC) An abbreviation for

Rockwell Harness measured on the C
scale. The abbreviation usually appears
after a number, e.g. 22 HRC. See:
Rockwell C Hardness.

Hydro-Test: Also, Hydrostatic Test; a pressure test

conducted by pumping a fluid (usually
water) into a closed vessel or equipment
system until the pressure reaches a
specific level. The test consists of
holding this pressure for a specific
period of time without observed leaks or
pressure decline on the indicating
instrument.

Hydrogen Sulfide: The chemical commonly abbreviated

H2S. This deadly poison also has a
destructive effect on high strength low
alloy steels when the hardness of these
steels exceed a hardness of 22
Rockwell C.

I.D. An abbreviation for Inside Diameter.

Impact Strength: The amount of energy required to

fracture (break) a Specimen of Material
using an impact blow, usually performed
at a specified temperature, by means of
a Charpy V-Notch Test.

Indenter: A hardened pointed or rounded contact

object used to impress an indentation
into the surface of steel (or other metal)
parts in order to obtain a Hardness
measurement of that part. See HBW,
HRC, and HRB.

Indication: A term used in magnetic particle testing

to identify locations found that require
evaluation by references to Acceptance
Criteria. See Magnetic Particle
Inspection.

Inlay: Used to describe a form of weld metal

deposit, where the weld deposit fills a
groove or cavity. Frequently referring to
Corrosion Resistant Alloy weld metal
deposits in oversize grooves later
machined to accept Ring Gaskets.

Intimate Contact: The condition of bringing metal surfaces

of matching shape and finish into
contact with such force as to leave no
space or gap. See Coining.

Integral: Made as a single unit. Usually referring

to connectors (Flanges, Hubs, and/or
O.E.C.'s) made as part of a body, or
joined to a body by welding; the
connectors meeting the API
specifications for end and outlet
connectors.
International Abbreviated ISO, this standards
Standards organization has taken on a partnership
Organization with the American Petroleum Institute to
establish equipment and quality
specifications. ISO now issues these
specifications and the API adopts them
back and further supports these
specifications with the API Monogram
program.

ISO: See:
International Standards Organization

k: Also, kip; A load of 1000 pounds. See

ksi.

Kill: The act of pumping heaver fluid into a

well bore to bring a well into Balance
and stop the outflow from the well.

ksi: Abbreviation for one thousand pounds

per square inch usually used to indicate
material (e.g. steel) strength, sometimes
shortened to a suffix K.

Lack of Full This term describes a condition

Penetration: observed in a weld joint when the weld
metal does not uniformly continue from
the root of the weld to the final cover
pass, most often observed at the root of
a butt weld.

Line Pipe: Pipe generally intended for use in the oil

(LP) and gas industry for the conveyance of
oil and gas under pressure, or for a
variety of industrial applications. API
Spec 5L and 5LX specify this pipe. For
commonly available sizes of line pipe,
see Carbon Steel Pipe Dimensions and
Weights on this web site.

Liquid Penetrant A method of surface inspection to detect

Test: indications not visible to the unaided eye
on non-magnetic Materials, or to prove
or disprove questionable Magnetic
Particle indications.

A liquid penetrant inspection consists of:

z Applying a liquid penetrant colored

dye to a clean material surface.

z Allowing time for penetrant to enter

any Discontinuities.

z Drying this surface of all liquid

visible on the surface.

z Applying a developer coating to

the surface to draw out any
penetrant that may have entered
surface discontinuities.

z Allowing time for the developer to

draw out any penetrant to stain the
developer coating.

z Observing any colored surface

stains and comparison of any
indications seen to Acceptance
Criteria for acceptance or rejection
of the inspected part.
Loop, Pressure Any assembly of valves and fittings
Controlling: connected to a Blowout Preventer stack
to allow pressure equalization and/or
bleed down before opening rams. Most
commonly used during Snubbing
operations.

Loose Connector See Connector, Loose.

Loose Flange See Connector, Loose.

