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Cash FlowGlossary Term

Financial Close

The point when project financing is fully secured and contractual obligations become binding. For subcontractors, it typically signals that mobilisation, procurement, and invoicing can officially begin. Work started before financial close carries significant payment risk.

Related Terms

Bridging Power

Cash Flow

A subcontractor's ability to fund operations while waiting on client payments. It covers payroll, fuel, and equipment costs between invoice and payment. Strong bridging power prevents work stoppages during slow pay cycles.

Adjusted Ebitda (earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation)

Cash Flow

A profitability measure that strips out non-cash costs and one-time charges, showing true operational earnings. For subcontractors, it reveals how much cash your field operations actually generate. Clients and lenders use it to assess your financial health before awarding contracts or extending credit.

Differential

Cash Flow

A pay premium added to a base rate for working in hazardous, remote, or demanding conditions. Subcontractors should account for applicable differentials when pricing bids and setting crew rates.

Capacity Charge

Cash Flow

A fee billed to clients to reserve your crew, equipment, or services during a set period — whether fully utilised or not. It protects subcontractors from revenue loss during standby or low-demand phases. Common in long-term service agreements for drilling, frac, or maintenance contracts.

Dayrate Model

Cash Flow

A pricing structure where subcontractors charge a fixed daily rate for equipment, personnel, or services regardless of output. Rates are negotiated upfront and apply for each calendar or operational day on site. This model gives field crews predictable revenue but ties income directly to days worked, not project milestones.

Liquidated Damages

Cash Flow

A pre-agreed financial penalty charged when a subcontractor misses deadlines or fails to meet contract milestones. The amount is fixed in the contract, not calculated after the fact. LDs can seriously erode your project margins if schedule risks aren't managed upfront.

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