Behind-The-Meter

A subcontractor specialising in underground utility or pipeline installation without open excavation. Methods include HDD (Horizontal Directional Drilling) and pipe bursting. These firms are commonly hired on oil and gas, municipal, and construction projects where surface disruption must be minimised.

The large-scale upgrading of electrical infrastructure to support smart technologies, renewable integration, and improved reliability. For subcontractors, it drives demand for specialised installation, maintenance, and inspection work. Crews may be deployed on projects ranging from substation upgrades to smart metre rollouts.

A PMC is the company hired by an owner to oversee and manage an entire project on their behalf. As a subcontractor, the PMC is typically your primary point of contact for approvals, invoicing, and scope direction. They control schedule and budget, so understanding their reporting requirements is essential for getting paid on time.

Systems that capture and hold power (batteries, flywheels, capacitors) for later use on remote or off-grid job sites. Subcontractors use them to reduce generator runtime and fuel costs. They are increasingly specified by clients in ESG-driven scopes.

A structured engineering assessment that determines whether ageing or damaged equipment is safe to keep operating. Subcontractors are often hired to collect inspection data, run integrity tests, or execute repairs recommended by FFS evaluations. Understanding FFS scope helps field crews prioritise work orders and meet client fitness thresholds before returning assets to service.

A project delivery model where owners, contractors, and subcontractors share contracts, risks, and rewards from early design through completion. Subcontractors are brought in earlier than traditional models, giving more input on planning and scheduling. Compensation is often tied to collective project outcomes rather than individual scope performance.

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.