A ground excavation method where holes are drilled into rock, then loaded with explosives and detonated. Subcontractors on these scopes typically require certified blasters and strict compliance with provincial explosives regulations. Expect tight sequencing with other trades and potential site shutdowns during blast windows.
Drill-And-Blast
Related Terms
Gas Rigs
IndustryDrilling rigs specifically configured to drill natural gas wells, requiring crews and equipment rated for high-pressure gas formations. For subcontractors, gas rigs often demand specialised certifications and H2S training. Work volumes typically follow natural gas commodity prices and seasonal heating demand.
Tunnel Liner
IndustryA structural shell installed inside a bored tunnel to support surrounding soil or rock and maintain bore integrity. Subcontractors installing liners must meet strict tolerances and inspection hold points. Work is often sequenced tightly with boring crews, requiring close schedule coordination.
Debottlenecking
IndustryThe process of identifying and removing constraints that slow production or operations on a job site. For subcontractors, this often means short-term scopes to upgrade equipment, piping, or workflows. Debottlenecking projects can generate fast-mobilisation work but typically run on tight timelines.
Surface Milling
IndustryA machining process that removes material from a flat surface to restore or achieve precise tolerances on equipment components. Subcontractors are often mobilised to perform surface milling on wellheads, flanges, or structural steel on-site. Proper equipment certifications and dimensional records are typically required for handover documentation.
Bcfd (billion Cubic Feet Per Day)
IndustryA measurement of natural gas flow volume used to describe pipeline or facility throughput capacity. Higher Bcfd ratings signal larger-scale projects, meaning more crews, longer durations, and greater subcontracting opportunities. Subcontractors use this figure to gauge project size when bidding work.
Open Season
IndustryA formal period when a pipeline or facility operator accepts capacity commitments from potential shippers or users. For subcontractors, it signals upcoming project activity and a chance to position for related field service work. Winning commitments during open season often triggers procurement and mobilisation timelines.
Latest Industry News
Vermeer's SM55 Surface Miner Offers Drill-and-Blast Alternative for Excavation Work
Vermeer Specialty Excavation has introduced the SM55 surface miner, a compact machine designed to cut through material layer by layer and eliminate the need for drilling and blasting on excavation and aggregate sites.
5 months agoIndustryContinental Resources Buys FireBird Energy in Permian Expansion
Continental Resources will acquire FireBird Energy II, adding 32,000 boed and 54,000 net acres in the Midland basin as it deepens its Permian footprint.
20 hours agoIndustryPermian Pipeline Gains May Hit a Processing Wall by 2028
New long-haul pipelines could solve Permian gas takeaway by 2028, but NGI reporting shows gas treating capacity for CO2, nitrogen and sour gas may lag behind, risking localized curtailments for midstream contractors.
20 hours agoIndustryPrivate Equity Moves Into Utilities as AI Power Demand Reshapes the Grid
Oilprice.com reports utilities are selling off non-core assets to private equity for the first time in decades to fund AI-driven grid buildouts, opening a faster pipeline of transmission and gas-fired generation work for field crews.
20 hours 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.
Stay sharp on field operations
Industry news and insights, delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe to FieldNews
