CONTENT

1. Wire Testing - Carbon Steel Wirelines.........................................2

2. Fracture Classification...................................................................2
1) Grade 1 Fracture Without Secondary Breaks................................2
2) Grade 1 Fracture With Secondary Breaks.....................................3
3) Grade 2 Fractures..........................................................................3
4) Grade 3 Fractures..........................................................................4
3. General Guidance Notes................................................................4
4. Stainless Steel/Special Alloy Lines................................................5
5. Wrap Testing...................................................................................5
6. TORSION TEST MACHINES.....................................................6
7. Slickline Failures In Service..........................................................6
8. RELATIVE STRENGTHS OF SLICKLINE..............................7
1) General Comparison of Grades..................................................8
2) Carbon Steel Wires to API-9A...................................................8
3) Stainless Steel and Special Alloys.............................................8
4) Bending Stresses........................................................................9
 1. Wire Testing - Carbon Steel Wirelines
It is becoming accepted that frequent line testing during an operation is required, and that
the most reliable method of testing, is to torsion test carbon steel lines, and wrap test
stainless steel and special alloy lines. Although it is possible to hand test lines by using a
vice and mole grips, testing in this way can present a danger to hands and eyes, and must
be performed using gloves, goggles and utmost caution. The safest most reliable test is to
use a torsion test machine. This is a machine which will clasp a measured piece of wire
between two jaws and allow the line to be twisted on its own axis, until destruction.
After the wire has broken:
• The number of twists before destruction will be registered
• The type of break and condition of the spiralling along the length of the line will be
inspected.
A line would be suitable for further use if the testing proved acceptable under the
conditions set forth in API 9A. Ductility Tester.

Torsion Requirements Of The API-9A Specification

Nominal Wire Diameter 0.066 0.072 0.032 0.092 0.105 0.108 0.125
Minimum Number of Twists
32 29 26 23 20 19 14
in 8”

WARNING: ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN USING WIRE

TESTER.

2. Fracture Classification
1) Grade 1 Fracture Without Secondary Breaks
The test piece should show no evidence of spiral splitting along its length and should
contain a single, ductile, primary fracture, which is perfectly square ended. This type of
fracture is characteristic of carbon steel wireline and is usually, but not always, associated
with a high number of twists to failure. A wireline exhibiting this type of fracture
characteristic would be considered of suitable quality for further use under most
circumstances. If, however, the number of twists to failure are very low (e.g. 30% of the
API 9A value) the line should be discarded.
 Single-Square Ended Primary Fracture

2) Grade 1 Fracture With Secondary Breaks

It is possible, during torsion testing of wireline exhibiting exceptionally high tensile
strength values, to experience secondary wire breaks which feature stepped, or helical
fracture faces. These breaks are recoil fractures and are induced by the instantaneous
release of stored energy in the wire when the primary fracture occurs. Although such
breaks indicate a marginal reduction in wireline ductility, their presence can be
discounted, the wire quality indicated by the characteristics of the primary fracture. In
this instance, the latter shall comply in all respects with the definition detailed above.
Single-Square Ended Primary Fracture with Secondary Breaks

3) Grade 2 Fractures
The test piece may show evidence of waviness and the presence of slight spiral splitting

along its length. The primary fracture, whilst preferably square ended, may be slightly
stepped. Secondary recoil fractures may be present. This type of primary fracture is
acceptable but it is associated with a reduced number of twists to failure, indicating a
reduction in wireline quality. A wireline exhibiting such fracture characteristics would
generally be considered suitable for limited further service, provided the number of twists
to failure exceeded 60% of the API 9A value and provided ductility tests were carried out
after each operation.
 Slightly Stepped primary Fracture
4) Grade 3 Fractures
The torsioned test piece may show evidence of uneven or localised twisting. Spiral
splitting and waviness is invariably present and the primary fracture will exhibit severely
stepped or helical fracture faces. Secondary, recoil fractures are uncommon. This type of
failure is unacceptable and is usually associated with a low number of twists to failure. A
wireline exhibiting such torsional characteristics should be discarded immediately.
Single-Helical Spear Type Fracture

