US3045754A

US3045754A - Parallel tubing string packer and anchor

Info

Publication number: US3045754A
Application number: US731770A
Authority: US
Inventors: William D Myers
Original assignee: Baker Oil Tools Inc
Current assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
Priority date: 1958-04-29
Filing date: 1958-04-29
Publication date: 1962-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 1979-07-24

Description

July 24, 1962 w. D. MYERS PARALLEL TUBING STRING PACKER AND ANCHOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 29, 1958 .w 5 m 1 w mm M W w MM Q 7 fl M W; Z

w U? \W \\V M July 24, 1962 w. D. MYERS PARALLEL. TUBING STRING PACKER AND ANCHOR 5 m 2 R a my e N w EM .m LL 1 e 2 3 9 M 1 2% a Z w w M 3. \w A A a y Q, U m

July 24, 1962 w. D. MYERS 3,045,754

PARALLEL TUBING STRING PACKER AND ANCHOR Filed April 29, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 r 6.6 i 31 5 2% L U. 37 v E 18 Y -31 35*? S 3631 i a? a? E i as E -;2 I

INVENTOR. WLL/HM fie MYERS J4 BY 15 Mr, M

United States Patent 3,045,754 PARALLEL TUBING STRING TRACKER AND ANCHOR William D. Myers, Norwalk, Califi, assignor to Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Apr. 29, 1958, Ser. No. 731,770 13 Claims. (Cl. 166-120) The present invention relates to subsurface well bore apparatus, and more particularly to well packers, and the like, for enabling well production to be conducted through a plurality of parallel tubular strings to the top of the well bore.

An object of the invention is to provide a well packer apparatus having a plurality of separate passages therethrough, which is adapted to be anchored in packedrofl' condition in the well casing against longitudinal movement in one direction, and in which the pressure of the fluid in the well bore automatically anchors the well packer apparatus against movement in the opposite direction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a well packer apparatus having a plurality of separate passages therethrough, which can be anchored in packed-off condition in the well casing against downward movement, and in which the pressure of the fluid in the well bore below the well packer apparatus automatically efiects its anchoring to the well casing against upward movement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a well packer apparatus having a plurality of separate flow passages therethrough, which can be lowered in a well casing on a first tubular string communicating with one of the passages and anchored in packed-01f condition against movement in one longitudinal direction in the well casing, after which a second tubular string can be lowered in the well casing and appropriately guided into the apparatus to be in communication with another of the passages, the Well packer apparatus being automatically anchored to the well casing against movement in the opposite longitudinal direction in response to a pressure differential in one of the passages. More specifically, the packer apparatus can be run in the well bore on the first string and anchored in packed-off condition in the casing against downward movement, the apparatus being anchored in the well casing against upward movement by the fluid pressure ditferential in one of the passages.

An additional object of the invention is to provide well packer apparatus of the character indicated which is read ily releasable from the well casing for withdrawal to the top of the well bore.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed .description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the well packer apparatus disposed in the well casing preparatory to being set therein;

FIGS. 2 and 2a together constitute a longitudinal section through the well packer apparatus, with the parts in retracted position, FIG. 2a constituting a lower continuation of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 3 and 3a are views corresponding to FIGS. 2 and 2a disclosing the apparatus anchored in packed-oil condition in the well casing;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sec- Patented July 24, 1962 tion taken along the line 4-4 on FIG. 3, and corresponding to a cross-section taken along the line 4-4 on FIG, 5;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along the line 5-5 on FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 66 on FIG. 2a;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 7-7 on FIG. 2a.

The well packer apparatus A is disclosed in the drawings, by way of example, as constituting the upper packer of a two-packer installation in the casing B. The lower packer C can be of any suitable type, and is anchored in packed-off condition against the well casing above a plurality of lower perforations 10 to permit production from a lower producing zone to flow into the well casing below the packer. The packer apparatus A exemplifying the present invention is adapted to be anchored in packedoii condition above an upper set of perforations 11 in the well casing, which are located above the lower packer C, to conduct production from an upper producing Zone into the well casing. By virtue of the well packers A, C, the productions from the upper and lower producing zones are isolated from one another and are conducted through separate first and second parallel

tubular strings

12, 13 to the top of the well bore.

