Refined Products Pipeline

A voluntary safety certification program in Canada that recognizes employers who have developed health and safety management systems that meet established standards. Required by many operators in Alberta and Western Canada.

An ownership stake in an oil and gas lease that obligates the holder to pay a share of exploration and production costs. For subcontractors, knowing who holds working interest helps identify who is ultimately responsible for approving work orders and invoices. Operators typically hold majority working interest and are your primary point of contract.

A global professional organisation that publishes technical standards, research, and best practices used across the oil and gas industry. Subcontractors may reference SPE papers and guidelines to meet operator technical requirements or bid on specialised work.

To create precisely spaced holes or openings in oil well casing and cement at a target formation depth, allowing hydrocarbons to flow into the wellbore; subcontractors providing perforating services typically work under wireline or coiled tubing crews and must coordinate closely with the operator's completion schedule.

A network of underwater equipment — including wellheads, manifolds, flowlines, and control systems — installed on the seabed to extract and transport oil or gas to a surface facility, representing a specialised scope of subsea installation, inspection, and maintenance work that subcontractors must hold specific certifications and equipment to perform. For field service companies, contracts in this space typically involve saturation diving support, remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operations, or subsea engineering services under strict offshore safety and quality regimes.

A rock formation believed to contain oil or gas, targeted for drilling or evaluation. Subcontractors are often mobilised to support exploration work within these zones. Scope and duration of field service contracts may depend on how many prospective intervals a well will test.

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.