There’s one rule I never let my crew forget: never start prepping a setting tool unless you can finish it in one go.

That rule didn’t come from theory. It came from experience—specifically, a hectic cased hole wireline job where an operator was pulled away mid-prep. The tool ended up with mismatched explosives and a partial oil fill. We didn’t catch it until we were at depth, prepping to fire.

It didn’t misfire—but it didn’t function correctly either. The wireline perforating gun failed to fully deploy, and we had to abort the stage, pull tools, and run a backup. Avoidable downtime. Expensive lessons.

That’s when we started using a formal setting tool prep SOP with a step-by-step checklist, documentation, and inspection bag—a system that now drives reliability across every wireline services oil and gas job we run.

Why Setting Tool Prep Is the Backbone of Wireline Efficiency

In today’s wireline services market, there’s no margin for error—especially in pump down perforating, high-pressure, or multi-stage completions. The setting tool is the one piece of the puzzle that connects the surface team to downhole execution. When it’s wrong, everything goes wrong.

We now follow a strict preparation process that’s transformed our field performance and crew accountability.

The 10-Step Field-Proven Process for Setting Tool Prep

Here’s how we prep every tool in our cased hole logging operations today:

• Step 1: Start only when the job can be completed without interruption. No partial builds.
• Step 2: Prepare a 1-gallon plastic bag labeled with:
  • Well name
  • Stage number
  • Date/time of prep
  • Tech’s initials
• Step 3: Use a check-off sheet to document each step of the assembly as it happens.
• Step 4: When you load the primary explosive, retain its wrapper in the bag.
• Step 5: Load the secondary explosive and place its wrapper in the same bag.
• Step 6: Load the power charge, and include its lid in the bag.
• Step 7: Fill the tool with oil using the correct temperature-calibrated dipstick. Record the fill reading on the bag.
• Step 8: Once complete, attach the fully labeled and sealed bag to the setting tool.
• Step 9: Wrap red tape across the bleeder disk port after assembly.
• Step 10: The well site supervisor removes the red tape and inspects the port before the tool goes downhole.

Only after every one of these steps is complete does the setting tool get cleared for run-in.

Why the Bag System Works

This bag isn’t just for documentation. It contains proof that:

• The right explosives were used
• The correct oil level was verified
• A certified tech completed the work
• The checklist was followed and signed off

It holds everyone accountable—and provides a reference point if something ever goes wrong.

In the wireline business, this kind of documentation protects your crew, your job performance, and your client relationships. It shows that your operation follows integrity wireline standards, and that your team is trained in real-world, high-stakes execution.

For the Next Generation of Wireline Engineers

If you’re currently working through wireline courses or just starting out in wireline service companies, pay attention to prep. Fancy tech, fast trucks, and smart tools won’t save you if your setting tool isn’t built right.

And don’t let distractions pull you away. Errors happen when you stop.

In my years of running wireline and perforating crews, the most preventable problems always traced back to rushed prep or undocumented tool builds. That’s why wireline control systems now include full explosive traceability, pre-job documentation, and step-by-step SOP enforcement.

Final Thought

In cased hole well services, there’s nothing more critical than doing it right the first time—especially when you’re hundreds of feet down, under pressure, and the frac clock is ticking.

This SOP isn’t just about rules. It’s a proven method for building complete wireline solutions that work under pressure—literally.