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SLICKLINE CONNECT
Pulling Tools
Pulling Tools Introduction

Pulling tools are a class of downhole intervention tool designed for retrieving devices from well bores. All
downhole intervention equipment will (should) have a standardised ‘fishing neck’ which a pulling tool engages
and latches on to. Fishing necks have universal standard industry dimensions which correspond to the size of
the tubing the downhole devices are run in. Fishing necks can have either an internal or external profile.

In the event a device cannot be recovered from the wellbore pulling tools can be released from the fishing
neck by shearing a pin in the tool. Shear pins, depending on the type of tool are sheared either by jarring up
or jarring down.

Pulling tools are described and/or classified by the following:

 Internal or external latch
 Jar up or jar down to shear to release
 Size (nominal) 2”, 2-1/2”, 3” and 4” (see pulling tool table)
 Reach

Definitions
Nominal Size
Is the size used for the description in name only, as a rule of thumb it is the true size rounded up or down, as
an example, a 1.77” OD RB pulling tool is rounded up and becomes a 2.00” nominal RB pulling tool.

Internal Dimension (ID)

Tubing and casing, depending on the weight, will have a physical internal diameter.

Drift ID
The maximum guaranteed internal diameter of a tubing or casing and is the reference size for Slickline
operations in determining the largest size tool or device that can safely pass.

Standard Fishing Necks

The Otis fishing neck has a 15o undercut whereas the Camco fishing neck is 90o. The Otis undercut is designed
to force the pulling tool dogs inwards to ensure full engagement with the fishing neck. Whereas with Camco
pulling tools the lower portion of the pulling tool skirt has an enlarged OD with a recess machined which
supports the dogs to ensure they remain fully engaged with the fishing neck.

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External Fishing Necks Dimensions

Fishing neck size (a) (b) (c)
0.687” - -
0.750” - -
0.875” 0.688” 2.750”
1.000” 0.813” 2.750”
1.188” 1.000” 2.250”
1.375” 1.188” 2.375”
1.750” 1.500” 2.250”
2.313” 2.063” 2,250”
3.125” - 2.906”

Internal Fishing Neck Dimensions

Nominal Size (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)
1-1/4” 0.88 1.03 1.00 1.38 2.00 1.00
1-1/2” 1.06 1.22 1.50 2.00 3.00 1.19
2” 1.37 1.56 1.50 2.00 3.00 1.59
2-1/2” 1.81 1.97 1.50 2.00 3.00 1.91
3” 2.31 2.50 1.50 2.00 3.00 2.47
3-1/2” 2.62 2.81 1.50 2.00 3.00 2.78
4” 3.12 3.32 1.50 2.00 3.00 3.35
5” 4.00 4.19 1.50 2.00 3.00 4.16
6” 4.25 4.67 1.50 2.63 3.00 -
6” 4.75 5.00 1.50 2.63 3.00 -
7” 5.38 5.62 1.50 2.63 3.00 -
8-5/8” 7.12 7.49 1.50 2.63 3.00 -

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Pulling Tools
Below is a list of pulling tools, which we believe is as close to a complete list of pulling tools designed and
marketed for Slickline applications. Otis and Camco developed the original internal and external pulling tools
and their designs have been copied and developed by multiple manufacturers over the last 30 to 40 years.
The list separates internal from external pulling tools, lists multiple shear mode tools as well as various
adapters.
Otis pioneered many of the pulling tool designs that are available today, including the standard R & S type
tools, double shear down adapters for Type S Pulling Tools and Type GS tools and what has become known as
the universal pulling tool with their original Type UO.

Pulling Tools - External Fishing Neck

Original Shear Off
Device or Core Sizes Comments
Manufacturer Direction

BB - short reach 3/4”, 1”, 1-1/4”, 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3” Up

Otis
Type B No skirt
(HES)
BE - long reach 3/4”, 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3” Up

1”, 1-3/16”, 1-1/4”, 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”,

RB - short reach Up
3-1/2”, 4”
Otis 1”, 1-3/16”, 1-1/4”, 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”,
Type R RS - medium reach Up
(HES) 3-1/2”, 4”

RJ – long reach 1-1/4”, 1-1/2”, 1-3/4”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 4” Up

SB – short reach 1”, 1-1/4”, 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 3-1/2”, 4” Down

