This paper aims to address the great success of utilizing the Torque-Action Debris Breaker™ wellbore cleanup and debris removal tool as a wireline mean to restore wellbore accessibility. The tool was trial tested to remove hard scale accumulation consisting of 95% iron compounds. Iron compound scale is generally among the most difficult types of scale to be removed by chemical means as historical data showed high failure rate in terms of succeeding to eliminate wellbore blockage. Subsequently, wells must be treated mechanically using extensive and costly solutions such as coiled tubing (CT) milling operations to enable accessing the wells for routine surveillance.

Instead, a simple, innovative, and cost-effective Torque-Action Debris Breaker (TADB) tool was deployed using a slickline unit. This tool can be conveyed with different sizes of cutters to enable optimum scale removal and is activated via downward jarring action. Throughout the entire length of tubing, hard iron-compound scale bridges were removed from one oil producing well and well accessibility was restored. The tool contains a unique helical sub, which applies a rotational torque with each downward jarring action with cutters designed for maximum cutting capabilities that are reliable in internal completion sections.

During the trial test, the TADB tool was deployed with a 1.875-in wireline string with two cutting sub sizes and removed accumulated scale inside the 4 ½-in tubing in just a 12-hour operation. The rotational movement of the tool maximizes the removal and cutting rate, which was in the range between 230 and 1,600 ft/hour, depending on the size of the cutting sub. This field trial has shown that increasing the size of the wireline string increases the TADB tool weight and operational functionality, which should translate into higher cutting rate and operational efficiency.

The implementation of this technology has generally optimized operational cost compared with lengthy and costly CT operations by minimizing footprint, equipment, workforce, and job duration, while providing a more environmentally benign solution.