Wireline Operations

Barriers

1. In order to be classified as a double barrier a wireline BOP configured for braided

line must have (1 required ans.)
a. 1 set of rams
b. 2 sets of rams (top normal, bottom inverted)
c. 3 sets of rams (top normal, 2 bottom sets inverted)
d. 4 sets of rams( 1 and 3 normal, 2 and 4 inverted).
2. When running in the hole through an open slick line dual BOP, you notice liquid
escaping from the stuffing box. How many primary (active) barriers do you now
have? (1 required ans.)
a. 0
b. 1
c. 2
d. 4
3. During a well intervention operation, a deep set wireline retrievable plug is
installed, but fails to hold pressure. Which of the following are the correct
actions? Choose two answers (2 required ans.)
a. Get coiled tubing to put a cement plug on top of it
b. Have it milled out
c. Nothing, a small leak is normal and can be accepted
d. Pull it and set the backup plug
e. Set the backup plug above the first one.
4. A dual electric line BOP is closed and inflow tested. What type of barrier is this?
(1 required ans.)
a. A double barrier
b. A shearing device and a primary barrier
c. A single barrier
d. Not a barrier.

Page 1 of 27
5. Why are lower rams installed upside down when using grease injection with a
dual wireline BOP system? (1 required ans.)
a. In a standard configuration, a wireline BOP only holds pressure from below
b. It suits the balance of the wireline BOP
c. The lower rams contain grease pressure not well pressure
d. The rams can be fitted either way.
6. On a braided line dual BOP, why are the lower rams inverted? (1 required ans.)
a. It is a function of the hydraulic rams
b. To facilitate additional component rig up into the pressure control equipment.\
c. To hold grease pressure which is injected between upper and lower rams against
the wire
d. To trap well pressure from above for lubricator testing.

7. The Xmas tree on a production well will be changed out. A deep-set positive plug
is set in the tailpipe below the packer

A second plug will be set in the tubing hanger before the tree can be removed.
After confirming that the bottom plug is set, what is the best action to take before
setting the second plug? (1 required ans.)

a. If the wellhead pressure is not rising, you can run the second plug immediately
b. Inflow test the deep-set positive plug
c. Pressure up on the annulus to test the deep-set positive plug from below
d. Pressure up on the tubing to test the deep-set positive plug.

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8. Identify the secondary and shearing barriers in the well schematic illustrated in
Figure WE2 with wire in the well

Match the correct numbers to the descriptions below (2 required ans.)

_2__Secondary

__4_shearing.

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 9. In Figure 1 with wire in the well, identify the primary, secondary and tertiary
barriers by entering numbers from the drawing in the boxes below

Primary barrier
………1……..
Secondary barrier
……2……
Tertiary barrier
………4….

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 Rig up , pressure testing and checks

1. The pressure control equipment has arrived on site and you have
checked it against the manifest and performed a visual check. What is the
next equipment check you should do? (1 required ans.)
a. Check that the “declaration of conformity” for the pressure control
equipment shows a pressure and temperature rating that is at least 25%
higher than that of the Xmas Tree
b. Check that the maintenance manager of the supply base has signed the
“certificate of conformity” for the pressure control equipment
c. Check that the pressure control equipment is certified for at least a
minimum of one month from the start date of the operation
d. Check that the pressure control equipment is certified for the duration of
operation and for the conditions it will be used for.

2. After the first wire line run out of three, a lubricator seal shows clear
signs of damage due to explosive decompression. What should you do?
(1 required ans.)
a. Change out the damaged seal, do another pressure test and continue
the operation
b. Check the lubricator seals and change them out with the same type of
seals, pressurize the lubricator and then continue with the operation
c. Inspect all seals and pressure test all equipment before continuing the
operation
d. Inspect all seals for damage, replace only where needed and continue
the operation.

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3. What are some of the advantages of setting a wireline BOP directly on top
of a Xmas tree? (2 required ans.)
a. It allows retrieval of a full bore tool stuck in the tree
b. It allows working with full bore tools
c. It maximizes lubricator length above wireline BOP
d. There is less potential leak paths between barriers.

4. What are the advantages of having a BOP directly on top of the tree?
3
a. Good access to the BOP
b. Least number of possible leak paths
c. Least problems if full bore tools get stuck across tree
d. Easiest when working with large OD tool strings
e. Maximizes lubricator length

5. What are some of the advantages of setting a wireline BOP directly on top
of a Xmas tree? (2 required ans.)
a. It allows retrieval of a full bore tool stuck in the tree.
b. It provides easier access to the wireline BOP and eliminates man-riding
operations.
c. It allows working with full bore tools.
d. There are less potential leak paths between barriers.