Otis
Type S SM – medium reach 1-3/16”, 1.66”, 1-1/2”, 2” Down
(HES)

SS – long reach 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3” Down

Double Shear Down Otis Jar down on core or

Adapter (for S PT) 2”, 2-1/2”, 3” Down
(DSD) Adapter (HES) skirt to shear off

C – short reach 1-1/4”, 1-3/8”, 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 4” Down

Heavier weight skirt,
Camco slightly enlarged OD
JD Series S – medium reach 1-1/4”, 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3” Down
(SLB) compared to equivalent
Otis pulling tool
L – long reach 2”, 3” Down

C – short reach 1-1/4”, 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 4” Up

Heavier weight skirt,
Camco slightly enlarged OD
JU Series S – medium reach 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3” Up
(SLB) compared to equivalent
Otis pulling tool
L – long reach 2” Up

Short reach 1-1/4”, 1-1/2”,2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 4” Up or down

Medium reach 1-1/4”, 1-1/2”,2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 4” Up or down

BDK Shear mode converted
BDK PT
(WFD) by changing top sub
Long reach 1-3/16”, 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 4” Up or down

Extra-long reach 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 4” Up or down

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Pulling Tools – External Fishing Neck - Continued

Original Shear Off

Device or Core Sizes Comments
Manufacturer Direction

Short reach 1-3/16”, 1-1/4”, 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 4” Up or down

Medium reach 1-1/4”, 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 4” Up or down

Long reach 1-3/16”, 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 4” Up or down Shear mode converted
BDK by changing top sub
BDK HD PT
(WFD)
Extra-long reach 2”, 2-1/2”, 3” Up or down 360O dog contact

Extra-long + reach 2”, 2-1/2”, 3” Up or down

Heavy Duty 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 4” Up or down

Petroline 7/8”, 1-3/16”, 1-3/8”, 1-3/4”, 2-5/16”, 3-

HD PT Short Reach Down 360O dog contact
(WFD) 1/8”

FRC GLV Peak GL Applications 1-1/2”, 1-3/4” Down 360O dog contact

HD FRC Peak Long reach 2”, 2-1/2”, 3” Up 360O dog contact

HD FRC Peak Short reach 2-1/2”, 3”, 4”, 5” Down 360O dog contact

Double Jar Adapter Up then Jar down, jar up, then

Peak 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 4”
Down Adapter (for FRC PT) down jar down to shear off

GLV PT Limar GL Applications 1-1/2”, 1-3/4 Down 360O dog contact

HD PT Limar Dual reach core 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 4” Down 360O dog contact

HD PCE
Medium reach 1-1/4”, 1-5/8”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 4” Down 360O dog contact
Releasable PT (NOV Elmar)
Otis Up then Jar down, jar up, then
Type SSJ Long reach 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”
(HES) down jar down to shear off
Double Jar Up then Jar down, jar up, then
Peak Short reach 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 4”, 5”
Down FRC PT down jar down to shear off
Otis
Type UO 3 reach settings 2”, 2-1/2” Up or down
(HES)
PCE
Universal PT 3 reach settings 1-1/4”, 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 3-1/2”, 4” Up or down
(NOV Elmar)
Optional short cores
UNI-TOOL Limar 3 reach settings 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 3-1/2”, 4” Up or down
available
Shear off options,
Multi-Action PT Adjustable core
Peak 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 4” 3 modes down, up, or up then
(MAP) length
down

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Pulling Tools - Internal Fishing Neck

Otis 1-1/4”, 1-1/2”, 1-3/4”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”,

Type GS Down
(HES) 3-1/2”, 4”, 5”, 7”

Otis Shear-up adapter 1-1/4”, 1-1/2”, 1-3/4”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 4”, In combination with
Type GU Up
(HES) (for GS) 5”, 7” type GS pulling tool

PRS 4”, 5-1/2”, 7” Down

Camco
PRS Series PRS-2 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3-1/2” Up or Down
(SLB) Reversible safety shear
release
PRS-3 2”, 2-1/2” Up or Down

IN-FRC Peak GS Type PT 2”, 1/2”, 3”, 3-1/2”, 4”, 5”, 6”, 7” Down 360O dog contact

Shear off options,

Multi Action Adapter (for GS type
Limar 2”, 2-1/2”, 3-1/2”, 5” 3 modes down, up, or up then
Shear Sub (MAS) PT)
down
Petroline Up then Jar down, jar up, then
DU 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 3-1/2”, 4”, 5”, 6”
(WFD) down jar down to shear off

