US3678998A

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Publication number: US3678998A
Application number: US56626A
Authority: US
Inventors: Darryl W Cockrell; Rudy B Callihan
Original assignee: Baker Oil Tools Inc
Current assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
Priority date: 1970-07-20
Filing date: 1970-07-20
Publication date: 1972-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 1989-07-25
Also published as: GB1283181A; CA936469A

Abstract

A well packer lowered in a well casing and having a main body carrying expanders and initially retracted slips for anchoring the body to the casing against both up and down movement therein, the body also carrying an initially retracted packing thereon expandable against the casing, the slips and packing being expanded outwardly against the casing by moving the body upwardly, and an upper device surrounding the body downwardly against the upper portion of the expander slip and packing combination, the upward force or movement of the body being transmitted to the slip and packing combination through a coupling structure releasably connecting the body to the lower portion of combination. When the packer is to be released from the casing a retrieving tool engages and releases the coupling structure, removing the upward force of the body on the lower portion of the expander slip and packing combination, an upward pull on the tool then moving the body upwardly to effect retraction of the slips and packing from the casing.

Description

United States Patent Cockrell et a].

[54] RETRIEVABLE WELL PACKER [72] Inventors: Darryl W.. Cockrell; Rudy B. Callihan,

both of Houston, Tex.

[73] Assignee: Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Commerce, Calif.

[22] Filed: July 20, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 56,626

52 us. Cl ..166/123, 166/134 Primary Examiner--David H. Brown An0rney13ernard Kriegel v [451 July 25, 197-2 57] ABSTRACT A well packer lowered in a well casing and having a main body carrying expanders and initially retracted slips for anchoring the body to the casing against both up and down movement therein, the body also carrying an initially retracted packing thereon expandable against the casing, the slips and packing being expanded outwardly against the casing by moving the body upwardly, and an upper device surrounding the body downwardly against the upper portion of the expander slip and packing combination, the upward force'or movement of the body being transmitted to the slip and packing combination through a coupling structure releasably connecting the body to the lower portion of combination. When the packer is to be released from thecasing a retrieving tool engages and releases the coupling structure, removing the upward force of the body on the lower portion of the expander slip and packing combination, an upward pull on the tool then moving the body upwardly to effect retraction of the slips and packing from the casing.

35 Claims, 26 Drawing Figures Patented July 25, 1972 ll Sheets-Sheet l L ZWUZ t; W 4 a 7I60 W0 m 5 2 g n Patented July 25, 1972 3,678,998

11 Sheets-Sheet 2 l rahlc.

Patented July 25, 1972 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 s 4 mam y 1 g h W J i B M #v M ED a 2 5 R lmm M. M 6 4 a Patented July 25, 1972 3,678,998

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M jivvEN 70/25. B02244. 71 (Ibex/e541.

Rum B. 604.1. umw

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Patented July 25, 1972 fA/vs/vroes. 179/2494. Che/(1251.4. Rum B. C041. nun/v zm/ kw firraeA/Es Patented July 25, 1972 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 002292. 77: Cackesu.

Rum B. CQLL/A/APA/ Patented July 25, 1972 11 Sheets-s 9 N W 0 w WW Ry v w 0 w Bk Patentefi July 25, 1972 ll Sheets-Sheet ll RETRIEVABLE WELL PACKER The present invention relates to subsurface well bore devices, and more particularly to subsurface well packers of the retrievable type capable of being used in a variety of applications in a well bore, including production, testing, fluid injection, and zone isolation, or as a bridge plug.

Well packers of the permanent type are known which can be packed off in the well casing and anchored therein against movement in both upward and downward directions, the packer being secured in its set position. Removal of the packer can only be effected by disintegrating it through use of a drill bit or milling tool, or the like. An example of such well packer is found in US Pat. No. 2,713,910, such patent also illustrating a setting tool by means of which the packer can be run in a well casing on a wireline and anchored in packed-off condition to the well casing by the setting tool, which is then released and removed from the well casing.

By virtue of the present invention, a well packer is provided having an initially retracted packing and initially retracted slips coacting with expanders capable of expanding the slips into anchoring engagement with the well casing, the packing also being expanded against the well casing, and in which the slips and packing can be released from the well casing, enabling the well packer to be withdrawn therefrom whenever desired. The slips coact with the expanders to lock the packer body against movement in the well casing in both longitudinal directions, the body being prevented from partaking of any movement relative to the expanders and slips after the slips have been anchored against the well casing. If the packing tends to extrude, due to the imposition thereon of high pressure, high temperatures, or both, the packing is still retained in an effective sealed-off condition against the well casing. Moreover, such extrusion is incapable of effecting any loosening or release of the slips from the well casing, so that assurance is had that the packer remains locked in packed-off condition against the well casing under extremely adverse conditions Despite the fact that the slips and coacting expanders cannot shift from their position anchoring the slips against the well casing, and the packing is held in packed-ofi condition against the well casing, the packer parts can still be readily released when retrieval of the well packer is desired. A releasing tool is lowered in the casing and effects a release and retraction of the slips and retraction of the packing, as a result of a straight-line (non-rotary) movement of the releasing tool, the running-in string and releasing tool attached thereto then being moved upwardly to carry the well packer upwardly through the well casing to the top thereof. Thus, it is unnecessary to effect rotation of the packer body, or other parts, in releasing the well packer from the casing, as in prior art devices, which require connection of a tubular string with the body of the tool in order to transmit rotary motion and torque from the top of the well bore to the packer body. With applicants apparatus, the releasing of the well packer from the easing and its retrieval therefrom can be effected through use of a tubular string, if desired, or through use of a wireline running string, since no rotary motion and application of torque are required in releasing the slips and packing from the well casmg.

'In addition to the foregoing advantages and objectives of the present invention, a well packer of the retrievable type is provided which is capable of withstanding very high pressure differentials and also relatively high temperatures. The retrievable well packer is of strong, sturdy and comparatively simple construction for a retrievable well packer capable of being mechanically anchored in packed-off condition against movement in both longitudinal directions, and comparatively economical to manufacture This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other purposes 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.

Referring to the drawings FIGS. 10, lb, 16 and Id together constitute a combined side elevational and longitudinal sectional view through a well packer embodying the invention, with its parts in their initial retracted position for lowering the well packer in a well casing on a running tool, FIGS. lb, 1c and 1d being lower continuations of FIGS. la, 1b and 1c, respectively;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section through an upper portion of the well packer illustrated in FIG. lb;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section through a lower portion of the well packer shown in FIG. 1d;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1c;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along the line 5-5 on FIG. 3;

FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d together constitute a combined side elevational and longitudinal sectional view through the packer apparatus corresponding to FIGS. 1a, lb, 10 and 1d, with the packer anchored in packed-off condition in the well casing and the running and setting tool released therefrom, FIGS. 6b, 6c and 6d being lower continuations of FIGS. 6a, 6b and 60, respectively;

FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d are views similar to FIGS. 1 and 6, illustrating the well packer, slips and packing on the point of being released from the well casing by a retrieving tool, FIGS. 7b, and 7c and 7d being lower continuation of FIGS. 7a, 7b and 70, respectively;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section through the well packer and retrieving tool taken along the line 8-8 on FIG. 7a,-

FIG. 9 is a cross-section through the well packer and retrieving tool taken along the line 9-9 of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a cross-section through the well packer and retrieving tool taken along the line 10-10 on FIG. 7d;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view illustrating certain parts of the releasable coupling structure of the well packer;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged longitudinal quarter sectional view illustrating the retrieving tool connected to the well packer and having initiated its release of its coupling;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 disclosing the releasable coupling structure released and the releasing tool disconnected from the coupling portion of the well packer;

FIGS. 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d are views similar to FIG. 7, illustrating the well packer slips and packing retracted and retrieving tool related to the packer for effecting its withdrawal from the well casing, FIGS. 14b, 14c and 14d being lower continuations of FIGS. 14a, 14b and Me, respectively.

