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IndustryGlossary Term

Capital Maintenance

Planned work that restores or extends the life of major assets, such as facilities or equipment. For subcontractors, these projects are typically larger in scope and budget than routine maintenance. They often require formal tendering, detailed scopes of work, and milestone-based billing.

Related Terms

ERAS (Expedited Resource Addition Study)

Industry

A utility or pipeline operator's fast-tracked assessment to connect new energy infrastructure to the grid or network. For subcontractors, an approved ERAS often signals upcoming mobilisation opportunities and tight project timelines. Winning work tied to an ERAS typically means compressed schedules and rapid crew deployment.

Bakken Play

Industry

A major tight-oil producing region spanning North Dakota, Montana, and southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Subcontractors working here should expect high-volume horizontal drilling and multi-stage fracturing scopes. Seasonal road bans and remote logistics significantly impact crew mobilisation and equipment scheduling.

Jackup

Industry

A mobile offshore drilling rig with retractable legs that jack down to the seabed, elevating the platform above water. Subcontractors mobilising to a jackup must account for offshore certification, marine logistics, and platform-specific access requirements.

Offtake Agreement

Industry

A long-term contract where a buyer commits to purchasing a set volume of product from a producer. For subcontractors, these agreements signal stable, ongoing site activity and sustained demand for field services. They often underpin project financing, making worksites more financially secure for service providers.

Undeveloped Inventory

Industry

Approved but undrilled well locations or untapped reserves an operator plans to develop in future phases. For subcontractors, it signals upcoming work pipelines and potential long-term contract opportunities. Tracking an operator's undeveloped inventory helps you anticipate mobilisation timelines and resource planning.

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)

Industry

Software that centralises a subcontractor's core business functions, including payroll, invoicing, procurement, and scheduling. It replaces disconnected spreadsheets and paper systems with a single source of operational data. Larger GCs and operators may require subcontractors to integrate with their ERP for work orders and payment processing.

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