VALPECA produces a complete line of pumps for oil extraction, according to API 11AX specifications, as well as pumps and their replacement parts for special production conditions, manufactured with different materials to meet clients’ needs.

All these products are manufactured in the Comodoro Rivadavia Industrial Plant, in compliance with API Q1 and ISO 9001 international standards.

The description of a complete pump includes: nominal tubing size, basic pump bore, type of pump including type of barrel, location and type of seating assembly, barrel length in feet, nominal plunger length in feet, and total length of every extensions in feet, if corresponds. The way to express this and the meaning of each part of the code is detailed in the table below:

Additionally, to complete the pump description, the following information must be provided:

• Barrel material
• Plunger material
• Plunger clearance (fit)
• Valve material
• Fittings material

Friction between barrel and plunger is a very important factor to consider when designing pumps, since it will determine their run life.

The correct choice of the clearance, so as to enable the formation of a lubricating layer between working surfaces, will result in a high-performing unit. Therefore, precision and surface finishing determine the plunger reliability.

There are many types of plungers made from different materials, so that they can be adapted to different fluids, uses and working conditions. However, the most widely used has an outside coating. Its adherence, thickness, uniformity and hardness will be key factors in determining its durability.

The most commonly used materials and their main features are:

• ML: Carbon steel tube with outside spray coating based on nickel powder, minimum layer thickness of 0.25 mm (0.01 in.), a hardness of 55 to 64 HRc. Symbol API 11AX C1.
• MP: It has similar features to ML, except for Monel pin ends, which provide high resistance to corrosion.
• MA: Similar to MP, except for SAE 4140 quenched, tempered ends, for more demanding mechanical requirements.
  Pressure Actuated
• Plunger: It has flexible rings that fit to the barrel and provide high performance with sandy fluids. Symbol API 11AX C1.
• Nickel Plated: It is an ML with electroless-processed nickel-plated threads and inside to prevent corrosion.

Our barrels comply with strict controls from reception of raw materials to packaging inspection.

Quality control is performed to each manufactured piece, guaranteeing 100% of compliance with international quality standards. Barrels are manufactured using the most modern techniques of precision honing and polishing to obtain an internal mirror-polish surface.

Valpeca provides the following barrel qualities:

• Regular: carbon steel tube with a hardness of 95 HRb to 23 HRc and a minimum yield strength of 415 MPa (60 ksi). To be used in LOW abrasion conditions and MODERATE corrosion (only on special orders).
• ACI: chrome plated carbon steel tube with a minimum thickness of 0.076 mm (0.003”) and a hardness of 67 a 71 HRC, over a base material of 415 MPa (60 ksi) minimum yield strength. For use under SEVERE abrasion and MODERATE corrosion conditions. API 11AX A1 Symbol.
• LA: brass tube with a hardness of 80 to 100 HRb and a minimum yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi). For use with LOW abrasion and SEVERE corrosion conditions. API 11AX N5 Symbol.
• LAC: chrome plated brass tube with a minimum thickness of 0.076 mm (0,003”) and a hardness of 67 a 71 HRC on a base material of a 345 MPa (50 ksi) minimum yield strength. For use with SEVERE abrasion and corrosion conditions. API 11AX A5 Symbol

Pump parts and fittings are manufactured by Bolland in compliance with strict standards that ensure their quality and interchangeability.

These parts are made of the following materials:

• Regular: Medium Carbon Steel with a minimum yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi). For use in wells with MODERATE corrosion and LOW mechanical requirements. Symbol API 11AX A1.
• HD: Alloy Steel with a minimum yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi). For use in wells with MODERATE corrosion and HIGHER mechanical requirements. Symbol API 11AX A2.
• HT: Alloy Steel. Heat treated at a hardness of 26 to 32 HRc, minimum yield strength of 755 MPa (110 ksi). For use in wells with MINIMUM corrosion and HIGH mechanical resistance.
• LA: Naval Brass with a hardness of 60 to 90 HRb, minimum yield strength of 275 MPa (40 ksi). For use in wells with HIGH corrosion. Symbol API 11AX A5.
• SS: Stainless Steel with a hardness of 79 HRb to 23 HRc, minimum yield strength of 240 MPa (35 ksi). For use in wells with HIGH corrosion. Symbol API 11AX A6.
• SST: Stainless Steel (ST. ST. 420). Heat treated with a hardness of 95 to 98 HRb, minimum yield strength of 500 MPa (72ksi). For use in wells with HIGH corrosion and HIGH mechanical resistance.
• MO: Nickel and Copper Alloy with a minimum hardness of 85 HRb to 23HRc, minimum yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi). For use in wells with HIGH corrosion. Symbol API 11AX A4.
• GD: Stellite Hard Guides, welded on a regular steel, HD, SS or MO nickel and copper alloy base, depending on the application. Hardness: 42 to 46 HRC. It increases the cage run life, reducing guide deformation due to the ball impact.

