Battery Storage

A power system pairing solar panels with on-site batteries to supply electricity at remote job sites. Subcontractors may install, maintain, or work alongside these systems instead of diesel generators. Familiarity with this equipment is increasingly expected on off-grid oil and gas and construction sites.

A machining process that removes material from a flat surface to restore or achieve precise tolerances on equipment components. Subcontractors are often mobilised to perform surface milling on wellheads, flanges, or structural steel on-site. Proper equipment certifications and dimensional records are typically required for handover documentation.

A method of extracting heavy oil or bitumen by injecting steam underground to heat and mobilise the resource. Common techniques include SAGD (Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage) and CSS (Cyclic Steam Stimulation). Subcontractors support these operations through facility construction, pipefitting, instrumentation, and ongoing maintenance work.

A road interchange design where traffic briefly crosses to the opposite side of the road between two intersections. Subcontractors hauling heavy equipment or oversized loads must account for altered lane patterns and potential permit route restrictions. Plan site access carefully, as DDI layouts can complicate convoy movements and GPS routing.

A well that has been drilled but is awaiting completion work such as fracturing, perforating, or production tie-in. Operators stockpile DUCs when commodity prices are low, then activate them when prices recover. For subcontractors, a large DUC inventory signals upcoming bursts of completion and surface work.

A pipeline or conduit installation technique that avoids open excavation, using methods like HDD (Horizontal Directional Drilling) or pipe bursting. Subcontractors use it to cross roads, waterways, or environmentally sensitive areas with minimal surface disruption. Specialised equipment and certifications are typically required, affecting crew composition and bid pricing.

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.