6. Well head temperature 80° C (176° F)

BOP certified -25° C to 130° C (-13° F to 266°F)
Seals certified 0° C to 90° C (32° F to 194° F)
What is the maximum allowable operating temperature for the
equipment? (1 required ans.)

a. 110° C (230° F)
b. 130° C (266° F)
c. 80° C (176° F)
d. 90° C (194° F).

Page 6 of 27
7. Which one of the following is a correct ram configuration (from top to
bottom) for braided line work? (1 required ans.)
a. Braided inverted, braided normal, shear seal
b. Braided normal, braided inverted, shear seal
c. Braided normal, shear seal, braided inverted
d. Shear seal, braided inverted, braided normal.

8. You are testing a braided line BOP rigged up onto a well, with a test rod in
place and the lubricator off. Which barriers should be closed? (1 required
ans.)
a. Master valve, subsurface safety valve (not tested)
b. Shear/seal valve
c. Swab valve, wing valve
d. Upper Master Valve, swab valve, kill wing valve, flow wing valve.

9. Which of the following statements is true? (1 required ans.)

a. BOP ram inner seals for 0.108 inch slick line and 3/16 inch braided line
are same part
b. BOP ram inner seals for 0.108 inch slick line are completely different
from 3/16 inch braided line
c. BOP ram inner seals will usually close and seal on open hole, 0.092 and
3/16 inch braided line.

10. Which of the following statement are true when rigging up slick line
on a well? 2
a. a damaged lubricator needle valve or gauge connection may cause a
leak from the lubricator.
b. a damaged quick union “O’ ring or seal surface may cause a leak at that
joint.
c. A quick union made up only hand tight may cause a leak at that joint.
d. BOP stems not screwed all the way in may cause a leak from the BOP.

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11. Between two runs in a gas well you inspect the BOP seal and you find
small blisters in seals, what is the cause of this? (1 required ans.)
a. Ageing
b. Explosive decompression
c. High temperature
d. Pressure test fluid.

12. When testing the BOP, it is found that the certification is out of date the
next day but operation will last for several days. The correct action is (1
required ans.)
a. Continue the operation and have the certification done after the
operation.
b. Replace the equipment with tested and certified equipment with expiry
date after the operation
c. Test the equipment to 1.5 times working pressure on site and if the test
is ok, continue with the operation
d. Use the equipment during
e. The operation as at the time of the expiry did not come.

13. Slick line is to be rigged up on a live gas well to pull a plug installed in
tubing hunger where can the BOPs be positioned in the rig up? (1
required ans.)
a. Above the point where the rope socket will be when retrieve the plug
b. At a suitable height to allow them to close around the wire if the tools are
stuck across the Xmas tree valves
c. Directly on top of the Xmas tree
d. It doesn’t matter where as long as they are installed in the rig up

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14. During rigging up, your lubricator was dropped 10 feet from the crane and
the pin damaged below the O ring. The o ring groove does not appear to
be damaged. Should you :
a. File away the damaged area so that tools will not hang up during
running/pulling.
b. Shut down the job until the section of lubricator is replaced.
c. Visually inspect the damage, and if you believe the damage will not
impact on operation continue rigging up.
d. Continue with operation and ignore the damage.

15. During an inspection of slick line BOP, you noticed that one of the
ram seal is swollen and appears saturated.
a. Must do a full redress of BOP
b. Don’t replace either ram seal as there is no mechanical damage to the
ram
c. Make note in your tally book to change the ram when you have time
d. Replace the swollen ram seal only

16. During an inspection of slick line BOP, you noticed that one of the
ram seal is swollen and oil saturated. What should you do? 1
a. Arrange a full redress and verification of the BOP
b. Don’t replace either ram seal as there is no mechanical damage to the
ram
c. Make note in your tally book to change the ram when you have time
d. Replace the swollen ram seal only

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17. During an inspection of a Slick line BOP, you notice that one of the
ram seals is swollen and appears to be oil saturated. Do you:
a. Do not replace either ram seal as there is no mechanical damage to the
ram.
b. Make a note in your tally book to change the ram when you have a time.
c. Replace the swollen ram seal only.
d. Carry out a full redress of the BOP

18. You are using a wire line BOP that is rated to a working pressure of
5000 psi. the well has a maximum tubing head pressure of 4800 psi.
the well is 12892 feet with 9.1 ppg completion brine. after perforating
the tubing head pressure is a little higher than expected at 5020 psi.

