vaeren's definitions

offshore christmas

n. A Christmas Eve or Christmas Day spent offshore on a rig or platform in Norway. Usually celebrated with a large, elaborate meal and boxes of chocolates.

My crew and I were running an RST job, so we had an offshore christmas.

by vaeren December 18, 2006

lost time

n. An oilfield term describing time not spent doing the task at hand (drilling, producing, or servicing wells). Lost time typically results in telephone calls, e-mail and paperwork from the FSM.

We had four hours of lost time on the last shift.

by vaeren January 13, 2007

Schlumberjargon

A collective term for technical (and often confusing) oilfield shop talk.

Oilfield Engineer A: "Hey, we need to do an RST and a PLT in this well. Somebody call Schlumberger."

Oilfield Engineer B: "Shouldn't we run an SCMT and a CHFR in addition to the RST?"

Oilfield Engineer A: "Nah, on second thought, we'll just P&A."

Normal Person: "Hey guys, shut up with all the Schlumberjargon and let's just do the job!"

by vaeren August 27, 2008

playbackable

An oilfield term used to describe a condition that does not need to be corrected right away. For instance, a minor mistake which can be corrected later is deemed "playbackable."

The word originated when oilfield data was kept on computer tapes, and in order to re-access the data, the tape had to be played back.

Example:

Terry: "I can't believe I just spent my last $20 at the craps table. Too bad my bet isn't playbackable."

Example 2:

Jim: "I just computed some data with the wrong model."
Tom: "Don't worry, it's playbackable."

by vaeren March 18, 2009

puttin' foot to ass

Getting it done, making it happen. You aren't 'motivating' or 'empowering' or anything remotely similar - you're puttin' foot to ass!

Sally: "Wow, look at Tom telling those committee members what's what."

Rick: "Yeah, he's really puttin' foot to ass in there."

by vaeren October 16, 2009

North Sea Facial

An exfoliating treatment provided by small hailstones driven by 60+ mph winds. Typically experienced on oil rigs and platforms in the North Sea, between Norway and the United Kingdom

The wind was blowing 75 knots today, and it was hailing, so I got a North Sea Facial on the way to the drill floor.

by vaeren January 26, 2008

oilfield

n. The place where hydrocarbons (oil and/or natural gas) are produced. "The oilfield" is also a term used by oil & gas industry professionals to describe their industry and the work associated with it.

I worked in the oilfield for 10 years before becoming a desk jockey.

by vaeren January 13, 2007