The lower packer C may be of any suitable type, such as the well packer shown in United States Patent No. 2,467,801. The upper packer apparatus A includes a main body 14 having two

separate passages

15, 16 extending therethrough. One of these passages 15 communicates with the first tubular string 12 running to the top of the well bore, whereas the second passage is adapted to communicate with the second tubular string 13 (shown in FIG. 3) extending to the top of the well bore. The well packer apparatus is first lowered in the Well casing on the first tubular string 12, the lower portion of which extends through a longitudinal passage 17 in a receptacle or anchor head 18 threadedly secured to the upper end of the packer body 14. The lower end of the first tubing string may be constituted as a threaded pin 19 threadedly received within a threaded box 20 formed in a counterbore 21 in the upper part of the packer body 14, this counterbore constituting the upper end of the first passage 15 extending through the packer body. The anchor head 18 also has a second passage 22 which is aligned with the second passage 16 through the packer body 14, this second passage having an upper portion 22a adapted to receive the lower end of the second tubular string 13 extending to the top of the well bore, such lower end being adapted to be guided into the second passage by virtue of the fact that the upper end of the anchor head 18 has a generally frusto-conical guiding surface 23, the axis of the cone coinciding with the axis of the second passage 22. The lower end of the second tubular string 13 will come to rest upon a shoulder 24 projecting inwardly of the second passage 22. Leakage of fluid between the second tubular string 13 and the anchor head 18 is prevented by a suitable side seal 25, such as a rubber or rubber-like 0 ring, disposed in a ring groove 26 in the second tubular member and sealingly engaging the wall of the second passage portion 22a. Similarly, leakage of fluid in an upward direction from the first head passage 17 is prevented by a suitable side seal 27, such as a rubber or rubber-like O ring, disposed in a ring groove 28 in the first tubular string and engaging the wall of the first passage 17.

It is to be noted that there is a longitudinal space 29 between the upper end of the packer body 14 and the lower end of the second passage 22 through the head 18 and that this space communicates with a longitudinal clearance space 30 between the exterior of the first tubular string 12 and the wall of the first passage 17, in order that there will be fluid communication between the second body passage 16 and the second head passage 22, on the one hand, and the clearance space 30 between the first tubular string 12 and first passage 17, on the other hand. Fluid under pressure in the second passage 22 and

such clearance space

29, 30 is availed of to urge gripping or anchoring members 31, mounted in the receptacle or anchor head 18, outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing B.

As disclosed, such gripping members 31 are constituted as pistons slidable in radial cylinder bores 32 in the anchor head and displaced arcuately with respect to the first and

second passages

17, 28. The inner ends 33 of these cylinder bores communicate with the clearance space 30 between the first tubular string 12 and the wall of the first passage 17. Fluid under pressure in such space 30 will enter each of the cylinders 32 and will act on the piston members 31, urging the latter outwardly of the anchor head 18 to force their upwardly facing wickers 34 into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing B. Leakage of fluid from each cylinder 32 is prevented by a piston ring 35, such as a rubber or rubber-like O ring, disposed in a piston groove 36 and slidably and sealingly engaging the wall of each cylinder.

When the pressure differential internally of the cylinder 32 and urging the gripping members 31 outwardly is relieved, the gripping members or pistons are shifted inwardly out of engagement with the wall of the well casing by helical retractor springs 37 engaging the base of a socket 38 in each piston, with their outer portions bearing against a retainer and spring seat 39 constituted by a bar extending across each piston within a longitudinal slot 40 extending inwardly from the outer end of the piston. Each retainer and spring seat 39 is suitably secured to the anchor head by screws 41. It is to be noted that the retainer and spring seat 39 not only coacts with the springs 37 to urge the pistons 31 inwardly from anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing, but they also maintain the pistons properly oriented so that their wickers or teeth 34 face in the proper longitudinal direction, such as the upward direction, in order to anchor the apparatus to the well casing against upward movement therewithin.

