Bore Pump Recovery & Cable Management

Published June 2026

Successful Bore Pump Recovery from a 180m Bore

Recovering a bore pump is rarely straightforward when equipment becomes tangled deep underground. Recently, our team completed a challenging pump recovery from a 180-metre-deep bore where the pump, cable, and well master had become severely entangled at the bottom of the bore.

The Challenge

We arrived to find the Wellmaster and cable had been disconnected from its attachment and dropped to become stuck approximately 180 metres below ground level. Upon investigation, it was clear that the electrical cable and wellmaster had dropped and wrapped around the pump, creating a complex tangle that prevented normal retrieval methods from being successful.

Without a clear understanding of the situation at the bottom of the bore, attempting recovery could have risked further damage to the pump, cable, or bore infrastructure. This led us to complete a camera inspection.

Camera Inspection Provides Critical Insight

To accurately assess the condition of the equipment, we conducted a downhole camera inspection. This allowed our team to visually inspect the bore and determine exactly how the cable and well master were entangled around the pump.

The camera footage provided valuable information, enabling us to develop a targeted recovery strategy rather than relying on guesswork. Understanding the extent and location of the entanglement was key to ensuring a safe and successful retrieval.

Customised Recovery Solution

It became clear that the cable had not been correctly attached to the Wellmaster upon initial installation. Using our bore service rig, we fabricated and deployed customised fishing hooks specifically designed for the recovery operation. Guided by the information gathered during the camera inspection, the hooks were carefully maneuvered into position to engage the tangled equipment.

After several controlled retrieval attempts, we successfully secured the pump assembly and lifted the entire tangled mass from the bottom of the bore.

The recovery was completed without damage to the bore, allowing the system to be inspected and prepared for future operation.

Preventing Future Issues

This recovery highlights the importance of properly securing the electrical cable to the pump column during installation.

When cables are not adequately attached to the column using cable ties or suitable restraints, they can drop alongside the rising main and become entangled with the well master or pump during removal. This not only increases the risk of equipment becoming stuck but can significantly complicate future maintenance and recovery work.

Properly securing the cable to the column provides several benefits:

• Prevents cable slack from dropping into the bore.

• Reduces the risk of cable and well master entanglement.

• Protects the cable from unnecessary wear and damage.

• Makes future pump removal and servicing significantly easier.

• Minimises downtime and recovery costs.

It is also vital to ensure that the wellmaster is clamped correctly to ensure it does not disconnect from the attachment as pressure builds within the bore.

Another Successful Recovery

Deep bore recoveries require experience, specialised equipment, and a methodical approach. By combining downhole camera inspection with customised fishing tools and our bore service rig, we were able to safely recover a heavily tangled pump from 180 metres below ground.

This job serves as a valuable reminder that attention to detail during installation can prevent costly recovery operations in the future. Proper cable management may seem like a small step, but it can make a significant difference when it comes time to service or replace a bore pump.