As illustrated in the drawings, a well packer A is lowered within a casing string B disposed in a well bore to a desired location at which the packer is to be anchored in packed-off condition against movement in both upward and downward directions. The well packer is lowered on a running and setting tool C secured to its upper end, this setting tool being of any suitable type and attached to a running string extending to the top of the bore hole. As specifically illustrated by way of example, the setting and running tool C is secured to a wireline (not shown) extending to equipment at the top of the well bore, the setting tool being of the type specifically illustrated in US Pat. No. 2,713,9l0. Since the setting tool is well known, only its lower portion is illustrated in the drawings.

The well packer comprises amain body 10, including an elongate maintubular section 11, the upper end of which is threadedly secured to a body sub orhead 12 having a threaded box I3, the threads preferably being left-hand. Anupper setting sleeve 14 surrounds thehead 12, projecting upwardly beyond its upper end, and being held in its initial position by one or more shear screws 15 threaded into the box. The lower end of the sleeve is threadedly secured to a support ring orupper abutment 16 forming the upper portion of a packingassembly 17. This upper abutment has agauge ring 18 threaded thereto and an inner orcompression sleeve 19 also threaded thereto and extending downwardly along theelongate body member 10, terminating in a lowerexternal flange 20 underlying a lower abutment orgauge ring 21 threadedly attached to an upperexpander extension sleeve 22 surrounding the flange. The packingassembly 17 further includes a plurality ofelastomer packing elements 23 surrounding thecompression sleeve 19 that are separated by spacer rings 24, the uppermost packing element engaging theupper abutment 16 and thelowermost packing element 23 engaging thelower abutment 21. Initially, thepacking elements 23 occupy a retracted position, spaced inwardly from the well casing B when being lowered therein.

The lower end of theextension sleeve 22 is threadedly secured to anupper expander 25 having circumferentially spacedslots 26 in which a set ofupper slips 27 are disposed. Thebases 28 of the slots provide expander surfaces inclined in a downward and inward direction and coacting with companion tapered surfaces 29 on the upper, inner portions of the slips. Relative downward movement of theupper expander 25 within theslips 27 will shift the latter outwardly into anchoring engagement with the well casing, the expander remaining wedged behind such slips to retain the packer anchored to the well casing against downward movement. Relative upward movement of theexpander 25 will effect retraction of theslips 27 from the well casing, by virtue of inclined oppositely directedside tongues 30 on each slip slidable within companion inclinedgrooves 31 in the expander and opening into theexpander slot 26, the direction and extent of inclination of the tongues and grooves being the same as the coacting expander surfaces 28, 29 (FIG. 4).

The lower ends of theupper slips 27 are formed as T-shapedheads 32 slidable radially in companion T-shapedradial grooves 33 in aslip coupling ring 34 surrounding thebody 10. This coupling ring has a lower set of T-shapedgrooves 35 receiving the upper T-shapedheads 36 of a set of circumferentially spaced lower slips 37, thelower anchor portions 38 of which are disposed inslots 39 in alower expander 40, thebases 41 of these slots providing expander surfaces inclined in an upward and inward direction and coacting with companion innertapered surfaces 42 on the lower slips. Relative longitudinal movement between the lower slips 37 and lower expander toward each other will expand the slips outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing. Relative separating movement between thelower expander 40 andlower slips 37 will effect retraction of the latter, by virtue of a tongue and

groove interconnection

43, 44 between each slip and lower expander corresponding to theupper tongues 30 andgrooves 31, but inclined in upward and inward directions in correspondence to the extent of inclination of the expander surfaces 41, 42 on the lower expander and lower slips.

Both the upper and

lower slips

27, 37 have external wickers orteeth 45 which can embed themselves in the wall of the well casing B, the upper expander and upper slips retaining the packer against movement in a downward direction and the lower expander and slips retaining the packer in the well casing against upward movement.

The lower end of thelower expander 40 is threadedly secured to anelongate housing 46 surrounding acoupling mechanism 47 for releasably securing the lower end of thebody 10 to the housing, the coupling mechanism serving to transmit longitudinal movement, as in an upward direction, between the body and housing, thereby etfecting setting of the

slips

27, 37 and packingassembly 17 against the well casing, and being releasable to enable the packing assembly and slips to be retracted from the well casing. The lower end of thehousing 46 is threadedly secured to alower gauge ring 48, which is actually an extension thereof, the lower portion of the housing and gauge n'ng surrounding abottom sub 49 having anexternal flange 50 overlying aninternal flange 51 of the gauge ring. The upper end of the bottom sub is threadedly secured to the lower end of alatch sleeve 52 having circumferentially spacedlongitudinal slots 53 therein opening through the upper end of the sleeve to provide circumferentially spaced spring-like arms 54 that terminate in inwardly directedfingers 55 receivable within an externalcircumferential groove 56 in the lower portion of the body 10 (FIGS. 3, 5). These fingers are initially retained in thegroove 56 by alatch retainer ring 57 surrounding the body and having alower skirt 58 encompassing thefingers 55 to hold them within the lock groove, thering 57 being retained initially in its position surrounding the fingers by one or more shear screws 59 threaded into the body.

Shearing of thescrews 59 and elevation of theretainer 57 from thefingers 55 allows thearms 54 to expand and the fingers to move outwardly from thegroove 56 in view of the radial spacing between the arms and fingers and the surroundinghousing 46. Such shearing of thescrews 59 and removal of thelatch retainer 57 is effected by imposing an upwardly directed force (as described hereinbelow) on alatch release sleeve 60 disposed within thelatch sleeve 52 and initially resting upon the upper end of thebottom sub 49, the upper end of the release sleeve engaging arelease ring 61 integral with, or otherwise suitably secured to, a plurality of circumferentially spacedelongate keys 62 disposed within some of thelatch sleeve slots 53, the upper ends 63 of the keys engaging the lower portion of thelatch retainer 57. As specifically illustrated, the upper ends 63 of the keys are of step form with a lowerouter step 64 engaging the lower end of the latch .retainer skirt 58 and aninner portion 65 engaging thebase 65a of a counterbore in the retainer ring, which forms itsskirt portion 58.

The upperexpander extension sleeve 22 is spaced laterally outwardly from thepacker body 10, the latter having anexternal flange 66 provided with a screw or key 67 secured thereto and located initially within the lower end of anelongate slot 68 in the extension sleeve. Thecompression sleeve flange 20 also has a screw or key 69 secured thereto and initially disposed in the upper portion of thisextension sleeve slot 68.

