We were getting ready to run a standard pump down perforating job on a horizontal well. The crew was sharp, the wireline truck had just been serviced, and the wireline tools were assembled and tested. It looked like a smooth job on paper.

But things changed fast when we started pulling out of the hole and hit resistance at the surface. Not downhole—at the bottom of the lubricator. That’s where our fishing wire line incident started. And what caused it was something I didn’t expect: the fishing neck.

The Catch That Shouldn’t Have Happened

We had been using a 2” fishing neck on the over-the-line weight bar—a standard part of the string. But this particular neck had a lip that was slightly more pronounced than it should’ve been. On retrieval, it hung up on the edge of the lubricator, jamming the string and almost leading to a full-blown surface pullout incident.

Thankfully, we caught it before things got worse. But it triggered a deeper look into the design and inspection process of our downhole connections. In cased hole logging, especially during high-efficiency wireline and perforating jobs, the smallest mechanical detail can make or break the day.

Rethinking What Gets Inspected

Up until then, fishing neck inspections were more of a quick glance. But this near-miss made it clear: we needed to do more than eyeball it. Every wireline unit that leaves the yard now follows a strict fishing neck inspection protocol, especially for over-the-line weight bars used in wireline perforating assemblies.

Here’s how we do it now—and what’s taught in our wireline courses:

New Standard for Fishing Neck Inspections

Every 2” fishing neck now goes through a detailed check before it ever sees the hole:

• Beveled Edge Inspection

  • Look for flat spots, deep scarring, and sharp lips on the edge of the neck. These imperfections increase the chance of catching on the lubricator or within the wireline pressure control equipment.

• Thread Examination

  • Check for any deformation or wear on the threads. These need to mate perfectly with the over-the-line weight bar and pass internal pressure integrity requirements.

• Edge Modification

  • All older-style fishing necks are modified to remove sharp lips and create a smooth, rounded edge that glides through the lubricator during retrieval.

Why It Matters in Cased Hole Wireline Operations

In today’s cased hole logging service market, speed is a priority—but it can’t come at the cost of well integrity or equipment reliability. A jammed fishing neck could lead to:

• Delays in perforation services

• Damage to wireline tools and wireline equipment

• Lost time during wireline well logging runs

• The need for costly downhole pipe recovery operations

This isn’t just about being careful—it’s about delivering complete wireline solutions that are reliable from top to bottom.

What Is Wireline in Oil and Gas Without Inspection?

When I talk to younger techs, I always emphasize that wireline logging isn’t just about technology or running a logging cable. It’s about knowing where failures come from, and learning how to prevent them before you ever rig up.

You can have the best wireline control systems, advanced perforating guns, and high-end wireline trucks, but if you’re sending down an unchecked fishing neck, you’re rolling the dice on every job.

Inspection Is Now a Crew-Wide Responsibility

Part of our shift in mindset was making inspection culture part of every wireline service company job. Whether you’re running horizontal wireline, production logging services, or plug and abandon operations, inspection needs to be embedded in the SOP—not just tacked on at the end.

That’s why we now include fishing neck inspection steps in:

• Perforator checklists

• Pre-run cased hole wireline job briefings

• Toolstring teardown reports

• Post-job QA/QC documentation

We’ve also added this case as a lesson in our wireline courses, helping other crews recognize these risks before they cost time, tools, or reputation.

Lessons That Go Beyond One Job

This wasn’t just about a fishing neck—it was a reminder that even small mechanical components can cause major issues in the field. If you’re a wireline provider, managing a team, or building a scalable wireline business, these are the details you can’t afford to overlook.

The more your crew understands these risks, the better your results—and the stronger your reputation in the wireline services market.

Final Thoughts

Out here, every detail matters. Whether you’re running a cement bond log, verifying collar positions, or prepping for a perforation well, your operation is only as strong as the smallest part in your toolstring.

Inspect it. Modify it if needed. And teach your team why it matters.