Slickline vs. Coiled Tubing

Well interventions can be highly profitable and there are a number of tools to use. Slickline and coiled tubing are the most commonly used and flexible equipment to diagnose and remediate well issues.. Slickline is perhaps the simplest well intervention tool. It is a single strand "piano wire" that due to it's smooth surface is able to have a packing seal directly on the wire, hence the "slick" term. Slickline is in the category of wireline which includes braided and electric line which has strands of wire wrapped together, creating spaces between the strands of wire which requires grease packing to create an effective seal (and hence not "slick"). Slickline can be truck or skid mounted for use on- or offshore and lightweight units can even be transported by helicopter. The wire is wrapped on a drum and a winch is used to run the wire in and out of the well using weights on the end of the wire. A variety of tools can be run on slickline to perform mechanical actions such as setting and pulling plugs, pressure gauges, or safety valves. It is referred to as a wireline which also includes braided line and electric line. Electronic timers can be used to deploy tools using triggers and battery-powered tools. Coiled tubing is also used through tubing and consists of a continuous pipe rolled on a drum with a swivel connection allowing the coil to run "slick" through a packoff and has the advantage of being able to pump through the inside of the coil.

Slickline and Coiled Tubing are both useful tools

Coiled tubing is also truck or skid mounted for activities in various environments. A crane can be integrated with the unit or mobilized as a separate piece of equipment. Coiled tubing size is referred to as the diameter of the coil which can typically range from 1.25" - 3". Also related for chemical treatments or cleanouts of small diameters a mini-coil or capillary coil is used with diameter around 0.5". Slickline depends on gravity to deploy tools into a well while coiled tubing can be pushed in using gripper chains to push the coil into the well. This is particularly useful when the well trajectory is highly deviated or horizontal, or there is an obstruction in the well that may need to be pushed down. Coiled tubing can circulate fluid into place or around a wellbore. Nitrogen is also used with coiled tubing to unload liquid from a well allowing it to flow due to the reduced hydrostatic head. Slickline is able to mechanically dump fluids into a well without having to use a pumping system. Also, using slickline it is possible to pump-bail material from the bottom of a well, which is useful when the reservoir pressure is so low it is not possible to circulate this material back to surface.

A strong working relationship is key

With it's lightweight toolstrings and low overall string weight, it is much easier to "feel" the well architecture as the weight indicator is more sensitive. The requirement for the weight of the tool string in tension also leads to more accurate depth measurements, in general, than coiled tubing as coiled tubing may spiral when pushed into a well, sometimes providing inaccurate depth measurements. Coiled tubing can circulate, mill, drill, and perform heavier tasks than slickline. The ability to add modules of equipment onto a coiled tubing unit is useful and can include everything up to underbalanced drilling with coiled tubing.. Both slickline and coiled tubing are effective tools in performing well interventions. Selecting the right tool for the job is key and there are always alternate approaches to consider including impact on the open formation and potential follow-up actions. In either case, having a strong working relationship with a service provider is key to coming to an optimum outcome.

Slickline vs. Coiled Tubing Well interventions can be highly profitable and there are a number of tools to use. Slickline and coiled tubing are the most commonly used and flexible equipment to diagnose and remediate well issues.. Slickline is perhaps the simplest well intervention tool. It is a single strand "piano wire" that due to it's smooth surface is able to have a packing seal directly on the wire, hence the "slick" term. Slickline is in the category of wireline which includes braided and electric line which has strands of wire wrapped together, creating spaces between the strands of wire which requires grease packing to create an effective seal (and hence not "slick"). Slickline can be truck or skid mounted for use on- or offshore and lightweight units can even be transported by helicopter. The wire is wrapped on a drum and a winch is used to run the wire in and out of the well using weights on the end of the wire. A variety of tools can be run on slickline to perform mechanical actions such as setting and pulling plugs, pressure gauges, or safety valves. It is referred to as a wireline which also includes braided line and electric line. Electronic timers can be used to deploy tools using triggers and battery-powered tools. Coiled tubing is also used through tubing and consists of a continuous pipe rolled on a drum with a swivel connection allowing the coil to run "slick" through a packoff and has the advantage of being able to pump through the inside of the coil.

The Surprising Significance of Rocks I never thought much about rocks until I found myself standing in the midst of nature, like I’ve never seen before. As far as the eye could see, shale, limestone, and granite rocks of all shapes and sizes surrounded me, each with its own unique story to tell. It was humbling to realize that these unremarkable-looking rocks were the very foundation of our modern society, having been utilized in countless ways to enhance our way of life. Some were smooth and polished, while others were rough and jagged, hinting at the diverse range of processes that had formed them. As I looked in amazement at the different kinds of rocks around me, it struck me that each one possessed its own distinct properties, capable of transforming over time to create an entirely new type of rock. It was a mind-boggling thought, especially considering how integral these rocks were to our daily lives, from the granite countertops in our kitchens to the shale gas that heated our homes and the batteries that powered our devices.

The hard hat is a symbol of hard work The “hard boiled hat” was invented by Edward Bullard in 1919. A hardhat is a type of protective headgear that is worn by workers in the oil and gas industry to protect their head from falling objects, electrical hazards and other potential hazards that may occur on a drilling site. Hardhats are typically made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or other durable materials that can withstand impact and penetration. They are designed to provide a high level of protection to the head and face while allowing the worker to see and hear clearly. The typical hardhat used in oil drilling has several key components, including: • The shell: The shell is the outermost layer of the hardhat and is typically made of HDPE or other durable materials that can withstand impact and penetration. • The suspension system: The suspension system is the internal support system of the hardhat that holds it securely on the head and provides a comfortable fit. It is typically made of a combination of straps, webbing, and other materials that can be adjusted to fit the head snugly. • The headband: The headband is the internal band that sits on the forehead, helping to distribute the weight of the hardhat evenly around the head. • The ear muffs: Many hardhats have the option of adding earmuffs or earplugs to protect the worker from excessive noise. • The face shield: Some hardhats have the option of adding a face shield to protect the worker from flying debris and other hazards.

Sources list:
Schlumberger oilfield glossary
Ballycatter Engineering site

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