CPF (Central Processing Facility)

A project that has received formal capital approval from an operator or owner company and is cleared to proceed. For subcontractors, sanction signals that contracts, purchase orders, and mobilisation timelines are imminent. It marks the point where bidding activity converts into confirmed field work.

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.

A BOM (Bill of Materials) is an itemised list of all parts, materials, and components needed to complete a field job. Subcontractors use it to price work accurately and track material costs against their scope. It also supports invoicing and helps avoid disputes over what was supplied on site.

Cloud-based software you access via subscription instead of buying and installing it outright. For subcontractors, this covers tools like invoicing, scheduling, and compliance tracking platforms. You pay a recurring fee and can access the software from any jobsite device.

A company that provides specialized services to oil and gas operators, such as drilling, completions, workover, transportation, or maintenance. Also called oilfield services (OFS).

The maximum depth reached by a drilling rig during well construction, measured from the surface to the bottom of the wellbore. For subcontractors, TD determines project scope, equipment requirements, and billing milestones as it marks the completion of the drilling phase.

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.