P3 (public-Private Partnership)

The equipment and techniques used to lift, secure, and move heavy loads on a job site. Subcontractors must ensure all rigging gear is certified and operators are ticketed. Improper rigging is a leading cause of serious incidents and contract liability.

A project delivery method where design and construction phases overlap, with the owner and contractor collaborating before scope is fully defined. Subcontractors are often brought on early, meaning scope, pricing, and schedules can shift as design matures. Contracts may be cost-reimbursable at first, then convert to fixed-price once scope is confirmed.

A decentralised approach where different teams own and share their own operational data directly. For subcontractors, it means job site data—timesheets, inspection reports, equipment logs—flows more easily between your systems and the prime contractor's. Reduces bottlenecks caused by waiting on a single centralised IT team to manage data access.

Sand or granular material that has had excess water removed, typically through drainage or mechanical separation on site. Subcontractors handling dewatered sand face stricter disposal and hauling requirements than wet slurry. Confirm moisture content specs before mobilising equipment or quoting removal work.

In field logistics, a central staging location where crews, equipment, and materials are coordinated before deployment to remote job sites — the hub determines mobilisation routes, laydown areas, and logistical costs. In natural gas markets, a physical or virtual trading point where gas is bought, sold, and priced; hub pricing (AECO in Alberta, Henry Hub in the U.S.) directly affects contract rates and fuel costs for field service companies.

Refers to oil reservoirs located beneath thick layers of underground salt, typically in deepwater offshore basins. For subcontractors, pre-salt projects involve specialised equipment, extended mobilisation timelines, and higher operational complexity. Expect longer contract cycles and stricter certification requirements from operators.

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.