Model M Baker 5-1/4”, 6-3/8” Down

Otis Up then Jar down, jar up, then

Type SGS Adapter (for GS)
(HES) down jar down to shear off
In combination with
HD Shear-up PCE type GS pulling tool,
Adapter (for GS) 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3” (3-1/2”& 4”), 5”, 7” Up
Adapter (NOV Elmar) adapter fitted with
double shear pins
Double Jar PCE Up then Jar down, jar up, then
Adapter (for GS) 2”, 2-1/2”, 3” (3-1/2”& 4”), 5”. 5-5/8”, 7”
Down Adapter (NOV Elmar) down jar down to shear off
Shear off options,
Multi-Action
Peak Adapter (for GS) 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 3-1/2”, 4”, 5”, 6”, 7” 3 modes down, up, or up then
Top Sub (MAT Sub)
down

Shear Up Shear Down

Pulling tools, as the list above shows, can be sheared off either up or down to release the pulling tool from the
fishing neck. Pulling tools must be selected accordingly before running in the well. In addition a pulling tool
must also be functioned tested prior to running.

Of the two methods of shearing off a pulling tool jar down to shear is most critical requiring the pulling tool
configuration and functionality to be checked and verified before running in the well.

A pulling tool is maintained in the ‘catch’ position by the use of a shear pin. In general, shear pins are brass or
mild steel, in certain applications aluminium or silver steel can be used. Brass is used for jar down to shear
applications and mild steel for jar up to shear applications. Shear pins are usually a larger OD in jar up to shear
pulling tools.

As a rule of thumb the first pulling tool to run in any situation should be a shear up to release tool. The idea
behind this is safety and risk management. A jar up to shear pulling tool can be jarred down to latch a fishing

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neck and can always be sheared off by jarring up always allowing the tool string to be recovered to surface in
the event of issues downhole.

There are several factors which can effect shearing off a pulling tool, these are applicable to shear up and
shear down pulling tools and include ineffective jar action caused by
Well geometry, highly deviated or cork screwed tubing
Well fluids, ‘heavy’ viscous oils
Completion fluids and over saturated fluids
Debris, sand or other deposits in and around the fish
Incorrectly set up jars or badly maintained jars
Poorly maintained pulling tools
No function check performed prior to running in the well

Jar Down to Shear - External Fishing Neck

There are several factors which can prevent a shear down to release pulling tool from shearing of in the case
of an external fishing neck: –
Incorrect tool configuration, core too short resulting in the skirt bottoming out on the tool
shoulder
Debris around the fishing neck preventing the core from bottoming out
Fish is ‘Soft’, not firm or solid enough to provide a solid base for jarring
Fish moves down the well

 Unlimited jarring up
 To shear off, the core must be in contact with
the top of the fishing neck
 There must be sufficient space between the
bottom of the skirt and the body of the ‘fish’
 By jarring down and shearing the pin the core
will move upwards relative to the pulling tool
body
 The core spring assists the core movement and
keeps the tool in the sheared off position
 The pulling tool body will move downwards
 The movement of the core relative to the
pulling tool body coupled to the design of the
dogs and the skirt, forces the dogs to move
upwards and subsequently outwards releasing
the pulling tool from the fishing neck

Critical requirement – correct core length for the

specific application

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Internal Fishing Neck

In the case of an internal fishing neck anything that prevents the downward movement of the tool and the
skirt making contact with the fishing neck will prevent the pin from being sheared such as: -
Fish full of debris or fill
Incorrect equalising prong and/or probe selected, bottoming out and preventing downward movement of
the tool

 Unlimited jarring up
 Shearing off, the skirt must be in contact with
the top of the fishing neck
 There must be sufficient space below the core
for downward movement of the pulling tool
 By jarring down and shearing the pin the core
will move downwards relative to the pulling
tool body
 The core spring assists the core movement and
maintains the tool in the sheared off position
 Through the movement of the core relative to
the pulling tool body, the dog spring and core
geometry will force the dogs to collapse
inwards releasing the pulling tool from the
fishing neck

Critical requirement – clean contact between

pulling tool skirt and fishing neck as well as room
inside the fishing neck for the core to move
downwards

