Fail safe

Equipment or a system so constructed that, in the event of failure or malfunction of any part of the system, devices are automatically activated to stabilise or secure the safety of the operation.

Fairlead

A guide for ropes or lines on a ship to prevent chaffing; a sheave supported by a bracket protruding from the cellar deck of a semi-submersible drilling platform over which an anchor cable runs. Some large floating platforms have anchor lines made up of lengths of chain and cable.

Fairway

A shipping lane in offshore waters. Permanent structures such as drilling and production platforms are prohibited in a fairway which significantly curtails oil activity in some offshore areas.

Farm in

Where one company acquires an interest in an exploration or production licence by paying some of the past or future costs of another company which is relinquishing part of its interest.

Farm out

Where a company relinquishes part of its interest in an exploration or production licence to another company in return for part payment.

Fast line

The end of the drilling line which is fixed to the reel on the drawworks (so called because it travels with a greater velocity than any other part of the drilling line).

Fault

A fracture in the Earth's crust along which the rocks on one side are displaced relative to those on the other.

Fault trap

A trap where a reservoir layer is faulted and brought against an impervious formation.

Feedstock

The supply of crude oil, natural gas liquids or natural gas to a refinery or petrochemical plant or the supply of some refined fraction of intermediate petrochemical to some other process.

Female connection

A pipe or coupling with the threads cut on the inside.

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