Patents by Inventor Mark S. Britton

Mark S. Britton has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11965392
    Abstract: A system can include a bottom hole assembly, a wireline and a capillary tube connected to the bottom hole assembly, and a dual pack-off assembly that seals about the wireline and the capillary tube. A method can include connecting a bottom hole assembly to a wireline and a capillary tube, deploying the bottom hole assembly into a wellbore, and increasing pressure in the capillary tube, thereby setting a packer of the bottom hole assembly. A dual pack-off assembly can include a lubricator connector, pack-offs configured to seal about a capillary tube and a wireline, and pipes connected between the respective pack-offs and the lubricator connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Ferguson, Mark S. Britton
  • Patent number: 11332989
    Abstract: A system can include a disconnect tool connected as part of a tubular string, the disconnect tool including an outer housing, and an inner mandrel in the outer housing, in which an abrasive slurry is directed to flow through the tubular string and from the inner mandrel to an annulus between the inner mandrel and the outer housing, and the abrasive slurry erodes through the outer housing. A method can include installing a tubular string in a well, then deploying a disconnect assembly into the tubular string, and flowing an abrasive slurry through the disconnect assembly, thereby parting the tubular string. A disconnect tool can include a rotational flow structure configured to induce rotational flow, and an inner diameter decrease downstream of the rotational flow structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Brock W. Watson, Andrew M. Ferguson, Gregory A. Kliewer, Mark S. Britton
  • Publication number: 20210388692
    Abstract: A system can include a bottom hole assembly, a wireline and a capillary tube connected to the bottom hole assembly, and a dual pack-off assembly that seals about the wireline and the capillary tube. A method can include connecting a bottom hole assembly to a wireline and a capillary tube, deploying the bottom hole assembly into a wellbore, and increasing pressure in the capillary tube, thereby setting a packer of the bottom hole assembly. A dual pack-off assembly can include a lubricator connector, pack-offs configured to seal about a capillary tube and a wireline, and pipes connected between the respective pack-offs and the lubricator connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew M. FERGUSON, Mark S. BRITTON
  • Publication number: 20210189818
    Abstract: A system can include a disconnect tool connected as part of a tubular string, the disconnect tool including an outer housing, and an inner mandrel in the outer housing, in which an abrasive slurry is directed to flow through the tubular string and from the inner mandrel to an annulus between the inner mandrel and the outer housing, and the abrasive slurry erodes through the outer housing. A method can include installing a tubular string in a well, then deploying a disconnect assembly into the tubular string, and flowing an abrasive slurry through the disconnect assembly, thereby parting the tubular string. A disconnect tool can include a rotational flow structure configured to induce rotational flow, and an inner diameter decrease downstream of the rotational flow structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Roger L. SCHULTZ, Brock W. WATSON, Andrew M. FERGUSON, Gregory A. KLIEWER, Mark S. BRITTON
  • Patent number: 10989032
    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: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Ferguson, Stanley W. Loving, Roger L. Schultz, Mark S. Britton, Brock W. Watson
  • Patent number: 10975643
    Abstract: A system can include a disconnect tool connected as part of a tubular string, the disconnect tool including an outer housing, and an inner mandrel in the outer housing, in which an abrasive slurry is directed to flow through the tubular string and from the inner mandrel to an annulus between the inner mandrel and the outer housing, and the abrasive slurry erodes through the outer housing. A method can include installing a tubular string in a well, then deploying a disconnect assembly into the tubular string, and flowing an abrasive slurry through the disconnect assembly, thereby parting the tubular string. A disconnect tool can include a rotational flow structure configured to induce rotational flow, and an inner diameter decrease downstream of the rotational flow structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Brock W. Watson, Andrew M. Ferguson, Gregory A. Kliewer, Mark S. Britton
  • Publication number: 20200291734
    Abstract: A system can include a disconnect tool connected as part of a tubular string, the disconnect tool including an outer housing, and an inner mandrel in the outer housing, in which an abrasive slurry is directed to flow through the tubular string and from the inner mandrel to an annulus between the inner mandrel and the outer housing, and the abrasive slurry erodes through the outer housing. A method can include installing a tubular string in a well, then deploying a disconnect assembly into the tubular string, and flowing an abrasive slurry through the disconnect assembly, thereby parting the tubular string. A disconnect tool can include a rotational flow structure configured to induce rotational flow, and an inner diameter decrease downstream of the rotational flow structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Roger L. SCHULTZ, Brock W. WATSON, Andrew M. FERGUSON, Gregory A. KLIEWER, Mark S. BRITTON
