FieldNews
Subscribe
Industry Glossary Term

Nameplate Capacity

The maximum rated output or throughput of a piece of equipment as specified by the manufacturer. Subcontractors use this figure to scope work, size crews, and plan equipment deployment. Actual field performance often runs below nameplate due to age, conditions, or operational limits.

Related Terms

Spud Date

Industry

The date when drilling begins on a new well. Marks the start of drilling operations.

Mmtpa (million Metric Tons Per Annum)

Industry

A measure of annual production or throughput capacity at LNG, mining, or pipeline facilities. Subcontractors use it to gauge project scale and estimate long-term scope of maintenance or construction work. Higher MMtpa ratings typically signal larger crews, longer contracts, and more equipment requirements.

Subsea Tieback

Industry

A pipeline or flow line system that connects a new offshore wellhead or satellite field back to an existing production facility or platform, allowing operators to develop remote reserves without building standalone infrastructure. For subcontractors, tiebacks often involve specialised subsea installation, inspection, and maintenance scopes that require certified divers, ROV crews, or subsea engineering support.

Exploratory Well

Industry

A well drilled in an unproven area to determine whether hydrocarbons are present, typically representing higher-risk, shorter-duration work for subcontractors with less certainty of follow-on contracts compared to development drilling programmes. Field service companies should account for the speculative nature of these projects when negotiating mobilisation costs and contract terms.

EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction)

Industry

A project delivery model where one main contractor handles all phases from design to completion, typically creating multiple subcontracting opportunities for field service companies across different project phases. For subcontractors, EPC projects often mean working under a prime contractor who coordinates all trades and manages the overall timeline and specifications.

Run Schedule

Industry

A timeline that outlines when specific tools, equipment, or crews are deployed downhole or on-site during an operation, dictating when a subcontractor's services are required and for how long. For field service companies, the run schedule directly determines mobilisation timing, crew rotations, and invoiceable hours on location.

Stay sharp on field operations

Industry news and insights, delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe to FieldNews
A community project by Aimsio