Should you :

a. Arrange for higher rated equipment before continuing-inform your

manager.
b. Check the calibration of the gauge used to measure the tubing head
pressure and proceed if out of date.
c. Carry on: the 9.1 ppg fluid will reduce the BHP due to hydrostatic
pressure.
d. Carry on: the BOP has a 10% safety factor.

19. When inspecting the BOP rams one hour before running in hole you
notice a cut on the upper inner seal. Should you:
a. Invert the upper element so the cut diverts pressure down the well.
b. Carry on as the top element is only a backup.
c. Suspend work, replace the inner seal and test before proceeding.
d. Test the element and confirm it is not leaking before proceeding.

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20. While rigging up wire line equipment a lubricator section fall from a
crane at 3 meter height (10 ft) and pin is damaged while O-ring
groove seems to be in good condition

What do you do now?

a. Suspend operation up till receiving a new lubricator

b. Do nothing
c. Continue the job if you think this damage will not affect test
d. File damage end so tools will not hang during POOH /RIH

Emergency and problems

1. The BOP was accidently closed on the tool string. The BOP was
opened and closed several times. After rigging down, it is observed
that the wire guides on the rams badly damaged. Which one of the
following actions is required?

a. Change wire guide. Nothing else can be damaged

b. Hydraulic cylinders may be damaged due to hydraulic pressure
and should be replaced
c. The equalizing valve probably needs to be replaced
d. The BOP should be stripped down and all sealing surface
inspected and repaired. If needed, all damaged parts should
be replaced.

2. You are running a memory gauges on Slick line and are near the
bottom of the well. As a part of your normal routine, you ask your
assistant to check the Surface Controlled Sub Surface Safety Valve
(SCSSSV) control line pressure your assistant reports that it is

Reading 0 psi. Which of the following is true?

a. You should apply pressure to the control line and ensure it is holding.
b. Because you are deep in the well there is no risk of your tool string
damaging the valve, it is safe to continue.
c. The SCSSSV must be open because you still have good string weight.
d. If the SCSSSV was closed, the flapper would have cut the wire.
e. The SCSSSV is a 'fail safe' device, therefore the flapper will be open
with 0 psi on the control line. It is safe to continue

Page 11 of 27
 f. There is a high probability that the flapper is damaged which could
result in a completion Work over. The SCSSSV must be open when
pulling out of hole to (another answer:

the flapper may be damaged which could compromise the SCSSSV as a

barrier. The SCSSSV must be open when pulling out of hole to prevent
the wire breaking at the flapper, causing a fishing job. Apply pressure to
the control line and pull out of the hole.

3. After closing the wireline BOP, which of the following actions are
mandatory before breaking out the lubricator above the closed
wireline BOP? 3 ANSWERS.
a. Inflow test the wireline BOP.
b. Screw in manual stems to lock the hydraulic rams.
c. Note the well pressure below the closed wireline BOP.
d. Bleed off well pressure above the closed wire line BOP.
e. Kill the well.
f. Increase pressure on the wireline BOP.

4. During a wire line operation in a high pressure well a leak develops

in a pressure control equipment above the wire line BOP. During the
attempt to close the BOP it becomes clear that there is a malfunction
in the BOP control unit and none of the available BOP’s are closing.

Which of the following actions should be performed (3 answers)

a. Close the wire cutting X mass tree valve
b. manually close the BOP’s if possible
c. run more wire in the hole
d. stand by and wait for the shift to end
e. Cut the wire on surface ,close swab and master valves
f. Call production and start producing the well.

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5. A well control situation has developed and the BOP has been closed
with slickline going through the valve.

How should it be tested? 1

a. Connect the pressure test line to the lubricator manifold pressure up

above the BOP.
b. No need to test. Just close the locking stems.
c. Connect the pressure test line to the riser manifold and pressure up
below the BOP.
d. Bleed off the pressure above the BOP.
e. Close the locking stems and inflow test the BOP.

6. During braided line operations with tool string at 3000 ft the seal in
the grease-head has lost and attempts to regain a seal have been
unsuccessful. What actions should be taken? 2 Answers

a. Close the pack off and pull out of hole.

b. Increase grease pressure between the rams and pull out of hole.
c. Decrease the grease pressure in the grease injection head.
d. Stop the wench.
e. Close the grease return line valve.

7. Which closable barrier comes into effect if the slick line breaks in the
hole and is ejected by the well pressure? 1
a. The BOP.
b. The down hole safety valve.
c. The grease head check valve.
d. The stuffing box internal blow out plug.

