A tong suspended in the derrick, normally on the driller’s right, used to hold box end of the joint (lower half) while the pin end (upper […]

A cylindrical steel bar (similar in form to the handle or bail of a bucket, but much larger) that supports the swivel and connects it to […]

A long, cylindrical container fitted with a valve at its lower end, used to remove water, sand, mud, drilling cuttings, or oil from a well in […]

The cable attached to a bailer, passed over a sheave at the top of the derrick, and spooled on a reel.

Ballooning is flowback when pumps are off; caused by seepage losses when drilling or circulating.

Any one of many types of flat-decked, shallow draft vessels, usually towed by a boat. A complete drilling rig may be assembled on a drilling barge, […]

Barium sulfate, BaSO4; a mineral frequently used to increase the weight or density of drilling mud. Its relative density is 4.2 (i.e., it is 4.2 times […]

A chemical compound of barium, sulfur, and oxygen (BaSO4), which may form a tenacious scale that is very difficult to remove. Also called barite.

1) A measure of volume for petroleum products in the United States. One barrel is the equivalent of 42 U.S. gallons or 0.15899 cubic m (9702 […]

A barrier is defined as “a component or practice that contributes to the total system reliability by preventing formation fluid or gas flow” (API RP 96) […]