US3055431A

US3055431A - Convertible packer and tubing anchor

Info

Publication number: US3055431A
Application number: US773943A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Earnest H Clark; William D Myers
Original assignee: Baker Oil Tools Inc
Current assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
Priority date: 1958-11-14
Filing date: 1958-11-14
Publication date: 1962-09-25
Anticipated expiration: 1979-09-25

Description

Sept. 25, 1962 E. H. CLARK, JR., ETAL 3,055,431 CONVERTIBLE PACKER AND TUBING ANCHOR Filed. Nov. 14, 1958 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I Fl Ga Illa EZRA/55f If. 649166372.

WALL/19M D. M YEes INVENTORS.

rime/V575.

Sept. 25, 1962 E. H. CLARK, JR., EI'AL 3,055,431

CONVERTIBLE PACKER AND TUBING ANCHOR Filed Nov. 14, 1958 a Sheets-Sheet 2 /VXX/Y/ p d p- 44 WLL/HM. D. Myses INVENTORS BY WWW Sept. 25, 1962 E. H. CLARK, JR., EI'AL 3,05

. CONVERTIBLE PACKER AND TUBING ANCHOR Filed NOV. 14, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 fl G'a 40 E6062 PV/ZL/AM 17. MYERS INVENTORS 3,055,431 (IONVERTHBLE PACKER AND TUBING ANCHQR Earnest H. Clark, Jr., and William D. Myers, Downey, (Ialifi, assignors to Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Nov. 14, 1953, Ser. No. 773,943 16 Claims. (til. 166-4140) The present invention relates to subsurface well bore apparatus, and more particularly to well packer and anchor apparatus for performing diverse operations in the well bore.

An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is capable of functioning as a well packer in performing certain desirable operations in the well bore, such as squeezing, formation fracturing, treating or testing, and of thereafter being converted, while in the well bore, to an anchor for the tubing string to which the apparatus is attached in the event the well is to be pumped, in order that the tubing string can be placed in tension to eliminate tubing buckling and breathing that would otherwise result from the reciprocation of the pump and the string of sucker rods attached thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus convertible from a well packer to an anchor while in the well bore, thereby effecting substantial economies by saving a round trip that would otherwise be necessary in removing a packer from the well bore and then running an anchor thereinto.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that functions as a packer during swabbing of the tubing string to which the apparatus is attached, thereby eliminating the need for swabbing or removing the fluid in the annulus around the tubing, and insuring that the load of fluid in the annulus is not imposed on the producing formation, the apparatus then being convertible to an anchor, without removing the apparatus from the well bore, to secure the tubing string in the well bore with the packing element in ineffective position.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus capable of being converted from a well packer to an anchor while in the well bore, the apparatus being readily retrievable from the well bore whenever desired.

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:

FIGURES 1 and la together constitute a combined side elevational view and longitudinal section through an apparatus embodying the invention, with the parts disposed in position for lowering the apparatus in a well casing, FIG. 1a constituting a lower continuation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 and In on a reduced scale showing the apparatus in operation as a well packer anchored in packed-off condition against the well casing;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 disclosing the apparatus converted to an anchor for securing the apparatus in the well casing;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, illustrating the apparatus in condition for removal from the well casing under emergency release conditions;

'FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along the line 55 on FIG. 1;

3,55,43l Patented Sept. 25, 1962 the 6 is a cross-section taken along the line 66 on r 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section taken along the line 7-7 on FIG. la;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the control slot or groove portion of the apparatus.

The apparatus A illustrated in the drawings is a well packer, which is convertible to an anchor whenever desired. The apparatus is lowered through a well casing B on a tubular string C, such as a string of tubing extending to the top of the well bore, to the desired location at which it is to be set within the well casing. It is also capable of being removed from the well casing after having been set therein.

The apparatus includes a central tubular body 10 having a lower threaded pin 11 for attaching it to a threaded box 12 of a lower tubing 13 that may extend downwardly in the well casing to any desired depth. The upper end of the body member 10 is threadedly attached to an upper body member extension 10a thereof having a threaded box 14 for securing the body member to the lower pin end 15 of the tubing string C, which extends to the top of the well bore.

