Patents by Inventor Thomas H. Holtkamp

Thomas H. Holtkamp 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).

  • Drilling/frac adapter and method of use
    Patent number: 8950485
    Abstract: A method of drilling and fracturing a well includes installing a drilling/frac adapter on a lower wellhead housing. The drilling/frac adapter has a higher internal pressure rating than the lower wellhead housing. The operator drills through the drilling/frac adapter to a desired depth, then runs and cements a casing string in the well. A lower packoff is installed in an annulus between the casing hanger and the lower wellhead housing and an upper packoff is set in an annulus between the drilling/frac adapter and the casing hanger. Frac fluid is pumped through the frac tree into the casing string at a higher pressure than the pressure rating of the lower housing but less than the pressure rating of the drilling/frac adapter. Then, the upper packoff and the drilling/frac adapter are removed from the lower housing and installing an upper wellhead housing on the lower wellhead housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Danny R. Wilkins, Thomas H. Holtkamp, Jerry D. Smith
  • Drilling/Frac Adapter and Method of Use
    Publication number: 20130014947
    Abstract: A method of drilling and fracturing a well includes installing a drilling/frac adapter on a lower wellhead housing. The drilling/frac adapter has a higher internal pressure rating than the lower wellhead housing. The operator drills through the drilling/frac adapter to a desired depth, then runs and cements a casing string in the well. A lower packoff is installed in an annulus between the casing hanger and the lower wellhead housing and an upper packoff is set in an annulus between the drilling/frac adapter and the casing hanger. Frac fluid is pumped through the frac tree into the casing string at a higher pressure than the pressure rating of the lower housing but less than the pressure rating of the drilling/frac adapter. Then, the upper packoff and the drilling/frac adapter are removed from the lower housing and installing an upper wellhead housing on the lower wellhead housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Danny R. Wilkins, Thomas H. Holtkamp, Jerry D. Smith