Patents Assigned to Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
  • Acid soluble abrasive material and method of use
    Patent number: 9840896
    Abstract: A method of treating a formation, a wellbore, or equipment in a wellbore is disclosed herein. The method includes introducing a soluble abrasive material into a wellbore for various oil and gas operations. The method also includes introducing an acidic solution into the wellbore to dissolve at least a portion of the soluble abrasive material to allow for more efficient removal of the soluble abrasive material from the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Britton, Roger Schultz
  • Downhole vibratory apparatus
    Patent number: 9840883
    Abstract: The present disclosure is for a vibratory downhole rotary apparatus. The apparatus includes a cylindrical hollow body, a stator disposed within the cylindrical hollow body and a rotor disposed within the stator. The apparatus also includes a flow resistance system to vary the resistance of fluid flow through the apparatus to increase and decrease backpressure across the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solution, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Schultz, Brock Watson
  • Method of using a downhole force generating tool
    Patent number: 9840872
    Abstract: The disclosure of this application is directed to a downhole tool comprising a central element/member and a sleeve that is rotatably and orbitally disposed around the central element/member. The sleeve rotates and orbits around the central element/member responsive to fluid flowing through the downhole too. The disclosure is also related to a method of advancing the downhole tool in a well by flowing fluid through the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Schultz, Brock Watson, Andy Ferguson
  • Downhole force generating tool
    Patent number: 9840873
    Abstract: The disclosure of this application is directed to a downhole tool comprising a central element/member and a sleeve that is rotatably and orbitally disposed around the central element/member. The sleeve rotates and orbits around the central element/member responsive to fluid flowing through the downhole too. The disclosure is also related to a method of advancing the downhole tool in a well by flowing fluid through the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Schultz, Brock Watson, Andy Ferguson
  • Plugging devices and deployment in subterranean wells
    Patent number: 9816341
    Abstract: A method can include deploying a plugging device into a well, the plugging device including a body, and an outer material enveloping the body and having a greater flexibility than a material of the body, and conveying the plugging device by fluid flow into engagement with the opening, the body preventing the plugging device from extruding through the opening, and the outer material blocking the fluid flow between the body and the opening. In another method, the plugging device can include at least two bodies, and a washer element connected between the bodies, the washer element being generally disk-shaped and comprising a hole, a line extending through the hole and connected to the bodies on respective opposite sides of the washer element, the washer element preventing the plugging device from being conveyed through the opening, and the washer element blocking the fluid flow through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary P. Funkhouser, Brock W. Watson, Andrew M. Ferguson, Jenna N. Robertson, Roger L. Schultz
  • Well completion
    Patent number: 9810051
    Abstract: A well completion method can comprise, in a single trip into a wellbore, the following steps being performed for each of multiple zones penetrated by the wellbore: abrasively perforating the zone with a tubing deployed perforating assembly, fracturing the perforated zone with flow from surface via a well annulus, and then plugging the fractured zone with a removable plug substance, the perforating assembly displacing in the wellbore while the fractured zone is being plugged. Another well completion method can comprise, in a single trip into a wellbore, the following steps being performed for each of multiple zones penetrated by the wellbore: perforating the zone using an abrasive perforator, then displacing the perforator in the wellbore away from the earth's surface, then fracturing the zone, and plugging the fractured zone with a flowable plug substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Ferguson, Stanley W. Loving, Roger L. Schultz, Mark S. Britton, Brock W. Watson
  • Methods and devices for one trip plugging and perforating of oil and gas wells
    Patent number: 9777558
    Abstract: A tubing conveyed tool for use in perforating a well bore utilizing abrasive perforating techniques. The perforating tool is particularly useful in non-vertical wells. The perforating tool is designed to permit running and setting a bridge plug, and then perforating the well bore without requiring the removal of the tool string. An eccentric weight bar can also be used to allow for directional perforating in non-vertical wells. The eccentric weight bar uses gravity to cause the bar to rotate to a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Ferguson, Stanley W. Loving, Bryan F. McKinley, Dale Norman
  • Flapper stabilization for back pressure valve
    Patent number: 9771776
