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What are Well Servicing Operations? : Types, key equipment, jobs.

Wellservicing learntodrill


Well servicing operations are activities carried out on an existing oil or gas well to maintain, repair, enhance, or restore production without drilling a new well. These operations are essential throughout the life cycle of a well, from early production to late-stage intervention.

Unlike drilling (which creates a new well), well servicing focuses on keeping an existing well safe, productive, and compliant.

Why are Well Servicing Operations important?

operations learntodrill

Well servicing helps to:

  • Maintain or increase production

  • Repair damaged or worn equipment

  • Control well pressure and ensure safety

  • Extend the life of a well

  • Meet regulatory and environmental requirements

Without proper well servicing, wells can become unsafe, unproductive, or shut down entirely.

Types of Well Servicing Operations

1. Workover Operations

workover rig learntodrill

Workovers involve major repairs or changes to the well using a workover rig.

Common workover activities include:

  • Replacing tubing or packers

  • Repairing casing leaks

  • Pulling and replacing downhole equipment

  • Re-completing a well in a new zone

📌 Typically higher cost and longer duration than light interventions.

2. Well Intervention (Light Well Servicing)

coiledubing learntodrill

These are non-rig or light-rig operations designed to improve production or fix issues without pulling the entire tubing string.

Examples include:

  • Wireline operations

  • Coiled tubing operations

  • Pump replacement

  • Scale or wax removal

📌 Faster and more cost-effective than workovers.

3. Wireline Operations

wireline learntodrill

Wireline involves running tools into the well on a steel cable or electric line.

Used for:

  • Logging and data acquisition

  • Setting or removing plugs

  • Perforating

  • Well diagnostics

📌 Can be conducted under pressure with proper well control systems.

4. Coiled Tubing Operations

coiled tubing

Coiled tubing uses a continuous steel pipe injected into the well while it’s live.

Common applications:

  • Cleanouts

  • Nitrogen lifting

  • Acid stimulation

  • Milling operations

📌 Allows operations without killing the well.

5. Snubbing (Hydraulic Workover)

snubbing

Snubbing is performed when well pressure is too high to allow conventional workover.

Key features:

  • Pipe is forced into or out of a live well

  • Used in high-pressure environments

  • Requires advanced well control procedures

📌 High-risk, highly specialized operation.

6. Pumping & Artificial lift servicing

artificial lift

These operations focus on maintaining artificial lift systems.

Includes servicing:

  • Rod pumps

  • ESPs (Electric Submersible Pumps)

  • Gas lift valves

  • Progressive cavity pumps

Key equipment used in Well Servicing

key equipment

  • Workover rigs

  • Wireline units

  • Coiled tubing units

  • Snubbing units

  • Blowout Preventers (BOPs)

  • Well control equipment

  • Pressure control equipment (lubricators, stuffing boxes)

Safety and Well Control in Well Servicing

safety & well control

Well servicing operations carry significant well control risks, including:

  • Unexpected pressure

  • Gas migration

  • Equipment failure

That’s why well control training is mandatory for servicing crews.

Common standards include:

  • IADC WellSharp

  • IWCF Well Control (Servicing / Wireline levels)

  • Company and regulatory safety systems

Jobs Involved in Well Servicing Operations

  • Roustabout

  • Floorhand

  • Derrickhand

  • Wireline Operator

  • Coiled Tubing Operator

  • Snubbing Supervisor

  • Well Servicing Supervisor

  • Well Control Engineer

Conclusion

Well servicing operations are a critical part of oil and gas production, ensuring wells remain safe, productive, and compliant throughout their life. From wireline and coiled tubing to full workovers and snubbing, each operation requires specialized skills, equipment, and well control knowledge.


At LearntoDrill, we offer industry-recognized well servicing and well control training, including:

  • Well Servicing Well Control

  • Wireline Well Control

  • IWCF & IADC-aligned courses

  • Fully online, self-paced certifications

👉 Explore our well servicing training and get certified today to work safely and confidently in oilfield operations.

 
 
 
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