As specifically disclosed, the apparatus A is capable of being secured to the well casing against upward movement therewithin. Thus, an upper set of circumferentially spaced segmental slips 16 is disposed around the body, these slips being mounted in longitudinal slots 17 in a slip ring or sleeve 18 slidable on the body 10. The lower portion 19 of each slip is constituted as an anchor having external wickers or teeth 20 facing in an upward direction, which are adapted to embed or dig in the Wall of the well casing B. Above the anchor portion, each slip has a drag portion 21 adapted to frictionally slide along the Wall of the well casing, the friction force being provided by one or a plurality of helical compression springs 22 engaging the base of the groove 17 and disposed in sockets 23 in the drag portion and engaging the base thereof. Outward shifting of the upper portions of the slips is limited by engagement of their upper terminals 24 with the depending rim 25 of a stop ring 26 suitably secured to the slip ring 18, as by means of one or more longitudinal extending screws 27. Such outward movement is also limited by an encompassing ring 28 disposed in external grooves 29 provided between the drag and anchor portions of the slips. To insure joint longitudinal movement of all of the slips 16 in the well casing, the lower portion of the slip ring has an outwardly directed flange 30 adapted to engage the encompassing ring 28. Thus, during upward movement of the slip ring 18 With the body 10 of the tool, the flange 30 will engage the encompassing ring 28 and shift it against the upper sides of the grooves 29, to carry all of the slips 16 upwardly with the slip ring. Joint downward movement of the slips is secured by virtue of engagement of the stop ring 26 with their upper terminal portions 24.

It is to be noted that the springs 22 urge the drag portions 21 of the slips outwardly so that they have flat or surface engagement with the wall of the well casing. At this time, the anchor portions 19 are disposed in an inward position in which their wickers or teeth 20 are free from engagement with the wall of the well casing, such portions thus being disposed in a retracted position. The anchor portions are adapted to be shifted outwardly into engagement with the well casing by an expander 32. slidably mounted on the body 10. This expander has an external expander surface 33 inclined in an upward and inward direction adapted to engage companion surfaces 34 on the interiors of the anchor portions 11 of the slips 16. When the expander 32 moves upwardly it will engage the slip surfaces 34 and rock the slips 16 on the casing to shift the anchor portions 19 outwardly and secure their teeth 20 against the wall of the well casing, while the drag portions 21 shift inwardly, so that only their lower ends may engage the" casing, or, for that matter, none of the drag portions may engage the casing.

The expander 32 is operatively connected to a packing structure 35 disposed therebelow. As shown, it is threadedly attached to a connector sleeve 36 slidable along the body, a packing element or sleeve 37, made of rubber or rubber-like material, being disposed on the connector sleeve with its upper end engaging the lower end of the expander 32 and a gauge ring 38 threaded thereon, which will determine the effective annular clearance space with the well casing B that must be bridged by the packing element 37 when it is expanded against the well casing. The expander 32 and gauge ring 38 together constitute an upper abutment for the packing element 37. The lower end of the packing sleeve 37 engages a guide or lower abutment ring or actuator 39 which is adapted to engage an outwardly directed lower flange 41 on the connector sleeve. Threadedly secured to the guide ring 39 is a thrust sleeve or actuator 41 depending therefrom, which has a lower internally threaded portion 42 that initially meshes with a companion externally threaded head 43 extending outwardly from and integral with the body 10 of the tool. The relative downward position of the body 10 with respect to the thrust sleeve 41 is limited by engagement of the head 43 with an inwardly directed flange 44 at the lower end of the thrust sleeve.

In expanding the packing element 37 against the well casing B, the guide ring or lower abutment 39 is moved toward the expander or

upper abutment

32, 38, the guide sliding along the connector sleeve 36. Such relative motion between the parts foreshorten the packing sleeve 37 and results in its outward expansion from its retracted position into sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing, as well as into sealing engagement with the periphery of the connector sleeve 36. Leakage of fluid between the connector sleeve and the body 10 of the tool is prevented by a suitable side seal, such as a rubber or rubber-like ring 45, mounted in a peripheral groove 46 of the body and slidably and sealingly engaging the inner surface of the connector sleeve 36.

Upward movement of the guide ring 39 toward the expander 32 can occur while preventing relative rotation between the connector sleeve 36 and the thrust sleeve 41 by providing a slidable spline connection between the connector sleeve and the thrust sleeve. Thus, the lower portion of the connector sleeve 36 has a key 47 secured therein which extends within an inner longitudinal keyway 48 extending substantially along the whole length of the thrust sleeve 41. This slidable spline connection permits the thrust sleeve 41 and the lower guide ring 39 to move upwardly while preventing relative turning between the connector sleeve 36 and thrust sleeve 41. The key 47 is also extended inwardly so as to be disposed under a downwardly facing body shoulder 49, in order that downward movement of the body 10 can engage the stop on the connector sleeve provided by the key 47 and shift the connector sleeve 36 downwardly with the body.

