Glossary

Blowout Preventer

bloh-out pri-ven-ter

noun

Definition

Blowout Preventers are used in some Oil & Gas operations. These safety mechanisms are used to seal and control Oil & Gas wells. Extreme pressures from compressed solids and gases during drilling can lead to “kicks”, which are like dangerous hiccups from the well. Well kicks commonly lead to Blowouts, which are incidents of uncontrolled release of crude gas from a gas well. Blowout Preventers can vary in shape and size and are usually stacked on top of each other as an added security measure. Since Well Kicks and Blowouts can threaten the safety of Oil & Gas crews, Blowout Preventers have become commonplace in oil drilling operations around the world.

Related terms: predictive maintenance