After reaching its setting location in the well casing B, the well packer A is set by imposing a downward force or movement on the settingsleeve 14 and an upward force and movement on thebody 10, to shift thehousing 46 andlower expander 40 and the support ring orupper abutment 16 toward each other. The downward movement of thesleeve 14 will be transmitted through the packingassembly 17 and upperexpander extension sleeve 22 to theupper expander 25, and the upward movement of thebody 10 will be transmitted through thelatch fingers 55 andlatch sleeve 52 to thebottom sub 49, and from theflange 50 of the latter to thehousing 46 andupper expander 40, thereby moving the upper and

lower expanders

25, 40 toward each other, effecting radial outward expansion of the upper and

lower slips

27, 37 into engagement with the well casing. When such engagement occurs, the upper and lower expanders are wedged behind the upper and lower slips, respectively, and cannot move toward each other to any further significant extent, except for the slight motion attributable to firmer wedging of the expanders behind their respective slips. Accordingly, thebody 10 of the packer is prevented from moving upwardly to any further extent, but the settingsleeve 14 andupper abutment 16 attached thereto can move downwardly toward thelower abutment 21, which is now prevented from moving downwardly by theupper expander 25, compressing thepacking elements 23 and expanding them laterally outwardly into firm sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing.

The packingassembly 17 is retained in its expanded condition by a one-way clutch orgripper 70 provided between theupper abutment 16 andbody 10. As disclosed, the upper portion of the body has a series of longitudinally extending downwardly facingratchet teeth 71 encompassed by a split body lock ring 72 (FIG. 2) having companion upwardly facinginternal ratchet teeth 73 and alsoexternal cam teeth 74 coacting with companioninternal cam teeth 75 formed in thesupport ring 16. The one-way clutch or ratchet mechanism permits downward movement of the support ring orupper abutment 16 along the body by ratcheting of thelock ring 72 along thebody teeth 71. However, any tendency for thesupport ring 16 to move upwardly of the body causes the

teeth

73, 71 to coengage and the downwardly

inclined cam teeth

74, 75 to coengage and force and retain thelock ring 72 inwardly to hold the ratchet teeth in full mesh with one another. The oneway ratchetclutch mechanism 70, by itself, forms no part of the present invention, being illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,31 1,171, to which attention is directed.

A lower one-way clutch orgripper mechanism 76 is also provided between theupper expander 25 andbody 10, to retain the

slips

27, 37 firmly anchored against the well casing. Thus, thebody 10 has a series of longitudinally extending downwardly facingratchet teeth 77 coacting with companion upwardly facinginternal teeth 78 on a splitbody lock ring 79 disposed within an upper portion of theupper expander 25 and also havingexternal cam teeth 80 coacting withcompanion cam teeth 81 in the expander. The one-way ratchet mechanism 76 operates in the same manner as theupper ratchet mechanism 70; that is to say, it permits relative downward movement of theupper expander 25 along the body, but prevents upward movement of the upper expander along the body.

it is desirable to include the lower .one-wayclutch mechanism 76 in the well packer to prevent .inadvertent release of the

slips

27, 37 from the well casing, in the event of extrusion of thepacking elements 23 around the upper or lower gauge rings 18, 21, or both. Such extrusion would permit thebody 10 andupper abutment 16 to shift downwardly in the well casing to a slight extent, the downward shifting of the body being transmitted through thereleaseable coupling 47 to thehousing 46 to shift thelower expander 40 downwardly relative to the lower slips 37, which will remove the holding force of the lower expander from the lower slips and allow them to retract, at least partially, from the well casing. The lower one-way clutch, however, precludes such downward movement of thebody 10, since any tendency for the body to move downwardly will be transmitted through theclutch mechanism 76 to theupper expander 25 and wedge the latter more firmly behind the upper slips 27, thewickers 45 of which are firmly embedded in the wall of the well casing B. Accordingly, thelower expander 40 cannot be moved away from theupper expander 27, securing both the upper and

lower slips

27, 37 in their anchored position within the well casing.

Theupper expander 25 also cannot loosen with respect to the upper slips 27, as a result of extrusion of thepacking elements 23 around the upper or

lower abutments

16, 18 or 21, since downward movement of the support ring orupper abutment 16, as a result of such extrusion, will ratchet thelock ring 72 along thebody 10 and resecure the upper abutment to the body in a lower position, the compressive force on thepacking elements 23 being retained. The imposition of downward force on the packingassembly 17, as, for example, by the existence of a large pressure difierential in the annulus surrounding thepacker body 10 and above thepacking elements 23, will be exerted through the packingassembly 17 in a downward direction upon theupper expander 25, wedging the latter more securely behind itsslips 27 On the other hand, if a pressure differential exists below the packingassembly 17, its upward force is transmitted through the packing assembly to theupper abutment 16, and from the latter through the oneway clutch 70 to thebody 10, the upward force on the body being transmitted through thelatch sleeve 52 andbottom sub 49 to thehousing 46 andlower expander 40, wedging the latter more firmly behind the lower slips 37 and retaining them anchored against the well casing. The upwardly directed pressure on the packingassembly 17 cannot elevate theupper expander 25 with respect to theslips 27, since the

ratchet teeth

27, 37 of the one-way clutch 76 coengage and prevent such upward movement along the body.

It is, therefore, apparent that the well packer A has been anchored in packed-oil condition against longitudinal movement in both upward and downward directions, and will remain in that condition until release of the packer from the well casing B and its removal are desired. Such release and removal occurs through use of a suitable mechanism, described hereinbelow, which becomes coupled to thelatch release sleeve 60, shifting the latter, and therelease ring 61 4 bearing thereagainst, upwardly to cause thekeys 62 to exert an upward force on thelatch retainer 57 to shear thescrews 59 securing it to the body, shifting the latch retainer upwardly along thebody 10 andhousing 46 completely from thelatch fingers 55. Such latch fingers then expand from thebody groove 56, releasing thebody 10 from thelatch sleeve 52 and thehousing 46. This permits thebody 10 to be moved upwardly along the parts that surround it, the upper and lower body rachet

teeth

71, 77 merely ratcheting freely through the upper and lower split lock rings 72, 79, that expand outwardly to the desired extent. Upward movement of thebody 10 causes itsflange 66 to engage the lower end of thecompression sleeve 19, shifting the latter upwardly and carrying theupper abutment 16 away from thelower abutment 21, which allows thepacking elements 23 to retract inherently from the well casing. Continued upward movement of thebody 10 then causes thecompression sleeve flange 20 to engage thelower abutment 21 and move it, theupper expander sleeve 22, and theupper expander 25 upwardly with it, the upper expander being shifted upwardly relative to the upper slips 27 and effecting retraction of the latter from the well casing by virtue of their tongue and

groove interconnection

30, 31. Release of thebody 10 from thelatch sleeve 52 may result in the latch sleeve,bottom sub 49, andhousing 46 dropping downwardly with respect to the body, to pull thelower expander 40 downwardly relative to the lower slips 37, and effecting retraction of the latter from the well casing, because of the tongue and

groove interconnection

43, 44. However, if this does not occur, then the continued upward movement of thebody 10, after theupper expander 25 has retracted the upper slips 27, will cause the latter to pull upwardly on thecoupling ring 34 and on the lower slips 37, shifting the latter upwardly with respect to thelower expander 40 and radially inwardly from the well casing. The packing assembly and slip structure of the well packer have now been retracted, allowing the well packer to be removed from the well casing.