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8. If slick line breaks and the wire is blown out of the hole, which
closable barrier operates?

No. required
Answers 1

a. The DHSV
b. The BOP
c. The stuffing box blow out plug
d. The grease head check valve.

9. While running wireline into the well, the well control panel that is
operating the hydraulic master valve begins to leak. What may be the
consequences if tools are in the well and no immediate action is taken? (1
required ans.)
a. The hose may continue to leak as the valve will not close, and the
hydraulic oil will create a spill and create pollution
b. The hose may start to leak well fluids instead of hydraulic oil
c. The hydraulic valve may close and cut the wire and the valve may be
damaged
d. The pump of the hydraulic panel will automatically stop as it has
detected a lower pressure than the set pressure.

10. With a wireline tool stuck in the Xmas tree and the tool string across the
wireline BOP the wire pulled out of the rope socket and blown out of the
stuffing box.
What prevents the well fluids flowing out of the stuffing box? (1 required
ans.)
a. Killing the well
b. Stuffing box internal BOP
c. Stuffing box packing
d. The stuck tool string.

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11. Electric line is rigged up and deep in the well. A production logging
run ongoing and the well is being flowed directly into production
manifold. The wire line operator has reported that he has lost weight
and can’t move up or down. What immediate action should be taken?
a. Close and test quad BOP
b. Close in the X/T valves
c. Slowly Close the flow wing valve and reduce the well flow
d. Contact production supervisor

12. Slick line pressure control equipment is rigged up onto a well. While in
hole, the wire has been broken at surface and disappeared down
through the stuffing box.

Hydrocarbons are now flowing through the top of the stuffing box.
What is primary course of action required to make the well safe?

a. Close the swab valve (counting turns)

b. Increase the stuffing box hydraulic pressure
c. Close hydraulic master valve
d. Close wire line BOP

13. The BOP must be closed for an urgent repair on the stuffing box, but the
hydraulic control unit that operates the BOPs completely fails and the
BOPs cannot be closed. What is the correct action to make the well safe?
(1 required ans.)
a. Close the wire cutting lower master valve, inflow test and then close the
swab valve
b. Close the wire cutting upper master valve, inflow test and then close the
swab valve
c. Cut the wire by closing the shear seal BOP by hand and then close the
Xmas tree
d. Pump up the stuffing box, inflow test and then close the swab valve.
e. Well fluids will only flow into the bottom grease injection hose

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14. There is a lack of injection grease and the grease injection head fails to
hold any pressure. What may happen if no immediate action is taken? (1
required ans.)
a. The flow of well fluids will be stopped by the ball check valve
b. The stuffing box will be over pressured and the well gas will flow to the
atmosphere
c. Well fluids will escape to the atmosphere and into the grease injection
skid through return line
d. Well fluids will only flow into the bottom grease injection hose

15. The shear seal BOP fails to close hydraulically due to pump failure. What
operations can be done by hand? (1 required ans.)
a. Nothing can be operated
b. Operate the valve, and cut wire and seal
c. Operate the valve, but only the seal function will work
d. Operate the valve, but only the shear function will work.

16. Which of the following, when running with tool string on slick line
could be the reason for very quick, unexpected weight loss as tool
string gets deeper into the well? 2 Answers
a. Scale
b. Decreasing well pressure
c. Increasing inclination in the well
d. Collapsed tubing
e. Decreasing density of well fluid

Page 16 of 27
17. When pulling out of hole after a Production Logging Tool (PLT) logging
operation, the weight indicator starts acting sluggishly and is
unexpectedly starting to show increasing weight.
Which of the following could be the reason? (2 required ans.)
a. A broken strand is making a birds nest inside the lubricator
b. Hydrates maybe forming in the well or in the wireline pressure control
equipment
c. The engine oil filter should be changed immediately
d. The weight indicator is wrong; don’t pay too much attention to it
e. The wire is not properly lubricated.

18. A dual braided line BOP with the bottom ram inverted has been
closed on braided cable. What if anything needs to be done to create
a seal?
a. Grease must be pumped between the rams (normal and inverted) to
seal against the wire
b. Pressure must be increased
c. Pressure must be applied to the rams must be greater than well
pressure
d. Manual ram spindle must be closed

19. Electric line wire line is rigged up and deep in the well. A production
logging run is ongoing and the well is being flowed directly into
production. The wire line operator has reported that he has lost
weight and cannot move up or down. What immediate
actions should you take ?
A) Close and test the quad BOP .

B) Close in the Xmas tree valves .

C) Close the Flow Wing Valve ( FWV) and stop the well flow .

D) Contact the production supervisor .