Low Alloy Steel: An iron based metal alloy with small

amounts of other elements added in
specifically measured amounts to
produce a desired response to Heat
Treatment cycles and achieve intended
mechanical properties..

LP: An abbreviation for Line Pipe.

Lubricator Adapter: See Top Connector.

Made as one piece: See One Piece Construction

Made-up: Refers to a completed connection after

joining flanges or other connectors to
achieve a seal.

Magnetic Particle A non-destructive surface inspection

Inspection: process for ferromagnetic materials
(materials that will attract a magnet)
performed by magnetizing the material,
applying a fine iron powder, either dry or
in liquid suspension, to the magnetized
surface, and observing the collection of
this powder along any breaks in the
magnetic field that might represent
fractures or other irregularities in the
surface. See Indication.

Make-up: The act of joining flanges or other

connectors to achieve a seal.

Manifold: An assembly of valves and Fittings

arranged to regulate and control the flow
of high pressure fluid from a well bore.
Also see Choke Manifold.

Material: A term used on this web site, and in API

documents for pressure control
equipment, that identifies the Steel or
Corrosion Resistant Alloy used for
flanges, bodies, bonnets and other
components specified.

Mechanical Measured aspects of Material used to

Properties: describe its elastic and inelastic reaction
to applied force; These may include
Tensile Strength, Yield Strength,
Elongation, Reduction of Area, Impact
Strength and Hardness.

MegaPascal A basic unit of pressure or tension

(MPa) measurement in the International
System of Weights and Measures.
1 MPa - 145 psi,
1 MPa = 1 N/mm2.
(For converter, click here)

Metal Loss That corrosion on the surface of metal

Corrosion: that converts the metal to an oxide or
otherwise gradually consumes the
exposed surface of the metal. Localized
metal loss corrosion may appear as
"pitting."

Microstructure The existing described order and

(Steel): arrangement of constituents of steel
Material, as observed on a prepared
sample through a microscope. For more
on Microstructure, click here.

M.S.P.: An abbreviation for Maximum Service

Pressure.

Mud Cross: See Drilling Spool.

NACE MR 01 75: A document published by the National

Association of Corrosion Engineers
defining the specific limits of chemistry,
hardness and microstructure of
Materials used to make equipment to
contain or control well production fluids
that include hydrogen sulfide.

Nominal: A term related to "size" or "dimension",

indicating a designation only, not the
actual measurement. (e.g. 2 inch
nominal pipe measures 2-3/8 inches
outside diameter and no standard
Schedule of the 2 inch pipe has a 2"
inside diameter).

Nondestructive Also, Nondestructive Examination or

Evaluation : Nondestructive Testing; these terms
(NDE) identify a group of activities using
various methods to find, locate,
measure, or determine something,
without damage, about Material or
equipment, that allows an investigator to
decide if any identified characteristics or
conditions constitute rejectable flaws.

O: See Zero.

Obsolete: Industry standardized products or

equipment that the issuing standards
organization has replaced with updated
products or equipment. Manufactured
goods the manufacturer has replaced
with updated goods.

O.D. An abbreviation for Outside Diameter.

O.E.C.: An abbreviation for Other End

Connector.

O.E.M. Original Equipment Manufacturer.

Refers to the company which first
designed and built equipment or parts.

One Piece This term refers to flanged or hub

Construction: connection equipment made from a
single steel forging. Equipment made
this way has no Fabrication (or
assembly) welding performed.
Equipment manufactured from one
piece may often have weld Inlay or
Overlay to prevent corrosion damage to
Well Wetted surfaces.

Other End Any type of end (or outlet) connector

Connector: designed to contain pressure, other than
(O.E.C) those specified in API Spec 6A. An
O.E.C. may have any configuration so
long as it meets the design and
performance requirements of API Spec
6A. Examples include Union and
proprietary Lubricator connectors.

Outlet Connection: Any connection other than an End

Connection on a Run. Used to flow fluid
or gas into a Manifold or Choke, or used
to pump into, for the purpose of injecting
fluid or to Kill a well.

