Deepwater

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The US federal agency responsible for workplace safety regulations. Compliance with OSHA standards is required for contractors working in the United States.

A formal business arrangement where two or more companies partner to pursue a specific project or contract, which can affect subcontractors by changing who issues purchase orders, approves invoices, or holds liability on site. Field service companies should confirm early which JV partner is the contracting entity to avoid payment delays or scope disputes.

A contract between an operator and a service company that establishes the general terms and conditions for all future work. Individual jobs are then executed under work orders or AFEs referencing the MSA.

An unmanned, tethered underwater robot used to inspect, survey, or perform work on subsea pipelines, wellheads, and structures — subcontractors providing ROV services typically require specialised operators and vessels, and should account for mobilisation costs and standby rates when bidding these scopes.

The complete package of equipment, personnel, and services required to drill a well, which determines the scope of work subcontractors are hired into — whether supplying a single service line or multiple integrated components across the operation.

A budgeting document used in oil and gas projects that outlines expected costs and seeks approval before work begins. Subcontractors often work under AFEs issued by operators.