Ball & Seat Testing

The ball acts to sense the change of presence between fluids and gas.
During production in gassy wells, the ball will remain unseated with fluids and seated with gas, allowing the device to react to changes in production and resolve any gas locked or pumped off conditions.
Bench testing of the ball and seat validated the strength of the ball and its ability to seat and seal in pressure.
Tests were conducted using nitrogen, with seating pressures ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 psi.
The ball was able to seat over 15,000 times at an angle of 50 degrees. Further testing is being conducted between 50 and 90 degrees.
Post-testing x-rays, measured against pre-testing, confirmed that the ball did not suffer any degradation.

Pressure Equalization Piston Testing

The piston is the upper barrier of the tool’s pressure chamber.
The piston moves upwards in reaction to the increasing differential pressure that is created during the pump’s upstroke.
During production in gassy wells, the piston will only move when the ball is seated and has trapped pressure within the tool (gas locked conditions).
Bench testing of the piston assembly validated the material strength of the components and wear resistance during reciprocating movement. The test was conducted using nitrogen and the components were subjected to over 400,000 cycles with successful results.