The running and setting tool C specifically illustrated is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,713,910, as noted above, only the lower portion of such setting tool being shown. A tubular actuating mandrel is connected to the upper cylinder (not shown) of the setting tool, and is movable upwardly when the latter is energized, the lower end of this mandrel being releasably coupled to thepacker body box 13 through the agency of a releasable connector device. As specifically disclosed, the lower end of the mandrel is threaded into atension head member 86 having an inwardly directedflange 87 that serves to clamp a threadedclamping collar 88 against the lower end of the mandrel. Arelease stud 89 is threaded into the collar, with its lower portion threaded into the upper end of ashank 90 depending into the upper portion or threadedbox 13 of thepacker body head 12. Theintermediate portion 91 of the release stud is reduced in diameter to provide a weakened section at which it will pull apart when sufficient tensile strain is imposed upon it.

Onto the lower end of the shank is secured a retaining abutment orhead 92 having an upward and inwardly directed taperedshoulder 93 engaging companion tapered surfaces 94 on the heel portions of circumferentially spaced, inherently contractile threadeddogs 95 carried by theleg portions 96 of asleeve 97 which surrounds theshank 90 and extends upwardly into thetension head 86 below itsflange 87. The threadedsleeve 97 has a plurality of longitudinally extendingslots 98 formed through its wall to provide the plurality of circumferentially spacedlegs 96 and threadeddogs 95. Thelefthand threads 99 on the dogs may be placed in threaded engagement with the left-hand thread formed in thebody sub 13. However, the legs and dogs tend to retract to an extent sufficient to remove theexternal threads 99 completely from engagement with the companion internal threads in thepacker body head 12.

When therelease stud 89 is intact, theshank 90 is disposed in an upward position, with theupper end 93 of the retaining head engaging thetapered heels 94 of the dogs, holding the latter outwardly with their threadedportions 99 firmly engaged with the packer body threads, as illustrated in FIG. 1a. In effect, when the tension stud is intact, the parts function as a single unit, permitting thesleeve device 97 to be threaded into the packer body. To facilitate such threading, a two-part or splitring 100 is clamped to the lower end of thetension head 86 by anut 101 threaded onto the latter. This ring projects laterally into the interior of the tension head and extends below ashoulder 102 formed in the upper portion of the threadedsleeve 97. The split ring also has a key 103 projecting inwardly into one of theslots 98 between adjacent dependinglegs 96, forming a key connection between thetension head 86 and the threadedsleeve 97. Such key connection permits thetension head 86 to be grasped by hand, or by a suitable tool, and turned in the proper direction to thread thedogs 95 into thepacker body 10. The turning effort is transmitted from the tension head to thedogs 95 through the agency of thesplit ring 100 and itskey 103.

The piston portion (not shown) of the setting tool is connected to asetting sleeve 105, and when the setting tool is energized, the setting sleeve is urged downwardly. This setting sleeve engages the upper end of thepacker setting sleeve 14 and may have a dependingskirt 106 piloted within the packer sleeve to center the setting sleeve with respect thereto.

As described in US. Pat. No. 2,713,910, gas under pressure is produced within the setting tool C, exerting an upward pull and movement on theactuating mandrel 85 and a downward force on itssetting sleeve 105. The upward force and movement of the actuating mandrel is transmitted through the con-'

necting device

89, 90, 92, 95 to thebody sub 12, exerting an upward force and movement on thepacker body 10. The downward force on the settingsleeve 105 of the setting tool is transmitted to the settingsleeve 14. Thus, the body of the packer and settingsleeve 14 are moved upwardly and downwardly, respectively, to eifect expansion of thepacking elements 23 and of the

slips

27, 37 outwardly against the well casing to anchor the well packer in packed-off condition therewithin against movement in both longitudinal directions, as above described. When the setting force exceeds the tensile strength of the reduceddiameter portion 91 of therelease stud 89, the latter is pulled apart at such weakened portion to effect automatic release of the setting tool C from the well packer A. The pulling apart of the tension stud allows theshank 90 and retaining abutment orhead 92 to drop downwardly, removing the head from wedging engagement within the threadeddogs 95. Since the dogs and theirlegs 96 tend to retract inherently, downward dropping of thehead 92 away from the dogs allows the latter to snap inwardly to the extent in which their threadedportions 99 are completely out of threaded engagement with the left-hand thread in the packer body. This effects a complete release of the setting tool C from the well packer, allowing the wireline (not shown) to be elevated and carry the entire setting tool C upwardly with it. During such upward movement, thesplit ring 100 secured to the tension head engages theshoulder 102 on the threadedsleeve 97, pulling the latter upwardly out of the packer body. In addition, it is to be noted that the extent of dropping of theshank 90 andhead 92 is limited by engagement of a downwardly facingshoulder 108 on the shank with an upwardly facingshoulder 109 on the threadeddogs 95. These shoulders are preferably tapered in an upward and inward direction, so that theshank shoulder 108 tends to hold the threadeddogs 95 in an inward direction, and precludes their inadvertent outward shifting.

With the removal of the setting tool C, it can be elevated in the well casing and removed completely therefrom, leaving the packer anchored in packed-off condition within the well casing, with the passage through the body unobstructed. A tubing string, or the like, (not shown) can be lowered in the well casing and threadedly attached to the body sub orhead 13, if the well packer is to be used for well production purpose, or the well packer can be used for any other desired purpose. To prevent leakage through thecoupling mechanism 47 of the packer, aseal ring 110 on thebottom sub 49 engages thehousing 46, and aseal piston 111 betweenthe housing andbody 10 carries inner and

outer seal ring

112 and 113 sealingiy engaging thebody 10 andhousing 46, respectively.

A setting tool D for releasing the packer from the well casing (FIGS. 7, 12, 13, 14) includes anelongate mandrel 120, the upper end of which is threadedly secured to anadapter 121 attached to the lower end of a running string R, which may be tubing or a wireline extending to the drilling rig at the top of the well bore. The lower end of this mandrel has a stop orlimit ring 122 threadedly secured thereto, and spaced above the limit ring is abacking ring 123 releasably attached to the mandrel by ashear ring 124 received within acounterbore 125 in the backing ring opening through its lower end, the shear ring having an inwardly directedflange 126 received within an externalcircumferential groove 127 in the mandrel, the shear ring transmitting upward force from the mandrel to thebacking ring 123. To preclude upward movement of the backing ring along the mandrel, one or a plurality ofshear screws 128 are threaded into the backing ring, extending into the mandrel.

Above the backing ring, the mandrel carries acollet sleeve 129, the upper portion of which can rest upon asupport ring 130 positioned within anexternal groove 131 in the mandrel. The collet sleeve has a plurality-of circumferentially spacedlongitudinal slots 132 opening downwardly through its lower end to provide spring-like legs 133 terminating inlatch feet 134.

