It was one of those crisp, early morning wireline jobs—cased hole, high-pressure well, multiple runs planned. We were already a few stages in, using full pressure control equipment, and the crew was in rhythm. Then came the bump up before the next run, and just like that, the whole job was nearly derailed.

We’d seen it before—tool strings dropped in the lubricator because of sloppy execution or rushing through the bump up process. But this time, we followed every step of the bump up procedure—and that made all the difference.

For anyone unfamiliar, bump up is the critical moment when you bring the tool string to the top of the lubricator just before equalizing pressures. It’s where things can go very wrong if not done by the book. If the weak point breaks at surface or inside the lubricator during this step, you’re looking at a dropped string, potential damage to your wireline tools, and possibly even a fishing wire line job.

But not this time.

Before we even started, we made sure every member of the crew understood the process—just like we teach in our wireline courses. It was written clearly in the job’s JSA, and we reviewed each person’s role in the operation. We checked the AA valve, dialed in the drum counter to stop five turns from surface, and confirmed the tool trap was in the closed position.

During well entry, the tool was inside the lubricator and pressure control gear was set up. Operators held the logging cable firmly as I slowly brought the tool uphole. The moment it touched the grease head, they signaled me to stop. I locked the winch brake. Everything was secure. We were ready to equalize and continue the run.

And during well exit, we did it all over again. Tools stopped at 75 feet, tool trap closed, operators on the line. When they felt the head hit the grease packoff, I stopped. The tool trap lever confirmed the entire assembly had entered the lubricator. Only after all this did we isolate the wellhead and bleed off pressure.

That discipline paid off.

The cased hole wireline world is full of situations where the smallest misstep can cost you hours—or worse. That’s why I’m such a stickler for proper pressure procedures. The bump up routine is about more than just pulling a string. It’s about coordination, communication, and control over your wireline equipment and wireline control systems.

In today’s wireline services oil and gas environment, clients expect flawless execution from their wireline service providers. With cased hole logging expanding across unconventional plays, tools and processes must adapt. Whether it’s a pump down perforating job, a perforation well stage, or routine production logging, every procedure matters.

The tool trap? Non-negotiable. It’s your last line of defense during pressure ops. We treat it as part of our standard pressure control equipment stack, right alongside the grease head, ball check valve, and wireline BOP. It’s one more step toward providing complete wireline solutions—from surface gear to downhole tools.

I’ve had a lot of younger hands ask me what separates a solid wireline company from the rest. Honestly? It’s stuff like this. The quiet moments—the bump up, the hand signals, the depth checks, the deliberate movements. Not just what’s in your wireline truck, but how you use it.

If you’re new to the field or training in one of our wireline tech programs, don’t overlook these steps. They’re not just procedure—they’re protection. For your team, your tools, and your client’s well.

Because in the wireline business, we don’t just run jobs—we run them right.