The expander 32 is not slidable directly upon the body member, but is preferably mounted upon a sleeve 50 which, in turn, is slidable on the body member 10. This sleeve is connected to the expander 32 and the connector sleeve 36 by a shear device that is capable of being disrupted to free the sleeve from the expander and connector sleeve. As shown, the lower end of the sleeve 50 may have an outwardly projecting flange 51 clamped between the expander 32 and the upper end of the connector sleeve 36. Shearing of this flange will permit the sleeve 50 to shift upwardly and come into engagement with the lower end of the slip ring 18, in the manner described hereinbelow. The sleeve 50 has the purpose of providing an annular space 52 between the connector sleeve and expander and the periphery of the body member 10, enabling the body member to move upwardly within the connector sleeve 36 and expander 32 as explained hereinbelow, until an upwardly facing shoulder 53 on the body engages the lower end of the shear ring or sleeve 50. The upward force imposed on the body member 10 will then be transmitted through the shear ring or sleeve and its flange 51 to the expander 32, and from the expander to the slips 16, to hold the latter outwardly in anchoring engagement with the well casing. In the event the flange 51 is sheared from the sleeve 50, the body 10 can move upwardly with the sleeve until the latter engages the lower end of the slip ring 18, to move the entire slip structure upwardly with the body, as described hereinbelow.

In order to expand the anchoring portion 19 of the slips and the packing structure 35 against the well casing, the expander 32 must be moved upwardly behind the anchoring portions 19. Initially, such relative movement is prevented by a control mechanism 55 between the slip structure and the body of the tool. As shown, the control mechanism includes a slot or groove structure 56 provided in the exterior of the body 10 and adapted to receive a lock pin 57 carried by the slip stop ring 26. This lock pin may be disposed in the holding portion 58 of the slot structure which is displaced arcuately to one side of a longitudinal slot portion 59, into which the pin 57 can be moved relatively by being shifted from its holding portion 53 through a horizontal portion 60 to the upper end of the longitudinal slot portion 59. The lower end 61 of the longitudinal slot is tapered in a downward and outward direction to shift the lock pin 57 outwardly of the slot or groove structure 56 and permit it to slide upon the periphery of the body 10 of the tool. To enable such radial or lateral shifting of the lock pin 57, it is yieldedly mounted in the stop ring 26. Thus, the lock pin 57 is slidable radially within a guide screw 62 that is threaded radially in the stop ring. A helical compression spring 63 is disposed in the guide screw, its inner end engaging the outer end of the lock pin 57 and its outer end engaging the guide screw 62, which also functions as a spring seat. The spring 63 normally urges the lock pin 57 inwardly. However, when moved relatively down along the longitudinal leg 59 of the slot 56, it will engage its lower tapered or cam end 61 and be urged outwardly against the force of the spring 63, the lock pin then riding upon the periphery of the body 11 In the use of the apparatus, the parts are first disposed in the relative positions shown in FIGS. 1 and la, in which the lock pin 57 is disposed in the lock portion 58 of the slot or groove 56. This locking location will prevent longitudinal movement of the entire slip structure along the body of the tool 10, such that the slip structure is carried downwardly with the body of the tool, the anchor portions 19 of the slips 16 being disposed inwardly. The downward movement of the body 10 is transmitted through the threaded

connection

43, 42 to the thrust sleeve 41, the guide ring 39 engaging the flange 40 of the connector sleeve 36 to pull the connector sleeve and the expander 32 downwardly with it, the packing element 37 then occupying its retracted position. The apparatus is lowered in the well casing with the drag portions 21 of the slips sliding along the wall of the well casing and with the expander 32, packing structure 35 and thrust sleeve 41 moving downwardly with the body, the parts being retained in the positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 1a.

