The company that holds the rights to develop an oil and gas property and manages day-to-day operations. Operators hire subcontractors and service companies to perform various tasks.
Operator
Related Terms
GWD (Getting Work Done)
IndustryA safety and compliance management system used by some operators to pre-qualify and manage contractors working on their sites.
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.
Umbilicals, Risers, and Flowlines
IndustryCollectively referred to as URF, these are the subsea infrastructure components that connect wellheads to production facilities — umbilicals carry control fluids and signals, risers bring production to surface, and flowlines move product along the seabed — subcontractors are commonly engaged for their installation, inspection, maintenance, and integrity management work. Understanding the distinctions between these systems helps field crews accurately scope work orders, apply correct certifications, and bill against the right line items in offshore or subsea contracts.
Flowback
IndustryThe initial release of fluids, sand, and gases from a wellbore after hydraulic fracturing, which requires specialised crews and equipment on-site to manage, separate, and dispose of the returned materials safely. For field service subcontractors, flowback operations represent a distinct scope of work with dedicated mobilisation requirements and often involve tight scheduling windows tied to the operator's completion timeline.
Shut In
IndustryWhen a well or piece of production equipment is temporarily halted or taken offline, often resulting in subcontractors being demobilised or placed on standby with reduced or suspended billable hours until operations resume.
ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle)
IndustryAn unmanned, tethered underwater robot used to inspect, survey, or perform work on subsea pipelines, wellheads, and structures — subcontractors providing ROV services typically require specialised operators and vessels, and should account for mobilisation costs and standby rates when bidding these scopes.
Latest Industry News
EIA Raises US Oil Production Forecast as WTI Price Outlook Jumps to $74
The EIA's March 2026 Short-Term Energy Outlook projects US crude production reaching 13.83 million boe/d in 2027, a 4% upward revision driven by sharply higher WTI price forecasts. Here's what that means for subcontractors pricing work and planning capacity.
20 hours ago IndustryPRIO's Wahoo Field in Brazil Reaches Commissioning Phase, First Oil Days Away
Brazilian operator PRIO has completed installation and received its operating license for the Wahoo field in the Campos basin, with first oil expected within days via a subsea tie-back to the FPSO Frade.
20 hours ago IndustrySenate Committee Advances Mullin's DHS Nomination in Narrow 8-7 Vote
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 8-7 to advance Markwayne Mullin's nomination as DHS secretary, with a full Senate confirmation vote expected the week of March 23. Here's what a leadership change at DHS could mean for subcontractors.
20 hours ago IndustryTulsa Data Center Campus Decision Pushed to April After Planning Commission Delay
Tulsa's Planning Commission delayed a rezoning vote on the proposed Project Anthem data center campus, pushing a decision to April 1. City staff had already recommended denial of the 300-acre proposal.
20 hours agoStay sharp on field operations
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