Permanent Magnets

A pre-drilled or existing borehole kept in reserve for future use on a wellsite. Subcontractors may be mobilised to maintain or re-enter stock holes with little advance notice. Knowing a site has stock holes helps crews plan equipment and standby requirements.

A retrieval system is a method or tool used to recover equipment, tools, or materials from a wellbore or work site. Subcontractors may be responsible for operating or maintaining retrieval systems during fishing jobs or abandonments. Proper handling affects both project timelines and liability.

To identify and remove constraints limiting throughput or efficiency on a project or facility. For subcontractors, this often means mobilising additional crews or equipment to clear backlogs. Work is typically urgent and can command premium rates.

A non-destructive field technique used to examine the microstructure of in-service metal components without removing them. Technicians apply a softened acetate film to a polished surface, then analyse the hardened impression under a microscope. Subcontractors use it to assess weld integrity, creep damage, or material degradation on piping and pressure vessels.

A well that has been permanently sealed with cement and decommissioned. For subcontractors, P&A work is a distinct scope involving abandonment crews, specialised equipment, and regulatory sign-off. Invoicing and mobilisation terms should be confirmed before work begins, as these projects are often time-sensitive.

Temperature-controlled storage units used on job sites to preserve perishables, vaccines, or heat-sensitive materials. Subcontractors may need to supply or rent these units for remote or long-duration projects. Costs are typically itemised as a reimbursable expense in the contract.

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.