Overlay: Used to describe a form of weld metal

deposit where the weld deposit entirely
covers a base metal surface.
Frequently referring to Corrosion
Resistant Alloy weld metal deposits over
Well Wetted surfaces of pressure control
equipment to prevent severe corrosion
caused by well fluids.

Pack-Off Adapter: A single unit of equipment used in a

wellhead assembly below the Tubing
Head to adapt between flange sizes or
pressure ratings and provide a seal
around a secondary Casing String.

Parallelism: See Connector Parallelism.

Pitch Diameter: Specifically of a Ring Groove; The

theoretical diameter of the ideal mid
point (imaginary circular center line) of a
ring groove. Most easily determined by
measuring carefully from the inside of
the ring groove on one side to the
outside of the ring groove on the other
side (same as measuring from the
centerline on one side to the centerline
of the other side). See Measuring Ring
Groove Pitch Diameter.

Post Weld Heat See Stress Relief.

Treatment:

Pressure Cut: The erosion damage caused by high

pressure fluid during an extended leak
past a sealing surface.

Pressure, Maximum Also, Working Pressure; the maximum

Service: pressure that specific units of equipment
should experience in use. API specifies
the manufacturer clearly mark the
Maximum Service Pressure on each unit
of equipment; the equipment pressure
rating limited by the lowest pressure
connector on the equipment, or the
manufacturers design. For Test
Pressure and Working Pressure tests
explained, click here.

Pressure, Test: The hydrostatic pressure applied to

equipment to demonstrate the
equipment's capacity to hold pressure, A
pressure test on existing equipment in
the field should equal but not exceed
Maximum Service Pressure. The test
pressure and procedures for new
manufactured equipment, or
remanufactured equipment, should
comply with that specified by API. For
Test Pressure and Working Pressure
 tests explained, click here.

Pressure, Working: See Pressure, Maximum Service.

Procedure A written document recording all of the

Qualification testing utilized to prove the validity of the
Record: Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)
(PQR) which references it. The PQR contains
actual records of the performance of all
variable factors called out in the WPS,
as well as, the results of all mechanical,
volumetric, and surface tests made on
samples of the test welds performed to
demonstrate that production welds
carried out in conformance with the
WPS shall meet the specified
requirements.

Qualification of a WPS necessarily

requires calibrated welding equipment
instruments and meters, a record of the
calibration and the reference standard,
and the date of calibration and
frequency performed. Reference ASME
SEC. IX QW-200.2. Also see Qualified
Welder.

psi: An abbreviation for pounds per square

inch to indicate pressure or load.

PSL: Product Specification Level, as

described in API Spec 6A. The term
applies to a tiered progression of
increasing testing and inspection
requirements for materials and
equipment. Other API Specifications
include these PSL requirements by
reference to API Spec 6A. For more
complete information, CLICK HERE.

PSL 1: Product Specification Level 1,

references the minimum level of testing
and inspection required for material and
equipment as specified in API Spec 6A.
For more complete information, CLICK
HERE.

PSL 2: Product Specification Level 2,

references a level of testing and
inspection requirements for material and
equipment alternate to and in addition to
PSL 1 requirements as specified in API
Spec 6A. For more complete
information, CLICK HERE.

PSL 3: Product Specification Level 3,

references a level of testing and
inspection requirements for material and
equipment alternate to and in addition to
PSL 1 and 2 requirements as specified
in API Spec 6A. For more complete
information, CLICK HERE.

PSL 3G: Product Specification Level 3G,

references a level of testing and
inspection requirements for material and
equipment specified in API Spec 6A as
PSL 3, adding the requirement of gas
testing of completed equipment units.
For more complete information, CLICK
HERE.

PSL 4: Product Specification Level 4, includes

 all the testing and inspection
requirements described in API Spec 6A
for PSL 3G, plus additional restrictions
on the material qualification and heat
treating, and the prohibition of welding
except for overlay/inlay of corrosion
resistant material. For more complete
information, CLICK HERE.