When the location in the well casing is reached at which the apparatus is to be anchored in packed-off condition therewithin, the tubing string C and the body 10 of the tool are turned to the left. Since turning of the entire slip structure is resisted by the frictional engagement of the drag portions 21 against the wall of the well casing, such left-hand turning will result in an arcuate shifting of the slot portion 56 of the body to the left to place the lock pin 57 in alignment with the depending leg portion 59 of the slot structure. The tubing string C can now be elevated which will elevate the body 10 of the tool and the parts of the tool surrounding the body below the slips 16, the slip structure being prevented from moving upwardly by the frictional engagement of the drag portions 21 against the wall of the well casing. The body of the tool is moved upwardly until the expander 32 moves upwardly behind the anchor portions d9 of the slips, rocking the slips on their drag portions 21 to shift the anchor portions 19 outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing, the drag portions moving in the opposite or inward direction.

After the expander 32 has been wedged behind the anch-or portions '19 it cannot move outwardly to any further extent. Accordingly, a continuation of the upward movement of the body it? will carry the thrust sleeve 41 upwardly with it, causing the lower abutment 39 to move toward the upper abutment and

expander

38, 32 for the purpose of *fioreshor-tening the packing sleeve 37 and expanding it outwardly against the wall of the well casing, such as disclosed in FIG. 2. The apparatus has now been anchored in packed-off condition against upward movement in the well casing. The desired operation can now be per-termed. Thus, if cement slurry is to be squeezed into the well bore, the required quantity or charge of slurry is pumped down the tubing string C, passing downwardly through the tool A and discharging into the well easing B at a point therebelow for movement into the torination or behind the casing. On the other hand, if the iormation is to be hydraulically fractured or an acid treatment performed, the necessary fiuid or fluent material is pumped down the tubing string C, passing through the apparatus A, then outwardly thereof into the formation. The particular fluent material employed can be io-rce-d under relatively high pressures into the formation, the well packer A preventing passage of fluid upwardly around the tool, the well packer being anchored against the well casing by the coaction between the expander 32 and the slips 16.

If desired, the formation can be tested as by swabbing the tubing string C. Maintenance of a suitable upward strain on the tubing string C will retain the packer anchored in packed ofi condition in the well casing, preventing the annular column of fluid in the tubing-casing annulus 70 above the well packer from being imposed on the diormation. The tubing can be swabbed to the proper extent, to effect the desired test of the producing formation in the well bore.

If the apparatus is to be used merely as a packer, its operation as described above is all that is necessary for it to be anchored in packed oif condition in the well casing. To release the packer A and remove it from the well bore, the tubing string C and body it) are moved downwardly to shifit the lower abutment 39 away from the upper abutment -32, 33, allowing the packing sleeve 37 to retract inherently. When the lower abutment 3? engages the connector sleeve flange 44 it pulls the connector sleeve 36 and the expander 32. downwardly, the expander moving away from the anchor portions 19 of the slips, allowing the springs 22 to rock the drag portions 21 back into 'full engagement with the wall of the well casing, and the anchor portions 19 inwardly away from the wall of the well casing. The packing structure 35 and the slip structure have thus been released from the well casing and can be retained in such released position by relocating the lock pin 57 back in the control slot structure 56, the body being appropriately turned to place the lock pin back in the locking portion 58 of the slot structure at the upper end thereof, The well packer is now in its initial retracted position (FIGS. 1, 1a) and can be moved to a new setting location in the well casing, if desired; or can be removed entirely from the well casing. During elevation of the apparatus in the well casing, relative upward movement of the expander 32 toward the anchor portions '19 is prevented by the tact that the slip structure is connected to the body 10 of the' tool through the agency of the lock pin 57.

After the apparatus has been anchored in packed-cit condition in the well casing, and the desired operation performed in the Well bore with the apparatus operating as a well packer, it can be converted, while remaining in its setting location, into an anchor by rendering the packing structure 35 ineffective, the expander 32 and slip structure '16 still remaining in anchored condition against the wall of the well casing. To eflect the conversion of the tool to an anchor, the slips 16 are set in the positions disclosed in FIG. 2 by maintaining an upward strain on the tubing string C and body 10 of the tool, which, for example, may be of the order of 3,000 to 5,000 pounds. The tubing string C and body it] are then rotated in a right-hand direction. Since the threaded

connection

43, 42 between the body head and the thrust sleeve 41 is preferably left-hand, the right-hand rotation oi the body and its head 43 will result in a relative downward ieeding of the thrust sleeve 41 along the body head, the lower abutment 39 moving down along the connector sleeve 36 and away from the upper abutment and

