Apparatus for deploying wireline

The invention relates to apparatus 10 for use in deploying slickline, wireline and the like. The apparatus 10 is truck mounted and comprises a slickline unit 12 mounted via a swivel on a truck bed 14, and a support arm 16 pivotally mounted on the unit. The arm 16 may be lifted from a horizontal transport position (FIG. 1) to a raised position (FIG. 2) by hydraulic rams, and is telescopic and may be extended to almost three times its retracted, transport length. In its extended configuration the arm 16 may support a pressure lubricator 18 and top and bottom pulleys 20, 22 from a support cable 17 which extends along the arm from a pulley 19 mounted on the lower end of the arm.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to apparatus for use in deploying slickline, 
wireline and the like. The invention has particular application for use in 
relation to well bores typically, but not uniquely, provided in connection 
with the oil and gas exploration and extraction industries. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
At present, at a well bore site where wireline, slickline or the like is to 
be utilised, it is necessary to provide slickline apparatus, such as 
described in EP-A-0 448 842, including a winch drum on which the slickline 
is stored, a measuring head, drum motors and brakes, and a control station 
for the operator. Such apparatus is currently available in an easily 
transportable form, as described in the abovementioned patent application 
where the apparatus comprises two parts, a drive unit and a winching unit, 
both of which may be transported on a truck bed. The units are adapted to 
be moved on site using forklifts, or a wheel-mounted frame which may be 
lifted by crane. Additionally, it is necessary to provide a crane or mast 
to support the pressure lubricator and the pulleys over which the 
slickline passes before entering the pressure lubricator and the well 
bore. This requires provision of a second vehicle to transport the crane 
or mast to the site. Further, once on site, the winch apparatus, in 
particular the winch drum, must be accurately aligned with the pulleys, to 
ensure reliable deployment and take in of line. 
It is among the objects of the present invention to obviate or mitigate 
these difficulties. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for use in 
deploying slickline, wireline and the like comprising: a portable bed for 
supporting a mounting table; winch apparatus including a winch drum for 
carrying a coil of line; and an arm moveable from a transport position to 
a raised position for mounting a pressure lubricator and associated 
pulleys, the winch drum and the arm being aligned and mounted on the 
mounting table. 
In use, the present invention obviates the need for a separate winch 
apparatus and mast or crane. Further, as the winch drum and arm are 
mounted on a common mounting table the drum and arm are pre-aligned, 
providing a significant saving in set-up time. The common mounting also 
reduces the area occupied on a site by slickline or wireline apparatus, 
and also provides for greater flexibility in locating the apparatus 
on-site. 
Preferably, the bed is in the form of a trailer, truck bed or detachable 
transport bed, such that the apparatus may be easily transported between 
sites. In conventional systems, multiple vehicles may be necessary to 
transport the mast or crane and the winch apparatus. Preferably also, the 
truck also carries a container unit suitable for storing all of the other 
apparatus necessary for carrying out slickline or wireline operations. 
Preferably also, the arm is telescopic and is moveable between a retracted 
transport configuration and an extended support configuration. 
Preferably also, the mounting table is movably mounted on the bed, most 
preferably being rotatable about a vertical axis. Conveniently, the 
mounting table is mounted on a swivel. 
Preferably also, the winch apparatus is contained within a winch unit also 
housing winch controls, an operator station, a winch motor and winch 
brake. Most preferably, a measuring head is provided with the winch unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
Reference is first made to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, which illustrate 
slickline apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the 
present invention. The apparatus 10 is truck mounted and comprises a 
slickline unit 12 mounted via a swivel on a truck bed 14, and a support 
arm 16 pivotally mounted on the unit. The arm 16 may be lifted from a 
horizontal transport position (FIG. 1) to raised positions (FIG. 2) by 
hydraulic rams, and is telescopic and may be extended to almost three 
times its retracted, transport length. In its extended configuration the 
arm 16 may support a pressure lubricator 18 and top and bottom pulleys 20, 
22 from a support cable 17 which extends along the arm from a pulley 19 
mounted on the lower end of the arm. 
Reference is now also made to FIG. 3 of the drawings, which shows the 
slickline unit 12 in greater detail. The unit is substantially 
self-contained and accommodates a winch drum 24, hydraulic winch motor 26, 
winch brake 28, measuring head 30, and operator station 32. The measuring 
head is mounted on swing arms and is movable from a transport position 
within the unit 12 to an operating position in front of the winch drum 24. 
The truck bed 14 also provides mounting for a storage unit 34, for tools 
and the like. The space 36 on the bed between the slickline unit 12 and 
the storage unit 34 is left clear to accommodate the segments of the 
disassembled pressure lubricator 18 or segments of assembled lubricator. 
To operate the apparatus, the truck is driven to the site and located at a 
suitable distance from the bore. The truck stabilisers 38 are then 
extended and the slickline unit 12 rotated to an appropriate position. The 
pressure lubricator sections are then lifted from the bed 14 and 
assembled, before being attached to the end of the support cable 17. The 
measuring head may then be moved to the operating position and the 
operator station prepared. Slickline may then be taken from the winch drum 
and passed through the measuring head, around the pulleys and through the 
pressure lubricator. The free end of the arm is then extended to suspend 
the pressure lubricator. The swivel, hydraulic rams, and support cable may 
then be adjusted to position the pressure lubricator directly over the 
well bore. The operator then takes up position in the operator station 32 
and deploys the slickline. 
This operation is relatively straightforward and may be accomplished in a 
much shorter time than is possible with conventional top side slickline or 
wireline arrangements, such as that described in EP-A-0 448 842, in which 
the separate drive unit and winch unit must be unloaded from the truck 
which brought them to the site, coupled together and then aligned with a 
slickline operations support mast which will have been transported 
separately and set up over the bore. As the winch drum and the arm of the 
present invention are commonly mounted on the swivel, there is no 
requirement to align the drum with the bottom pulley, and the common 
mounting also reduces the ground area that is required to accommodate the 
apparatus, which is particularly useful in difficult terrain sites where 
ground may have to cleared and levelled to accommodate the apparatus. 
It will be clear to those of skill in the art that the above described 
apparatus is merely exemplary of the present invention and that various 
modifications and improvements may be made thereto without departing from 
the scope of the present invention. In particular, the above embodiment 
relates to slickline deployment apparatus, but the invention may equally 
be used in conjunction with wireline or other forms of line or cable.