UIllted States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`4,898,245
`
`
`Braddick
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Feb. 6, 1990
`
`[54] RETRIEVABLE WELL BORE TUBULAR
`MEMBER PACKER ARRANGEMENT AND
`METHOD
`'
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: Britt 0. Braddick, Houston, Tex.
`
`.
`.
`[73] ASS‘gnee'
`
`if,” 1“)“ W°'ks’1“°"H°“St°“’
`'
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`“TIW SS—R Retrievable Packer”, Texas Iron Works,
`Inc. Catalog, p. 31, 1983.
`“TIW SS Retrievable Packer”, Texas Iron Works, Inc.,
`Blue Print No. I—1016, dated 10/11/83.
`1974-75, Composite Catalog of Oil Field Equipment
`and Services, pp. 394, 395, 404, 405, 408, 3924, 3925 and
`3932.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 314,153
`
`Primary Examiner—William P. Neuder
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Jack W. Hayden
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Feb. 27, 1989
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`[63]
`
`Related US. Application Data
`.
`_
`Egrghnuzsfigffisse:2131112162122:iliidzyzirltobi‘ggiratlfig-
`7,786, ,Jan. 28, 1987, abandoned, which is a continua-
`tion-in-part of Ser. No. 912,320, Sep. 29, 1986, aban-
`cloned.
`
`Int. Cl.4 ........................................... E21B 23/08
`[51]
`[52] US. Cl. .................................... 166/387; 166/123;
`166/134; 294/8634
`[58] Field of Search ................. 166/98, 119, 123, 124,
`166/ 125, 134, 138, 182, 387, 114, 116;
`294/86.26, 3627, 86-34
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`US PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,678,998
`7/1972 Cockrell et a1.
`.................... 166/123
`
`3/1976 Ahlstone .....
`294/86.34 X
`3,944,273
`.. 166/120
`3,976,133
`8/1976 Allen
`
`'
`_. 166/250
`4,248,300
`2/1931 Braddic
`
`4,368,911
`1/1983 Pringle
`294/86
`
`1,212,213, g;13:: 5251“?“-
`~~ 122;38
`5 """"""""""
`’
`’
`1
`
`1,613,333 32332 $312333 e’g'fli""""" 132/13:
`
`1/1987 Magee ’Jr. et a1:
`'
`4,638,860
`166/114
`
`3/1987 Caskey ...............
`4,648,445
`166/98
`
`4,648,455
`3/1987 Caskey
`166/98
`9/1987 Braddick ............................. 166/382
`4,690,220
`
`'A retrievable packer arrangemen’fthat can be used as a
`permanent production packer employs a simple com-
`pression set packer which can be either mechanically,
`hydraulically or wireline explosively set and retrieved
`by coupled or celled pipe or wu‘elme.
`The arrangement includes an adapter supported by the
`setting tool which surrounds an external seal surface on
`the upper end of an inner tubular member which seal
`surface is exposed after the packer arrangement is set in
`a well bore “113111“ member by T516356 0f the setting t001
`from the inner member and removal of the adapter
`therewith, so that a production string may then seal-
`ingly telescope over the inner member upper end.
`An outer member includes release means adjacent its
`upper external end including an external grapple engag-
`ing surface means so that the packer arrangement can be
`released without engaging the packer or slips which
`secure the packer arrangement in the tubular member
`and Without inserting any mechanism in the set packer
`arrangement.
`
`.
`.
`The packer arrangement prov1des an unrestricted bore
`for W611 tools and flow from the Well-
`The invention also contemplates lowering a landing
`nipple into a well bore tubular member to a desired
`location and sealably anchoring it at that location by a
`retrievable packer, for subsequent removal by a grapple
`tool supported 0“ Pipe 0‘ a Wirelme-
`
`’
`36 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
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`MEGCO EX. 1017
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`MEGCO Ex. 1017
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`

`

`US. Patent
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`Feb. 6,
`
`1990
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Feb. 6, 1990
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`Sheet 2 of 9
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`4,898,245
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`MEGCO Ex. 1017
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Feb. 6, 1990
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`US. Patent
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`Feb. 6, 1990
`
`Sheet 8 of 9
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`4,898,245
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`

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`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 6, 1990
`
`Sheet 9 of 9
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`4,898,245
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`MEGCO Ex. 1017
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`