expander

38, 32. until the threaded portion 42 of the thrust sleeve 41 becomes completely unthreaded from the body head 43 and moves therebelow, the body head then shifting into an enlarged inside diameter portion '71 of the thrust sleeve. The thrust sleeve 41 can then drop downwardly to its fullest extent, as determined by engagement of the guide ring or lower abutment 39 with the connector sleeve flange 40, the packing 37 inherently shifting to its initial retracted position (FIG. 3). in fact, with an upward strain maintained on the tubing string C and body 10 of the tool, their right-hand rotation can, at first, produce upward threading of the head 43 in the sleeve 41, and elevation of the body within the packing structure 35, until the shoulder 53 engages the lower end of the shear sleeve 5h. Thereafter, continued rotation of the tubing string C and body '10 produces downward feeding of the thrust sleeve 41 until its threaded portion 42 is completely unthreaded from the body head 43, the sleeve 41 dropping downwardly to its fullest extent, as shown in FIG. 3. During rotation of the tubing string C and body it of the tool, the thrust sleeve 4-1 is prevented from rotating, since it has the

spline connection

47, 48 with the connector sleeve 36, which is prevented from rotating by the wedging action of the expander 32 behind the anchored slips 16.

The packing unit 35 of the apparatus is thereby rendered ineffective, and the tubing string C and body 10 of the tool are movable upward-1y until the upwardly f acing body shoulder 53 engages the shear ring or sleeve 56. An upward strain then taken on the tubing string C and body it would be transmitted through the expander 32 to the anchor portions 19 of the slips 16, the expander holding such slips outwardly in anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing. If the expander 32 has dropped down away from the slips as during the unthreadin-g of the thrust sleeve 41 from the body head 43, upward movement of the tubing string C and body it! will bring the body shoulder 53 against the shear ring sleeve 50, the expander 32 then moving upwardly behind the slips 16, which are prevented from moving upwardly by the frictional engagement of the drag portions 21 against the wall of the well casing B. The desired tension can now be taken on the tubing string C, which will be transmitted directly from the body 10 through the shear sleeve 50 to the expander 32, and then through the slips 16 to the wall of the well casing. The maintenance of the tubing string C in tension at the desired value will eliminate tubing buckling and breathing resulting nrom reciprocation of the pumping unit, mounted at a desired locationin the tubing string, under the action of the usual sucker rods connected thereto and extending through the tubing string C irom the pumping unit at the top of the well bore.

It is, therefore, apparent that the packer has been readily converted to an anchor without the necessity for removing any apparatus from the well bore. Thus, a round trip has been saved, with resulting economies due 7 to the fact that a single tool has been provided for performing both a packer function and an anchor function, eliminating the necessity for removing a packer firom the well casing and then running an anchor thereinto when the tubing string is to be maintained in tension, particularly in a pumping well.

In the event the apparatus, now converted to an anchor, is to be removed from the well bore, it is merely necessary to lower the tubing string C and the body 19 of the tool. Such lowering action will result in a. downward movement of the body until the threads on the head 43 engage the uppermost thread on the thrust sleeve portion 42, the downward movement then being transmitted through the guide ring 33 to the connector sleeve 36, and from the latter to the expander 32, shitting the expander downwardly away from the slips 16 and allowing the springs 22 to rock the drag portions 21 outwardly and the anchor portions 19 inwardly away from the well casing. The body is manipulated until the lock pin 57 is again disposed in the control groove or slot 56, the body being turned to position the pin in the locking portion 58 of the slot. When this occurs, the tubing string C and body 10 can be elevated, the slip structure being retained in its upper position. on the body it) and the body shoulder 53 moving upwardly to engage the shear sleeve 50 and carry the expander 32 and connector sleeve 36 upwardly with it. The flange 40 on the connector sleeve will engage the guide ring 39 to carry the thrust sleeve 41 upwardly with it.

