subˈsea, a. and adv. Chiefly Oil Industry.
Also ˈsubsea.
[sub- 1 e.]
A. adj. Situated or occurring beneath the surface of the sea.
| 1909 [see air-borne a.]. 1962 Offshore July 19 Equipment manufacturers have accelerated their research and development of sub-sea wellheads and auxiliary equipment. 1977 Financial Times 1 Apr. 11/1 Figures..suggest that over the life of North Sea oil development at least $20bn (at current prices) will be spent to make sure that platforms, pipelines, and sub-sea well systems are safe and in good working order. 1980 F. C. F. Earney Petroleum & Hard Minerals from Sea iv. 129 The oil companies' interest in subsea completion systems. |
B. adv. Below the surface of the sea.
| 1971 Bull. Amer. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists LV. 1694/2 The gas-oil contact is at 6,636 ft subsea. 1977 Offshore Engineer May 49/1 The top of the reservoir formation is 1,800m subsea. |