Thecollet sleeve 129 is urged in a downward direction toward its support ring by the lower end of ahelical compression spring 135 engaging the upper end of the sleeve, the upper end of the spring engaging aspring seat 136 bearing against a two-piece abutment ring 137 mounted in amandrel groove 138, anupper extension 139 on the spring seat encompassing the two-part ring to retain it in thegroove 138, thespring seat 136 being prevented from dropping downwardly of theabutment ring 137 by aradial screw 140 threaded in the spring seat and disposed in thegroove 138. The upper portion of themandrel 120 has aclutch sleeve 141 secured to it, as by means of aweld 142, this clutch sleeve having upwardly projecting axial dogs or teeth 143 adapted to mesh with companion downwardly extending dogs orclutch teeth 144 on aclutch sleeve 145 threaded to the lower end of atubular body 146, carrying a packing orseal ring 147 adapted to frictionally engage the inner wall of thepacker body 10. The retrievingtool body 146 is surrounded by alatch sleeve 148 having circumferentially spacedslots 149 providing spring-like externally threadeddogs 150, thethreads 151 of which are companion to the internal left-hand threads in thepacker box 13. Thelatch sleeve 148 floats between a downwardly and outwardly inclined retainingshoulder 152 on thebody 146 and a downwardly facingshoulder 153 on ahead 154 threaded onto the body, this head having a dependingskirt portion 155 surrounding the upper part of thelatch sleeve 148 and adapted to engage the upper end of the packer body sub orhead 12. Thehead 154,body 146 andclutch sleeve 145 move as a unit, and have an overall length that is much less than the distance between the lower end of theadapter 121 and theclutch sleeve 140 secured to themandrel 120, permitting substantial longitudinal movement of the mandrel within and with respect to thebody 146 of the retrieving tool D.

When it is desired to retrieve the packer, the retrieving tool D is secured to the running string R and is lowered in the well casing B, the bodyclutch sleeve 145 being in contact with the mandrelclutch sleeve 141 by gravity. When thelatch feet 134 of thecollet sleeve 129, which tend inherently to occupy an expanded condition, enter thepacker body 10, the lower externally taperedsurfaces 160 of the latch feet engage the body and force the feet inwardly, thecollet sleeve 129 moving upwardly along the mandrel to some extent against the compressive force of thespring 135. The downward extent of movement of the running tool within the packer body is limited by engagement of the runningtool body head 154 with the upper end of the

packer body

10, 12, theadapter 121 engaging thehead 154 and causing it to force thelatch sleeve dogs 150 downwardly within thepacker box 13, the lower faces 161 of thedog threads 151 being tapered in a downward direction, so that they can ratchet past the packer threads, then springing outwardly into full mesh therewith, as disclosed in FIGS. 7a and 14a. The engagement of the retrievingtool head 154 with the upper end of thepacker box 13, and of the engagement of theadapter 121 with the head, will limit the downward travel of the running tool and will locate the seal orpacker ring 147 within the body in frictional engagement with its wall. Thefeet 134 of thecollet sleeve 129 will be located well below the lower end of thelatch release sleeve 60, such feet then expanding outwardly to an effective diameter greater than the internal diameter through this latch release sleeve (broken lines in FIG. 7d). When the latch feet are disposed below the latch release sleeve, thespring 135 will move the collet sleeve downwardly and engage the latch feet with anupper shoulder 163 of thebacking ring 123, and with an upwardly taperingsurface 164 on the backing ring engaging companion innertapered surfaces 165 on the latch feet to hold the latter in an outward direction. The runningtool mandrel 120 is shifted upwardly to bring thelatch feet 134 within and into engagement with thelatch release sleeve 60, upperinclined surfaces 166 on the latch feet engaging a companioninclined surface 167 on the release sleeve, andlongitudinal surfaces 168 on the latch feet above its inclined surfaces being disposed within therelease sleeve 60. When such engagement occurs, the mandrelclutch sleeve 141 is still spaced a substantial distance from the body clutch sleeve 145 (see FIG. 7).

A sufficient upward pull is now taken on the running string R andmandrel 120 which is transmitted through thelatch release sleeve 60,release ring 61 and itskeys 62 to thelatch retainer 57, to shear thescrews 59 and effect an upward shifting of the latch retainer along thebody 10 andhousing 46 of the packer, the extent of upward movement of thelatch release sleeve 60 being limited by engagement of itslower flange 170 with a companion downwardly facingshoulder 171 in thelatch sleeve 52. The removal of thelatch retainer 57 from thefingers 55 permits the latter to shift outwardly of the body groove 56 (FIG. 12). If such outward shifting action does not occur, subsequent upward movement of thebody 10 will cause the lower tapered side 56a of its external groove to cam these fingers outwardly.

The imposition of an additional upward force on the running string R andmandrel 120 will then effect shearing of thescrews 128 andshear ring 124 securing thebacking ring 123 to the mandrel, the backing ring dropping downwardly along the mandrel 120 (FIG. 13) away from thelatch feet 134 and coming to rest upon the stop orlimit ring 122. Thecompression spring 135 will shift the collet sleeve downwardly along the mandrel to the extent limited by its engagement with thesupport ring 130. However, thelatch feet 134 will still be disposed above thebacking ring 123 and can be shifted laterally inwardly.

Upward movement of the running string R andmandrel 120 will now carry thecollet sleeve 129 upwardly within therelease sleeve 60, thefeet 134 being cammed inwardly, permitting the collet sleeve to move upward through the release sleeve andrelease ring 61 and into thebody 10 of the packer. Themandrel 120 moves upwardly until itsclutch sleeve 141 engages the bodyclutch sleeve 145, shifting the latter upwardly and engaging itsretainer shoulder 152 with the lower ends of thedogs 150 to hold them in threaded engagement with thebox 13. Continued upward strain and movement on the running string R and mandrel will now elevate thebody 10 of the well packer, which has been released from thelatch sleeve 52 andhousing 46, to efiect retraction of the packingassembly 17 and slips 27, 37 from the well casing in the manner described above, the well packer then being removed by the running string to the top of the bore hole, the parts being in the relative position illustrated in- FIGS. l4a-l4.

We claim:

1. In subsurface apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normally retracted means on said body; means for expanding said normally retracted means laterally outwardly against the wall of the well bore; a coupling releasably securing said body to said expanding means for transmitting longitudinal non-rotary relative movement of said body to said expanding means to effect lateral outward expansion of said normally retracted means; means for retaining said coupling in its coupled relation, said retaining means being shiftably carried by one of said body and said expanding means; and means for shifting said retaining means upwardly of said body from its retaining position to release said coupling from its coupled relation to permit retraction of said normally retracted means.

2. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said normally retracted means comprising packing means expandable into sealing engagement with the wall 'of the well bore.

3. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said normally retracted means comprising anchoring means expandable into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well bore.

4. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said normally retracted means comprising packing means expandable into sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore; said normally retracted means further comprising anchoring means expandable into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well bore.

5. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said normally retracted means comprising packing means expandable into sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore; said nor mally retracted means further comprising anchoring means below said packing means and expandable into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well bore.

6. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said normally retracted means comprising packing means expandable into sealing engagement with the wallof the well bore; and lock means acting between said body and packing means for retaining said packing means in sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore.

7. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said normally retracted means comprising anchoring means expandable into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well bore; and lock means acting between said body and anchoring means for retaining said anchoring means in anchoring engagement with the wall of the well bore.

