A tie-in is the physical connection of new pipeline or equipment to an existing operational system. For subcontractors, tie-in work often requires strict scheduling around shutdowns and may involve additional safety and permitting requirements. Scope changes during tie-ins can affect billing, so clear change-order terms are essential.
Tie-In
Related Terms
FPSO (Floating Production, Storage and Offloading Unit)
IndustryA ship-shaped offshore vessel that processes and stores crude oil or gas directly at sea, then transfers it to tankers — for subcontractors, FPSOs represent remote, long-duration worksites with strict offshore safety certification requirements, specialised crew rotation logistics, and scope that can span topside maintenance, marine systems, and instrumentation work simultaneously.
Substation
IndustryA facility that converts high-voltage electrical power to usable levels for a job site or facility. Subcontractors in construction and oil & gas often work in, around, or on behalf of substations. Strict access controls and electrical safety certifications are typically required.
SWD (Saltwater Disposal)
IndustryThe process of injecting produced water from oil and gas operations into approved underground formations. Subcontractors may operate or service SWD facilities, including pump maintenance, wellbore work, and fluid hauling. Understanding SWD volumes and schedules helps crews plan trucking, pit management, and injection equipment needs.
Feedstock
IndustryRaw material fed into a processing facility, such as crude oil, bitumen, or natural gas. Subcontractors often support feedstock handling through pipeline work, tank maintenance, and material transfer operations.
Gathering System
IndustryA network of pipelines, compressors, and facilities that collect hydrocarbons from wellheads and move them to processing points. Subcontractors frequently support construction, inspection, and maintenance work across these systems. Scopes can span remote multi-well pads, requiring strong logistics and crew coordination.
EOR (Enhanced Oil Recovery)
IndustryA set of advanced extraction techniques—such as steam injection, chemical flooding, or CO2 injection—used to pull additional crude from mature or low-yield reservoirs, which drives demand for specialised field service crews, equipment operators, and maintenance contractors on long-term site assignments.
Latest Industry News
Bridger Pipeline's Canada-to-Wyoming Crude Line Carries $2 Billion Price Tag and 1 Million bpd Capacity
Bridger Pipeline's proposed 650-mile crude line from the Canadian border to Guernsey, Wyoming would cost roughly $2 billion and move up to 1.13 million barrels per day, with potential tie-ins to Bakken gathering infrastructure.
1 month ago IndustryCenovus Sets Production Records at Foster Creek and Sunrise as Alberta Thermal Output Climbs
Cenovus Energy posted record or near-record thermal production at three Alberta sites in April, while Suncor quietly added 40,000 bbl/day of Canadian refining capacity.
20 hours ago IndustryData Center Construction Claims Are Surging — Here's What the Loss Data Shows
A Zurich analysis of more than 500 insured data center projects identifies the top loss drivers hitting contractors and owners, with lessons for managing risk during construction and phased handovers.
20 hours ago IndustryEntergy's Gas Projects Dominate MISO's Fast-Track Queue, Fueled by Data Center Demand
Entergy's gas-fired power projects make up nearly a third of MISO's expedited interconnection queue, with roughly 70% of that capacity earmarked for planned data centers in Louisiana and Mississippi. Here's what it means for field service subcontractors.
20 hours agoRelated 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