The comparison of today's slickline capabilities with its early usage
for routine remedial workovers and maintenance best illustrates the si
gnificant advances that have occurred within slickline technology. Tod
ay, for example, slickline can be used to set and retrieve slickline-r
etrievable safety Valves or plugs; open and close downhole circulating
devices; retrieve accurate depth/time data for correlation with memor
y production surveys for well diagnostics (problem identification), re
servoir description, or flow analysis provide accurate correlation of
tubing casing collars and pull and run multiple flow controls, set pac
kers. and other downhole equipment without explosives, set mono-bore t
ools, and perform other well interventions that are dependent on measu
rement accuracy. This expansion is overwhelming when considering that
less than a decade ago slickline was considered only for mechanical we
ll workovers. This paper discusses the newly developed technology that
allows slickline to economically provide alternatives economically to
services that were traditionally reserved for more costly options. Ca
se histories illustrate the enlarged scope of services and how the equ
ipment combines to provide the innovative low cost service options tha
t the industry has been seeking.