Workover

A well drilled after a discovery to confirm the size and viability of a reservoir. For subcontractors, appraisal programmes signal short-term scopes before a full development decision is made. Mobilisation windows are often tight and contracts may be limited to single-well terms.

A 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.

Specialty chemicals injected into wells and pipelines to control corrosion, scale, paraffin, and hydrates during oil and gas production. Subcontractors handle storage, injection system maintenance, and chemical dosing as part of production operations contracts. Proper handling certifications and spill containment protocols are typically required on-site.

The company that holds the rights to develop an oil and gas property and manages day-to-day operations. Operators hire subcontractors and service companies to perform various tasks.

The prime contractor hired by an owner to manage a project, responsible for awarding and overseeing subcontracts. As a sub, your contract, invoicing, and site access typically flow through the GC. They control your payment terms and schedule, making them your primary business relationship on site.

A compression system that captures hydrocarbon vapours from storage tanks or production equipment instead of venting them. Subcontractors are often hired to install, maintain, or service VRUs to meet emissions regulations. Familiarity with VRU work is increasingly required on oil and gas production sites.

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.