8. In subsurface apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normally retracted means on said body; means for expanding said normally retracted means laterally outwardly against the wall of the well bore; a coupling releasably securing said body to said expanding means for transmitting longitudinal non-rotary relative movement of said body to said expanding means to effect lateral outward expansion of said normally retracted means; means for retaining said coupling in its coupled relation; and means for shifting said retaining means upwardly of said body from its retaining position to release said coupling from its coupled relation to permit retraction of said normally retracted means; and a releasing tool movable into said body into engagement with said shifting means for moving said shifting means and retaining means upwardly of said body.

9. In subsurface apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normally retracted means on said body; means for expanding said normally retracted means laterally outwardly against the wall of the well bore; a coupling releasably securing said body to said expanding means for transmitting longitudinal non-rotary relative movement of said body to said expanding means to effect lateral outward expansion of said normally retracted means; means for retaining said coupling in its coupled relation; and means for shifling said retaining means upwardly of said body from its retaining position to release said coupling from its coupled relation to permit retraction of said normally retracted means; said normally retracted means comprising packing means expandable into sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore; said normally retracted means further comprising anchoring means expandable into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well bore; lock means acting between said body and packing means for retaining said packing means in sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore; and lock means acting between said body and anchoring means for retaining said anchoring means in anchoring engagement with the wall of the well bore.

10. In subsurface apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normally retracted means on said body; means for expanding said normally retracted means laterally outwardly against the wall of the well bore comprising an upper structure above said normally retracted means and shiftable relatively downwardly along said body and a lower structure below said normally retracted means and shiftable relatively upwardly toward said upper structure; a releasable coupling for transmitting non-rotary relative upward movement of said body to said lower structure to effect relative upward movement of said lower structure toward said upper structure and expansion of said normally retracted means; means for retaining said coupling in its coupled relation; and means for shifting said retaining means upwardly of said body from its retaining position to release said coupling and said body from said lower structure to allow said upper and lower structures to move relatively away from each other and said normally retracted means to return from its expanded position to its retracted position.

11. In apparatus as defined in claim frangible means securing said retaining means in its retaining position; said shifting means exerting an upward force on said retaining means to disrupt said frangible means and shift said retaining means from its retaining position.

12. In apparatus as defined inclaim 10; and a releasing tool movable in said body into engagement with said shifting means for moving said shifting means and retaining means upwardly of said body.

13. In apparatus as defined inclaim 10; and one-way lock means acting between said body and upper structure permitting upward movement of said body with respect to said upper structure but locking said body to said upper structure against downward movement relative thereto.

14. In apparatus as defined inclaim 10; said normally retracted means comprising packing means between said structures and expandable into sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore upon relative movement of said structures toward each other.

15. In apparatus as defined inclaim 10, said normally retracted means comprising packing means between said structures and expandable into sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore upon relative movement of said structures toward each other, and one-way lock means acting between said body and packing means for retaining said packing means in sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore.

16. In apparatus as defined inclaim 10; said normally retracted means comprising expander means and slip means engaging said expander means and expandable into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well bore upon relative movement of said structures toward each other.

17. In apparatus as defined inclaim 10; said normally retracted means comprising expander means and slip means engaging said expander means and expandable into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well bore upon relative movement of said structures toward each other; and one-way lock means acting between said body and expander means for retaining said slip means anchored to the wall of the well bore.

18. In apparatus as defined inclaim 10; said normally retracted means comprising packing means, expander means and slip means engageable with said expander means; said packing means and slip means being expandable against the wall of the well bore upon relative movement of said structure toward each other.

19. In apparatus as defined inclaim 10; said' normally retracted means comprising packing means, expander means and slip means engageable with said expander means; said packing means and slip means being expandable against the wall of the well bore upon relative movement of said structures toward 'each other; one-way lock means acting between said body and packing means for retaining said packing means in sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore; and oneway lock means acting between said body and expander means for retaining said slip means anchored to the wall of the well bore.

20. In subsurface apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normally retracted packing means on said body; anchoring means on said body at one end of said packing means comprising an expander and normally retracted slips engaging said expander; a first structure on said body at the opposite end of said packing means; a second structure engageable with said anchoring means and shiftable relatively toward said first structure to expand said packing means and slips toward the wall of the well bore; a releasable coupling for transmitting longitudinal non-rotary movement of said body to one of said structures to effect relative movement of said structures toward each other and expansion of said slips and packing means; means for retaining said coupling in its coupled relation; and means for shifting said retaining means upwardly of said body from its retaining position to release said coupling and said body from said one of said structures to allow said structures to move relatively away from each other and said packing means and slips to return from their expanded positions to retracted positions.

21. In apparatus as defined inclaim 20; said one of said structures being located below said packing means and anchoring means and the other of said structures being located above said packing means and anchoring means; said coupling transmitting upward movement of said body to said one of said structures.

22. In apparatus as defined inclaim 20; said one of said structures being located below said packing means and anchoring means and said other of said structures being located above said packing meanS and anchoring means; said coupling transmitting upward movement of said body to said one of said structures; and one-way lock means between said body and said other of said structures permitting upward movement of said body with respect to said other of said structures but locking said body to said other of said structures against downward movement relative thereto.

23. In apparatus as defined inclaim 20; said one of said structures being located below said packing means and anchoring means and the other of said structures being located above said packing means and anchoring means; said coupling transmitting upward movement of said body to said one of said structures; and one-way lock means between said body and said other of said structures permitting upward movement of said body with respect to said other of said structures but locking said body to said other of said structures against downward movement relative thereto; and a releasing tool movable into engagement with said shifting means for moving said shifting means and retaining means upwardly of said body.

24. In apparatus as defined inclaim 20; said one of said structures being located below said packing means and anchoring means and the other of said structures being located above said packing means and anchoring means; said coupling transmitting upward movement of said body to said one of said structures; and one-way lock means between said body and said other of said structures permitting upward movement of said body with respect to said other of said structures but locking said body to said other of said structures against downward movement relative thereto; and a releasing tool movable into engagement with said shifting means for moving said shifting means and retaining means upwardly of said body; said releasing tool including means adapted to be connected to said body to elevate said body and retract said packing means and anchoring means from the wall of the well bore.

25. In apparatus as defined inclaim 20; said one of said structures being located below said packing means and anchoring means and the other of said structures being located above said packing means and anchoring means; said coupling transmitting upward movement of said body to said one of said structures; and one-way lock means between said body and said other of said structures permitting upward movement of said body with respect to said other of said structures but locking said body to said other of said structures against downward movement relative thereto; and a releasing tool movable into engagement with said shifting means for moving said shifting means and retaining means upwardly of. said body; said releasing tool comprising a mandrel movable within said body, latch means on said mandrel movable into coupling relation to said shifting means, and means on said mandrel connectible to said body to elevate said body and retract said packing means and slips from the wall of the well bore.

