The phase of oil and gas well development after drilling is finished, encompassing the work required to prepare a well for production — including perforating, fracturing, and installing wellhead equipment. For subcontractors, completions represent a concentrated burst of high-demand field work where specialised crews, equipment, and services are mobilised under tight timelines.
Completions
Related Terms
Mmtpa (million Metric Tons Per Annum)
IndustryA measure of annual production or throughput capacity at LNG, mining, or pipeline facilities. Subcontractors use it to gauge project scale and estimate long-term scope of maintenance or construction work. Higher MMtpa ratings typically signal larger crews, longer contracts, and more equipment requirements.
Secondary Stress
IndustryIndirect mechanical stress that develops in structures or piping due to thermal expansion, settlement, or equipment movement. Unlike primary stress, it isn't caused by direct applied loads. Subcontractors must account for it during installation and inspection to avoid material fatigue and warranty disputes.
Stress-Corrosion Cracking
IndustryA failure mode where metal components crack under the combined effect of tensile stress and corrosive environments. Subcontractors must inspect susceptible equipment — like pipelines, pressure vessels, and lifting gear — for early signs. Missed SCC (Stress-Corrosion Cracking) damage can trigger costly shutdowns, liability claims, or failed inspections.
Displacement Rate (fuel)
IndustryThe volume of fuel consumed per unit of work output by equipment or vehicles on a job site. Subcontractors use this figure to forecast fuel costs and validate reimbursement claims. Tracking it helps flag inefficient equipment before overruns hit your margins.
Schedule Compliance
IndustryA measure of how consistently a subcontractor completes work within the agreed timeline. Low compliance can trigger penalties, delay progress payments, or affect contract renewal. Tracking it helps field crews identify where mobilisation or scope changes are causing slippage.
FID (Final Investment Decision)
IndustryThe point when a project owner formally approves funding and commits to proceeding with a major project. For subcontractors, FID is the trigger that converts preliminary work into confirmed scopes and purchase orders. Mobilisation planning, crew hiring, and equipment sourcing typically begin after FID is announced.
Latest Industry News
Mi4's RigReports Brings Drilling, Completions and Workover Data onto One Platform
Mi4's cloud-based RigReports application centralizes daily drilling reports, completions, workover and facility job data in a single platform, aiming to cut administrative overhead for operators.
7 months agoIndustryFreshet Systems Launches 30,000 m³ Modular Frac Water Storage Tank Targeting Modern Completions Scale
Alberta startup Freshet Systems has introduced a modular above-ground water storage system capable of 20,000 to 50,000 m³, designed to bridge the gap between small temporary tanks and costly permanent reservoirs in hydraulic fracturing operations.
4 months agoIndustryRecord-Low DUC Backlog Signals New Drilling, Not Completions, Will Drive Shale Output
U.S. shale producers are sitting on a record-low inventory of drilled-but-uncompleted wells, limiting their ability to quickly ramp output as exports and refinery demand surge.
5 months agoIndustryTalos Energy advances Gulf of Mexico drilling with new well completions and appraisal plans
Talos Energy drilled the CPN well in Q1 2026 with production expected in H2 2026, while planning a Daenerys appraisal well for Q2 2026 in the US Gulf of Mexico.
8 months agoRelated Guides
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.
Industry GuideHow 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.
Industry GuideWhat 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.
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