A plurality of cylinders 32 and pistons 31 may be provided on opposite sides of the anchor head 18, and between the first and

second passages

17, 22, so that a large hydraulic force is available to retain the wickers 34 of the gripping members 31 embedded in the wall of the well casing B, and thereby resist relatively high pressures tending to shift the apparatus upwardly of the well casing.

The packer apparatus A can also be anchored to the 'well casing B against downward movement therewithin and can be sealed off against the well casing B to prevent passage of fluids thereby, either from above the apparatus or from below the apparatus. As specifically disclosed, the body 14 of the packer apparatus has a packing structure 43, such as a rubber or rubber-like packing sleeve, surrounding it, the sleeve engaging an upper ring abutment 44 which, in turn, engages a downwardly facing shoulder 45 at the upper portion of the packer body. The lower end of the packing sleeve 43 engages a lower abutment or expander 46 having downward and inwardly inclined expander surfaces 47 coacting with companion surfaces 48 on a plurality of slips 49 having outer wickers 50 facing in a downward direction so as to prevent downward movement of the well packer when expanded against the wall of the well casing. The slips 49 are received within longitudinal grooves 51 in the expander, the slips having side tongues 52 receivable in side grooves 53 so as to provide a slidable inclined spline connection between the expander 46 and each slip. Thus, downward movement of the expander 46 relative to the slips 49 will shift the slips outwardly against the well casing, whereas relative upward movement of the expander with respect to the slips will pull the slips inwardly to their retracted position.

The lower portions 54 of the slips fit within generally 4.- radial slots 55 in a slip ring or sleeve 56, there being a radially slidable connection therebetween, as by having inwardly directed tongues 57 on the slip ring slidably received within companion side grooves 58 in each slip. Preferably the tongues and

grooves

57, 58 are inclined somewhat in a downward :and outward direction so that the slips 49 also partake of such movement in moving between their retracted and expanded positions.

The slip ring 56 is threadedly secured into the upper portion of a lower packer head or body member 59, being spaced from an upwardly facing shoulder 60 in such lower head to provide an internal circumferential groove 61 in which a latch device 62 is contained. As specifically shown, the latch device consists of an inherently contractible, split latch ring disposed in the groove 61 and contracting into engagement with the periphery of the upper packer body 14. The latch ring will engage the shoulder 60 and prevent the body 14 from moving downwardly with respect to the lower packer head 59 and the slips 49 by virtue of engagement of the lower tapered end 63 of a sleeve 64 fixed to the body, as by means of one or more screws 65, with a companion tapered surface 66 on the upper, inner corner of the latch ring 62. The direction of ta er is downwardly and inwardly so that downward movement of the packer body 14 and the sleeve 64 secured thereto tends to expand the ring 62, whereupon the body and the sleeve can move downwardly through the ring 62 for the purpose of expanding the lower slips 49 against the well casing B and foreshortening the packing sleeve 43 and expanding it into sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing. Substantial force may be required to expand the latch ring 62 to permit downward movement of the upper packer member 14 relative to the lower packer member 59 and with respect to the slips 49, expander 56 and packing sleeve 43. As an example, a downward force of 5,000 to 10,000 pounds may be required to shift the latch ring 62 out of the way before the well packer A can be anchored in packed-off condition in the well casing against downward movement therewithin.

The packer head 59 has an upper, large internal diameter cylindrical chamber or space 70 into which the lower portion of the upper packer body 14 can be shifted. Communicating with this space 70 and in alignment with the first passage 15 through the packer body is a receptacle 71 in the lower packer head or body member 59 adapted to receive telescopically an offset body extension 72 through which the passage 15 extends. Leakage of fluid between the body extension 72 and the wall of the receptacle 71 is prevented by means of a suitable side seal 73, such as a rubber or rubber-like 0 ring, disposed in an internal groove 74 in the receptacle and slidably and sealingly engaging the periphery of the offset body extension.

As explained above, when suflicient downward force is imposed on the upper body member 14 to overcome the contractile force of the split latch ring 62, the upper body member is moved downwardly within the lower body member 59 to effect a setting of the upper packer against the wall of the well casing.

