During a routine gamma gun operation, an unintentional detonation occurred—an alarming moment that could have led to severe consequences. It all started when the power control box was enabled, and within seconds, the plug set out of zone unexpectedly. A thorough investigation into the wireline control systems revealed that a few overlooked settings led to the incident.
This event serves as a reminder that precision and adherence to safety procedures in wireline and perforating are non-negotiable.
What Went Wrong?
Upon inspection, the interface panel and gamma gun tool were found to be in working order, ruling out mechanical failure. Instead, a series of human errors in the power control settings led to the unintended detonation. The key missteps identified included:
- Voltage control knobs were left turned up – This caused an immediate surge of power when the system was enabled.
- Polarity switch was not set to neutral – A critical oversight that disrupted controlled detonation sequencing.
- Power switch was left ON – Keeping the power live created an instant connection to the detonator.
- Enable function was selected without proper verification – This immediately applied power to the detonator, leading to the premature set.
Each of these small but crucial errors collectively created the perfect storm for an unintended detonation. In cased hole well services, precision in power control is vital to maintaining well integrity and ensuring safe perforation well execution.
Steps to Prevent Future Incidents
To mitigate the risks associated with power control failures in wireline well logging and perforating services, all personnel should adhere to these preventive measures:
- Always return power knobs to zero after shutting down tools.
- Ensure the power switch is turned OFF when operations are not active.
- Reset the polarity switch to neutral before engaging any power functions.
- Verify all settings before enabling the system to prevent unintended activation.
By strictly following these steps, wireline service providers can reduce the likelihood of misfires, costly delays, and safety hazards in cased hole wireline operations.
Implementing a Long-Term Solution
As part of continuous improvement in wireline services oil and gas, a new interface panel modification has been introduced. The Warrior card PSXD Rev 7 now prevents the power control from being enabled if the voltage knobs are left turned up. While only a limited supply is currently available, panels are being modified and sent to districts for complete wireline solutions.
This upgrade is a game-changer for wireline companies, offering an added layer of protection against human error in wireline logging and perforation services.
Final Thoughts on Precision and Safety in Wireline Operations
In oil field wireline, there is no room for shortcuts when it comes to power control equipment and wireline pressure control systems. Each setting, each verification step, and each procedure matters. A momentary lapse in judgment can lead to unintended detonations, causing operational setbacks and potential safety hazards.
Through strict procedural compliance, ongoing training, and adoption of enhanced wireline control systems, wireline service companies can ensure safe, efficient, and incident-free wireline perforating operations.