CAPEX (Capital Expenditure)

A volume measurement equal to one acre of surface area filled one foot deep, roughly 1,233 cubic metres. Common in water management contracts for tailings ponds, frac water storage, and site remediation. Subcontractors may be scoped and billed based on acre-feet of material moved or treated.

A prolific multi-zone oil and gas play in central Oklahoma covering Canadian and Kingfisher counties. Subcontractors active here support high-density horizontal drilling and completions work. Mobilisation demand can spike quickly, so maintaining local crew and equipment availability is critical.

A mobile conveyor system that extends in length and swings in an arc to stockpile bulk materials across a wide area. Commonly used on pipeline, mining, and civil construction sites for aggregate, gravel, or spoil management. Subcontractors operating this equipment typically require certified operators and may be responsible for setup, teardown, and repositioning.

The process of mapping and analysing an underground reservoir's size, rock properties, and fluid content. Subcontractors use this data to understand scope for drilling, completions, and intervention work. It directly influences crew requirements, equipment specs, and contract duration.

The permanent underground injection of captured CO2 into geological formations like depleted reservoirs or saline aquifers. Subcontractors may support well preparation, pipeline installation, monitoring equipment, and injection operations. Demand for specialised field crews is growing as carbon capture projects expand across Canada.

The company that holds the rights to develop an oil and gas property and manages day-to-day operations. Operators hire subcontractors and service companies to perform various tasks.

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.