Prior to such downward movement, upward movement of the upper packer body 14 is transmitted to the lower packer head or body portion 59 through a pair of segments 75 disposed in transverse grooves 76 in the sides of the upper body member, the outer portions of the segments being adapted to engage the split latch ring 62, this latch ring then engaging the upper side 60a of its confining groove 61. Thus, an upward pull can be taken on the upper body 14 of the tool, as by pulling upwardly on the first tubular string 12 threadedly secured thereto, this upward pull being transferred through the segments 75 to the split latch ring 62 and from the split latch ring to the slip ring 56, and from the latter through the lower packer head 59 to a lower tubing 77 threadedly secured to the lower pin portion 78 of the lower body receptacle 71. The lower end of the tubing 77 is adapted to be placed in engagement with the lower packer C so that production from the lower zone can pass through the lower perforations into the casing string B, flowing upwardly through the lower packer C into the lower tubing 77, continuing on up through the lower receptacle 71 and the first body passage into the first tubular string 12, which conducts it to the top of the well bore. The lower tubing 77 is of a sufficient length that when it is in sealed-0E engagement with the lower packer C the upper packer apparatus A will be disposed above the upper perforations 11. When the latter is anchored in packed-off condition in the well casing, production from the upper zone will pass through the upper set of perforations 11 into the well casing, iiowing upwardly through an inlet 79 in the lower head 59 into the cylindrical chamber or space 7 d, which is in communication with the second passage 16. From this second body passage, fluid will flow into the second anchor head passage 22 and then up through the second tubular String 13 to the top of the well bore.

In one example of use of the apparatus, the lower packer C has previously been anchored in packed-oil condition in the well casing B between the upper and lower sets of casing perforations 11, 10. The anchor and packer combination A has its parts initially in retracted position, the piston gripping members 31 being disposed inwardly of the anchor body or head 18, the packing sleeve 43 being in retracted position, which is also true of the slips 49. The expander 46 occupies an upper position in which its lower end may engage the sleeve 64 secured to the upper packer body 14. At this time the lower end 63 of the sleeve 64 is above the latch ring 62 which may rest on the latch shoulder 60 and prevent downward movement of the upper body member 14 relative to the lower packer head or body member 59 and, therefore, relative to the parts surrounding the upper body member 14. The first tubular string 12 is threadedly secured to the upper packer body 14, being in the condition shown in FIG. 2.

The packer apparatus A is lowered on the first tubing string 12 in the well casing B until the lower tubing 77 engages and is appropriately related to the lower packer C. Engagement of the lower tubing string with the lower packer precludes its further downward movement and consequently prevents further downward movement of the lower packer head or body 59 attached thereto, as well as the slip ring 56 and the slips 49. Accordingly, a downward force can now be imposed upon the first tubing string 12, which urges the upper packer body 14 in a downward direction, also forcing the body skirt 64 downwardly which tends to cam the latch ring 62 outwardly. When the downward force exceeds the contracting force of the latch ring 62, the latter is expanded outwardly in its groove 61, permitting the body 14 and its sleeve 64 to move downwardly through the ring 62. Since the slips 49 cannot move downwardly, by virtue of engagement of the lower tubing 77 with the lower packer C, downward movement of the body 14 is transferred through the packing sleeve 43 to the expander 46, the expander then moving downwardly within the slips 49 and shifting the latter outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing B, the lower expander being wedged behind the slips.

Following outward shifting of the lower slips 49 against the wall of the well casing, a continuation of the downward movement of the first string 12 and body 14 of the tool moves the upper ring abutment 44 towards the lower abutment or expander 46, foreshortening the packing sleeve 43 and expanding it outwardly into sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing B. During such downward movement of the upper body member 14 within the lower body member 59, the body extension 72 shifts downwardly within the receptacle or cylindrical portion 71 of the lower body extension.

