Wireline is the method of positioning various down-hole tools into a well. It represents different services, such as CBL (Cement Bond Logging), PLT (Production Logging), heavy fishing, plug setting, etc.
Slickline is a single, unbraided strand of wire. They are used in the wellbore for numerous objectives. Slicklines are also used in well drilling operations in gas and oil industries.
Wirelines and slicklines are similar gadgets inserted into the well for both logging and workover efforts. Slickline is a thin cable used to retrieve and deliver tools downhole. Wireline is an electrical cable used to exchange data about the wellbore’s condition. It is also used for performing wireline services.
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Working Of Wirelines
A reel cable is used to provide tools to the wellbore. There are two major types of wire used, i.e., Slick Line and Electrical Line (E-Line).
A slickline is a standard cable wire to retrieve tools and pieces of equipment down-hole. An electrical line is used to exchange data to the surface and tool positioning.
The slickline is limited to mechanical operations only. E-Line can perform slickline’s function and even assists in logging the data present on the surface. E- Line is an additional positioning tool covering the requirements of slickline also. E-Line can perform mechanical functions and perform logical operations too.
Wireline is used numerously as a part of a well intervention program. A wireline tractor is used in horizontal wells, which is then pulled forward by the wireline. Wireline tractors have proved efficient in methods such as coiled tubing and snubbing. Wireline units are truck-mounted when onshore and skid-mounted when offshore. Skid-mounted units can be re-installed from a drilling rig.
Working Of Slicklines
Slicklines are used to replace wellbore equipment, such as gauges, plugs, valves, etc. disposed into gas and oil wells. They are also used to repair tubings in the wellbore. Slicklines tend to adjust sleeves and valves detected downhole. These are wrapped around a drum on a truck’s back, then elevated in the well by rolling out the wire hydraulically.
Conrad and Marcel Schlumberger first developed Work lines in the year of 1927. Wireline logs are continuous downhole measurements transmitted through electrical wirelines. They assist drillers, engineers, and geologists in making instantaneous decisions concerning drilling operations. Wireline logs help to measure resistance, conductance, and pressure levels.
They also help with determining sonic properties concerning wellbore dimensions. The logging tool, i.e., sonde, is present at the bottom. The measurements are logged by elevating the wirelines in and out of the wellbore. The measurements are taken simultaneously to sustain tension on the line. A well-servicing unit is used to deploy items in workover operations. The wirelines used can be braided or single. Similarly, workover operations can also include production logging, perforation, or well clean-ups.
Wireline is a cabling technology, whereas Slicklines involves maintenance. Wirelines help in lowering gadgets for data measurements for reservoir evaluations. Slicklines help with the removal of build-ups such as wax, sand, and scale. They also help to set hydraulic packers, which are set by using gauge cuttings, deploying wirelines, sealing plugs, or retrievable valves. Downhole vision cameras are also used for Memory Production Logging Tools (MPLT).
Conclusion
Now that you know how slickline and wireline works, keep the above tips in mind!