26. In subsurface apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normally retracted packing means on said body; anchoring means on said body at one end of said packing means comprising an upper expander, a lower expander and normally retracted slips engaging said expanders; a first structure on said body at the opposite end of said packing means; a second structure engageable with said anchoring means and shiftable relatively toward said first structure to expand said packing means and slips into engagement with the wall of the well bore to secure said apparatus in packed-off relation in the well bore against movement in both longitudinal directions; a releasable coupling for transmitting longitudinal non-rotary movement of said body to one of said structures to effect relative movement of said structures toward each other and expansion of said slips and packing means; means for retaining said coupling in its coupled relation; and means for shifting said retaining means upwardly of said body from its retaining position to release said coupling and said body from said one of said structures to allow said structures to move relatively away from each other and said packing means and slips to return from their expanded positions to retracted positions 27. In apparatus as defined inclaim 26; wherein said one of said structures is located below said packing means and anchoring means and said other of said structures is located above said packing means and anchoring means; said coupling transmitting upward movement of said body to said one of said structures.

28. In apparatus as defined inclaim 26; wherein said one of said structures is located below said packing means and anchoring means and said other of said structures is located above said packing means and anchoring means; said coupling transmitting upward movement of said body to said one of said structures; and a releasing tool movable into engagement with said shifting means for moving said shifting means and retaining means upwardly of said body.

29. In apparatus as defined inclaim 26; wherein said one of said structures is located below said packing means and anchoring means and said other of said structures is located above said packing means and anchoring means; said coupling transmitting upward movement of said body to said one of said structures; and a releasing tool movable into engagement with said shifting means for moving said shifting means and retaining means upwardly of said body; said releasing tool including means adapted to be connected to said body to elevate said body and retract said packing means and anchoring means from the wall of the well bore.

30. In subsurface apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore:

a body; normally retracted means on said body; anchoring means on said body below .said packing means comprising an upper expander; a lower expander and normally retracted slips engaging said expanders; an upper structure on said body above and engaging saidpacking means; a lower structure below and engaging said lower expander; said structures being shiftable relatively toward each other to expand said packing means and slips into engagement with the wall of the well bore to secure said apparatus in packed-off relation in the well bore against movement in both longitudinal directions; a releasable coupling for transmitting upward non-rotary movement of said body to said lower structure; means for retaining said coupling in its coupled relation; said retaining means being shiftable upwardly from its retaining position to release said body from said lower structure to allow said structures to move relatively away from each other and said packing means and slips to return from their expanded positions to retracted positions; and means for shifting said retaining means upwardly of said body from its retaining position.

31. In apparatus as defined inclaim 30; and one-way lock means between said body and upper structure permitting upward movement of said body within said upper structure but preventing downward movement of said body within said upper structure.

32. In subsurface apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normally retracted means on said body; anchoring means on said body below said packing means comprising an upper expander; a lower expander and normally retracted slips engaging said expanders; an upper structure on said body above and engaging said packing means; a lower structure below and engaging said lower expander; said structures being shiftable relatively toward each other to expand said packing means and slips into engagement with the wall of the well bore to secure said apparatus in packed-off relation in the well bore against movement in both longitudinal directions; a releasable coupling for transmitting upward non-rotary movement of said body to said lower structure; means for retaining said coupling in its coupled relation; said retaining means being shiftable from its retaining position to release said body from said lower structure to allow said structures to move relatively away from each other and said packing means and slips to return from their expanded positions to retracted positions; and one-way lock means between said body and upper expander and positioned below said packing means permitting upward movement of said body within said upper expander but preventing downward movement of said body within said upper expander.

33. In subsurface apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normally retracted means on said body; anchoring means on said body below said packing means comprising an upper expander, a lower expander and normally retracted slips engaging said expanders; an upper structure on said body above and engaging said packing means; a lower structure below and engaging said lower expander; said structures being shiftable relatively toward each other to expand said packing means and slips into engagement with the wall of the well bore to secure said apparatus in packed-off relation in the well bore against movement in both longitudinal directions; a releasable coupling for transmitting upward non-rotary movement of said body to said lower structure; means for retaining said coupling in its coupled relation; said retaining means being shiftable from its retaining position to release said body from said lower structure to allow said structures to move relatively away from each other and said packing means and slips to return from their expanded positions to retracted positions; one-way lock means between said body and upper structure permitting upward movement of said body within said upper structure but preventing downward movement of said body within said upper structure; and one-way lock means between 34. In apparatus as defined inclaim 33; and means for shifting said retaining means upwardly of said body from its retaining position;

35. In subsurface apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normally retracted means on said body; means for expanding said normally retracted means laterally outwardly against the wall of the well bore; a coupling releasably securing said body to said expanding means for transmitting longitudinal non-rotary relative movement of said body to said expanding means to effect lateral outward expansion of said normally retracted means; means for retaining said coupling in its coupled relation; and means for shifting said retaining means upwardly of said body from its retaining position to release said coupling from its coupled relation to permit retraction of said normally retracted means; and a releasing said mandrel connectible to said body to elevate said body and retract said normally retracted means from the wall of the well bore.

i I II I i

Claims

2. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said normally retracted means comprising packing means expandable into sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore.

5. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said normally retracted means comprising packing means expandable into sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore; said normally retracted means further comprising anchoring means below said packing means and expandable into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well bore.

6. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said normally retracted means comprising packing means expandable into sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore; and lock means acting between said body and packing means for retaining said packing means in sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore.

9. In subsurface apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normally retracted means on said body; means for expanding said normally retracTed means laterally outwardly against the wall of the well bore; a coupling releasably securing said body to said expanding means for transmitting longitudinal non-rotary relative movement of said body to said expanding means to effect lateral outward expansion of said normally retracted means; means for retaining said coupling in its coupled relation; and means for shifting said retaining means upwardly of said body from its retaining position to release said coupling from its coupled relation to permit retraction of said normally retracted means; said normally retracted means comprising packing means expandable into sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore; said normally retracted means further comprising anchoring means expandable into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well bore; lock means acting between said body and packing means for retaining said packing means in sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore; and lock means acting between said body and anchoring means for retaining said anchoring means in anchoring engagement with the wall of the well bore.

11. In apparatus as defined in claim 10; frangible means securing said retaining means in its retaining position; said shifting means exerting an upward force on said retaining means to disrupt said frangible means and shift said retaining means from its retaining position.

12. In apparatus as defined in claim 10; and a releasing tool movable in said body into engagement with said shifting means for moving said shifting means and retaining means upwardly of said body.

13. In apparatus as defined in claim 10; and one-way lock means acting between said body and upper structure permitting upward movement of said body with respect to said upper structure but locking said body to said upper structure against downward movement relative thereto.

14. In apparatus as defined in claim 10; said normally retracted means comprising packing means between said structures and expandable into sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore upon relative movement of said structures toward each other.

15. In apparatus as defined in claim 10, said normally retracted means comprising packing means between said structures and expandable into sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore upon relative movement of said structures toward each other, and one-way lock means acting between said body and packing means for retaining said packing means in sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore.

16. In apparatus as defined in claim 10; said normally retracted means comprising expander means and slip means engaging said expander means and expandable into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well bore upon relative movement of said structures toward each other.

17. In apparatus as defined in claim 10; said normally retracted means comprising expander means and slip means engaging said expander means and expandable into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well bore upon relative movement of said structures toward each other; and one-way lock means acting between said body and expander means for retaining said slip means anchored to the wall of the well bore.

