Oil & Gas Glossary 1.0

A device used to restrict fluid flow to one direction. It consists of a polished sphere, or ball, usually or metal, and an annular piece, the seat, ground and polished to form a seal with the surface of the ball. Gravitational force or the force of a spring holds the ball against the seat. Flow in the direction of the force is presented, while flow in in the opposite direction overcomes the force and unseats the ball.

2. in reference to an anchor, to fail to hold on a soft bottom, pulling out, instead, with a large ball of mud attached.

A flow-control device employing a ball with a rotating mechanism to open or close the tubing medium.

To plug open perforations by using ball sealers.

One of the two valves in a sucker rod pumping system. It moves with the movement of the sucker rod string. On the upstroke, the ball member of the valve is seated, supporting the fluid load. On the downstroke, the ball is unseated, allowing fluid to enter into the production column. Compare standing valve.

The main parts of the valves in a plunger-type oil-well pump.

The part of a pump valve which holds the ball to limit its movement.

A device, similar to a pumpdown ball, used to manipulate hydraulically operated downhole tools.

A tube placed around the retrieving neck of a retrievable bridge plug to "catch" debris.

Balls made of nylon, hard rubber, or both and used to shut off perforations through which excessive fluid is being lost.

A spherical object used to pump down the drill string or tubing to trip, release, or otherwise operate certain hydraulic-type tools.

A sub with a ball seat run on top of a hydraulically set packer to set the packer.

All members in the assembly used for rotary cutting from the swivel to the ball, including the kelly, drill pipe and tool joints, drill collars, stabilizers, and various specialty items. Compare drill string.

1. to collect a mass of sticky consolidated material, usually drill cuttings, on drill pipe, drill collars, bits, and so forth. A bit with such material attached to it is called a balled-up bit. Balling up is frequently the result of inadequate pump pressure or insufficient drilling fluid.

A fixed ball-and-seat valve at the lower end of the working barrel of a sucker rod pump. The standing valve and its cage do not move, as does the traveling valve. Compare traveling valve.