Ezi-Load™ Slickline Stuffing Box

In addition to achieving this goal, many other innovations were also introduced, resulting in the Eziload™ stuffing box being the most advanced stuffing box available.

Leaving the heavier main body part of the stuffing box connected to the upper lubricator and designing a separate packing cartridge as the only part that needs moving, has resolved the manual-handling problem. A conventional stuffing box can weigh 50kg or more, however the removed packing cartridge weighs in at only 14kg. A rope socket can be made up in this packing cartridge and loaded into the lubricator rig-up from the top. The body of the stuffing box offers a 2.750-inch through bore.

To allow the packing cartridge to be inserted or removed, the sheave bracket assembly pivots out of the way. As it does so, a cam device lifts three brass retainer rollers away from the sheave wheel, simplifying the loading of wire. When returned to position, the rollers provide the most secure wire retention possible. The packing cartridge itself carries four additional rollers to ensure that the wire is perfectly centered at all times, minimising wear on the hydraulic piston, packing glands, packing and of course, the wire itself. The packing is larger than in a conventional stuffing box, resulting in improved sealing and wear characteristics. This is particularly significant as bigger slicklines become more common. To avoid damaging expensive slicklines, internal components that come in contact with the wire are manufactured from brass.

Within the packing cartridge is an integral velocity ball check valve, which prevents the escape of well fluids in the event of the slickline breaking. Additionally, the assembly has an integral injection oil bath facility. To compliment the conventional packing cartridge set up, additional clip-on modules can be supplied to provide a chemical injection. There is a hydraulic pack off built into the top of the cartridge to allow compression of the packing from a safe distance should they start to leak due to wear.

The EziLoad™ sheave is either manufactured from composite or aluminium, depending on the application. It is available in 16-inch and 20-inch diameters to suit all slicklines up to 0.160-inches and each assembly is supplied with load test certification.

The top load facility of the EziLoad™ stuffing box can be enhanced through the use of an EziCatch® tool catcher and as such, both components can be supplied as a combined unit – the EziCombo®.