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Bull Dog® Bailer

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The Bull Dog® Bailer is the original non-circulating cleanout tool designed for efficient sand and debris recovery in fluid-sensitive or low-pressure wells. Trusted by field operators for over 40 years, it removes frac sand, ball sealers, bridge plugs, and more—without loading the hole or requiring circulation.


Key Features

  • Non-circulating cleanout – No need for hydrostatic fluid loading

  • Handles various debris – Sand, scale, ball sealers, caved formation, etc.

  • Reciprocating pump action – 5-ft. stroke draws solids into a tubing cavity

  • Run on tubing or drill pipe – Highly adaptable to job conditions

  • Hexagonal mandrel body – Allows normal rotation of the string

  • High-strength materials – Heat-treated alloy steel throughout

  • Versatile bottom-hole compatibility – Supports bits, shoes, overshots, etc.

  • Available sizes – 1.883" to 6.5" OD

  • Up to 544,800 lbs tensile strength


How It Works

The Bull Dog® Bailer system uses a reciprocating pump assembly and float valve to pull fluid and debris through the bottom-hole tool and into a chambered tubing cavity.

  • Solids settle in the chamber above the float

  • Fluid passes through the pump and exits to the annulus

  • No surface pump truck needed

  • Cleanout continues until the tubing is filled with debris and tripped

A weight chart is available to help operators optimize bottom-hole assembly based on fluid level and tool diameter.


When to Use the Bull Dog® Bailer

Consider using the Bull Dog® Bailer in the following well conditions:

  • Circulation is not possible

  • Adding fluid could damage pay zones

  • Cleanout cost is a concern versus circulating setup

  • Static fluid level is at least 400 ft (for optimal pressure differential)

  • Drilling, fishing, or cleanout applications require tool recovery


Field-Proven Performance

Each Bull Dog® Bailer is manufactured in-house by Bull Dog Tool—the original design manufacturer (ODM). With decades of iterative improvements, the tool is field-proven across drilling, fishing, milling, and cleanout applications.

Applications

The Bull Dog® Bailer is used to recover sand, ball sealers, caved formation, and other wellbore debris when circulation is restricted or fluid loss is a concern. Ideal for cleanout jobs in non-flowing or low-pressure wells, it enables efficient debris removal without introducing hydrostatic fluid, making it a preferred solution in sensitive pay zones and cost-conscious operations.

Features & Advantages

  • Non-circulating cleanout – No need for hydrostatic fluid loading

  • Handles various debris – Sand, scale, ball sealers, caved formation, etc.

  • Reciprocating pump action – 5-ft. stroke draws solids into a tubing cavity

  • Run on tubing or drill pipe – Highly adaptable to job conditions

  • Hexagonal mandrel body – Allows normal rotation of the string

  • High-strength materials – Heat-treated alloy steel throughout

  • Versatile bottom-hole compatibility – Supports bits, shoes, overshots, etc.

  • Available sizes – 1.883" to 6.5" OD

  • Up to 544,800 lbs tensile strength

Specifications

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Size

Conn. Size

Length of Stroke

Length of Tool

Torque Rating

Tensile Strength

Displacement (Gal. per Stroke)

I.D. of Float Sub

1.883" O.D. for 2 3/8"

1 13/16" W.F.J.

4'

7.65'

1,440 Ft. Lbs.

80,250

.22

5/8"

2 1/4" O.D. for 2 7/8"

1 1/2" 10 RD N-U

4'

7.87'

2,760 Ft. Lbs.

132,000

.3

1 1/8"

3 1/8" O.D. for 4 1/2"

2 3/8" 8 RD

5'

9.35'

8,600 Ft. Lbs.

166,500

1.4

1 1/4"

3 3/4" O.D. for 5 1/2"

2 7/8" 8 RD

5'

9.35'

12,470 Ft. Lbs.

288,000

2.0

1 1/2"

4 5/8" O.D. for 7"

2 7/8" 8 RD

5'

9.60'

30,000 Ft. Lbs.

476,700

3.1

2 13/16"

6 1/2" O.D. "Junk Sucker®"

4 1/2" FH

8'

13.5'

69,341 Ft. Lbs.

544,800

11.0

2 3/4"


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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  1. What is the Bull Dog® Bailer used for?

    The Bull Dog® Bailer is a non-circulating cleanout tool used to remove sand, debris, ball sealers, bridge plugs, and caved formation from the wellbore. It’s ideal for wells where circulation is restricted, fluid loss is a concern, or conventional methods aren’t cost-effective.


  2. How does the Bull Dog® Bailer work?

    The tool is run on tubing or drill pipe. A float valve sits above your chosen bottom-hole tool, and a reciprocating pump above the float draws debris into the tubing chamber. Solids collect above the float valve while fluids discharge to the annulus. The bailer operates effectively without requiring circulation or additional surface pumping.


  3. When should I use the Bull Dog® Bailer instead of circulating the well?

    Use the Bailer when:

    • The well can’t be circulated

    • Adding fluid would damage the pay zone

    • The job is more cost-effective than rigging up circulation

    • You need to clean out or fish in low-pressure, fluid-sensitive environments


  4. What sizes are available for the Bull Dog® Bailer?

    Standard sizes range from 1.883" up to 6.5" O.D., including special models like the “Junk Sucker®” for high-volume cleanouts. Each tool can be matched with casing size and job specs, and custom configurations are available on request.


  5. What bottom-hole tools can be run with the Bailer?

    The Bull Dog® Bailer is designed to run with a variety of bottom-hole tools including:

    • Drill bits

    • Cutrite® shoes

    • Rotary shoes

    • Overshots

    • On/off tools

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