seat 62 is the primary mechanism for preventing fluid communication across ball 46 in the prior art lubricator valve assemblies the ball seal is formed on the top side of the ball e g above ball a valve or ball operator 50 is connected to ball element 46 for moving the ball between an open and closed position operator 50 has an upper end 52 facing the above ball end of lubricator 10 and a lower end 54 facing the below ball end of lubricator 10 open hydraulic line 32 a is hydraulically connected to operator upper end 52 through a path 56 similarly close hydraulic line 32 b is hydraulically connected to lower end 54 of operator 50 through a path 58 it is noted that operator ends 52 54 are not open to bore 42 and therefore are not affected by the debris in the fluid in bore 42 lubricator valve 10 may be operated between the open and closed position via hydraulic pressure transmitted through lines 32 acting on the faces of operator ends 52 54 in the event of a loss of hydraulic control of ball assembly 44 due to hydraulic line 32 breakage or the like it is often necessary to establish a flow path through bore 42 and ball element 46 to establish the flow path pressure is applied from the surface into above ball portion.