Abstract
During the ‘90s, the introduction of battery powered electro-mechanical intervention tools increased the versatility of slickline service and changed its image from a simple method that performed mechanical workovers to a complex service technology that could provide safe, cost-efficient alternatives for:
locating downhole tubular goods/profiles
producing quality logs from downhole memory surveys at half the cost of traditional services
accurate depth measurement for support of all new completion technologies
setting packers without explosives
perforating or cutting tubing or casing.
Slickline has again expanded its capabilities. In addition to its proven performance for well remediation, maintenance, and pressure control applications, the new enhancements to the self-powered slickline tools can now be used to perform diagnostic and conformance control functions requiring memory production logging.
Applications that require electrical initiation or mechanical manipulation at the tool interface can now be performed with slickline and battery power, insulating the tools from the surface equipment. Mechanical signals transmitted through the wire control the tool start and stop functions and provide real time position telemetry. As a result of the advances in service tools, slickline has increased the scope of its services without a compromise to operational safety and job efficiency and offers the most cost efficient services in well workovers.
The case histories will describe how the electro-mechanical intervention tools provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional cased-hole logging systems for many applications as well as many operations that traditionally had to be performed by other service options.
