The electronically activated nonexplosive wireline cutter drops from surface to sever slicklines and cables when a toolstring becomes stuck downhole. The cutter is activated via an electronic timer and trigger module.
The cutter was originally designed to cleanly cut slickline and wireline cables ranging from 0.105 in. to 5/16 in. As wireline cables become larger and more complex, the need for a more robust wireline cutter was needed to cut cable with outer diameters as large as 0.59 in.
Preprogrammed countdown times and optional custom programming capabilities support target depth and activation assurance without reliance on explosives or impact against the stuck toolstring to make a cut. The features of the unique electronically activated nonexplosive wireline cutter are outlined and several case studies presented from onshore and offshore operations.
Jill Hillier, Nader Sabanegh, and Mark Nicol, Schlumberger
Copyright 2020, Society of Petroleum Engineers
This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE/ICoTA Well Intervention Conference and Exhibition originally scheduled to be held in The Woodlands, TX, USA, 24-25 March 2020. Due to COVID-19 the physical event was not held. The official proceedings were published online on 16 March 2020. This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright.
