A form of metal damage where hydrogen causes stacking cracks to form perpendicular to applied stress in steel pipe and pressure vessels. Common in sour service environments like H2S-containing oil and gas systems. Subcontractors doing inspection or repair work must flag suspected SOHIC immediately, as it signals serious structural failure risk.
SOHIC (Stress-oriented Hydrogen-induced Cracking)
Related Terms
Rig Utilization
IndustryThe percentage of time a rig is actively working versus sitting idle. For subcontractors, high rig utilisation means steady billable hours and predictable revenue. Low utilisation signals contract gaps that strain cash flow and crew retention.
Hookup
IndustryThe phase where installed equipment and systems are connected to utilities, instrumentation, and process lines. For subcontractors, hookup work often follows construction and represents a distinct, billable scope. Crews must coordinate closely with commissioning teams to avoid delays.
Physical Oil Price
IndustryThe actual market price paid for real barrels of oil delivered at a specific location, as opposed to futures contract prices. For subcontractors, client budgets and contract award activity closely track physical oil prices. When physical prices drop, project deferrals and rate pressure often follow quickly.
ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas)
IndustryThe grid operator managing Texas's independent power network, separate from national grids. Subcontractors working Texas energy projects must understand ERCOT rules govern power availability and outages. Grid instability events like Winter Storm Uri directly impact field site operations and project timelines.
Hot Shot
IndustryExpedited delivery service for equipment, parts, or materials to remote job sites. Often used for urgent oilfield deliveries.
Export Terminal
IndustryA facility where oil, gas, or LNG is transferred from pipelines or storage for shipment to buyers. Subcontractors are often mobilised here for maintenance, inspection, and commissioning work. Security clearances and site-specific safety certifications are typically required.
Latest Industry News
Highway Funding Extension Buys Contractors 10 Weeks, Not Certainty
Congress extended IIJA surface transportation funding to Dec. 11, but left out advance appropriations, threatening bridge programs and new state DOT lettings, Construction Dive reports.
11 hours agoIndustryDOE's $1.9B Transmission Push Signals Near-Term Work for Line Crews
The Department of Energy will fund 31 grid-improvement projects worth $5.3 billion in combined spending, adding 23 GW of capacity and generating reconductoring and substation work across multiple states.
yesterdayIndustryFBI, ATF Investigate Suspicious Fires at Line 5 Site and Enbridge Office in Wisconsin
The FBI and ATF are investigating two suspicious fires, one at an Enbridge Line 5 drilling site in Ashland County, Wisconsin, and another at an Enbridge office in Superior, Wis., raising security concerns for pipeline contractors.
yesterdayIndustryFormer GSA Official Sentenced to 3 Years in Subcontractor Bribery Scheme
A former GSA contracting officer's representative was sentenced to 36 months for steering construction work at the St. Elizabeths West Campus to favored subcontractors in exchange for kickbacks, Engineering News-Record reports.
yesterdayRelated Guides
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.
Industry GuideHow 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.
Industry GuideWhat 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.
Stay sharp on field operations
Industry news and insights, delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe to FieldNews
