Wire flat spots

Flat spots on slickline weaken tensile strength, increasing the risk of wire failure. This mechanical damage occurs when the wire runs at excessive speed with insufficient tension, commonly seen when running full-bore drifts or plugs in heavy fluids.

What Causes Flat Spots?

🚀 Excessive Speed & Low Tension:

- Wire coils against the tubing wall, creating friction.
- Outer diameter (OD) is reduced, forming weak flat spots.

🛠️ High-Risk Areas:

- Typically, within 1,000ft of the rope socket but can occur deeper.
- Increased risk during operations with minimal fluid bypass.

How to Prevent Flat Spots?

✅ Monitor Line Tension:

- Maintain at least 75% of the static hanging weight while running in hole (RIH).
- Check tension every 1,000ft and adjust accordingly.

✅ Control Line Speed:

- Limit speed when passing restrictions or completion assemblies.
- At the Xmas tree, do not exceed 30 ft/min.

💡 Why It Matters:
A single flat spot can significantly reduce the breaking load of the slickline, leading to costly failures. Adopting best practices prevents unplanned fishing operations and enhances wellsite efficiency.

🔧 HALO Intervention – We Get It.