An industry classification covering subcontractors who provide services to upstream oil and gas producers without extracting resources themselves. This includes well servicing, site prep, equipment rental, and pipeline support. Most field service companies in oil and gas fall under this category for tax and regulatory purposes.
Support Activities for Oil and Gas Operations
Related Terms
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.
Compression Station
IndustryA facility that boosts natural gas pressure to move it through pipelines over long distances. Subcontractors are frequently mobilised here for maintenance, mechanical work, and equipment inspections. These sites often require specific safety certifications and site orientations before work begins.
LNTP (Limited Notice To Proceed)
IndustryA partial greenlight from a client authorising subcontractors to begin limited, specific work before the full contract is executed. It typically covers early mobilisation, procurement, or site prep activities only. Scope and spending are strictly capped, so track your costs carefully to avoid unauthorised overruns.
Lng (liquefied Natural Gas) Train
IndustryA single end-to-end processing unit that cools natural gas into liquid form for storage and export. Large LNG facilities run multiple trains, each requiring dedicated construction, maintenance, and shutdown crews. Subcontractors are typically mobilised per train, making scope and schedule highly compartmentalised.
Transmission Main
IndustryA large-diameter pipeline that moves water, gas, or other fluids over long distances at high pressure. Subcontractors are often hired for installation, inspection, or maintenance work on these lines. Strict pressure ratings and material specs govern all field work.
Pipeline Open Season
IndustryA formal period when a pipeline operator solicits capacity commitments from shippers before building or expanding a line. For subcontractors, it signals upcoming construction and maintenance work. Winning bids during this phase often trigger mobilisation timelines and crew planning.
Latest Industry News
Baker Hughes Lands Compression, Liquefaction Orders for Venture Global's Gulf Coast Buildout
Baker Hughes secured orders to supply gas compression for the Cloud Connector Pipeline and modular liquefaction equipment for Plaquemines LNG, expanding Venture Global's Louisiana infrastructure footprint.
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The University of Mississippi has 170 construction projects running simultaneously across its Oxford campus, a live test case in staging and sequencing that facility-construction firms bidding higher-ed work should study closely.
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Construction Dive's weekly roundup shows Jacobs, Skanska, Brasfield & Gorrie and Granite Construction landing government infrastructure contracts worth over $300 million combined, offering fresh benchmarks for subs pricing similar public works scopes.
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.
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