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Cash Flow Glossary Term

Well Abandonment Liability

The legal and financial obligation to properly plug and decommission a well at end of life. For subcontractors, unpaid invoices near abandonment projects carry higher collection risk. Operators may deprioritise vendor payments as they wind down a well's operations.

Related Terms

Project Financing

Cash Flow

A funding structure where a specific project secures its own debt and equity, separate from the sponsor's balance sheet. For subcontractors, payment depends heavily on the project's cash flow rather than the owner's overall finances. This increases payment risk, making it critical to review contract terms and security provisions carefully.

Buyout

Cash Flow

A lump-sum payment made to a subcontractor to settle or terminate a contract early. It compensates for remaining work, mobilisation costs, or lost profit margins. Subcontractors should verify buyout terms are clearly written into their agreements before signing.

Net 30/Net 45/Net 60

Cash Flow

Payment terms indicating when payment is due after invoice date. Net 30 means payment within 30 days. Many operators use Net 45 or Net 60, extending subcontractor cash cycles.

Fixed-Rate Contract

Cash Flow

A contract where the subcontractor agrees to complete a defined scope of work for a set price, regardless of actual labour or material costs incurred — meaning cost overruns come directly out of your margin. Common in construction and turnaround work, these contracts reward efficient crews and tight project management but carry significant financial risk if scope creep or site conditions aren't carefully managed upfront.

Non-Productive Time

Cash Flow

NPT (Non-Productive Time) is any period when crews or equipment are on-site but not performing billable work. This includes weather delays, equipment breakdowns, or waiting on materials. Subcontractors often absorb NPT costs unless contracts clearly define standby rates.

Ticket Rejection

Cash Flow

When an operator returns a field ticket for correction before approval. Common causes include missing information, rate discrepancies, or insufficient documentation. Rejections delay payment and require rework.

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