Turnaround

A formal document issued by a client or general contractor authorising a subcontractor to perform a specific scope of work. It outlines the job details, location, timeline, and agreed rate. Subcontractors typically cannot invoice without a valid work order number.

An ownership stake in an oil and gas lease that obligates the holder to pay a share of exploration and production costs. For subcontractors, knowing who holds working interest helps identify who is ultimately responsible for approving work orders and invoices. Operators typically hold majority working interest and are your primary point of contract.

A heavy, telescoping steel rod that transmits rotary torque from a drill rig to the auger or cutting tool. Subcontractors operating foundation or piling rigs must inspect kelly bars regularly for wear and cracking. Damage affects drilling performance and can cause costly downtime on tight project schedules.

A defined section of land or a lease area assigned to a specific project or operator. Subcontractors may be scoped and mobilised by parcel, affecting billing boundaries and crew deployment zones.

A single, unplanned service request dispatched to a subcontractor or field technician outside of scheduled work. Each call-out is typically logged as a discrete billable event. Subcontractors often charge a flat call-out fee plus time and materials.

The disconnect that occurs when a subcontractor's systems cannot communicate directly with a prime contractor's or operator's software platforms. This forces crews to manually re-enter data such as timesheets, work orders, or inspection records. The result is delays, billing errors, and compliance risks in the field.

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.

How 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.

What 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.