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IndustryGlossary Term

Reactive Maintenance

Repair work performed after equipment has already failed or broken down. Subcontractors are often mobilised on short notice, commanding premium rates. Tight timelines increase crew fatigue and safety risks on site.

Related Terms

Sand Management

Industry

The process of controlling, monitoring, and removing sand produced alongside oil and gas to protect wellbore equipment and surface facilities. Subcontractors may be hired to install sand screens, separators, or erosion monitoring systems. Poor sand management accelerates equipment wear and increases maintenance callouts.

Seawater Injection

Industry

A method of pumping treated seawater into a reservoir to maintain pressure and improve oil recovery. Subcontractors often support this through pump installation, pipeline work, and water treatment system maintenance. Work typically requires offshore certifications and familiarity with corrosion-resistant materials.

Vacuum Excavation (vac-Ex)

Industry

A non-destructive digging method that uses high-pressure water or air to loosen soil, then suctions it into a debris tank. Subcontractors use it for safe excavation near buried utilities, pipelines, and cables. It is commonly required on oil and gas sites where mechanical digging poses strike risks.

Ip Rate (initial Production Rate)

Industry

The IP Rate measures a well's output immediately after it comes online, typically in barrels or mcf per day. Operators use it to assess well performance, which directly affects how quickly field service contracts ramp up or wind down. A strong IP Rate often signals sustained work volume for subcontractors on site.

Infrared Camera Survey

Industry

A thermal imaging inspection using IR (Infrared) cameras to detect heat anomalies in equipment, piping, or electrical systems. Subcontractors use these surveys to identify leaks, insulation failures, or overloaded components without shutting down operations. Clients often require certified IR thermographers, so confirm crew credentials before mobilising.

Brent Crude

Industry

A globally traded North Sea oil benchmark used to set crude pricing contracts. When Brent prices rise or fall sharply, operators often adjust project budgets, affecting subcontractor work volumes and day rates. Monitoring Brent helps field service companies anticipate slowdowns or ramp-ups in awarded work.

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