Heavy Crude

A long-term agreement where an owner operator selects a fixed group of contractors to handle ongoing work. Subcontractors inside the alliance get preferred access to scopes but must meet strict performance and pricing benchmarks. Those outside the alliance are often locked out of bidding entirely.

Refers to oil and gas or construction operations located on land, as opposed to offshore or marine environments. For subcontractors, onshore work typically means different mobilisation logistics, certification requirements, and rate structures. Most Canadian field service activity in Alberta and Saskatchewan is onshore.

An offshore facility in deep water where oil or gas is transferred from production infrastructure to tankers or pipelines for transport. For subcontractors, these sites require specialised marine certifications and offshore safety training. Mobilisation costs are high, so confirm day-rate structures and expense recovery terms before committing crews.

The maximum volume of work, materials, or product a crew or operation can process within a given timeframe. For subcontractors, it determines how many jobs or units can be delivered without bottlenecks. Knowing your throughput capacity helps with accurate bidding and resource planning.

A postponement caused by unfinished grid or pipeline tie-in work that prevents a facility from going live. For subcontractors, it often means demobilisation holds, scope gaps, or standby costs with no clear end date. Document all waiting time carefully to support delay claims or change orders.

The milestone when a gas facility produces and delivers its first commercial volumes. For subcontractors, it signals the end of construction-phase work and the shift to operations-phase contracts. Billing terms, crew rotations, and scope of work often change significantly at this point.

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.