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.
Onshore
Related Terms
Recoverable Reserves
IndustryThe estimated volume of oil or gas that can be economically extracted from a reservoir. Higher recoverable reserves typically signal longer project lifespans and sustained demand for field services. Subcontractors use this data to assess contract stability and mobilisation planning.
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)
IndustryA control system that monitors and manages field equipment like pipelines, compressors, and wellheads in real time. Subcontractors working on SCADA-connected sites must follow strict access and cybersecurity protocols. Your work may trigger automated alarms or shutdowns if procedures aren't followed precisely.
Export Terminal
IndustryA facility where oil, gas, or LNG is transferred from pipelines or storage for shipment to buyers. Subcontractors are often mobilised here for maintenance, inspection, and commissioning work. Security clearances and site-specific safety certifications are typically required.
Cavern Storage
IndustryUnderground storage facilities carved out of salt formations or rock, used to hold large volumes of natural gas, crude oil, or other hydrocarbons. Subcontractors handle construction, maintenance, inspection, and integrity testing at these sites, often needing confined-space and geotechnical certifications. Injection and withdrawal seasons create predictable maintenance windows, helping field service companies plan mobilisation.
OSHA
IndustryOccupational Safety and Health Administration. The US federal agency responsible for workplace safety regulations. Compliance with OSHA standards is required for contractors working in the United States.
Well Testing
IndustryA series of controlled flow and pressure measurements performed on a newly drilled or existing well to evaluate its production potential and reservoir characteristics; for subcontractors, this work often involves deploying and operating specialised equipment such as separators, flowback units, and data acquisition systems under tightly scheduled, high-priority conditions.
Latest Industry News
Nova Scotia Opens Talks With Fracking Proponent as Province Eyes Onshore Gas Revival
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston confirms the province is entering negotiations with a natural gas exploration company, following seven responses to an initial call for interest in onshore fracking.
3 months agoIndustryNova Scotia Opens Consultations on Onshore Gas Development After Decade-Long Fracking Ban
Nova Scotia is holding public consultations on a $30-million program to explore an estimated 198 billion cubic metres of onshore natural gas, with first exploratory wells potentially drilled this summer.
4 months agoIndustryBLM Lease Sales in Colorado, Nevada and Utah Hit $65M, Setting Up Onshore Drilling Wave
The Bureau of Land Management's latest quarterly lease sale across three western states generated $64.8 million and leased more than 131,000 acres, pointing to a wave of onshore drilling projects that will need field service contractors across the Rockies.
4 months agoIndustryHalliburton Lands Aramco Deal for 285-Well Onshore Program in Saudi Arabia
Halliburton secured multi-year lump sum turnkey contracts from Aramco covering 285 wells in Saudi Arabia, spanning oil re-entry, drilling, completions and workovers, World Oil reports.
1 month agoRelated Guides
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.
Industry GuideWhat 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.
Stay sharp on field operations
Industry news and insights, delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe to FieldNews