The apparatus A has now been anchored in packed-off condition in the well casing against downward movement. It can be retained in such downward position by continuing the downward force on the first tubular string 12. The second tubing string 13 can now be run in the well casing alongside of the first tubing string. When its lower end engages the frusto-conical guide surface 23 on the upper end of the anchor head or receptacle 18, such surface will steer it towards the second passage 22a in the head, this string entering such second passage and coming to rest upon the passage shoulder 24. The second tubing string 13 is now in a position to conduct the well production from the upper zone which has passed through the upper perforations 11 into the casing B, and through the inlet '79 into the cylindrical chamber 74 flowing through the second body passage 16 into the second head passage 22 and continuing on up through the second tubing string 13 to the top of the well bore. The lower well production is passing through the lower perforations 10 into the easing below the lower packer C, flowing upwardly through the latter and into the lower tubing 77, continuing on up through the extension 71 and the first body passage 15 into the first tubing string 12 extending into the first head passage 17, the first tubing string conducting such production to the top of the well bore.

So long as the downwardly directed weight of the first tubing string 12 or the second tubing string 13, or both, exceeds the pressure acting upwardly on the apparatus A, the latter will remain anchored in packed-off condition against downward movement in the Well casing. If the pressure in the well casing above the apparatus A surrounding the

tubular strings

12, 13 exceeds the pressure in the well casing below the apparatus, such pressure will also maintain the packer set in packed-oil condition against downward movement in the well casing. If, however, the pressure in one of the zones, such as the upper zone, exceeds the pressure above the apparatus, then such fluid under pressure flows through the inlet 79 into the second passage 16 through the body, then passing into the space 29 between the upper end of the packer body 14 and the lower end of the anchor head 18, and thence into the clearing space 30 between the first tubing string 12 and the wall of the first passage 17. Such fluid under pressure then passes into the cylinders 32, urging the piston gripping members 31 outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing. Since such gripping members prevent upward movement in the well casing, the apparatus is prevented from being shifted upwardly in the well casing by the pressure differential in the well casing below the apparatus.

Thus, it is apparent that the apparatus is anchored in packed-off condition in the well casing against movement both in an upward and a downward direction, the production from the two zones in the well bore being conducted through separate parallel paths to the top of the well hole.

Should it be desired to retrieve the packer and anchor apparatus A, an upward strain is taken on the first tubing string 12 to shift the packer body 14 upwardly relative to the lower packer body or head 59. When the upper abutment 44 moves away from the lower abutment or expander 46, the packing sleeve 43 can contract and return to its initial retracted position. The sleeve 64 on the packer body 14 will move upwardly therewith and will then engage the lower expander 46, shifting such expander upwardly with respect to the slips 49 and forcing the latter inwardly from the casing wall, or back to a retracted position, until the upper end of the sleeve 64 is once again disposed above the latch ring 62, the latter then contracting back into engagement with the periphery of the body 14 of the tool, or below the sleeve 64, and thereby precluding inadvertent resetting of the apparatus against the well casing. Before the first tubing string 12 and the body 14 can be elevated, however, the piston gripping members 31 are returned to retracted position, as by equalizing the pressure internally and externally of the cylinder 32. One mode of accomplishing this action is either to impose a pressure in the casing B above the apparatus A that equals the pressure in the well casing below the apparatus, or merely by pulling the second tubing string 13 from its receptacle 18, which will automatically equalize the pressure above and below the apparatus. The springs 37 will shift the gripping members 31 inwardly from the Well casing, whereupon elevation of the first tubing string 12 will elevate the packer body 14, the segments 75 engaging the latch ring 62 and moving it up against the lower end 60a of the slip ring 56 which is connected to the lower packer head or body portion 59. As a result, a direct upward pull is transmitted from the upper body portion 14 to the lower body portion 59, and thence to the lower tubing 77, pulling the latter upwardly from the lower packer C. The apparatus A can now be elevated in the well casing B and removed completely therefrom, if desired.

Because of the presence of the segments 75, any upward pull is transmitted directly from the upper body 14 member to the lower body member 59, and does not pass from the body sleeve 64 to the expander 46, and from the latter through the slips 49 to the slip ring 56 and lower body member 59.

