Fluid Level Gas Gun & Oilfield Dynamometer Testing Equipment
What is an acoustic fluid level gas gun?
An acoustic fluid level gas gun is a surface-mounted downhole diagnostic instrument used to measure the exact depth of a liquid level inside a wellbore annulus. By emitting a compressed gas pulse down the wellbore and recording the returning echo, operators determine how much fluid is available for production. While alternative manufacturers build their entry-level equipment to a baseline 1,500 psi standard, Sage Oil Tools provides standard configurations engineered for 3,000 psi out of the box.
To accommodate any field environment, the Sage system is available in three distinct pressure ratings:
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1,500 psi for low-pressure applications.
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3,000 psi (Our standard configuration).
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5,000 psi for high-pressure well deployment.
This specialized lineup allows operators to manage standard and mid-pressure acoustic traces safely without the need for expensive, long-lead specialty upgrades.
The 1500 psi Pressure Pulse Gas Gun produces a CO2 or nitrogen shot down the wellbore that allows all Acoustic Fluid Loggers to find and record a fluid level. The gas gun has a large shot chamber for testing both deep and shallow wells. The 2“ line pipe threads on its base allow attachment directly to most wellheads. A side-to-side shuttle-valve mechanism makes the fluid level gun easy to shoot under varied well conditions. The fluid level gun can be operated in explosion (external gas souce) or implosion (gas from wellbore).
Pressure Pulse Gas Gun - 3000 psi
The 3000 psi Pressure Pulse Gas Gun has a volume chamber that can be isolated from the well by a plunger valve. The chamber is charged with CO2 or nitrogen at a pressure greater than the pressure in the wellbore. When the level gun is triggered, the plunger valve rapidly opens. A pressure pulse travels down the well and echoes return from the fluid level (explosion). A microphone in the gas gun senses the echo and converts it into an output signal. Alternatively, gas from the wellbore may be vented into the volume chamber causing a negative pulse (implosion).
Pressure Pulse Gas Gun - 5000 psi
The 5000 psi Pressure Pulse Gas Gun has a volume chamber that can be isolated from the well using an integrated ball valve. When connected to the casing or tubing flowline, gas from the wellbore can be vented into the chamber by quickly opening and closing the ball valve. This creates a negative wave (implosion), that travels down and back up the well. A microphone senses the shot and echoes and converts them into 4 to 20 mA output signals. While an external gas source is not necessary, a wellhead pressure of 50 to 100 psi is required.
Why is determining the fluid level in an oil or gas well important?
Production engineers and well technicians rely on acoustic fluid level data. Third-party diagnostic firms also rely on these data, giving recommendations for optimizing the fluid and mechanical flow of oil and gas wells. Acoustic fluid level data help them keep production targets on track:
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Optimize Artificial Lift Performance: Calculate accurate pump submergence to properly cycle rod pumps, ESPs, or gas lift systems.
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Evaluate Reservoir Deliquification: Verify whether well-dewatering strategies are successfully clearing liquids to maximize gas flow.
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Maximize Asset Profitability: Prevent pump-off conditions, eliminate unnecessary wear on downhole components, and increase total hydrocarbon recovery.
How does the Sage Pressure Pulse Gas Gun system work?
The Sage ecosystem operates completely independently of competing architectures, utilizing its own dedicated hardware and proprietary diagnostic software configurations. All core components are fully in stock and ready for next-day shipping:
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Sage AFL III (Paper): Features a classic, rugged paper strip chart recorder for immediate, un-computerized field verification.
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Sage AFL IV (Wired): A computerized fluid logger providing direct digital data transmission to your field laptop.
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Sage AFL IV (Wireless): A cable-free, computerized wireless fluid logger for maximum field safety and rapid deployment.
This rugged system prints the fluid level and well reflections as a graph on thermal paper tape, overlaid with 1-second precision timing marks to aid in fluid level calculation. A multi-channel recorder with automatic gain control, microprocessor-based, analog-to-digital converter, thermal printer and embedded signal acquisition software. No computer required. The AFL III can be hooked up to any single shot gas gun. This also includes gas guns from other Texas-based companies.
