Patents by Inventor William D. Holmes

William D. Holmes 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: 8413726
    Abstract: Apparatus, assembly and process for allowing gas lift operations to be conducted along a relatively long perforated interval below a packer in a generally vertical or a deviated subterranean well. An elongated segregation member may be lowered into locking engagement with a bypass mandrel secured to a tubing string above the packer. This segregation member may be configured and dimensioned to define two fluid flow paths. A first flow path extends from the surface of the earth through the annulus formed between the tubing string above the packer and casing secured in the well, the bypass mandrel, a bore through a portion of the segregation member and the interior of the tubing string below the packer. A second flow path extends from the subterranean region penetrated by the well through the annulus formed between the tubing string below the packer and casing secured in the well, the annulus between the segregation member and the packer, and the interior of the tubing string above the packer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventors: Pearl E. Stephenson, William D. Holmes, Steven A. Pohler
  • Publication number: 20110042097
    Abstract: Apparatus, assembly and process for allowing gas lift operations to be conducted along a relatively long perforated interval below a packer in a generally vertical or a deviated subterranean well. An elongated segregation member may be lowered into locking engagement with a bypass mandrel secured to a tubing string above the packer. This segregation member may be configured and dimensioned to define two fluid flow paths. A first flow path extends from the surface of the earth through the annulus formed between the tubing string above the packer and casing secured in the well, the bypass mandrel, a bore through a portion of the segregation member and the interior of the tubing string below the packer. A second flow path extends from the subterranean region penetrated by the well through the annulus formed between the tubing string below the packer and casing secured in the well, the annulus between the segregation member and the packer, and the interior of the tubing string above the packer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: MARATHON OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Pearl E. Stephenson, William D. Holmes, Steven A. Pohler
  • Patent number: 7766085
    Abstract: Apparatus, assembly and process for allowing gas lift operations to be conducted along a relatively long perforated interval below a packer in a subterranean well. An elongated segregation member is lowered into locking engagement with a bypass mandrel secured to a tubing string above the packer. This segregation member is configured and dimensioned to define two fluid flow paths. Fluid produced into the well from the subterranean region is conveyed to the surface via the second flow path and can be assisted by gas injected into the first flow path via retrievable gas lift valves in the tubing string above and below the packer. Pressurized gas is conveyed via the first flow path to these retrievable gas lift valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventors: Pearl E. Stephenson, William D. Holmes
  • Publication number: 20090194293
    Abstract: Apparatus, assembly and process for allowing gas lift operations to be conducted along a relatively long perforated interval below a packer in a subterranean well. An elongated segregation member is lowered into locking engagement with a bypass mandrel secured to a tubing string above the packer. This segregation member is configured and dimensioned to define two fluid flow paths. A first flow path extends from the surface of the earth through the annulus formed between the tubing string above the packer and casing secured in the well, the bypass mandrel, a bore through a portion of the segregation member and the interior of the tubing string below the packer. A second flow path extends from the subterranean region penetrated by the well through the annulus formed between the tubing string below the packer and casing secured in the well, the annulus between the segregation member and the packer, and the interior of the tubing string above the packer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: MARATHON OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Pearl E. Stephenson, William D. Holmes