Satellite Jetty

A cost-sharing initiative where multiple operators or companies fund research, technology development, or industry challenges together. For subcontractors, JIPs can open doors to new contracts, but procurement processes are often slow and heavily governed. Understanding which operators are involved helps you identify who holds the real budget authority.

The formal handover point where ownership or responsibility for a measured quantity of oil, gas, or other product moves from one party to another — typically triggering billing, invoicing, or contractual obligations for subcontractors involved in metering, transport, or handling operations. Field service crews working custody transfer points must ensure measurements are accurate and fully documented, as discrepancies can directly affect client invoices and liability.

Refers to oil and gas extracted from tight rock formations requiring hydraulic fracturing or horizontal drilling. For subcontractors, unconventional work typically means large multi-well pad sites with high crew and equipment demands. Expect fast-paced rotational schedules and specialised service requirements.

The volume of work or units a crew completes within a set timeframe. Higher throughput means more billable output per shift, directly affecting your contract profitability. Subcontractors often track throughput to justify crew sizes and equipment needs.

The process of pumping natural gas into underground storage facilities during periods of low demand. For subcontractors, it signals increased compression, pipeline, and maintenance work tied to seasonal injection cycles. Crews should expect elevated activity from spring through early fall.

A power system pairing solar panels with on-site batteries to supply electricity at remote job sites. Subcontractors may install, maintain, or work alongside these systems instead of diesel generators. Familiarity with this equipment is increasingly expected on off-grid oil and gas and construction sites.

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.