Reach & External Fishing Necks

For an external pulling tool, reach is the distance from the bottom of the core to the engaging shoulder on the
dog. Recovering devices with external fishing necks with a jar down to shear pulling tool it is very important to
ensure the tool is configured with the correct length core.
All pulling tools have options for core length, with conventional Otis & Camco style tools these are
interchangeable cores providing the different reach capabilities. For universal style pulling tools there are
different core setting positions providing reach options. The one clear message is that the pulling tool reach
has to be correct to allow the pulling tool to successfully latch and in the case of jar down to shear pulling
tools allowing the shear pin to be sheared.
The various devices run downhole have different reach requirements, for a conventional rope socket a B or C
core is the correct selection, for a sucker rod connection a shorter core, longer reach is required. Similarly for
a quick connector a short core long reach configuration is required, see below.

Reach & Internal Fishing Necks

With internal fishing necks, dimensions are standardised for nearly all sizes, the distance from the top of the
fishing neck to the top and bottom of the fishing profile are the same across all sizes. Internal pulling tools are
still specified with a reach, which is measured from the top of the engaging shoulder on the dog to the bottom
of the core.

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For jar down to shear internal pulling tools the most important requirement is contact between the pulling
tool skirt and the top of the device’s fishing neck. When running a probe to release a lock for instance or an
equalising prong attached to the pulling tool it is very important to verify the correct lengths are being used. If
either is too long for the application it could prevent the pulling tool skirt making clean contact with the
fishing neck. Pulling tools must be function checked before running in the well.

Pulling Tool Pre-job Checks

1. Verify - Has the pulling tool been stripped down and redressed since it was last used, is there a
maintenance sticker attached, which is signed and dated by the person responsible
2. Determine - What is the size of the fishing neck of the device in the well, is the pulling the correct size
3. Confirm - If applicable, measure the reach of the pulling tool and confirm the correct core is installed
4. Check - Remove and check the shear pin, confirm it is not partially sheared and it is the correct
material for the application
5. Inspect - Check the condition of pulling tool, checking the skirt for cracks or damage, the dogs are not
worn or damaged, the dogs are a matched set (see Hints & Tips), check the condition of the fishing
neck, check the top connection is not worn or damaged
6. Validate - Check the pulling tool is assembled correctly and fully tightened, in the case of jar up to
shear pulling tools check the grub screw locking the top sub to the core is installed and fully tightened

Function check
After redressing, during maintenance in the workshop or at the well site prior to running it in the well a
pulling tool should be function checked.
The objective of a function check is to:
1. Check the pulling tool latches correctly
2. In the case of jar down to shear pulling tools the reach is correct
3. The shear pin can be sheared correctly, verifying the shear pin holes are not worn or ‘raduised’

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4. The core spring functions correctly and shifts the core and dogs relative the body of the tool moving
the dogs to the release position
5. Once sheared the pulling tool disengages cleanly from the fishing neck

If the pulling tool does not complete the pre-job function check satisfactorily it must be stripped down and
the cause determined and corrected before running in the well.

Hints & Tips

 Always check and tighten the fishing neck grub screw in type R and type GS pulling tools before
running in the well
 Repining tools are required for Otis R, S, GS and Camco JD & JU pulling tools to compress the core
spring to line up the shear pin holes
 Otis R & S pulling tools require a releasing tool to remove the pulling tool from a fishing neck
 Camco type JD & JU pulling tools have a larger OD than the equivalent Otis type pulling tool
 With Otis type pulling tools, when the pin is sheared the dogs expand outside the skirt, slightly
enlarging the OD,
 Standard spring steel pulling tool springs will fail in H2S environments, replace the standard spring
steel springs with more suitable materials such as Elgiloy
 Always perform a pre-job function check, verify the pulling tool will latch and release correctly
 Do not mix pulling tool parts from different manufacturers as it can result in a non-functioning tool,
miss run or tool breakages down hole. There may will be differences in the machining tolerances from
different manufacturers which can be sufficient to prevent a pulling tool from functioning correctly
 When running a GR type pulling tool make sure the shear pin is removed from the GS, it will be
impossible to shear off it hasn’t been removed
 All shear-up pulling tools have a larger shear pin than the equivalent shear down tool
 Type S & R pulling tool cores have two holes in the core to assist with disassembly and assembly
 Always strip pulling tools after working in sandy or scale conditions
 Use a jar up to shear pulling tool when running a wireline grab

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