BOPD (Barrels of Oil Per Day)

A centralised surface facility that collects and processes production from multiple wells simultaneously. For subcontractors, it means larger, longer-duration scopes covering instrumentation, piping, and facility maintenance. Mobilisation costs are often shared across the site, improving job economics.

Highly mineralised, hot saltwater extracted from underground geothermal reservoirs during energy production. Subcontractors handling it must follow strict corrosion control and PPE protocols. Disposal and handling are heavily regulated due to its chemical content.

The construction and assembly of the above-water structures on offshore platforms, including decks, modules, and processing equipment, where subcontractors are typically engaged for specialised trades such as structural welding, pipefitting, electrical, and instrumentation work. For field service companies, topside scopes often involve strict offshore safety certifications, remote logistics, and milestone-based billing tied to fabrication progress.

A category of ongoing field service work covering routine inspections, preventive maintenance, and corrective repairs on infrastructure or equipment, often awarded to subcontractors through standing agreements or blanket contracts. For field service companies, IMR scopes provide a reliable stream of recurring work but typically require crews to mobilise quickly and hold multiple trade certifications to meet operator requirements.

A scheduled series of hydraulic fracturing operations across multiple wells or stages within a defined period, representing a concentrated burst of work that subcontractors must plan for with adequate crew, equipment, and supply chain capacity. For field service companies, winning a spot in a frac campaign can mean weeks of steady, high-volume work but also demands tight mobilisation timelines and the ability to scale up quickly.

The number of drilling rigs actively operating in a region. Published weekly by Baker Hughes, the rig count is a leading indicator of activity levels in the oil and gas industry.

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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.

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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.

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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.