WHAT IS A WIRELINE TOOLSTRING?
2nd June 2021
A Wireline Toolstring is comprised of the fundamental components required to perform, manipulate and control slickline operations downhole.
On a standard toolstring you will find a Rope Socket, which connects the wire or cable to the toolstring; Wireline Stem / Sinker Bar / Leaded or Tungsten Stem, used to provide the weight/mass; a Swivel Joint which provides rotation and prevents wire or cable torque and a Knuckle Joint, which gives the toolstring flexibility as well as rotation within the well bore. Mechanical Link / Spang or Tubular Jars are a key mechanical component required to provide the bi-directional jarring impact / hammer-action to clear, clean, cut, punch, shear, pull up or push down within the wellbore.
How are wireline toolstrings configured?
A tool string can be configured in many different ways with varying types of rope socket, stem, jars with different outside diameters (OD) and lengths to suit the internal diameters (ID) and restrictions of the well configuration and completion geometry. Deployment and safe surface assembly of the toolstring is assisted with the Toolstring Suspending Bar Clamp which spades off and secures a toolstring assembly on a Wireline Valve or other surface pressure control equipment (PCE) device during tool change out or toolstring reconfiguration prior to entering and intervening the well.
Compact Toolstrings (CTS / CCT / CAT) are a combination of the standard tool string components which are shortened by removing connections between components or engineering more compact mechanisms or increasing OD to add mass where length is normally required to achieve the desired weight. To this end, they are often used in larger wells from 4-1/2” upwards to fully realise the potential and effectiveness of a compact toolstring.
Supporting all well sizes
LiMAR have developed a series of wireline tool string components in a range of diameters from 3/4” up to 2-7/8” that cover all likely scenarios and well conditions, whilst maintaining reliability and safety. These include Slickline Rope Sockets from 0.092” up to 0.160” and Braided Line Rope Sockets from 3/16” up to 7/16” cable. Supplied in a range of standard service and NACE MR0175 sour service approved materials, our Wireline Stem, Knuckle Joints, Swivel Joints,Shock Absorbers and Tubing End Locators (TEL) are all unique in their own sense to create an effective, comprehensive toolstring package.
What are the modern day needs for wireline toolstrings?
The changing nature of modern well intervention means only the strongest connections will do. Our range of K>netic tools are industry known and can be supplied fitted with either sucker rod thread (SRT) or quick lock / quick connections. The LiMAR LQK, QKJ, Tri-QK and BQK quick connections are 100% compatible with connections from most reputable suppliers and can all be assembled without the need for a pipe wrench making it even faster and safer compared to sucker rod threads.
The strongest wireline connection on the market
LiMAR boasts developing the strongest available connection in the LiMAR LQK-HD which is an optimised connection designed for the harshest wells and used in extreme and heavy duty applications.
Bespoke design solutions
LiMAR offer bespoke solutions and we have the field experience and in-house expertise to configure toosltrings to your specification and the machining capability cover any well type, from the most intricate micro sizes right up to the largest ODs. Contact our experienced team today to disucss your individual operational needs.