Qualified Welder: A person who performs welding in

accordance with a Welding Procedure
Specification and a sample resulting
weld has passed all required visual,
mechanical and/or volumetric
examinations necessary for acceptance.
Maintenance of welder qualification
requires that the welder performs
welding, using the procedure methods
and equipment within specified time
periods, and maintains records of this
performance. A welder so qualified has
qualification to use the same and other
WPS's utilizing the same welding
process, depositing similar metal, using
similar calibrated equipment; with the
exception of Corrosion Resistant Alloy
inlay, which requires separate specific
qualification. Reference ASME SEC. IX
ART. III QW-304 and QW-305

Qualified Welding A Welding Procedure Specification

Procedure: (WPS) containing a reference to the
Procedure Qualification Record (PQR)
which demonstrates that the procedure
results in the desired properties in the
weld metal, heat affected zone and base
metal after any post weld heat
treatment.

Quality Assurance: The predicate of quality outcome.

The planning, creation of spec-ifications,

choice of inputs, choice of processes
(and machines), choice of personnel
and training, and continuity of
maintenance and management
necessary to produce predictable and
desirable product outcomes.

Quality Control: The examination of quality outcome.

The measurement and inspection

activities performed at various times
during the making of product(s) to
ensure that the product(s) meet(s)
specified standards.

R: A prefix designation, always followed by

a number, (e.g. R-24) designating a
standard oval or hexagonal Ring
Gasket. A term used to refer to any ring
groove that will accept an R ring gasket.

Raised Face: That portion of the face of a flange near

the I.D. raised above the face of the
flange providing a sealing surface for a
flat gasket or containing a ring groove to
affect a seal with a Ring Gasket. API
Spec. 6A flanges do not utilize flat
gaskets. Only 6BX Open Face Flanges
must have a raised face, 1/8" minimum
height, API Spec. 6A permits the
omission of raised faces on all other
 flange connectors.

RB: See HRB

RC: See HRC

Reduction of Area: The amount that a Material Specimen

necks down (or becomes smaller in
section) as it experiences stretching
under a load sufficient to cause fracture
(separation). Usually expressed in
percentage of the original cross
sectional area.

Ring Gasket: A metal gasket shaped like a ring, with a

number designation, designed to fit into
grooves machined into the face of
flanges and/or other connectors and
provide a seal after Make-Up.

Ring Groove: A closely dimensioned groove machined

into the face of a Connector, designed to
accept a Ring Gasket and achieve a
seal when Made-up.

Riser: A unit of pressure control equipment

used to space apart or raise other
equipment to a useful height or position.
See Spacer Spool.

Rockwell B A designation of hardness of metallic

Hardness: materials measured by pressing a small
rounded indenter against a clean
prepared surface with a specific force.
The machine making the indention also
measures the depth of the indention and
provides a numerical value for that
depth. The Rockwell B scale expresses
more accuracy in the hardness
measurement of metallic materials softer
than HRC 20. To convert hardness
numbers between measuring methods
and scales, see Hardness Number
Conversion Chart.

Rockwell C A designation of hardness, usually of

Hardness: steel or Corrosion Resistant Alloys,
measured by pressing a specially
shaped indenter against a clean
prepared surface with a specific force.
The machine making the indention also
measures the depth of the indention and
provides a numerical value for that
depth. This numerical value relates to
steel Tensile Strength and NACE
Standard MR0175 references hardness
in determining steel’s suitability for use
in H2S Service. To convert hardness
numbers between measuring methods
and scales, see Hardness Number
Conversion Chart.

RTJ: An abbreviation for Ring Type Joint. See

RTJ Flanges.

Run: That passage through a Body, between

End Connections, that will pass fluid and
working tools.

Rust: The Metal Loss Corrosion product, iron

oxide. The most common form of metal
loss corrosion associated with steel.
RX: A prefix designation, always followed by
a number, for API Spec. 6A self
energizing seal rings. RX ring gaskets
will fit all R ring grooves in 6B flanges
and only RX ring gaskets fit SR ring
grooves in API Spec. 16A hubs.