    Abstract: A valve assembly with a longitudinal flow passage, a first longitudinal section of the flow passage having less flow area than a second longitudinal section of the flow passage, and a valve that permits flow in only one direction through the flow passage, the valve including a closure member. In an open position, the closure member can be disposed between the second flow passage section and a chamber in fluid communication with the first flow passage section. A method in which a valve assembly is connected in a tubular string, the valve assembly including a valve that permits flow in only one direction through a longitudinal flow passage of the valve assembly, and fluid is flowed in the one direction through the tubular string, thereby displacing a closure member of the valve to an open position and preventing displacement of the closure member toward a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Holmberg, Roger L. Schultz
  • Flapper stabilization for back pressure valve
    Patent number: 9752410
    Abstract: A valve assembly with a longitudinal flow passage, a first longitudinal section of the flow passage having less flow area than a second longitudinal section of the flow passage, and a valve that permits flow in only one direction through the flow passage, the valve including a closure member. In an open position, the closure member can be disposed between the second flow passage section and a chamber in fluid communication with the first flow passage section. A method in which a valve assembly is connected in a tubular string, the valve assembly including a valve that permits flow in only one direction through a longitudinal flow passage of the valve assembly, and fluid is flowed in the one direction through the tubular string, thereby displacing a closure member of the valve to an open position and preventing displacement of the closure member toward a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Holmberg, Roger L. Schultz
  • Plugging device deployment in subterranean wells
    Patent number: 9745820
    Abstract: A method of releasing plugging devices into a wellbore can include conveying a dispensing tool to a desired downhole location in the wellbore, the dispensing tool including a container, and then releasing the plugging devices from the container into the wellbore at the downhole location. A plugging device dispensing system for use with a subterranean well can include a dispensing tool having a container configured for containing multiple plugging devices, and an actuator operable to release the plugging devices from the container at a downhole location in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brock W. Watson, Andrew M. Ferguson, Roger L. Schultz, Gary P. Funkhouser, Jenna N. Robertson
  • Flow control in subterranean wells
    Patent number: 9708883
    Abstract: A flow conveyed plugging device for use in a well, the device can include a body, and one or more lines extending outwardly from the body, each of the lines having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body. A method of plugging an opening in a well can include deploying at least one flow conveyed plugging device into the well, the flow conveyed plugging device including a body and, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of the group consisting of: a) one or more fibers and b) one or more lines, the flow conveyed plugging device being conveyed by flow in the well into sealing engagement with the opening. Another flow conveyed plugging device can include a body, and fibers extending outwardly from the body. The flow conveyed plugging device degrades and thereby permits flow through an opening in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Brock W. Watson, Andrew M. Ferguson, Gary P. Funkhouser
  • Downhole perforator gun bypass tool
    Patent number: 9702230
    Abstract: The present invention is for a downhole tool having a perforator gun portion disposed within a housing of the downhole tool for perforating an oil and gas formation. The downhole tool also includes a bypass passageway for directing fluid past the perforator gun portion in the downhole tool to permit fluid flowing into the downhole tool to flow out of the downhole tool to facilitate an oil and gas operation. Furthermore, the downhole tool is used in a method of performing the oil and gas operation in a wellbore by pumping fluid through the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: James Ruby
  • Method of using a downhole tool with erosion resistant layer
    Patent number: 9657541
    Abstract: This disclosure is related to downhole tool having an erosion resistant material metalurgically bonded to portions of the downhole tool. The downhole tool can have the erosion resistant material can be disposed on predetermined portions of inner and outer surfaces of the downhole tool. The disclosure is also related to a method of using the downhole tool described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Schultz, Brock Watson
  • Flow control in subterranean wells
    Patent number: 9567825
