What is a Wireline/Slickline Weight Indicator?

Posted on Jun 13, 2016 by Kathy DeGlandon


What is a Wireline/Slickline Weight Indicator? A slickline weight indicator, also known as a wireline weight indicator, performs a vital function in all wireline/slickline operations. In order for a well workover, intervention, or completion operation to run smoothly, the operator uses a slickline weight indicator gauge to monitor the tension on the line during the entire operation from s ...


What is a Wireline/Slickline Weight Indicator?

 

Wireline/Slickline Weight Indicator and Tension Load Cell

A slickline weight indicator, also known as a wireline weight indicator,  performs a vital function in all wireline/slickline operations.  In order for a well workover, intervention, or completion operation to run smoothly, the operator uses a slickline weight indicator gauge to monitor the tension on the line during the entire operation from start to finish.  In order to understand what a wireline/slickline weight indicator does, an overview of well workover/intervention is helpful.

 

What is Workover/Intervention?

 

Well Workover (Intervention) is the process of performing major maintenance or performing remedial treatments on oil or gas wells.  In some cases workover refers to removing and replacing production tubing string once a well has been killed then adding a workover rig to the location.  In other instances, workover operations are performed through-tubing, meaning coil tubing, snubbing or wireline (aka slickline) equipment is used to perform well service activities.  In well-intervention operations, a crew will use a single strand or multi-strand wire or cable for intervention in oil or gas wells. This wire or cable is often called slickline to differentiate between well completion and logging services.  In well completing instances, slickline is a nonelectric cable that is used to retrieve wellbore hardware.  In well workover and intervention, slickline is a single strand of wireline that is run down the wellbore to retrieve tools and equipment used for flow control.

 

What Does a Wireline/Slickline Weight Indicator Do?

 

In well workover and intervention, a wireline weight indicator system displays the weight of the wireline or slickline string.  The wireline gauge is the main way the operator monitors the function of the downhole tools and equipment.   The wireline operator uses the weight indicator gauge to monitor slickline tension from the surface of the well.  Once the depth counter notifies the operator that the depth needed has been reached, the operator manipulates the tools downhole to complete the job. Once complete, the operator pulls the tool(s) back out of the wellbore and the slickline is wound back up onto the slickline spool.

 

How Does a Wireline/Slickline Weight Indicator Work?

A Crown wireline comes with a 6” fluid-filled gauge, tension type load cell and hydraulic hose.  Once the load cell is attached to a fixed point on the well, it is then connected to the pulley or sheave. The load cell senses the tension on the pulley or sheave as the line enters it at a 90 degree angle.  The diaphragm in the load cell is compressed transmitting the tension to the gauge via the hydraulic hose.  The pointer on the gauge then measures the amount of tension that is being exerted on the line.

 

Advantages to Crown Wireline/Slickline Weight Indicator Systems

Crown wireline/slickline weight indicator systems are essential in determining the amount of tension being used in downhole operations.  This accurate weight measurement system helps protect downhole equipment because the operator always knows exactly the amount of tension being applied to the slickline.  Because Crown can custom fit our systems to your application, you can be assured that you will with have the right range on your wireline dial. Crown 6” dials are adjustable so that the operator will always have an easy view of the complete dial range, and dials can be in English or metric units. All of our gauges are durable and dependable, able to withstand the harshest industry conditions. And, they offer years of cost-effective, low maintenance service. When our gauges do need to be repaired, we offer a repair kits in our online store.

  

Still have a question our slickline/wireline weight indicator systems? Read more about our wireline weight indicators on our products page. Or, our friendly, knowledgeable staff is here to help.  Give us a call at 1-877-908-3790 or contact us by email sales@drillinginstruments.com.