Glossaire :Bacterium [...] Buy-back

Bacterium (see the French definition ): Bacteria are tiny living organisms that are made up of one single cell that does not have a differentiated nucleus (i.e. a prokaryotic cell). Bacteria are all around us. Some bacteria (microbes) are harmful to human beings and can trigger disease but other bacteria are very useful for human beings (e.g. the bacteria found in the intestine which aid digestion).
Barrel (see the French definition ): Unit of volume for crude oil which is equivalent to approx. 159 liters. The barrel is widely used in the oil industry, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom. Its origin stems from the barrels used to transport liquids during the age of sailing ships. 1bbl = 159 liters = 0.159m3
Benzene (see the French definition ): The most well-known of all aromatic hydrocarbons, molecular formula C6H6.
Bioclimatic architecture (see the French definition ): Bioclimatic architecture seeks to optimize the comfort of people living or working in a building, while reducing its environmental impact. Bioclimatic architecture design focuses on internal temperature control, internal air quality and natural lighting in rooms. This type of architecture has similar principles to those of sustainable development.
Biodegradable (see the French definition ): A biodegradable product is one which, in certain conditions, can be decomposed by naturally-occurring fungi and microorganisms.
Biodegradable (see the French definition ): A biodegradable product is one which, in certain conditions, can be decomposed by naturally-occurring fungi and microorganisms.
Biodiesel (see the French definition ): Biodiesel is a biofuel obtained by converting plant or animal oils (e.g. rapeseed, sunflower and cooking oils). It can be used in traditional diesel engines, at a ratio of between 7 and 30%, depending on its use. In Europe and North America, it is usually called Diester but in France “Diester” is used more specifically for vegetable oil methyl esters (VOME), which are biofuels produced from the reaction of vegetable oil with ethanol.
Biodiversity (see the French definition ): This is the term used to describe the diversity of plant and animal species, i.e. the biological richness that is found on Planet Earth.
Biofuel (see the French definition ): A biofuel is a fuel produced from organic plant or animal matter (e.g. rapeseed, cellulose, micro-organisms, etc.). A distinction is made between first generation biofuels (produced from food crops) and second generation biofuels (derived from inedible plants such as wood, straw, etc.). The most common biofuels are bioethanol and biodiesel.
Biogas (see the French definition ): Biogas is the product of anaerobic (or oxygen free) fermentation of organic waste. One of the products into which this waste is transformed is methane (CH4) which is the major component of natural gas.
Biomass (see the French definition ): The earth’s biomass is the total mass of plant and animal organic matter. It is a renewable source of energy because plants that can be incinerated or used as fuel will regenerate.
Bitumen (see the French definition ): Solid and viscous hydrocarbons that are black-brown in color. They are used in the construction and public works sectors.
Bundle (see the French definition ): Bundles are groups of nuclear fuel rods (uranium-235). The bundles are found in the tank of a nuclear reactor.
Buy-back (see the French definition ): Type of fixed-term oil contract where a foreign company undertakes to fund and complete oilfield development works in return for repayment of the advanced expenditure and interest over a 7-year period. The company also receives payment when the oilfield starts production, the amount of which is taken from the profit that the oilfield makes from selling the hydrocarbons.