Swabbing - To unload liquids from the production tubing to initiate flow from the

reservoir. A swabbing tool string incorporates a weighted bar and swab cup
assembly that are run in the wellbore on heavy wireline. When the assembly is
retrieved, the specially shaped swab cups expand to seal against the tubing wall and
carry the liquids from the wellbore.
In order to reverse the well kill, the kill fluid must be displaced from the well bore. This involves
injecting a gas at high pressure, usually nitrogen since it is inert and relatively cheap. A gas can be
put under sufficient pressure to allow it to push heavy kill fluid, but will then expand and become light
once pressure is removed. This means that having displaced the kill fluid, it will not itself kill the well.
Low density ("light") liquids such as diesel fuel, or the "base fluid" for a "(synthetic) oil-based mud"
can also be used, depending on availability and pressure-management issues for a specific well.
The reservoir fluids should be able to flow to surface, displacing the gas.
The cheapest way to do it is similar to bullheading, where the light fluid (nitrogen, or low density
liquid) is pumped in under high pressure to force the kill fluid into the reservoir. This, of course, runs
a high risk of causing well damage. The most effective way is to use coiled tubing, pumping the
gas/diesel down the coil and circulating out the bottom into the well bore, where it will displace the
kill mud to production. (Of course, getting a coiled tubing spread to the location may take weeks of
work and logistics
Guiberson Tubing Swab Mandrels
Tubing Swab Mandrels
Guiberson tubing swabs have set industry performance standards for nearly a half
century. Today, Guiberson’s wide selection of swabs and cups assures the right
combination for every swabbing application, from light load, shallow well service to the
heaviest loads and the deepest wells.

Knuckle Joint Swab

The original Guiberson Knuckle Joint Swab allows cups to be changed in just 10
seconds. To disassemble, the mandrel is lifted 90° and the two sections of the joint are
separated. The old cup can then be removed rapidly and the new one dropped in place.
There are no threads on the swab knuckles, no danger of damage and galling, and no
tools needed to change cups.

Made of tough, cast, heat-treated steel, the Knuckle Joint Swab provides a large
external bypass for fast falling and uses the cup itself as a valve. As many mandrels
and cups as desired may be run with the Knuckle Joint. Upper mandrels are keyed to
hold the joint sockets in line, and square shoulders reinforce the joint, preventing
spreading under load. The rigidity of the joint absolutely prevents jackknifing and
disassembly in the well. The lower mandrel allows a full 360° swivel action. Adapted as
necessary, all Guiberson tubing swab cups except the Type ‘J’ may be run on this
swab.

Standard Tubing Swab

A fast falling, threaded, internal bypass swab, the Guiberson Standard Swab uses two
cups on its one-piece mandrel. Its large bypass area and full-opening check valve
assure rapid running and smooth, trouble-free swabbing. The corrosion-resistant ball
and steel seat seal perfectly under long, tough service. A no-go, machined as a part of
the bottom retaining nut, prevents sticking in sating nipples and tight spots. This no-go
may be machined off when additional clearance is desired. Adapted as necessary, all
Guiberson tubing swab cups may be run on the Standard Swab.

Type ‘UF’ Tubing Swab

The ‘UF’ is a threaded joint, external bypass swab, similar to the Knuckle Joint, except
that it is threaded. A forged, heat-treated steel assembly, the 2-3/8” and larger ‘UF’
swabs are ideal in applications where internal bypass is not suitable. The 2-1/16” and
smaller sizes are ideal for swabbing in small diameter tubing. In sizes smaller than 2-
3/8”, ‘UF’, ‘MV’, and ‘TA’ cups are available for this application. In the larger tubing
sizes, all Guiberson tubing swab cups (adapted as necessary) except the Type ‘J’ may
be used.