All cages are manufactured under strict standards that ensure the quality and interchangeability stated in API 11AX specification, and come in the following types:

• Regular: Medium Carbon Steel with a minimum yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi). For use in wells with MODERATE corrosion and LOW mechanical requirements. Symbol API 11AX A1.
• HD: Alloy Steel with a minimum yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi). For use in wells with MODERATE corrosion and HIGHER mechanical requirements. Symbol API 11AX A2.
• HT: Alloy Steel. Heat treated at a hardness of 26 to 32 HRc, minimum yield strength of 755 MPa (110 ksi). For use in wells with MINIMUM corrosion and HIGH mechanical resistance.
• LA: Naval Brass with a hardness of 60 to 90 HRb, minimum yield strength of 275 MPa (40 ksi). For use in wells with HIGH corrosion. Symbol API 11AX C5.
• SS: Stainless Steel with a hardness of 79 HRb to 23 HRc, minimum yield strength of 240 MPa (35 ksi). For use in wells with HIGH corrosion. Symbol API 11AX D6.
• SST: Stainless Steel (ST. ST. 420). Heat treated with a hardness of 95 to 98 HRb, minimum yield strength of 500 MPa (72ksi). For use in wells with HIGH corrosion and HIGH mechanical resistance.
• MO: Nickel and Copper Alloy with a minimum hardness of 85 HRb to 23 HRc, minimum yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi). For use in wells with HIGH corrosion. Symbol API 11AX A4.
• GD: Stellite Hard Guides, welded on a regular steel, HD, SS or MO nickel and copper alloy base, depending on the application. Hardness: 42 to 46 HRC. It increases the cage run life, reducing guide deformation due to the ball impact.

Polished Rods are manufactured through microcracked hard chrome chromed process, in compliance with API-11B specification and ISO 9001 Quality Certification.

Technical Features
Base material
Type: AISI 4140 Steel – API-11B; B.3.3 b).

Yield strength: 95 to 160 ksi (655 MPa to 1103 MPa)

Coating
Type: Highly efficient electrolytic microcracked hard Chrome, hardness 67 to 71 HRC, which generates these features:

• Medium resistance to corrosion.
• High resistance to dry abrasion.
• Low wear coefficient due to lubrication.

Threads
Cold drawn, with high mechanical resistance.

Dimensions according to API 11B specification.

Sizes available
Diameters: 1 ½ and 1 ¼ inches.

Length: up to 36 feet.

Geometric tolerances
Cylindricity: 0.02 mm (0.001”) maximum.

Straightness: Better than 0.2 mm per meter (0.01” per 3.3ft).

We have a professional maintenance and repair workshop for mechanical pumps with the highest quality in service. The workshop is supervised and managed by professionals in the field dedicated and committed to delivering the best service and attention.

Services we offer

• New pump assembly.
• Pump repair.
• Complete monitoring of pumps and their parts.
• Failure report and follow-up with a complete database.
• Technical support.
• Delivery to the well

Technical support

With the aim of providing our clients with the best service, we offer:

Technical reports of all the pumps repaired in our shops, with a detailed description of the extracted pump components including photographic logs of those parts showing corrosive attack, scale, sand lock, deformations, etc. We have a web-based tracking system with exclusive information for each client.

New products development, in order to achieve the appropriate performance and run life in wells under particularly demanding production conditions.

Changes in design and use of new materials, in line with our policy for continuous improvement of the products and services we provide.