Slickline Go Devil

Description

Slickline Go-Devil

Technical Description and Specifications

The Slickline Go-Devil is a specialized “drop tool” or “impact tool” used primarily for emergency intervention or wire maintenance. Unlike standard BHA components that are threaded onto the tool string, the Go-Devil is often designed to be dropped from the surface to slide down the wire. Its most critical application is in “fishing” operations where the tool string has become irretrievably stuck and the wire needs to be cut at the rope socket to allow for a clean fishing job.

Key Technical Specifications and Operation

• Emergency Wire Cutting: The Slotted Go-Devil features a longitudinal slot that allows it to be placed over the slickline at the surface. When dropped, it accelerates down the wire, striking the top of the rope socket or the wire-cutting sub with enough kinetic energy to shear the wire cleanly.

• Paraffin and Debris Clearing: In wells with heavy wax or hydrate buildup, a Go-Devil can be run to “strip” the wire. As it descends, its weight and tight-tolerance bore scrape the wire, ensuring it doesn’t become “bird-nested” or stuck in the stuffing box due to debris.

• Kinetic Energy Delivery: Because it relies on gravity and acceleration, Go-Devils are typically manufactured in various weights. A “Flat-Bottom” Go-Devil (unslotted) can also be used as a simple heavy weight to shift sleeves or activate downhole tools that require a high-velocity impact.

• Slotted vs. Solid Design: * Slotted: Includes a removable “keeper” or pin system to ensure the tool stays on the wire while descending.

  • Solid: Used as part of the tool string for concentrated downward weight.

• Impact Face: The bottom is typically flat and hardened to resist deformation during high-velocity impacts against the tool string.

Customization and Materials

• Material: Forged from high-grade 4140 Alloy Steel for maximum impact resistance. For corrosive environments, 17-4 PH Stainless Steel or NACE MR0175 compliant materials are standard.

• Weights: Available in various lengths (from 6″ to 24″) to provide the specific mass required to shear different wire sizes (e.g., 0.092″ vs. 0.125″).

• Bore Size: The internal bore of the slotted version is precision-sized to ensure a smooth slide while maintaining enough surface area to catch the wire-cutting mechanism.

Critical Parameters