WTI (West Texas Intermediate)

A secondary compressor used to increase gas pressure in pipelines or processing systems when inlet pressure is too low. Subcontractors are often hired to install, operate, or maintain these units on short-term field assignments. Rental and service contracts for booster compressors are common in late-life field operations.

A process used to measure heat output, flow rates, and pressure in geothermal wells. Subcontractors provide specialised testing equipment, instrumentation crews, and data logging services. Work often involves high-temperature conditions requiring specific safety protocols and certified equipment.

The horizontal section of a directionally drilled well, extending sideways through the target formation. Laterals can stretch several kilometres, requiring extended crew mobilisations and staged service scopes. Subcontractors should clarify lateral length upfront, as it directly affects equipment needs and job duration.

The grid operator managing Texas's independent power network, separate from national grids. Subcontractors working Texas energy projects must understand ERCOT rules govern power availability and outages. Grid instability events like Winter Storm Uri directly impact field site operations and project timelines.

The process of collecting and storing CO2 emissions from industrial sites before they reach the atmosphere. For subcontractors, it means growing work opportunities in facility retrofits, pipeline installation, and compression equipment servicing. Familiarity with CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) infrastructure is increasingly expected on energy transition projects.

Reclaimed pavement material produced by grinding existing asphalt surfaces without heat. Subcontractors encounter it during road restoration work on well pads, pipeline rights-of-way, and industrial sites. It is commonly reused as base material, reducing disposal costs and material haul-off requirements.

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.