Page 17
 Operations and functions

1. You are rigging up your Slickline pressure control equipment. Your

lubricator string includes an in situ sub. Which statement is correct?

A. The test sub can be used to remove the need to test the complete
pressure control equipment, saving time and increasing safety
(reduced volume, therefore reduced energy).
B. The test sub is only used as a barrier when the packing on a braided
line stuffing box need to be replaced under safe conditions.
C. The test sub can be used to remove the need to test the complete
pressure control equipment, after an initial successful test, saving time
and increasing safety (reduced volume, therefore reduced energy).
D. The test sub can only be used in fishing operation due to reduced
internal diameter and coatings to protect from H2S.

2. During a well intervention operation, a SSSV must be kept in an open

position to allow into the well, what action should you take? 1
a. Closely monitor any change in well pressure during the operation, as this
will indicate if SSSV is closing.
b. Closely monitor the hydraulic pressure and temperature during first hour
of operation as the well heats up.
c. Closely monitor the hydraulic pressure compared to the well pressure
and temperature throughout the entire operation, to ensure the safety
SSSV stay open .
d. Keep the hydraulic pressure equal to the well pressure to ensure the
SSSV is not closed.

3. Which function does the equalizing valve assembly provide on wire

line BOP?

a) It allows measurement of the lubricator pressure above and below the

wire line BOP.
b) It provides hydraulic power to open the closed rams.
c) It allows chemicals and grease to be injected into the lubricator.

Page 18
 d) It allows the same pressure above and below the closed wire line BOP.

4. What is the purpose of ball check valve in braided line surface

pressure equipment rig up?

a) It keeps the grease from getting into the well bore fluids and the well
bore fluids from getting into the grease.
b) To prevent an escape of well bore fluids through the grease head if the
cable breaks at surface.
c) To keep as much chemical as possible in the chemical injection sub at
all times.
d) To clean the grease off the cable.

5. What is the function of the ball check valve? (safety check union)

No. required Answers 1

a) To clean the grease off the cable

b) To act as a barrier between the grease and the wellbore fluids
c) To keep the chemicals in the chemical injection sub
d) To stop the well blowing out through the grease head if the cable breaks
on the surface.

6. What is the purpose of running a drift run?

a) To confirm if there is any obstructions in the well that will prevent it from
flowing.
b) To confirm that all the planned tools can be run to the desired depth and
then be retrieved.
c) To confirm that the wire is strong enough to reach the safety valve.
d) To confirm the widest internal diameter (ID) of the well, so that all the
planned tools can be used in the operation.

Page 19
Additional

1- The wireline operator reports that there is some damage to the BOP blind seal and there are no
spare seal available. The BOP has passed a pressure test .

What should you do ?

Suspend the operation until a replacement BOP arrive.

2- During a braided line intervention operation with tools in the well , there is a leak in the PCE
above both sets of dual BOPS.

The operator closes the both sets of BOPS , the upper sets of BOPS passes a pressure test , but the
inverted rams of lower sets are leaking. Which is the safest action to take to allow the PCE to be
repaired?

Shear the braided line, close and inflow test the swab valve and the upper master gate valve.

3- With wireline tool in the well , you replace a leaking seal above the BOP. how should the repaired
seal be pressure tested?

By testing the lubricator to wellhead pressure plus a safety factor using test fluid.

4- During a PCE pressure test , an external leak develops at the wire line BOP stem .

After bleeding off the pressure, what action should you take?

Investigate the cause of the BOP stem leak.

5- During a braided line intervention, two sets of BOPS will be installed. How should the BOP rams
be configured from top to bottom?

Normal, inverted, normal inverted.

6- The wire line operator has informed you that a slike line BOP has been accidently closed on the
tool string, which action is required?

Repair and retest BOP.

7- Which ram BOP configuration is required when running slike line?

Two BOPs that both have blind rams that hold pressure from below.

Page 20
8- After changing a lower master gate valve, you are rigging up slickline to retrieve a plug from the
tubing hanger. Where should you position the BOPs?

At a height greater than the full tool string length above the x tree.

9- With a slikeline in the well, there is a leak above the BOPs .

You close the BOPs but the leak continue , you close the wire cutting UMV and the leak stops.

What should you do next?

Close the swab valve.

10- While pull out of the well the winch operator notices that a strand is missing from the braided
line and sees high weight indicator reading.

The operation is stopped. What is the correct action to take?

Run back into the well a short distance .

Close and test the BOPs and then lift the lubricator.

Clamp the braided line above the BOPs.

Make repair.

Page 21