3. General Guidance Notes

It should be noted that any torsion test performed relates only to the test piece and does
not guarantee the quality of the remaining length of wireline.
In the event of obtaining Grade 2 or Grade 3 type fracture characteristics two repeat tests
shall be performed.
If the quality of a wireline is variable, it is permissible to cut off a length of wire (say 200
ft) and re-test. Two re-tests should both give Grade 1 type fractures. This procedure may,
if necessary, be repeated since it is well known that the ductility of a wireline deteriorates
more rapidly at bottom hole temperature. The ductility of a carbon steel wireline should
be measured prior to wireline service operations.
Where H2S or acid conditions are encountered, suitable inhibitors should be used to
combat embrittlement and corrosive attack. It is also recommended that the wireline is
tested at regular intervals since rapid deterioration can occur.
4. Stainless Steel/Special Alloy Lines
The life expectancy of stainless steel lines can be reduced to a matter of a few hours if
used in wells containing boiling chlorides. Stainless steel wire is NOT suitable for all
applications where carbon steel is traditionally not used and this misunderstanding has
created many fishing jobs.
If boiling chlorides are to be encountered, then more exotic special alloy lines, (or
inhibited carbon steel lines) should be used.
Bridon Wire have prepared quite extensive information on the care, maintenance and
recommended wire use for varying environmental conditions, details of which are too
extensive for publication in this document.
Frequency of wireline fishing jobs due to line failure could be minimised, if the wire is
tested to ensure that it was still suitable for use as intended by the manufacturer. Such
testing would also ensure that lines were not discarded before the end of their useful life.
This in itself could prove a considerable cost saving, especially when using expensive
lines such as special alloy Supa 60, Supa 70 or Supa 75.

5. Wrap Testing
Stainless steel lines cannot be torsion tested since 2 - 4 torsions will create a wire break.
Consequently, the only method of testing the ductility of stainless steel lines is the wrap
test. A wire which has survived some eight 360° wraps around its own diameter without
fracture, or signs of surface cracking has passed the test and is suitable for further use.
Stainless Steel Wire Test Wrap

6. TORSION TEST MACHINES

There are a number of portable torsion test machines on the market. The ductility tester
shown is built by Linetech Ltd of Doncaster, and is suitable for torsion testing of carbon
steel wirelines.
7. Slickline Failures In Service
It is quite a common practice these days to limit jarring loads to approximately 50% of
wireline breaking strength, and yet wire breaks still happen. When this situation arises, it
is advisable to try and establish why the line has failed so that any faults are not repeated.
The best possible clue as to the cause of failure is to examine the type of break which will
narrow the field to a smaller number of possibilities. For example, a break caused by
tensile overloading will generally create a cup and cone type break with associated
locally thinned areas within the vicinity of the break.
This would inevitably point the finger at operator error or fault in the weight indication
system, or, more likely, a little of both. Previous mechanical damage caused by
something having been dropped on the line could also cause that portion of line to part at
less than normal tensile strength, and still show the same cup and cone breaks.
It must be mentioned, that there is a very fine line between good wireline operation and
operator error especially when equipment failure is involved.
A break which shows a ragged end would point to a lack of ductility in the line, and is
indicative of either wire failure, or failure due to downhole conditions. If it is considered
necessary to send a wire sample back to the manufacturer for analysis, it is important to
send a length of line of at least 3 ft with the break on it, sealed in an airtight container.

NOTE:Do not wrap the sample with adhesive tape as this destroys evidence of H2S.

8. RELATIVE STRENGTHS OF SLICKLINE

It must be remembered that the wireline is the most indispensable part of the operators
equipment, and cannot afford to be taken for granted.
The following table shows the relative strengths of IPS (Improved Plough Steel) wire and
H2S resistant alloy wirelines:

1) General Comparison of Grades

 Strength Relative General Corrosion
Steel Specifications
to API Resistance Rating
Carbon Steel - API-9A API-9A Poor
Bright
Drawn Galvanised API-9A API-9A Better
Ultra High Tensile Bridon UHT 25% Higher Poor
Stainless - 304 Bridon API-9A Good
Type
316 Type Bridon 10% Lower Better than 304
Supa 60 Bridon 15/20% Lower Excellent
Supa 70 Bridon 5% Higher Excellent
Supa 75 Bridon Similar Better than Supa 70

Table 1 - General Comparison of Grades

2) Carbon Steel Wires to API-9A

The wire is supplied on steel reels in continuous lengths. Diameter tolerance + 0.001 ins.
Torsion in all cases in accordance with API-9A.

Table 2 - Carbon Steel Wires to API-9A

3) Stainless Steel and Special Alloys

All stainless steel and Special Alloy wires are supplied on nylon coated steel reels in
continuous lengths, to the following Bridon specifications:
• Diameter tolerance + 0.001 ins
• Ductility(塑性) wraps（缠绕） on own diameter - 8 minimum
 Table 3 - Stainless Steel and Special Alloys

4) Bending Stresses
The bending stresses that the line is subjected to are the most common cause of breaking
but are generally the least considered. Bending occurs whenever a line deviates from a
straight line condition, such as when it passes over pulleys or reel drum, or when it is
flexed by hand.
It is necessary to employ specific mechanical equipment, such as the reel drum, hay
pulley, stuffing box pulley and measuring wheel, when carrying out wireline operations.
Each time the line passes over a pulley it is subjected to two bending stresses - when it
changes from a straight to a curved path and again when it reverts to a straight path. It is
subject to only one when it leaves the reel drum. So, for each trip in and out of the well,
the line probably suffers a minimum of fourteen bending cycles.

NOTE: To minimize the effect of bending stresses on the wireline, 50-100 ft. is normally
cut and discarded every time a new rope-socket is tied. This action will subject a different
part of the wireline to bending stresses.