Oil and Gas: Terms & Glossary (9)

Tank	Storage vessel used for the collection of process materials.
Tank farm	Area within a process facility where several storage tanks reside.
Tee	Three-way fitting used to make branch connections on a run of pipe.
Temperature alarm	Instrument designed to signal dramatic changes in internal temperature.
Temperature controller	A control valve that regulates internal temperature of a pipe or vessel after receiving internal temperature of a pipe or vessel after receiving
Temperature control valve	Valve using fluctuations in temperature to make adjustments in commodity flow.
Temperature element	Thermocouple that allows portable test equipment to be inserted to measure the temperature of the commodity within a pipe or vessel.
Temperature indicator	Instrument that indicates temperature of the commodity in a pipe or vessel (thermometer).
Temperature recorder	A recording instrument that makes a permanent record of temperature within a pipe or vessel.
Temperature recording controller	Instrument that provides simultaneous recording and regulation of the temperature within a pipe or vessel by sending a signal to a control valve and recorder.
Temperature well (Thermo well)	Inserted into a coupling to protect the temperature instrument bulb.
Thermal expansion	Growth of pipe due to the application of heat.
Threaded end	Any piping component having internal or external threads.
Threads, external	Pipe component having screw threads cut into the exterior surface (male threads).
Threads, internal	Pipe component having screw threads cut into the interior surface (female threads).
Tower	Vertical vessel or column.
Tower, cooling	Equipment that dissipates heat gain in cooling water by evaporating specific amounts of water that has been aerated.
Transmitter	Instrument that sends signals to indicating, controlling, or recording devices.
Trapeze	Pipe hanger consisting of two vertical rods connected with a horizontal support member.
Tray	Flat metal plates spaced approximately 30" apart inside a vertical vessel that aid in the fractionation of crude petroleum into by products.
Tube bundle	Removable section of an exchanger containing internal tubes.
Tube sheet	Vertical plate separating the shell side from the channel end of an exchanger.
Turbulence	Uneven flow produced by directional changes or obstructions within the pipe.
Union	A three-piece fitting placed within a screwed or socket-weld configuration that permits quick disassembly of the configuration.
Utility	One of many plant services required for the efficient operation of the facility, for example, air, water, steam, sewer, and flares.
Utility air	Compressed air used to drive pneumatic tools, clean equipment, and perform other maintenance services.
Valve	Device used to control the flow of a commodity through a pipe.
Vapor	The gaseous state of any substance that is liquid or solid under ordinary circumstances.
Vapor lock	Trapped air or vapor in a pipe that prevents the flow of a commodity through the pipe.
Vendor	A third-party supplier of parts, equipment, or other components of the piping facility.
Vendor drawing	A drawing or rendering that depicts descriptive information pertaining to the equipment or piping component that a supplier or manufacturer delivers to the piping facility.
Vertical heater	Device used to raise the temperature of a commodity to the point at which it can be used in a process system.
Vessel	Generic term used to describe any closed container housing liquid, vapor, or gaseous commodity.
Wedge	Sealing component of a gate valve.
Weir	Dam-like plate welded on a tray that allows a fractionated by-product to collect and be extracted by a nozzle.
Welding ring	See back-up ring.
Weld neck flange	Flange with a tapered neck for butt descriptive welding to other bevel-end piping components.

Oil & Gas Production in Nontechnical Language

Oil and Gas: Terms & Glossary (8)