The inventor claims:

1. In a device of the character described: a well packer apparatus adapted to be anchored in packed-off condition in a well casing against movement in one longitudinal direction and having a plurality of longitudinal passages therethrough arranged in generally parallel side by side relation; said apparatus including fluid operated gripping means urged outwardly by fluid pressure into engagement with the well casing to prevent movement of said apparatus in the opposite longtiudinal direction; one of said passages having a sealing surface adapted to provide sealing engagement with a tubular string; means for conducting fluid under pressure from said one passage below said sealing surface to another passage; and means for conducting such fluid under pressure from said another passage to said fluid operated gripping means to actuate the same.

2. In a device of the character described: a well packer apparatus adapted to be anchored in packed-off condition in a well casing against downward movement and having a plurality of longitudinal passages therethrough arranged in generally parallel side by side relation; said apparatus including fluid operated gripping means urged outwardly by fluid pressure into engagement with the well casing to prevent upward movement of said apparatus in the well casing; a first tubular string adapted to extend to the top of the well casing and connected to the apparatus in communication with one of said passages; a second tubular string adapted to extend to the top of the well casing and sealingly engaging said apparatus in communication with another of said passages; means for conducting fluid under pressure from said another of said passages below the point of sealing of said second tubular string to said one passage around the first tubular string and to said fluid operated gripping means to actuate the same.

3. In a device of the character described: a well packer apparatus adapted to be anchored in packed-01f condition in a well casing against movement in one longitudinal direction and having a plurality of longitudinal passages therethrough arranged in generally parallel side by side relation; said apparatus including fluid operated gripping means urged outwardly by fluid pressure into engagement with the well casing to prevent movement of said apparatus in the opposite longitudinal direction; a first tubular string adapted to extend to the top of the well casing and connected to the apparatus in communication with one of said passages; a second tubular string adapted to extend to the top of the well casing and sealingly engaging said apparatus in communication with another of said passages; and means for conducting fluid under pressure from said another of said passages below the point of sealing of said second tubular string, around the first tubular string to said fluid operated gripping means to actuate the same.

4. In a device of a character described to be set in a well casing disposed in a well bore: a body having first and second longitudinal passages extending therethrough;

means on said body for anchoring said body to the well casing against movement in one longitudinal direction; packing means on said body adapted to seal against the well casing; a head secured to said body and having first and second longitudinal passages extending therethrough and communicating with said first and second body passages, respectively; fluid operated gripping means on said head urged outwardly by fluid pressure into engagement with the Well casing to prevent movement of said head and body in the opposite longitudinal direction in the well casing; one head passage having a sealing surface adapted to provide sealing engagement with a tubular string; means for conducting fluid under pressure from said one passage below said sealing surface to the other head passage; and means for conducting fluid under prsssure from the other head passage to said fluid operated gripping means to actuate the same.

5. In a device of a character described to be set in a well casing disposed in a well bore: a body having first and second longitudinal passages extending therethrough; means on said body for anchoring said body to the well casing against movement in one longitudinal direction; packing means on said body adapted to seal against the Well casing; a head secured to said body and having first and second longitudinal passages extending therethrough and communicating with said first and second body passages, respectively; fluid operated gripping means on said head urged outwardly by fluid pressure into engagement with the well casing to prevent movement of said head and body in the opposite longitudinal direction in the well casing; a first tubular string adapted to extend to the top of the well casing and extending through said first head passage for attachment to said body and communicating with said first body passage; a second tubular string adapted to extend to the top of the well casing and sealingly received in said second head passage; and means for conducting fluid under pressure from said second head passage below the point of sealing of said second tubular string, around said first tubular string to said fluid operated gripping means to actuate the same.

6. In a device of the character described to be set in a well casing disposed in a well bore: a body having first and second longitudinal passages extending therethrough; means on said body for anchoring said body to the well casing against movement in one longitudinal direction; packing means on said body adapted to seal against the well casing; a head secured to said body and having first and second longitudinal passages extending therethrough and communicating with said first and second body passages, respectively; fluid operated gripping means on said head urged outwardly by fluid pressure into engagement with the well casing to prevent movement of said head and body in the opposite longitudinal direction in the well casing; a first tubular string adapted to extend to the top of the well casing and extending through said first head passage for attachment to said body and communicating with said first body passage; a second tubular string adapted to extend to the top of the well casing and sealingly received in said second head passage; and means for conducting fluid under pressure from said second head passage below the point of sealing of said second tubular string, around said first tubular string to said fluid operated gripping means to actuate the same; the upper end of said head being tapered downwardly toward said second head passage to guide said second tubular string thereinto.

