A company that holds the primary land or project rights and oversees all development activity on a large site. Subcontractors typically work several tiers below them, hired through general contractors or prime contractors. Understanding this structure helps you identify who controls scope changes and payment approvals.
Master Developer
Related Terms
Well Intervention
IndustryAny post-completion operation performed on a producing well to restore or improve output. Subcontractors are often mobilised for wireline, coiled tubing, or pump work during these campaigns. Scope can change quickly, so confirm work orders before committing crew and equipment.
Support Activities for Oil and Gas Operations
IndustryAn industry classification covering subcontractors who provide services to upstream oil and gas producers without extracting resources themselves. This includes well servicing, site prep, equipment rental, and pipeline support. Most field service companies in oil and gas fall under this category for tax and regulatory purposes.
Prospective Interval
IndustryA rock formation believed to contain oil or gas, targeted for drilling or evaluation. Subcontractors are often mobilised to support exploration work within these zones. Scope and duration of field service contracts may depend on how many prospective intervals a well will test.
Grid Hardening
IndustryUpgrades to electrical infrastructure that improve resilience against outages, extreme weather, and physical damage. For subcontractors, it drives demand for line work, equipment installation, and civil construction crews. Contracts often involve tight timelines and utility compliance requirements.
LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)
IndustryNatural gas cooled to -162°C to become liquid for easier transport and storage, creating specialized work opportunities for subcontractors in cryogenic equipment maintenance, pipeline construction, and terminal facilities that require specific safety certifications and cold-weather expertise.
GC (General Contractor)
IndustryThe prime contractor hired by an owner to manage a project, responsible for awarding and overseeing subcontracts. As a sub, your contract, invoicing, and site access typically flow through the GC. They control your payment terms and schedule, making them your primary business relationship on site.
Latest Industry News
Penn Station's $8B Overhaul Gets a Master Developer — What Subs Need to Know
Halmar and Skanska's Penn Transportation Partners has been named master developer for the $8 billion New York Penn Station renovation, with construction set to begin next year. Here's what specialty subcontractors should expect.
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New York's 1885 absolute liability law for gravity-related construction injuries is forcing contractors out of the market and inflating insurance costs, with real consequences for anyone bidding public or federally connected work in the state.
20 hours ago IndustryUS Grid Adds 75 GW of Summer Capacity in a Year, Led by Texas and the West
FERC reports the largest year-over-year capacity increase in over a decade, with nearly 26 GW added in Texas alone, signaling sustained demand for grid construction and interconnection work across the country.
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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.
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