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
Reauthorization
ComplianceFormal renewal of a previously approved work permit, purchase order, or scope of work that has expired or exceeded its original limits. Subcontractors must secure reauthorization before continuing work to avoid unpaid labour exposure. Delays in reauthorization can stall field crews and disrupt project schedules.
Struck-By Hazard
ComplianceA struck-by hazard refers to any situation on a worksite where personnel risk injury from a moving object, such as swinging loads, dropped tools, vehicles, or pressurised line failures — a leading cause of fatality that subcontractors must identify and control in their site-specific hazard assessments and toolbox talks. For field service crews working around heavy equipment, cranes, or high-traffic laydown yards, recognising and mitigating struck-by risks is a core compliance obligation under provincial occupational health and safety legislation.
Personal Fall Arrest System
ComplianceA PFAS (Personal Fall Arrest System) is safety equipment that stops a worker from hitting the ground during a fall. It typically includes a full-body harness, lanyard, and anchor point. Subcontractors must ensure PFAS equipment is inspected, certified, and meets provincial and federal regulations before workers go at height.
Safety Stand-Down
ComplianceA mandatory work stoppage called by a prime contractor or owner to address an immediate safety concern or incident. All field personnel halt operations and gather for a safety review before work resumes. Subcontractors must comply immediately, regardless of schedule or milestone pressures.
FEMI (Fixed Equipment Mechanical Integrity)
ComplianceA systematic programme ensuring stationary assets like pressure vessels, piping, and heat exchangers remain safe and fit for service. Subcontractors often deliver FEMI work through inspection, NDT, and repair scopes under an owner's integrity management plan. Expect strict documentation requirements and third-party sign-off before returning equipment to service.
Moratorium
ComplianceA government or operator-imposed halt on specific activities, such as drilling or fracking, in a region. For subcontractors, this means work orders stop and contracts may be suspended without pay. Always review force majeure clauses before mobilising to areas under active moratorium discussions.
Latest Compliance News
Virginia Moves to Restrict Off-Grid Gas Turbines as Texas Deepens Data Center Permit Freeze
Virginia lawmakers and regulators are scrutinizing data center gas turbine proposals as skirting renewable energy law, while Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has expanded his data center moratorium to halt all state environmental permits pending an ERCOT grid audit.
17 days agoIndustryCongress Extends BLM Drilling-Permit Fund, Trump Signature Next
Congress passed the License to Drill Act, reauthorizing the industry-funded fund that supports BLM drilling-permit reviews for another decade. The bill awaits President Trump's signature and creates no bid stage for subcontractors.
5 days agoIndustryNRC Issues TVA Construction Permit for First US BWRX-300 SMR
The NRC has granted TVA a construction permit for a 300-MW BWRX-300 at Clinch River in Tennessee. TVA has not yet committed to build or authorized new contractor packages.
9 days agoIndustryOracle's Force Majeure Notice Exposes Permitting Risk on $Multibillion NM Data Center
Oracle issued a force majeure notice on its New Mexico Project Jupiter data center campus as a 2,462-MW fuel-cell microgrid awaits a state permit and a supporting gas pipeline's in-service date slips to February 2027, ENR reports.
11 days agoRelated Guides
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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.
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