7. In a device of the character described to be set in a well casing disposed in a well bore: a body having first and second longitudinal pasasges extending therethrough; means on said body for anchoring said body to the well casing against movement in one longitudinal direction; packing means on said body adapted to seal against the well casing; a head secured to said body and having first and second longitudinal passages extending therethrough and communicating with said first and second body passages, respectively; said head having a lateral cylinder 9- therein communicating with one of said head passages; a piston in said cylinder having external gripping means thereon, said piston being responsive to fluid pressure in said cylinder to be shifted outwardly of said head to place its gripping means in anchoring engagement with the well casing to prevent movement of said head and body in the opposite longitudinal direction; said head having a sealing surface in said other of said head passages adapted to provide sealing engagement with a tubular string and also having passage means below said sealing surface for conducting fluid under pressure from said other of said head passages to said one of said head passages.

8. In a device of the character described to be set in a well casing disposed in a Well bore: a body having first and second longitudinal passages extending therethrough; means on said body for anchoring said body to the well casing against movement in one longitudinal direction; packing means on said body adapted to seal against the well casing; a head secured to said body and having first and second longitudinal passages extending therethrough and communicating with said first and second body passages, respectively; said head having a lateral cylinder therein communicating with one of said head passages; a piston in said cylinder having external gripping means thereon, said piston being responsive to fluid pressure in said cylinder to be shifted outwardly of said head to place its gripping means in anchoring engagement with the Well casing to prevent movement of said head and body in the opposite longitudinal direction; said head having passage means for conducting fluid under pressure to said one of said head passages from said other of said head pass-ages; a first tubular string adapted to extend to the top of the Well casing and extending through said first head passage for attachment to said body and being in communication with said first body passage; and a second tubular string adapted to extend to the top of the well casing and received in said second head passage.

9. In a device of the character described to be set in a well casing disposed in a well bore: a body having first and second longitudinal passages extending therethrough; means on said body for anchoring said body to the well casing against movement in one longitudinal direction; packing means on said body adapted to seal against the well casing; a head secured to said body and having first and second longitudinal passages extending therethrough and communicating with said first and second body passages, respectively; said head having a lateral cylinder therein communicating With one of said head passages; a piston in said cylinder having external gripping means thereon, said piston being responsive to fluid pressure in said cylinder to be shifted outwardly of said head to place its gripping means in anchoring engagement with the well casing to prevent movement of said head and body in the opposite longitudinal direction; said head having passage means for conducting fluid under pressure to said one of said head passages from said other of said head passages; a first tubular string adapted to extend to the top of the Well casing and extending through said first head passage for attachment to said body and being in communication with said first body passage; and a second tubular string adapted to extend to the top of the well casing and received in said second head passage; the upper end of said head being tapered toward said second head passage to guide said second tubular string there-into.

l0. In a device of the character described to be set in a well casing disposed in a well bore: an upper body having first and second longitudinal passages extending therethrough; a lower body telescopically related to said upper body and having means thereon for attachment to a lower tubing; means limiting extension of said bodies with respect to each other; said lower body having a passage connecting the lower tubing to one of said upper body passages, said lower body having another passage therethrough communicating with the other of said upper body passages; normally retracted means on one of said bodies adapted to be set against the well casing in response to relative telescoping of said bodies; a head secured to said upper body and having first and second longitudinal passages extending therethrough and communicating with said first and second upper body passages, respectively; fluid operated means on said head urged outwardly into engagement with the well casing in response to the pressure of fluid in said first head passage to prevent movement of said head and upper body longitudinally in the Well casing; a first tubular string adapted to extend to the top of the well casing and extending through said first head passage for attachment to said body in communication with said first body passage; a second tubular string adapted to extend to the top of the well casing and sealingly received in said second head passage; and means for conducting fluid under pressure from said second head passage below the point of sealing of said second tubular string to said first head pass-age.

