A government-issued authorisation required before drilling or servicing a well can begin. Subcontractors should confirm a valid permit is in place before mobilising crews or equipment. Work started without one can result in shutdowns, fines, or liability for the operator and service company.
Permit (well Permit)
Related Terms
Federal Acreage
ComplianceLand or mineral rights owned and managed by the federal government where drilling or construction activity requires federal permits and approvals. Subcontractors working on federal acreage must meet stricter regulatory requirements than on provincial or private land. Expect longer permitting timelines and additional compliance obligations that can affect project schedules and mobilisation.
Management of Change
ComplianceA formal process for documenting and approving any deviation from original scope, equipment, or procedures on a worksite. Subcontractors must follow the prime contractor's MOC process before making field changes. Skipping this step can void your contract or expose your crew to liability.
Compliance Theatre
ComplianceWhen a prime contractor or client demands excessive paperwork and box-ticking that looks rigorous but adds no real safety value. Subcontractors absorb the administrative burden without reduced liability or improved site outcomes. Recognising it helps crews push back on busy-work that pulls focus from genuine hazard control.
RT (Radiographic Testing)
ComplianceA non-destructive inspection method using X-rays or gamma rays to detect internal flaws in welds and pipework. Subcontractors must ensure certified RT technicians and proper radiation safety protocols are in place. Clients often require RT sign-off before authorising pressure testing or commissioning work.
Fitness-For-Service (ffs)
ComplianceA formal engineering assessment that determines whether aging or damaged equipment is safe to keep operating. Subcontractors may be required to conduct or document FFS evaluations before resuming work on pressure vessels, pipelines, or structural components. Results directly affect your scope of work, liability exposure, and project timelines.
Hole Guarding
ComplianceStationing a worker at an open excavation or borehole to prevent unauthorised access and hazards. Subcontractors are often required to provide hole guards as part of their site safety obligations. Failing to do so can result in work stoppages or liability under site safety plans.
Latest Compliance News
G20 Ministerial in Houston Spotlights Permitting, Supply Chains for Oilfield Services
G20 Energy Abundance Ministerial talks in Houston flagged permitting reform, water reuse and supply-chain resilience as priorities that could affect oilfield services contracts, World Oil reports.
11 hours agoIndustryBC LNG Projects Move Forward: Ksi Lisims Grid Work, Woodfibre Feedgas Permits
Grid construction tied to Ksi Lisims LNG has begun while Woodfibre LNG advances feedgas system permitting, Natural Gas Intelligence reports, as both British Columbia projects push toward completion.
11 days agoIndustryBLM Proposes 60-Day Permit Fast-Track for Alaska's NPR-A
The Bureau of Land Management wants to cut permitting time to as little as 60 days for qualifying oil and gas projects in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve, following record lease sale activity in March.
14 days agoIndustrySempra Files Federal Permit for 27 MTPA Port Arthur LNG North Expansion
Sempra's Port Arthur LNG has begun federal permitting for a four-train, 27 mtpa LNG expansion in Southeast Texas, with exports potentially starting in the second half of 2034.
24 days agoRelated Guides
When a Jobsite Incident Happens: What Field Workers Need to Know Before Signing Anything
What to do after a jobsite injury or incident, what your rights are before signing incident reports, how workers' compensation works, and how to protect yourself on multi-employer worksites.
Compliance GuideOSHA Citations on Multi-Employer Worksites: What Subcontractors Need to Know
Learn how OSHA's multi-employer citation policy works, why subcontractors get cited for hazards they didn't create, and how to protect your company on operator-controlled job sites.
Compliance GuideHow to Read and Negotiate an Oilfield Master Service Agreement (MSA): A Subcontractor's Guide
Learn which MSA clauses actually matter for oilfield subcontractors: indemnity, insurance, payment terms, and change orders. Know what you're signing.
Stay sharp on field operations
Industry news and insights, delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe to FieldNews
