You would think that the giant hole you're drilling and constantly using would stay open, allowing oil to flow freely as long as there is a supply. However, oil wells can become clogged for a number of reasons, and when that happens, you need to get the well unclogged as soon as you can. If you're new to the oilfield, you'll be happy to know there are a number of downhole tools that will work very well to that end, although the specific tool you use depends on the cause of the clog. Note that these causes of clogs are very common, so even if you think you've hit on the perfect way to drill to eliminate clogs, keep the tools at the well site anyway. Better to have and not need, as the saying goes.

Broken Drill Assembly Parts Lodged in the Well

If something breaks while you're drilling the well, those parts can lodge deep down in the well hole. That may prevent a repaired drill from continuing to drill the hole, and it can impede oil flow, so those parts need to be removed. Downhole tools include fishing gear — not the type you'd take to the lake, but tools you'd use to fish out the broken drill parts. Keep in mind these parts may be stuck several hundred feet down, so you really do need specialized fishing tools for this situation.

Sand or Dirt May Clog Vents or Other Openings

Wind can blow sand and dirt into wells, and loose sand and dirt can dislodge from well walls and clog vents, casings, and more. A little a day is all it takes for that sand and dirt to form a tough blockage that stops the flow of oil. You really can't prevent sand and dirt from landing in the well as that's just nature at work, but you can have tools ready to bust open clogged vents and casing perforations. And you'll want to do that quickly as these clogs can affect water and oil flow, which in turn can cost your operation a lot of money.

Paraffin Wax Buildup in the Lines

As oil flows through pipes, it can leave paraffin wax deposits on the sides of the pipes. When this builds up enough, it can restrict or stop the flow of oil. This is an extremely common problem since the paraffin wax is a natural part of a lot of oil deposits and precipitates out as the oil flows past the pipe walls. A number of methods will remove the wax, including mechanical methods like scraping. Again, you'll need special tools to do this as the wax can be hundreds of feet down the well.

Your company can keep its own tools onsite or arrange with a third-party service for rentals. Either way, you need access to downhole oilfield casing tools to ensure the smooth flow of oil and water through the wells and machinery.