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Industry Glossary Term

Spud Date

The date when drilling begins on a new well. Marks the start of drilling operations.

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Related Terms

MWD (Measurement While Drilling)

Industry

A real-time data acquisition process used during directional drilling that transmits downhole measurements — such as wellbore trajectory, formation data, and tool orientation — to surface crews without interrupting operations. For subcontractors, MWD services represent a specialised scope of work requiring certified technicians and dedicated equipment, often billed as a separate line item on drilling contracts.

Flowback

Industry

The initial release of fluids, sand, and gases from a wellbore after hydraulic fracturing, which requires specialised crews and equipment on-site to manage, separate, and dispose of the returned materials safely. For field service subcontractors, flowback operations represent a distinct scope of work with dedicated mobilisation requirements and often involve tight scheduling windows tied to the operator's completion timeline.

Workover

Industry

Operations performed on an existing well to restore, maintain, or improve production. Includes activities like recompletions, artificial lift installation, and remedial cementing.

Completions

Industry

The phase of oil and gas well development after drilling is finished, encompassing the work required to prepare a well for production — including perforating, fracturing, and installing wellhead equipment. For subcontractors, completions represent a concentrated burst of high-demand field work where specialised crews, equipment, and services are mobilised under tight timelines.

Deepwater

Industry

Refers to offshore oil and gas operations conducted in water depths exceeding 300 metres, where subcontractors and field service crews must hold specialised certifications, work within stricter regulatory frameworks, and often face extended mobilisation timelines and higher equipment day-rates.

CSG (Casing)

Industry

Steel pipe installed in a wellbore to provide structural integrity and prevent contamination between different geological formations, requiring specialized installation and cementing services that subcontractors frequently provide during drilling operations.

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