SBX: A Ring Gasket based on BX gasket

design but drilled with a special vent
hole for underwater (subsea) Make-up.

Schedule: A term used to indicate the wall

thickness of standard pipe sizes (e.g. 4
inch Schedule 80 Pipe has a 4.500
inches outside diameter with a .337 inch
wall). See Carbon Steel Pipe
Dimensions and Weights.

Seal Contact Area: Those areas that gaskets seal against in

joined connections.

Segmented Sometimes called "5 Bolt" or "Dual"

Flanges: flanges. These flanges connect valves
and tubing head adapters on Christmas
Trees where 2 producing tubing strings
hang inside a single cased well bore.
They have a special "one sided"
configuration that allows the producing
tubing to have a small center to center
distance.

Series A now obsolete term adopted originally

by API to distinguish API well head
flanges that matched dimensions with
ASA flanges. The ASA identified flanges
with a number followed by the term "Lb"
and API designated flanges of the same
dimensions by the term "Series".
"Series" flanges having a higher
standard working pressure and made of
higher strength steel than the standard
ASA (now ANSI) flanges.

For information comparing "ANSI" and

"API" Flanges, see A Brief History of
Well Head Flanges.

Service: A term used to denote the suitability of

equipment for use in a particular
environment e.g. H2S service, High
Temperature, Low Temperature, etc.

75K: An API Spec 6A abbreviation for 75,000

psi, minimum yield strength for Material.

Single Studded A flange with a through bore and a ring

Adapter: groove on each side, with a drilled
through bolt circle the same as an Open
Face Flange on it's larger side and a
drilled and tapped bolt circle on it's
Q&A smaller side, with Tap End Studs
installed.
6 B: A term applied to API Spec 6A flanges
which have ring grooves dimensioned to
accept R or RX ring gaskets. API
originally specified these flanges in API
STD. 6 B. R or RX appears in the prefix
of the numbered ring gaskets which fit 6
B flanges.

6 BX : A term applied to API Spec 6A flanges

(or BX) which have ring grooves dimensioned to
accept BX ring gaskets. API originally
specified these flanges in API STD. 6
BX. BX appears in the prefix of the
numbered ring gaskets which fit 6 BX
flanges.

60K: An API Spec 6A abbreviation for 60,000

psi, minimum yield strength for Material,
or an abbreviation adopted on this Web
Site for 60,000 psi, minimum yield
strength in relation to Line Pipe.

Snubbing: A term used to describe the process of

removing or installing pipe into a
pressurized well bore, using specialized
equipment including Blowout Preventers
in a special arrangement.

Sour: Crude oil or natural gas contaminated

with sulfur or sulfur compounds,
especially hydrogen sulfide. At high
concentrations, sulfur is odorless and
deadly.

Spacer Spool: A unit of pressure control equipment

usually having only end connections and
an extended body, most commonly used
to raise or space apart Blowout
Preventers or to connect a Choke
Manifold to the well control system.

Specimen : A sample, usually of Material, shaped

and processed according to a detailed
specification, tested and used as a
representation of the properties of the lot
of Material from which it came.

SR : A term designating special ring grooves

specified in API Spec 16A that allow
face-to-face make-up of the hub
connections which utilize RX ring
gaskets. Take special care not to
confuse connections with SR ring
grooves with those connections that
have Deep Ring Grooves previously
used in now obsolete or withdrawn
flanges or hubs.

SRX: A Ring Gasket based on RX gasket

design but drilled with a special vent
hole for underwater (subsea) Make-up.

SS Flanges: API Spec 17D specifies these 2-1/16"

through 11" flanges in 5,000 psi working
pressure with BX ring grooves,
manufactured from, or inlaid with
Corrosion Resistant Material. For more
information, see About API Spec 17D
SS and SV Flanges.

Stainless Steel: An iron based metal alloy with a high

chromium content sufficient to reduce or
prevent Metal Loss Corrosion.
Standard: A designation of pipe wall thickness
(STD) intended for ordinary use with water, air,
steam and gas as well as plumbing and
heating applications. See Carbon Steel
Pipe Dimensions and Weights for
commonly available pipe sizes.