In the event that the tool will not release satisfactorily, permitting the lock pin 57 to be relocated in the lock portion 58 of the control slot 56, a sufficient upward strain is taken on the tubing string C and body 10, with the expander 32 disposed behind the slips r16, to shear the flange 51 of the shear sleeve 50 from the remainder of the shear sleeve. The body can then move the shear sleeve 50 upwardly until it engages the lower end of the slip ring 18. An upward force can then be imposed on the slip ring 18, which is transmitted through the encompassing ring 28 to the slips l6, forcing the slips upwardly with respect to the expander 32 and allowing the springs 22 to shift the drag portions 2 1 outwardly and the anchor portions 19 of the slips inwardly. The apparatus can now be removed from the well bore, the parts occupying the positions shown in FIG. 4. The threaded head 43 on the body will engage the lower end of the connector sleeve 36 to carry such connector sleeve and expander 32 upwardly, the connector sleeve flange 40 engaging the guide ring 39 to carry it, together with the thrust sleeve 41 connected thereto, upwardly. The apparatus can now be elevated within and removed from the well casing C, with the anchor portions 19 of the slips 16 remaining in their retracted position.

It is to be noted that the safety shear portion 51 of the apparatus is only subject to strain after the apparatus has been converted from a packer to an anchor. Thus, relatively high pressures that might be imposed on the fluid in the well bore when the apparatus is functioning as a packer are not imposed on the shear device. It is only when the apparatus has been converted to an anchor that the upstrain on the apparatus is transmitted through the shear ring 51 to the expander 32. This upstrain can be controlled and is kept at the desired value, which is normally well below the yield point of the tubing string C, so that the latter is not subjected to a strain beyond its elastic limit.

The inventors claim:

1. In well apparatus of the type adapted to be disposed in a well casing on a running-in string and wherein a body is anchored to the well casing by gripping means engaging the latter, there being packing means on the body adapted to be expanded against the well casing, the combination therewith of actuating means on the body engaging said packing means to expand said packing means against the casing, means on said body adapted to be actuated to release said actuating means to permit said packing means to retract from expanded position, and means on said body engaging said gripping means for retaining said gripping means engaged with the casing while said packing means is in its retracted position.

2. In well apparatus of the type adapted to be disposed in a well casing on a running-in string and wherein a body is anchored to the well casing by gripping means engaging the latter, there being packing means on the body adapted to be expanded against the well casing, the combination therewith of actuating means on the body engaging said packing means to expand said packing means against the casing, means on said body responsive to movement of said body to release said actuating means to permit said packing means to retract from expanded position, and means on said body engaging said gripping means for retaining said gripping means engaged with the casing while said packing means is in its retracted position.

3. In well apparatus of the type adapted to be disposed in a well casing on a running-in string and wherein a body is anchored to the well casing by normally retracted gripping means expanded into engagement with the casing in response to longitudinal movement of the body in one direction, there being packing means on the body adapted to be expanded against the well casing, the combination therewith of actuating means movable in response to longitudinal movement of said body in said one direction to expand said packing means against the casing; means responsive to movement of said body to release said actuating means to permit said packing means to retract from expanded position, and means on said body engaging said gripping means for retaining said gripping means engaged with the casing while said packing means is in retracted position to anchor said body against movement in said one direction.

4. In Well apparatus of the type adapted to be disposed in a well casing on a running-in string and wherein a body has normally retracted packing means thereon and is anchored to the casing by means shifting an expander on the body into engagement with normally retracted slips to expand them into anchoring engagement with the casing, the combination therewith of actuating means on the body engaging said normally retracted packing means to expand said packing means against the casing, means on said body adapted to be actuated to release said actuating means and permit said packing means to retract from expanded position, and means on said body engaging said expander for retaining said expander engaged with said slips in casing anchoring position while said packing means is in its retracted position.

5. In well apparatus of the type adapted to be disposed in a well casing on a running-in string and wherein a body has normally retracted packing means thereon and is anchored to the casing by means shifting an expander above the packing means upwardly into engagement with normally retracted slips to expand them into anchoring engagement with the casing, the combination therewith of actuating means movable upwardly on the body and engaging said normally retracted packing means to expand the packing means against the casing, means on said body adapted to be actuated to release said actuating means and permit said packing means to retract from expanded position, and means on said body engaging said expander for transmitting an upwardly directed force to said expander to retain said expander engaged with said slips in casing anchoring position while said packing means is in its retracted position.

6. In well apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well casing on a running-in string: a body; normally retracted slips on said body; an expander on said body engageable with said slips; normally retracted packing means on said body; actuating means movable in response to longitudinal movement of said body to expand said packing means against the casing and to shift said expander into engagement with said slips to expand them against the casing and retain said slips and packing means expanded against the casing; means responsive to additional movement of said body to release said actuating means to permit said packing means to retract from expanded position and means on said body engaging said expander for retaining said expander engaged with said slips with said slips in casing anchoring position while said packing means is in its retracted position.