11. In a device of the character described to be set in a well casing disposed in a well bore: an upper body having first and second longitudinal passages extending therethrough; a lower body telescopically related to said upper body and having means thereon for attachment to a lower tubing; means limiting extension of said bodies with respect to each other; said lower body having a passage connecting the lower tubing to one of said upper body passages, said lower body having another passage therethnough communicating with the other of said upper body passages; normally retracted means on one of said bodies adapted to be set against the Well casing in response to relative telescoping of said bodies; a head secured to said upper body and having first and second longitudinal passages extending therethrough and communicating with said first and second upper body passages, respectively; fiuid operated means on said head urged outwardly into engagement with the well casing in response to the pressure of fluid in said first head passage to prevent movement of said head and upper body longitudinally in the well casing; a first tubular string adapted to extend to the top of the well casing and extending through said first head passage for attachment to said body in communication with said first body passage; a second tubular string adapted to extend to the top of the well casing and sealingly received in said second head passage; means for conducting fluid under pressure from said second head passage below the point of sealing of said second tubular string to said first head passage; the upper end of said head being tapered toward said second head passage to guide said second tubular string therein-to.

12. In a device of the character described to be set in a well casing disposed in a well bore: an upper body having first and second longitudinal passages extending therethrough; a lower body telescopically related to said upper body and having means thereon for attachment to a lower tubing; means limiting extension of said bodies with respect to each other; said lower body having a passage connecting the lower tubing to one of said upper body passages, said lower body having another passage therethrough communicating with the other of said upper body passages; means on said upper body for anchoring said upper body to the well casing against downward movement; packing means on said upper body adapted to seal against the wall of the well casing; said anchoring means and packing means being shifted against the well casing in response to relative telescoping of said bodies; a head secured to said upper body and having first and second longitudinal passages extending therethrough and communicating with said first and second upper body passages, respectively; said head having a lateral cylinder therein communicating with one of said head passages; said head having passage means for conducting fluid from the other of said head passages to said one head passage; a piston in said cylinder having external gripping means thereon,

said piston being responsive to fluid pressure in said cylinder to be shifted outwardly of said head to place its gripping means in anchoring engagement with the well casing to prevent upward movement of said head and upper body therewithin; a first tubular string adapted to extend to the top of the well casing and extending through said first head passage for attachment to said upper body in communication with said first body passage; and a second tubular string adapted to extend to the top of the well casing and received in said second head passage.

13. In a device of the character described to be set in a well casing disposed in a well bore: an upper body having first and second longitudinal passages extending therethrough; a lower body telescopically related to said upper body and having means thereon for attachment to a lower tubing; means limiting extension of said bodies with respect to each other; said lower body having a passage connecting the lower tubing to one of said upper body passages, said lower body having another passage therethrough communicating with the other of said upper body passages; means on said upper body for anchoring said upper body to the well casing against downward movement; packing means on said upper body adapted to seal against the wall of the well casing; said anchoring means and packing means being shifted against the well casing in response to relative telescoping of said bodies; a head secured to said upper body and having first and second longitudinal passages extending therethrough and communicating with said first and second upper body passages, respectively; said head having a lateral cylinder therein communicating with one of said head passages; said head having passage means for conducting fluid from the other of said head passages to said one head passage; a piston in said cylinder having external gripping means thereon, said piston being responsive to fluid pressure in said cylinder to be shifted outwardly of said head to place its gripping means in anchoring engagement with the well casing to prevent upward movement of said head and upper body therewithin; a first tubular string adapted to extend to the top of the well casing and extending through said first head passage for attachment to said upper body in communication with said first body passage; and a second tubular string adapted to extend to the top of the well casing and received in said second head passage; the upper end of said head being tapered toward said second head passage to guide said second tubular string thereinto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,014,272 Waitz Jan. 2, 1912 2,253,092 Pranger Aug. 19, 1941 2,352,700 Ferris July 4, 1944 2,791,277 Ilfrey et al. May 7, 1957 2,792,063 Jones May 14, 1957 2,850,099 Brown Sept. 2, 1958 2,902,093 Brown Sept. 1, 1959 2,903,066 Brown Sept. 8, 1959 2,989,121 Brown June 20, 1961