A method of installing or repairing underground pipelines and conduits without open excavation. Techniques include horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and pipe bursting. Subcontractors working trenchless scopes need specialised equipment and certified operators.
Trenchless
Related Terms
DGR (Deep Geological Repository)
IndustryAn underground facility built to permanently store nuclear or hazardous waste deep in stable rock formations. For subcontractors, DGR projects involve highly regulated excavation, tunnelling, and civil work with strict compliance requirements. Expect extensive worker certification, site access controls, and long project timelines.
Earn-In Agreement
IndustryA deal where a subcontractor gains equity or a stake in a project by completing defined work or spending milestones. Common in junior oil and gas ventures where cash is tight. Your services effectively buy you into the asset rather than just earning a fee.
ERCIP (Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program)
IndustryA U.S. Department of Defense funding programme for energy resilience projects on military installations. Subcontractors often access this work through prime contractors on federally funded construction or energy retrofit scopes. Understanding ERCIP helps field service firms identify bid opportunities in government energy infrastructure.
Drilling Spread
IndustryThe complete package of equipment, personnel, and services required to drill a well, which determines the scope of work subcontractors are hired into — whether supplying a single service line or multiple integrated components across the operation.
Subsea Tieback
IndustryA pipeline or flow line system that connects a new offshore wellhead or satellite field back to an existing production facility or platform, allowing operators to develop remote reserves without building standalone infrastructure. For subcontractors, tiebacks often involve specialised subsea installation, inspection, and maintenance scopes that require certified divers, ROV crews, or subsea engineering support.
BOE (Barrel of Oil Equivalent)
IndustryA standardised unit of energy measurement that converts different types of oil and gas production into equivalent barrels of crude oil, used by operators to report total production volumes when determining project scope and service requirements for subcontractors.
Latest Industry News
Trenchless Liner Restores Century-Old Water Main in Hazleton, PA
The Hazleton City Water Authority used Primus Line FFRP technology to rehabilitate a 1915 cast iron transmission main, avoiding open-cut excavation through protected wetlands. Trenchless Technology reports the project cut installation time from months to about one week.
11 days agoIndustryUtility Locating Terms Trenchless Subs Need to Know Before Breaking Ground
Trenchless Technology breaks down key utility locating concepts, including the critical difference between public and private utilities, that every small-diameter contractor should understand before starting work.
1 month agoRevenueTrenchless Relining Doubles Lifespan of Don Pedro Dam's Aging Penstock
Trenchless Technology details how F.D. Thomas relined a 1,300-ft steel penstock at California's Don Pedro Dam, offering a rehab playbook for water and hydropower subcontractors facing similar legacy infrastructure.
5 days agoIndustryPURIS Expands Water Infrastructure Platform With Amici Acquisition
PURIS LLC has acquired Florida-based Amici Engineering Contractors, adding underground water and utility infrastructure capabilities including horizontal directional drilling to its national platform, Trenchless Technology reports.
3 days 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.
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