18. In apparatus as defined in claim 10; said normally retracted means comprising packing means, expander means and slip means engageable with said expander means; said packing means and slip means being expandable against the wall of the well bore upon relative movement of said structure toward each other.

19. In apparatus as defined in claim 10; said normally retracted means comprising packing means, expander means and slip means engageable with said expander means; said packing means and slip means being expandable against the wall of the well bore upon relative movement of said structures toward each other; one-way lock means acting between said body and packing means for retaining said packing means in sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore; and one-way lock means acting between said body and expander means for retaining said slip means anchored to the wall of the well bore.

21. In apparatus as defined in claim 20; said one of said structures being located below said packing means and anchoring means and the other of said structures being located above said packing means and anchoring means; said coupling transmitting upward movement of said body to said one of said structures.

22. In apparatus as defined in claim 20; said one of said structures being located below said packing means and anchoring means and said other of said structures being located above said packing meanS and anchoring means; said coupling transmitting upward movement of said body to said one of said structures; and one-way lock means between said body and said other of said structures permitting upward movement of said body with respect to said other of said structures but locking said body to said other of said structures against downward movement relative thereto.

23. In apparatus as defined in claim 20; said one of said structures being located below said packing means and anchoring means and the other of said structures being located above said packing means and anchoring means; said coupling transmitting upward movement of said body to said one of said structures; and one-way lock means between said body and said other of said structures permitting upward movement of said body with respect to said other of said structures but locking said body to said other of said structures against downward movement relative thereto; and a releasing tool movable into engagement with said shifting means for moving said shifting means and retaining means upwardly of said body.

24. In apparatus as defined in claim 20; said one of said structures being located below said packing means and anchoring means and the other of said structures Being located above said packing means and anchoring means; said coupling transmitting upward movement of said body to said one of said structures; and one-way lock means between said body and said other of said structures permitting upward movement of said body with respect to said other of said structures but locking said body to said other of said structures against downward movement relative thereto; and a releasing tool movable into engagement with said shifting means for moving said shifting means and retaining means upwardly of said body; said releasing tool including means adapted to be connected to said body to elevate said body and retract said packing means and anchoring means from the wall of the well bore.

25. In apparatus as defined in claim 20; said one of said structures being located below said packing means and anchoring means and the other of said structures being located above said packing means and anchoring means; said coupling transmitting upward movement of said body to said one of said structures; and one-way lock means between said body and said other of said structures permitting upward movement of said body with respect to said other of said structures but locking said body to said other of said structures against downward movement relative thereto; and a releasing tool movable into engagement with said shifting means for moving said shifting means and retaining means upwardly of said body; said releasing tool comprising a mandrel movable within said body, latch means on said mandrel movable into coupling relation to said shifting means, and means on said mandrel connectible to said body to elevate said body and retract said packing means and slips from the wall of the well bore.

26. In subsurface apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normally retracted packing means on said body; anchoring means on said body at one end of said packing means comprising an upper expander, a lower expander and normally retracted slips engaging said expanders; a first structure on said body at the opposite end of said packing means; a second structure engageable with said anchoring means and shiftable relatively toward said first structure to expand said packing means and slips into engagement with the wall of the well bore to secure said apparatus in packed-off relation in the well bore against movement in both longitudinal directions; a releasable coupling for transmitting longitudinal non-rotary movement of said body to one of said structures to effect relative movement of said structures toward each other and expansion of said slips and packing means; means for retaining said coupling in its coupled relation; and means for shifting said retaining means upwardly of said body from its retaining position to release said coupling and said body from said one of said structures to allow said structures to move relatively away from each other and said packing means and slips to return from their expanded positions to retracted positions.

27. In apparatus as defined in claim 26; wherein said one of said structures is located below said packing means and anchoring means and said other of said structures is located above said packing means and anchoring means; said coupling transmitting upward movement of said body to said one of said structures.

28. In apparatus as defined in claim 26; wherein said one of said structures is located below said packing means and anchoring means and said other of said structures is located above said packing means and anchoring means; said coupling transmitting upward movement of said body to said one of said structures; and a releasing tool movable into engagement with said shifting means for moving said shifting means and retaining means upwardly of said body.

29. In apparatus as defined in claim 26; wherein said one of said structures is located below said packing means and anchoring means and said other of said structures is located above said packing means and anchoring means; said coupling transmitting upwaRd movement of said body to said one of said structures; and a releasing tool movable into engagement with said shifting means for moving said shifting means and retaining means upwardly of said body; said releasing tool including means adapted to be connected to said body to elevate said body and retract said packing means and anchoring means from the wall of the well bore.

30. In subsurface apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normally retracted means on said body; anchoring means on said body below said packing means comprising an upper expander, a lower expander and normally retracted slips engaging said expanders; an upper structure on said body above and engaging said packing means; a lower structure below and engaging said lower expander; said structures being shiftable relatively toward each other to expand said packing means and slips into engagement with the wall of the well bore to secure said apparatus in packed-off relation in the well bore against movement in both longitudinal directions; a releasable coupling for transmitting upward non-rotary movement of said body to said lower structure; means for retaining said coupling in its coupled relation; said retaining means being shiftable upwardly from its retaining position to release said body from said lower structure to allow said structures to move relatively away from each other and said packing means and slips to return from their expanded positions to retracted positions; and means for shifting said retaining means upwardly of said body from its retaining position.

31. In apparatus as defined in claim 30; and one-way lock means between said body and upper structure permitting upward movement of said body within said upper structure but preventing downward movement of said body within said upper structure.

33. In subsurface apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normally retracted means on said body; anchoring means on said body below said packing means comprising an upper expander, a lower expander and normally retracted slips engaging said expanders; an upper structure on said body above and engaging said packing means; a lower structure below and engaging said lower expander; said structures being shiftable relatively toward each other to expand said packing means and slips into engagement with the wall of the well bore to secure said apparatus in packed-off relation in the well bore against movement in both longitudinal directions; a releasable coupling for transmitting upward non-rotary movement of said body to said lower structure; means for retaining said coupling in its coupled relation; said retaining means being shiftable from its retaining position tO release said body from said lower structure to allow said structures to move relatively away from each other and said packing means and slips to return from their expanded positions to retracted positions; one-way lock means between said body and upper structure permitting upward movement of said body within said upper structure but preventing downward movement of said body within said upper structure; and one-way lock means between said body and upper expander permitting upward movement of said body within said upper expander but preventing downward movement of said body within said upper expander.

34. In apparatus as defined in claim 33; and means for shifting said retaining means upwardly of said body from its retaining position.

35. In subsurface apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normally retracted means on said body; means for expanding said normally retracted means laterally outwardly against the wall of the well bore; a coupling releasably securing said body to said expanding means for transmitting longitudinal non-rotary relative movement of said body to said expanding means to effect lateral outward expansion of said normally retracted means; means for retaining said coupling in its coupled relation; and means for shifting said retaining means upwardly of said body from its retaining position to release said coupling from its coupled relation to permit retraction of said normally retracted means; and a releasing tool movable into said body into engagement with said shifting means for moving said shifting means and retaining means upwardly of said body; said releasing tool comprising a mandrel movable within said body, latch means on said mandrel movable into coupling relation to said shifting means, and means on said mandrel connectible to said body to elevate said body and retract said normally retracted means from the wall of the well bore.