Artificial Lift

The seasonal period when melting snow and frost causes ground conditions to soften, restricting heavy equipment access to remote sites. Municipalities impose road bans limiting load weights, delaying material hauls and crew mobilisation. Subcontractors should plan for project slowdowns and reduced billable hours during this window.

A single end-to-end processing unit that cools natural gas into liquid form for storage and export. Large LNG facilities run multiple trains, each requiring dedicated construction, maintenance, and shutdown crews. Subcontractors are typically mobilised per train, making scope and schedule highly compartmentalised.

A major capital project with a development timeline spanning several years, such as an LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) facility or oilsands expansion. For subcontractors, these projects can offer extended contract opportunities but require careful cash-flow planning. Mobilisation costs and payment schedules must be negotiated carefully, as revenue is spread over a long horizon.

A non-destructive digging method that uses high-pressure water or air to loosen soil, then suctions it into a debris tank. Subcontractors use it for safe excavation near buried utilities, pipelines, and cables. It is commonly required on oil and gas sites where mechanical digging poses strike risks.

An unmanned, tethered underwater robot used to inspect, survey, or perform work on subsea pipelines, wellheads, and structures — subcontractors providing ROV services typically require specialised operators and vessels, and should account for mobilisation costs and standby rates when bidding these scopes.

A non-binding agreement outlining the intent to work together before a formal contract is signed. Subcontractors use MOUs to secure preferred vendor status or reserve capacity for upcoming projects. They carry no payment guarantee, so avoid mobilising resources based solely on an MOU.

How Operator Mergers and Acquisitions Affect Your Subcontract Agreements

When operators merge, get acquired, or sell assets, subcontractor agreements are caught in the middle. Learn how M&A activity affects your MSA, payment terms, vendor status, and what to do before, during, and after a deal closes.

How Rig Count Trends Affect Subcontractor Demand and What to Do About It

Rig counts are the earliest signal of where field service work is heading. Learn how to read drilling activity trends, anticipate demand shifts, and position your crew before the phone stops ringing.

What Is an AFE in Oil and Gas and How Does It Affect Subcontractor Payments?

An AFE (Authorization for Expenditure) controls every dollar spent on an oilfield project. Learn how it affects your billing, change orders, and cash flow as a subcontractor.