Standards: An alternate term used to describe

specifications published by an industry
organization, a certifying authority, or a
government agency.

Stand-off: The distance between Made-up

connection faces utilizing R or RX ring
gaskets, measured near the ring groove.

STD: See Standard.

Steel: An iron based metal, combined with

carbon, manganese, and other
constituents as required, to obtain
response to heat treat and/or to secure
desired mechanical properties.

Stress Relief: A heat treating process usually used

after welding. It involves heating the
weld deposit and base metal affected to
a suitable temperature and holding this
temperature long enough to reduce
residual stress. This process, when
performed in accordance with a
Qualified Welding Procedure, then
termed Post Weld Heat Treatment, may
also serve to satisfy NACE MR0175
requirements for equipment used in H2S
Service.

String: A term used to refer to a vertical

arrangement of pipe suspended in a well
bore as Casing, Tubing or drill pipe.

Stud Bolts: Stud bolts for Open Face Flanges that

have threads over their full length or
may have an unthreaded portion on the
central area of the body diameter. (See
PDF file AWHEM document TR9601 for
bolt dimension information).

Substructure: That base of fabricated steel beams or

columns that supports the working floor
and mast of a land based Drilling Rig.

SV Flanges: API Spec 17D refers to Swivel Flanges

(flanges that swivel around a hub) as
"SV Flanges". API specifies these
flanges in a limited range of sizes in
5,000 psi and 10,000 psi working
pressures. For more information, see
About API Spec 17D SS and SV
Flanges.

Sweet: Crude oil or natural gas without

appreciable amounts of sulfur or sulfur
compounds.

Tap End Studs: Stud bolts threaded on each end with an

unthreaded portion on the body
diameter. The thread length dimension
on one end controls the depth of
engagement of that end into a tapped
hole, and also controls the extension
length of the stud beyond a Studded
Flange Face (See PDF file AWHEM
 document TR9601 for tap end stud
Q&A
dimension information).

Tee: Any Fitting with three connections in the

same plane with two of these
connections forming an in-line Run. A
Tee may have a fourth outlet not in the
same plane as the run.

10 M: An abbreviation for 10,000 pounds per

square inch (psi) Maximum Service
Pressure.

Tensile Strength: Also, Ultimate Strength; The breaking

strength of a Material Specimen when
subjected to a stretching force sufficient
to pull it apart, usually expressed in ksi.

Tensile Test: A test performed on a Material

Specimen by pulling it to failure
(separation) and measuring the results
in terms of Ultimate Strength, Yield
Strength, Elongation, and Reduction of
Area.

Tension: For bolts, the amount of stretching force

placed into a bolt by the tightening of the
nut(s), usually measured in pounds or
kilograms.

Thermal History: A record of the cycles of heating and

cooling performed on metal Material for
the purpose of producing specified
conditions and properties in the material.

Test Pressure: See Pressure, Test

30 M: An abbreviation for 30,000 pounds per

square inch (psi) Maximum Service
Pressure.

3 M: An abbreviation for 3,000 pounds per

square inch (psi) Maximum Service
Pressure.

35K: An abbreviation adopted on this Web

Site for 35,000 psi, minimum Yield
Strength in relation to Line Pipe.

36K: An API Spec 6A abbreviation for 36,000

psi, minimum Yield Strength for Material.

Top Connector: The Top Connector of a Christmas Tree

that allows access to the full bore of the
valves. Usually a flange bottom and
union top configuration with a cap and
Gage tap. Operators may also identify
this unit of equipment as a Bottom Hole
Test Adapter, a Tree Cap or a Tree Top.

Torque: See Bolt Torque.

Torque Wrench: A wrench for tightening nuts that

incorporates a measuring means,
usually expressed in Foot Pounds. See
Bolt Torque.