7. In well apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well casing on a running-in string: a body; normally retracted slips on said body; an expander on said body engageable with said slips; normally retracted packing means on said body; actuating means movable in response to longitudinal movement of said body to expand said packing means against the casing and to shift said expander into engagement with said slips to expand them against the casing and retain said slips and packing means expanded against the casing; means responsive to rotation of said body to release said actuating means to permit said packing means to retract from expanded position; and means on said body engaging said expander for retaining said expander engaged with said slips with said slips in casing anchoring position after said body has been rotated to permit retraction of said packing means and while said packing means is in its retracted position.

8. In well apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well casing on a running-in string: a body; normally retracted slips on said body; an expander on said body engageable with said slips; normally retracted packing means on said body; actuating means movable in response to longitudinal movement of said body to expand said packing means against the casing and acting through said packing means to shift said expander into engagement with said slips to expand them against the casing and retain said slips and packing means expanded against the casing; means responsive to additional movement of said body to release said actuating means to permit said packing means to retract from expanded position; and means on said body engaging said expander for retaining said expander engaged with said slips with said slips in casing anchoring position while said packing means is in its retracted position.

9. In well apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well casing on a running-in string: a body; normally retracted slips on said body; an expander on said body engageable with said slips; a normally retracted packing structure on said body comprising upper and lower abutments and pliant, elastic packing means between and engageable with said abutments; actuating means movable in response to longitudinal movement of said body to shift one of said abutments toward said other abutment to expand said packing means against the casing, said actuating means acting through said packing structure to shift said expander into engagement with said slips to expand said slips against the casing and retain said slips and packing means expanded against the casing; means responsive to additional movement of said body to release said actuating means and permit movement of said abutments away from each other to permit retraction of said packing means from expanded position; and means on said body engaging said expander for retaining said expander engaged with said slips with said slips in casing anchoring position while said packing means is in its retracted position.

10. In well apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well casing on a running-in string: a body; normally retracted slips on said body; an expander on said body engageable with said slips; a normally retracted packing structure on said body comprising upper and lower abutments and pliant, elastic packing means between and engageable with said abutments; actuating means movable in response to longitudinal movement of said body to shift one of said abutments toward said other abutment to expand said packing means against the casing, said actuating means acting through said packing structure to shift said expander into engagement with said slips to expand said slips againstthe casing and retain said slips and packing means expanded against the casing; means including threaded means relatively rotatable by said body to release said actuating means and permit movement of said abutments away from each other to permit retraction of said packing means from expanded position; and means on said body engaging said expander for retaining said expander engaged with said slips with said slips in casing anchoring position while said packing means is in its retracted position.

11. In well apparatus adapted to be disposed in a Well casing on a running-in string: a body; normally retracted slips on said body; an expander on said body engageable with said slips; a normally retracted packing structure on said body comprising upper and lower abutments and pliant, elastic packing means between and engageable with said abutment; actuating means movable in response to longitudinal movement of said body to shift one of said abutments toward said other abutment to expand said packing means against the casing, said actuating means acting through said packing structure to shift said expander into engagement with said slips to expand said slips against the casing and retain said slips and packing means expanded against the casing; threaded means connected to one of said abutments; threaded means meshing with said other threaded means and rotatable relative thereto by said body to release said actuating means and permit movement of said abutments away from each other to permit retraction of said packing means from expanded position; and means on said body engaging said expander for retaining said expander engaged with said slips with said slips in casing anchoring position while said packing means is in its retracted position.

12. In well apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well casing on a running-in string: a body; normally retracted slips on said body; an expander on said body below and engageable with said slips; a normally retracted packing structure on said body below said expander comprising an upper abutment secured to said expander, a lower abutment, and pliant, elastic packing means between and engageable with said abutments; actuating means connected to said lower abutment and movable in response to upward movement of said body to shift said lower abutment upwardly toward said upper abutment to expand said packing means against the casing, said actuating means acting through said packing structure to shift said expander upwardly into engagement with said slips to expand and anchor said slips against the casing to prevent their upward movement therewithin and retain said slips and packing means against the casing; means responsive to additional movement of said body to release said actuating means and permit movement of said abutments away from each other and retraction of said packing means from expanded position; and means on said body engaging said expander for transmitting upwardly directed strains on said body through said expander to said slips to hold said slips anchored to the casing against upward movement therewithin while said packing means is in its retracted position.