Raised face	Type of flange facing used with flat ring gaskets. 150# and 300# raised face flanges have a 1/16" raised face, and 400# and above flanges have a ¼” raised face.
Rebar	Short form of reinforcing bar. A metal rod used in the reinforcement of concrete.
Reciprocating pump	Piping equipment with parts similar to a piston or plunger that moves back and forth to create pressure.
Recorder	A device used to record the liquid level, temperature, pressure or flow rate inside a vessel or piping system throughout a specified period of time.
Reducer	A pipe fitting with one end larger than the other that allows reductions in the diameter of a run of pipe.
Refinery	Process facility that breaks crude petroleum down into usable byproducts such as butane, propane, fuel oil, and lubricants.
Reflux	A liquid product returned to a fractionation column that aids in the fractionation process.
Reinforcing pad	A plate contoured to the shape of a vessel shell. It is positioned around nozzles to provide additional strength in the areas where metal was removed from the shell.
Restriction orifice	Standard orifice union assembly including spectacle blind used to create smooth flow.
Ring-type joint	Flange face that uses a steel ring rather than flat or full ring gasket.
Root gap	The 1/16" space between two butt-weld fittings prior to welding.
Rotary pump	Displacement-type pumps using pistons, gears, or screws to discharge a commodity.
Run	Generic name for any length of pipe.
Rung	Horizontal member of a ladder.
Saddle	U-shaped structural support welded to horizontal Vessels and exchangers. Saddles are bolted to concrete foundations and create a cradle-like support in which the vessel can rest.
Schedule	Wall thickness of pipe.
Seal pan	Installed below the bottom tray in a vessel to prevent liquids from bypassing the trays.
Seamless	Pipe manufactured without any resulting welded connection,
Shape roller	Mechanical apparatus that sizes and shapes rolled plate to form pipe.
Shell	The cylindrical walls of a vessel.
Shell and tube	Type of heat exchanger having tube bundles contained within an outer vessel shell.
Shoe	Structural member welded to the bottom side of a pipe having insulation. Designed to prevent the insulation from being crushed when the pipe rests on a steel support.
Skelp	Plate that has been rolled and shaped into the form of a pipe.
Skirt	A cylinder-shaped support for a vertical vessel. One end is welded to the base plate allowing it to rest on the foundation, and the other end is welded to the bottom head of a vertical vessel.
Skirt access opening	An 18" ID hole 2'-16" above the foundation that allows workers entrance for inspection and maintenance.
Skirt fireproofing	Brick or granite material applied to the interior and occasionally exterior surfaces of a vessel skirt to prevent damage in the event of a fire.
Skirt vents	Equally spaced holes approximately 3" to 4" in diameter bored near the top of the vessel skirt that allows toxic and explosive gases to escape.
Sleeper	Near grade-level structural support used to support horizontal piping runs.
Slip-on flange	Flange with a low hub that allows pipe to be inserted prior to welding.
Slotted anchor	Saddle or other support having elongated bolt holes that allows for movement due to heat expansion.
Specifications	Guidelines established by governmental agencies, standards associations, and vendors, for plant design and construction.
Spectacle blind	A figure 8-shaped plate placed within an orifice flange assembly. One end has a hole through which flow can pass to create smooth flow for accurate instrument readings.
Spiral weld	Type of pipe formed by twisting metal plate in spiral shapes then welding.
Spool	Type of isometric or orthographic drawing containing dimensions and callouts for fabrication.
Spring hanger	Pipe hanger using a coil spring to absorb movement within a pipe.
Steam	The vapor phase of water.
Steam, dry	Steam that is devoid of suspended water Particles.
Steam, saturated	Steam that exceeds boiling point temperature for an equivalent pressure.
Steam traced	Tubing coiled around a pipe containing steam to help maintain a desired temperature.
Steam turbine	Pump or generator driver using high pressure steam to power the turbine's impeller.
Stem	Threaded shaft within a valve that raises and lowers the valve wedge or disc by rotating the hand wheel.
Stub-in	Branch connection made on a run of pipe without the use of a fitting.
Suction	The inlet or incoming side of a pump or Compressor.
Swage	Typically a screwed or socket-weld type of fitting used to make a reduction in the diameter of the size of pipe.

Oil and Gas Law in a Nutshell, 5th Edition (Nutshell Series)

Oil and Gas: Terms & Glossary (7)

P&ID	Piping and instrumentation diagram.
Pedestal	See foundation.
Pipe guide	See guide.
Pipe hanger	See hanger.
Pipe rack	Structural framework consisting of a series of vertical columns connected with horizontal members, Major thoroughfare for pipes traveling in a process facility.
Pipe support	Structural member that carries the weight of a piping configuration.
Piping	Generic term used to describe pipes, fittings, flanges, and valves in a facility.
Piping Drawing Index	Created from the plot plan, the index uses match lines to divide the piping facility into small drawing areas. These areas are assigned drawing numbers and distributed to drafters/designers for creation.
Plan End	Any piping component having square ends used for socket-weld connections.
Platform	An elevated walkway around a vessel or other piping equipment.
Plot Plan	A master drawing showing the locations of all buildings, structures, and equipment in a piping facility.
Plug	Screwed fitting having external threads that terminates a piping configuration.
Plug valve	A particular valve having a rectangular shaped hole through a tapered plug. Uses one-quarter turn of a handle to align the hole with the valve port.
Pressure alarm	Instrument designed to signal dramatic changes in internal pressure.
Pressure controller	A control valve that regulates internal pressure of a pipe or vessel after receiving a signal from a transmitter.
Pressure differential recording controller	Controls the pressure differential between two pipes or vessels by means of a control valve.
Pressure indicator	Dial instrument that indicates internal pressure of a pipe or vessel.
Pressure indicating controller	Control valve with an indicating transmitter that controls internal pressure on a pipe or vessel.
Pressure recorder	A recording instrument that makes a permanent record of internal pressures within a pipe or vessel.
Pressure recording controller	Instrument similar to a pressure recorder and having the capability to transmit a signal to a control valve.
Pressure safety valve	An automatic pressure-relieving device actuated by excessive internal pressure of a pipe or vessel.
Process equipment	Piping equipment having the capability to alter the chemical makeup of the commodity it contains.
Pump	Mechanical device used to move fluids under pressure from one location to another.
Purge	The act of removing foreign matter from the internal surfaces of a pipe or vessel.

Introduction to the Global Oil & Gas Business