Nameplate Capacity

A non-binding agreement outlining the intent to work together before a formal contract is signed. Subcontractors use MOUs to secure preferred vendor status or reserve capacity for upcoming projects. They carry no payment guarantee, so avoid mobilising resources based solely on an MOU.

A secondary or auxiliary dock located away from a main terminal, used to load or offload vessels at remote points along a waterway. Subcontractors may be mobilised specifically to satellite jetties for marine construction, maintenance, or material handling work. Access and logistics can differ significantly from main terminals, affecting crew scheduling and equipment mobilisation.

The phase of oil and gas well development after drilling is finished, encompassing the work required to prepare a well for production — including perforating, fracturing, and installing wellhead equipment. For subcontractors, completions represent a concentrated burst of high-demand field work where specialised crews, equipment, and services are mobilised under tight timelines.

Crude oil imported into one country and then shipped out to another without being refined domestically. For subcontractors, re-export activity drives short-term terminal, marine, and logistics work. Contract volumes can spike quickly, so crews and equipment must be mobilisation-ready.

A budgeting document used in oil and gas projects that outlines expected costs and seeks approval before work begins. Subcontractors often work under AFEs issued by operators.

A well that is drilled vertically to a certain depth then curved to run horizontally through a target formation, requiring subcontractors to mobilise specialised equipment and crews for extended-reach drilling, completions, and stimulation work that typically involves more complex logistics and longer on-site durations than conventional vertical wells.

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.