    Abstract: A method of controlling flow in a subterranean well can include a device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well, the device comprising a material selected from poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and/or poly-methacrylic acid. The material may degrade in the well. A system for use with a well can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, and the flow conveyed device including a material selected from poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and/or poly-methacrylic acid. A flow conveyed device for use in a subterranean well can include a body and a degradable material extending outwardly from the body, the degradable material being formed as a film, tube or filament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Brock W. Watson, Andrew M. Ferguson, Gary P. Funkhouser
  • Fibrous barriers and deployment in subterranean wells
    Patent number: 9567824
    Abstract: A fibrous plugging device for use in a subterranean well can include a body having fibers and a retainer material. The retainer material retains a shape of the body. A system for use with a well can include a fibrous plugging device conveyed by fluid flow in the well. The fibrous plugging device includes a body comprising multiple fibers. The fibrous plugging device engages an opening in the well, and thereby seals off the opening. A method for use with a well can include flowing a fluid through the well, thereby conveying at least one fibrous plugging device including a body having multiple fibers, and the fibrous plugging device sealingly engaging an opening in the well, thereby substantially preventing flow through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brock W. Watson, Gary P. Funkhouser, Roger L. Schultz
  • Flow control in subterranean wells
    Patent number: 9567826
    Abstract: A flow conveyed device for use in a well can include a body and a plurality of lines joined to the body, each of the lines having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body, and each of the lines including fibers. A method of controlling flow in a well can include a device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well, and the device including a plurality of lines extending outwardly from a body. Each of the lines may include fibers. A system for use with a well can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, the flow conveyed device including a body with a plurality of lines extending outwardly from the body, the body including at least one knot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Brock W. Watson, Andrew M. Ferguson, Gary P. Funkhouser
  • Flow control in subterranean wells
    Patent number: 9551204
    Abstract: A method of controlling flow in a well can include a device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well, and the device having a plurality of fibers extending outwardly from a body. A well system can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, and the flow conveyed device including a body with a plurality of fibers extending outwardly from the body. A flow conveyed device for use in a well can include a degradable body, and a plurality of fibers joined to the body, each of the fibers having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Brock W. Watson, Andrew M. Ferguson
  • Methods and devices for casing and cementing well bores
    Patent number: 9546536
    Abstract: A casing string is augmented with one or more variable flow resistance devices or “vibrating tools” to facilitate advancement of the casing and distribution of the cement in the annulus once the casing is properly positioned. The method includes vibrating the casing string while advancing the casing down the wellbore or while the cement is pumped into the annulus, or both. After the cementing operation is completed, the devices may be drilled out to open the casing string for further operations. The casing string assembly may include a vibrating tool at the end in place of a conventional float shoe or float collar. Multiple vibrating tools can be employed in the casing string, and they may be combined with conventional float shoes and collars. Additionally, vibrating tools in the form of plugs can be pumped down and landed inside the casing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Chad A. Johnson, Andrew M. Ferguson
  • Flapper valve tool
    Patent number: 9534460
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a downhole tool having a flapper valve assembly for controlling the backflow of fluid into a tubing string. The downhole tool includes a first sleeve slidably disposable within at least a portion of the flapper valve assembly and the downhole tool. The downhole tool can also include a second sleeve slidably disposed within the downhole tool. The present invention is also related to a method of using the downhole tool. The method includes the step of positioning the downhole tool in a wellbore. Once the downhole tool is positioned in the wellbore, the first sleeve is shifted to interact with the flapper valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brock Watson, Roger Schultz, Andy Ferguson
  • Method of using a mud motor
    Patent number: 9523238
    Abstract: This application is directed to methods of using pressure balanced mud motors. The mud motor includes a power section to rotate a passageway housing and propel fluid through a passageway disposed in the passageway housing. The mud motor can also include a roller bearing assembly and a drive shaft assembly to improve the life and efficiency of the pressure balanced mud motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brock Watson, Gregory Kliewer, Roger L. Schultz