Proactive Maintenance

A bid evaluation method where contractors are ranked on price plus non-price factors like safety record, experience, and equipment. Low bid alone does not win the work. Subcontractors must demonstrate overall capability, not just competitive rates.

Milled or crushed material salvaged from existing asphalt surfaces during road removal or rehabilitation work. Subcontractors reuse RAP as base material or blend it into new asphalt mixes, reducing material costs. Proper handling and testing requirements may apply depending on project specs.

An intergovernmental organisation that publishes global energy outlooks and demand forecasts, which subcontractors and field service companies use to anticipate shifts in upstream and downstream activity levels that may affect project pipelines and contract opportunities.

A processing facility that separates mixed natural gas liquids into individual products like propane, butane, and ethane. Subcontractors often work these sites for maintenance, turnarounds, and equipment servicing. Fractionators operate continuously, so field crews should expect shift-based schedules and strict hot-work permitting.

A company or sole operator hired by a subcontractor, rather than directly by the prime contractor or owner. Lower-tier subs often face delayed payment cycles and reduced contract visibility. Understanding your tier position affects lien rights, insurance requirements, and invoice routing.

A contract between an operator and a service company that establishes the general terms and conditions for all future work. Individual jobs are then executed under work orders or AFEs referencing the MSA.

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.