13. In well apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well casing on a running-in string: a body; normally retracted slips on said body; an expander on said body below and engageable with said slips; a normally retracted packing structure on said body below said expander comprising an upper abutment secured to said expander, a lower abutment, and pliant, elastic packing means between and engageable with said abutments; actuating means connected. to said lower abutment and movable in response to upward movement of said body to shift said lower abutment upwardly toward said upper abutment to expand said packing means against the casing, said actuating means acting through said packing structure to shift said expander upwardly into engagement with said slips to expand and anchor said slips against the casing to prevent their upward movement therewithin and retain said slips and packing means against the casing; a threaded member secured to said lower abutment; a threaded member meshing with said threaded member and rotatable by said body with respect to said other threaded member to release said actuating means and permit movement of said abutments away from each other and retraction of said packing means from expanded position; and means on said body engaging said expander to retain said expander engaged with said slips with said slips in casing anchoring position while said packing means is in its retracted position.

'14. In well apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well casing on a running-in string: a body; normally retracted slips on said body; an expander on said body below and engageable with said slips; a normally retracted packing structure on said body below said expander comprising an upper abutment secured to said expander, a lower abutment, and pliant, elastic packing means between and engageable with said abutments; actuating means connected to said lower abutment and movable in response to upward movement of said body to shift said lower abutment upwardly toward said upper abutment to expand said packing means against the casing, said actuating means acting through said packing structure to shift said expander upwardly into engagement with said slips to expand and anchor said slips against the casing to prevent their upward movement therewithin and retain said slips and packing means against the casing; a threaded member secured to said lower abutment; a threaded member meshing with said other threaded member and rotatable by said body with respect to said other threaded member to release said actuating means and permit movement of said abutments away from each other and retraction of said packing means; and means acting between said body and expander and including a frangible connection through which upwardly directed strains on said body are transmitted to said expander to hold said expander engaged with said slips to hold said slips anchored to the casing against upward movement therewithin while said packing means is in its retracted position.

15. In well apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well casing on a running-in string: a body; normally retracted slips on said body; an expander on said body below and engageable with said slips; a connector sleeve secured to and depending from said expander; a lower abutment slidable on said connector sleeve; normally retracted pliant, elastic packing means on said connector sleeve between and engageable with said expander and lower abutment; an actuator secured to said lower abutment and depending therefrom, said actuator having threaded means thereon; threaded means on said body engaging said threaded means on said actuator whereby upward movement of said body will shift said expander against the slips to expand the slips into anchoring engagement with the well casing and will move said lower abutment toward said expander to expand said normally retracted packing means against the casing and retain said slips and packing means against the casing, rotation of said body effecting downward threading of said actuator along said body to shift said lower abutment downwardly away from said expander to permit retraction of said packing means; and means acting between said body and expander while said packing means is in its retracted position for transmitting upwardly directed strains on said body to said expander to hold said expander behind said slips with the slips in anchoring engagement with the well casing.

16. In well apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well casing on a running-in string: a body; normally retracted slips on said body; an expander on said body below and engageable with said slips; a connector sleeve secured to and depending from said expander; a lower abutment slidable on said connector sleeve; normally retracted pliant, elastic packing means on said connector sleeve between and engageable with said expander and lower abutment; an actuator secured to said lower abutment and depending therefrom, said actuator having threaded means thereon; threaded means on said body engaging said threaded means on said actuator whereby upward movement of said body will shift said expander against the slips to expand the slips into anchoring engagement with the well casing and will move said lower abutment toward said expander to expand said normally retracted packing means against the casing and retain said slips and packing means against the casing, rotation of said body effecting downward threading of said actuator along said body to shift said lower abutment downwardly away from said expander to permit retraction of said packing means; frangible means secured to said expander; and means on said body engaging said frangible means while said packing means is in its retracted position to transmit upwardly directed strains imposed on said body to said expander to hold said expander engaged against said slips and said slips anchored against the well casing, said frangible means being disruptable when subjected to a predetermined upwardly directed strain imposed on said body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,442,529 Clark June 1, 1948 2,564,240 Ware Aug. 14, 1951 2,690,225 Baker et a1 Sept. 28, 1954 2,711,795 Ragan June 28, 1955 2,715,441 Bouvier Aug. 16, 1955 2,802,534 Conrad Aug. 13, 1957