  • Patent number: 10036214
    Abstract: A method and system for installing a Christmas tree in place of a blowout preventer on a wellhead. The donut in the wellhead BOP is landed using a coiled tubing injector. Then the wellhead BOP is removed and the Christmas tree is installed using the same crane that supported the coiled tubing injector. This employs the coiled tubing rig already in use at the well site for a previous operation, such as plug drilling or perforating and fracturing. Notably, the system provides a second seal, such as a ceramic disk, below the donut while the Christmas tree is installed. The tool string used to install the donut includes a safety union so that the tool string can be disconnected after the donut is landed and locked into place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Britton
  • Publication number: 20180030822
    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: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew M. FERGUSON, Stanley W. LOVING, Roger L. SCHULTZ, Mark S. BRITTON, Brock W. WATSON
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20160145989
    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: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Andrew M. FERGUSON, Stanley W. LOVING, Roger L. SCHULTZ, Mark S. BRITTON, Brock W. WATSON
  • Patent number: 8240373
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for retrieving debris from the well bore of an oil or gas well. The apparatus comprises a junk basket with a flow passage that allows fluid to be jetted out end of the tool while the tubing string is advanced to stir up the debris in the well fluids and facilitate capture of the debris in the strainer basket. Importantly, upon encountering a plug of sand or other debris in the well bore, fluid flow through the tool can be increased to work on the plug until it breaks apart. Advancement of the tubing string can be halted and resumed, as needed, in combination with control of the fluid flow through the tool until the junk basket is full or the targeted debris is collected, whereupon the junk basket is withdrawn. The junk basket may be deployed on coiled tubing or a string of drill pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Britton, Raymond C. Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20120024538
    Abstract: A method and system for installing a Christmas tree in place of a blowout preventer on a wellhead. The donut in the wellhead BOP is landed using a coiled tubing injector. Then the wellhead BOP then is removed and the Christmas tree is installed also using the same crane that supported the coiled tubing injector. This employs the coiled tubing rig already in use at the well site for a previous operation, such as plug drilling or perforating and fracturing. Notably, the system provides a second seal, such as a ceramic disk, below the donut, for added safety while the Christmas tree is installed. The tool string used to install the donut includes a safety union so that the tool string can be disconnected after the donut is landed and locked into place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Mark S. Britton
  • Publication number: 20110259602
    Abstract: A method and system for installing a Christmas tree in place of a blowout preventer on a wellhead. The donut in the wellhead BOP is landed using a coiled tubing injector. Then the wellhead BOP then is removed and the Christmas tree is installed also using the same crane that supported the coiled tubing injector. This employs the coiled tubing rig already in use at the well site for a previous operation, such as plug drilling or perforating and fracturing. Notably, the system provides a second seal, such as a ceramic disk, below the donut, for added safety while the Christmas tree is installed. The tool string used to install the donut includes a safety union so that the tool string can be disconnected after the donut is landed and locked into place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Britton
  • Patent number: 6564868
    Abstract: A fluid cutting tool and method for perforating or severing tubular members from inside. The tool is especially suited for use with a rotational drive system, such as a downhole motor, to separate downhole structures, such as stuck production tubing. The cutting tool preferably takes the form of an elongate metal body with an open first end connectable to the end of a downhole motor. The downhole end of the tool may be conical. A fluid conduit within the body of the tool communicates with the fluid channel in the downhole motor. Ports in the sides of the tool body direct jets of cutting fluid out the side of the tool. The tool attached to the motor is fed downhole until the tool is at the desired location in the well. Then the motor is operated to rotate the tool while cutting fluid is pumped through it. This causes the jets of fluid to be directed at the inner surface of the production tubing (or other tubular structure). This process is continued until the tubing is perforated or severed, as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Cudd Pressure Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Ferguson, Bryan F. McKinley, Mark S. Britton, Charles C. Overstreet