Basemat

A drilling method that creates vertical or inclined shafts by reaming upward from a pilot hole. Subcontractors use it for ventilation shafts, ore passes, and utility corridors. It requires specialised rigs and certified crews, affecting your equipment and labour bids.

The offshore zone where Norway regulates oil and gas operations in the North Sea, Norwegian Sea, and Barents Sea. Subcontractors working here must meet strict Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSAN) standards and Norwegian labour regulations. Contracts often require Equinor or operator pre-qualification before mobilisation.

Two parallel horizontal wells — one injector, one producer — used together in SAGD (Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage) operations. Subcontractors are typically mobilised to service both wells as a single scope. Expect coordinated drilling, completions, and maintenance schedules across both wellbores.

A regulated initiative requiring operators to decommission and remediate inactive wells, pipelines, or facilities. For subcontractors, it generates scopes in casing removal, site reclamation, and environmental cleanup. Work is often provincially mandated, creating steady contract opportunities outside normal production cycles.

An electronic device that controls motor speed by adjusting electrical frequency, commonly found on pumps, compressors, and fans at oil and gas facilities. Subcontractors working near VFDs must follow strict electrical isolation and lockout/tagout procedures. Technicians servicing VFDs typically require specialised training and may need additional site certifications.

Temperature-controlled storage units used on job sites to preserve perishables, vaccines, or heat-sensitive materials. Subcontractors may need to supply or rent these units for remote or long-duration projects. Costs are typically itemised as a reimbursable expense in the contract.

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.