The Acoustic Fluid Logger AFL IV is an integrated data acquisition and diagnostic system that maximizes oil and gas production while minimizing operating expenses. The AFL IV works with your field computer, allowing you to save and email digitized fluid level shots. Software uses gathered data to produce a graph of the fluid level pick, as well as calculated pump intake pressure, bottom hole pressure and available production increases, which are compiled into a well analysis report.
The Acoustic Fluid Logger AFL V is a reliable and efficient wireless solution to find fluid levels in oil, gas or geothermal wells. Utilizing advanced acoustic technology, this liquid level analyzer delivers fast, accurate, and non-invasive fluid level traces that are essential for downhole diagnostics and well production optimization. Designed for field use, this acoustic well sounder combines robust hardware, wireless data acquisition, and total diagnostic software in a compact system.
How to shoot fluid levels in oil and gas wells?
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Secure Attachment: The Sage gas gun is threaded directly onto the surface casing valve of the wellhead.
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Chamber Charging: The internal volume chamber is charged with CO2 or nitrogen to create an optimal pressure differential between volume chamber and the wellbore.
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Acoustic Pulse Generation: A fast-acting internal valve opens rapidly, launching an acoustic pressure wave down the wellbore annulus.
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Landmark Reflection: The sound wave travels down the well, echoing off structural landmarks like tubing collars, and throws back a distinct, massive reflection when it impacts the fluid level.
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Signal Conversion: A rugged internal microphone captures the returning echoes and converts them into a clean electrical signal for the AFL logging units.
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Independent Data Processing: The signal is transmitted directly into Sage AFL diagnostic software. The AFL software automatically counts the tubing collars, determines acoustic velocity, and generates an accurate fluid depth plot – Acoustic fluid level trace.
What is the difference between explosion and implosion mode during operation?
The robust 3,000 psi standard threshold of the Sage gas gun gives field technician flexibility when choosing between two primary pulse methods:
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Explosion Mode (Positive Pulse): Used primarily on low-pressure wells. The gas gun’s internal volume chamber is charged to a pressure higher than the wellbore. Opening the valve shoots a positive compression wave down the casing annulus.
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Implosion Mode (Negative Pulse): Used on high-pressure wells. The volume chamber is kept at a lower pressure than the wellbore casing. Opening the valve rapidly draws well gas into the chamber, generating a rarefaction (negative) acoustic wave without expending external gas supplies.
What is an Oilfield Dynamometer?
An oilfield dynamometer is a diagnostic instrument used in artificial lift systems to evaluate the mechanical performance of sucker rod pumps (SRP). By measuring surface load versus polished rod position, the system generates a dynamometer card (dyno card) that provides valuable insight into the condition and efficiency of the pumping system. Selecting the right oilfield dynamometer is not simply a matter of choosing a measurement device—it is a matter of obtaining the information needed to make the best production decisions. Different stakeholders often have different priorities.
To accommodate the oilfield reality Sage offers three different dynamometer transducers:
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Polished rod dynamometer: Quick to install but rely on indirect strain measurements that may reduce accuracy.
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Horseshoe dynamometers: Provides direct load measurements but require shutting down the pumping unit, potentially altering well conditions before testing.
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Sage hydraulic Dynamometer: Combines direct hydraulic load measurement with rapid installation while allowing the pumping unit to remain in normal operation.
This specialized lineup allows operators and service providers to choose.
Measures the load on the polished rod on a pumping unit with accuracy, working with the AFL IV Dynamometer
Provides easy tool-free installation on the rod string with changeable sized jaws, for testing with the AFL IV with Dynamometer.
Why is it important to run regular oilfield dynamometer tests?
Oilfield dynamometer testing can dramatically help oil and gas producers to optimize potential production from their wells.
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Downhole Fault Identification: Detects mechanical anomalies like gas interference, fluid pound, worn pump valves, and tubing or rod friction.
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Performance Analysis: Calculates downhole pump efficiency, volumetric fillage, and rod string stress.
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Operational Adjustment: Helps operators determine if they need to change pumping speed, adjust stroke length, or modify counterbalance to protect gearboxes.
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Cost Reduction: Prevents catastrophic equipment failures and extends the lifespan of downhole pumps and sucker rods.
Because rod-pumped wells account for a significant percentage of global artificial lift operations, dynamometer testing has become one of the most important diagnostic methods in oil production.