Spot Capacity

Unpaid earnings owed to workers for hours already worked. For subcontractors, this often arises from payroll errors, misclassification, or disputed overtime on remote job sites. Unresolved back wage claims can trigger labour audits and project holdbacks.

Temporary housing arranged for field crews working at remote or industrial sites, such as labour camps or modular lodges. For subcontractors, accommodation costs may be billed separately or bundled into contract rates. Confirming who is responsible for these costs before mobilisation prevents disputes.

The percentage of available hours that crews or equipment are actively billable to a client. A low utilisation rate signals idle resources eating into margins. Subcontractors track this metric to assess workforce efficiency and bid competitiveness.

A directive to halt all work on-site, typically issued by the prime contractor or operator. For subcontractors, a stand down means crews stop billable activities immediately. Depending on contract terms, standby rates may or may not apply during this period.

The process of assigning and deploying field crews or equipment to a job site. For subcontractors, dispatch timing affects mobilisation costs, crew scheduling, and billable hours. Clear dispatch records also support accurate invoicing and dispute resolution.

The number of field workers supported by each administrative/office employee. A ratio of 10:1 is common for paper-based operations; digitized operations often achieve 30:1 to 40:1.

When Your Crew's Behaviour Becomes a Business Problem: Managing Field Conduct on Active Subcontracts

What subcontractors are liable for when field personnel create conflict on a GC-managed site, and how to protect your contracts before it becomes a termination issue.

How to Get Your First Oilfield Job: A Practical Guide for Tradespeople and CDL Holders

No oilfield experience? No problem. Learn which certifications, service lines, and job boards actually get tradespeople and CDL holders hired.

From the Field to the Office: What Oilfield Workers Should Know Before Making the Switch

Thinking about moving from field work to an office role? This guide covers how your field experience translates into technical and operations positions, what the transition actually looks like, and the trade-offs most people do not talk about until it is too late.