Transition Piece: In the past, API Spec 6A specified weld

end reducers that adapted the weld
necks of 6BX flanges to standard pipe
sizes and schedules. API no longer
specifies transition pieces in API Spec
6A.
Tree Cap: See Top Connector

Tree Top: See Top Connector

Trim: A general term used to describe the

metallurgy and other material
considerations used when specifying
pressure control equipment for use in
particular corrosive environments. e.g.
"H2S Trim."

Triple Extra Strong: Also, Triple Extra Heavy; An uncommon

(XXXS) designation of pipe with a wall thickness
(XXXH) three times that of extra heavy pipe.
This pipe does not appear on standard
pipe dimension charts. See Carbon
Steel Pipe Dimensions and Weights for
commonly available sizes.

Tubing: Pipe suspended in a well bore, inside

the casing, used to produce fluid or gas
from the well.

Tubing Head: A single unit of equipment attached

above the Casing Head and the smallest
Casing String, used to suspend and seal
the production Tubing string.

Tubing Head A single unit of equipment attached

Adapter: above the Tubing Head, used to join the
tubing head to the Christmas Tree.

20 M: An abbreviation for 20,000 pounds per

square inch (psi) Maximum Service
Pressure.

Ultimate Strength: See Tensile Strength.

Ultrasonic Testing: A method of non-destructive

examination of solid metal bodies
utilizing high-frequency sound waves
that allows the discovery and
identification of internal anomalies by
measurement of the reflection of the
sound waves. (Anomalies, in this case,
defined as any interruption of regularity.)
This method of inspection requires
special calibration samples for the type
of material and shape examined.
Standards define anomalies discovered
by this method as acceptable or
unacceptable based on size and
location.

Valve: A unit of pressure controlling equipment

with a bore ( Run ) between End
Connections containing a closing
mechanism to stop and seal any flow
through the bore.

Velocity, Fluid: The speed, usually measured in feet per

second, that fluid passes through the
inside of a pipe or tube.

Volumetric A nondestructive means of examining

Examination: Material throughout its volume (or
section) for the purpose of detecting any
internal Discontinuities that may require
evaluation by references to Acceptance
Criteria.

Wear Bushing: A removable insert used inside a Casing

Head or Casing Spool during drilling
 operations to prevent damage to casing
suspension and sealing surfaces.

Weld Inlay: See Inlay.

Weld Neck: An extended prolongation on a flange or

other fitting with a bevel prepared for
butt weld connection to pipe or another
fitting with a similar beveled
prolongation.

Weld Overlay: See Overlay.

Welding Procedure A written document giving all necessary

Specification: parameters and directions to make
(WPS) production or field welds meeting
specified requirements. The WPS
includes a reference to the Procedure
Qualification Record (PQR). Welding
procedure performance assumes
welding by a Qualified Welder.
Reference ASME SEC. IX ART. II

Wellhead: All of the equipment attached above the

Casing used to control a well. That
portion of the completed well at, and
above, the ground surface or sea floor.

Well Wetted: Any part of pressure control or pressure

containing equipment that has contact
with pressurized well fluid.

Withdrawn: Industry standardized products or

equipment documented in once
published specifications that the issuing
Standards organization has declined to
reaffirm.

Working Pressure: See Maximum Service Pressure.

Workover: The process of re-entering an existing

well to perform a remedial action that
will restore or improve the commercial
production of oil and/or gas.

Workover Rig: A specialized assembly of machinery,

usually as a self propelled unit, that can
perform re-entry of existing oil and/or
gas wells. The unit has hoisting
capability and can remove and reinstall
the well production tubing and perform
other services.

XH: See Extra Strong.

XXH: See Double Extra Strong.

XXXH: See Triple Extra Strong.

XS: See Extra Strong.

XXS: See Double Extra Strong.

XXXS: See Triple Extra Strong.

Yield Strength: The stress (load) at which a Material

elongates or stretches enough that after
removal or release of this stress the
material will not return to its original
length or size, usually expressed in ksi.

0: See Zero.
Zero: Also, 0; Indicates the absence of any
amount in measurement. Designates
the freezing temperature of water on the
centigrade scale.

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