`

`4,898,245
`
`1
`RETRIEVABLE WELL BORE TUBULAR MEMBER
`PACXER ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This is a continuation of co-pending application Ser.
`No. 186,869 filed May 10, 1988 for “Retrievable Well
`Bore Tubular Member Packer Arrangement and
`Method” now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-
`part of prior copending application Ser. No. 007,786
`filed Jan. 28, 1987 for “Retrievable Well Bore Tubular
`Member Packer Arrangement and Method” now aban-
`doned which is a continuation-in-part of prior copend-
`ing application Ser. No. 912,320 filed Sept. 29, 1986 for
`“Retrievable Well Bore Tubular Member Packer Ar-
`rangement” now abandoned.
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to a packer arrangment for a
`well bore. It may be employed as a permanent produc-
`tion packer or as a retrievable packer, in any size tubular
`member. It also has particular application in conjuction
`with small diameter production strings which enables
`production packers associated with such production
`string to be positioned in a well bore tubular member
`then readily retrieved by a wireline, or if desired, coiled
`or coupled pipe.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
`
`Various types of permanent and retrievable produc-
`tion packers have been heretofore employed. Some of
`such packers and packer arrangements are shown in the
`1974—75 Composite Catalog of Oil Field Equipment and
`Services at pages 394, 395, 404, 405, 408, 3924, 3925,
`3932 and 3933.
`The packer construction employed with prior art
`packer arrangements has heretofore been dependent
`upon whether the packer was to be set by mechanical,
`hydraulical or wireline means. Requiring a special or
`different packer thus required a substantially larger
`inventory for satisfying all customers preferences. Some
`packer arrangements also were Subject to premature
`actuation as they were lowered in the well bore since
`well bores may actually be helical causing the packer
`arrangements to actuate during lowering operations on
`a coupled well string (a well string formed of pipe joints
`connected together by couplings).
`Also, permanent production packer arrangements
`generally had to be milled or cut out when it was de-
`sired to remove them. Further, applicant is not aware of
`any retrievable packer arrangement that can be set ei—
`ther mechanically , hydraulically or explosively on a
`wireline and then retrieved either by coupled pipe, or
`continuous pipe (pipe coiled on a drum) or a wireline, or
`a packer arrangement which can be so actuated and
`retrieved that employs the same packer construction
`without regard to the type setting tool.
`It has heretofore generally been the practice to em-
`ploy nonretrievable, permanently set production pack-
`ers where small internal diameter production strings are
`employed which require the use of milling tools to mill
`or out the packers when it is desired to remove them
`from the tubular member in which they are positioned.
`This operation is quite expensive and time consuming.
`While, as noted, the present invention may have appli-
`cation in any size diameter tubular members as produc-
`tion strings, it does have particular application in con-
`nection with small diameter production strings in that it
`
`10
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`15
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`25
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`30
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`2
`is constructed and arranged to enable its release and
`retrieval from the well bore tubular member without
`attempting to introduce mechanisms internally of the
`packer arrangement, or adjacent the packer and slips
`which are expanded into sealingiengagement with the
`tubular member. Release and retrieval of the present
`invention is effected by engaging the exterior of the
`packer arrangement adjacent the upper end above the
`set packer and slips.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention overcomes the above and
`The present
`other problems. For example, the same packer may be
`employed in any packer arrangement, whether it is to be
`hydraulically, mechanically or explosively set. Explo-
`sively set mechanisms can be run into the well bore on
`a wireline. If the packer arrangement is hydraulically
`set, continuous coiled tubing (pipe coiled on a drum)
`may be employed which does not require the use of a
`drilling mast or workover mast to lower the packer
`arrangement into the well bore tubular member which
`is required to mechanically set a packer. Regardless of
`how the packer arrangement of the present invention is
`initially set, it can be retrieved by a wireline or coiled
`tubing without the use of a drilling mast at the well
`location. If desired, it may be also retrieved with cou-
`pled pipe which requires the use of a drilling mast to
`enable joints of pipe or tubing to be coupled together as
`the well string is lowered into the well bore in a werr
`known manner.
`In addition, the packer arrangement includes inner
`and outer tubular members which can be manipulated
`either hydraulically, explosively, or by a mechanical
`setting tool to quickly and readily expand the packer
`into sealing engagement with a well bore tubular mem-
`ber. It is secured in sealing position by slip means which
`lockingly engage the tubular member. An external seal
`engaging surface is provided adjacent the upper end of
`the inner member which becomes exposed for sealing
`engagement with a production string lowered into the
`well bore to surround the inner member upper end after
`the packer arrangement has been set. An external grap-
`ple engaging surface means is provided adjacent the
`upper end of the outer tubular member above the set
`packer arrangement for engagement by a grapple tool
`on a wireline, coiled or coupled pipe for release and
`retrieval of the packer arrangement, thus eliminating
`the necessity of trying to engage any internal mecha-
`nism to release the packer arrangement.
`An object of the present invention is to provide a
`retrievable packer arrangement which employs a rela-
`tively simple compression set packer and the same type
`packer can be employed with either mechanical, hy-
`draulic or wireline setting tool for sealingly positioning
`the packer in a well bore tubular member. The packer
`arrangement can be retrievable with either a coupled
`pipe string, coiled pipe string or wireline.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`a retrievable packer arrangement which employs a rela-
`tively simple compression set packer and the same type
`packer can be employed with either a mechanical, hy-
`draulic or wireline setting tool for sealingly positioned
`the packer in a well bore tubular member and wherein
`the packer sealingly engages the well bore tubular mem-
`ber below the slips that secure the packer to the well
`bore tubular member whereby contact by well bore
`fluids from below the packer which might foul the slips
`
`MEGCO EX. 1017
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`4,898,245
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`3
`and make it difficult to release them is substantially
`lessened, if not eliminated. The packer arrangement can
`be retrieved with either a coupled pipe string, coiled
`pipe string or wireline.
`A still further object of the present invention is to
`provide a retrievable packer arrangement which em-
`ploys a relatively simple compression set packer and the
`same type packer can be employed with either a me-
`chanical, hydraulic or wireline setting tool to be posi-
`tioned in a well bore tubular member and which packer
`arrangement includes an inner member with an external
`seal engaging surface that is exposed after removal of
`the setting tool to telescopically receive therearbund a
`production string to communicate well fluids through
`the packer arrangement
`to the earth’s surface. The
`packer arrangement can be retrieved with either a cou-
`pled pipe string, coiled pipe string or wireline.
`An object of the present invention is to provide a
`retrievable packer arrangement which employs a rela-
`tively simple compression set packer and the same type
`packer can be employed with either a mechanical, hy-
`draulic or wireline setting tool to be positioned in a well
`bore tubular member and wherein the packer sealingly
`engages the well bore tubular member below the slips
`which aid in sealingly securing the packer to the well
`bore tubular member whereby contact by well bore
`fluids from below the packer which might foul the slips
`and make it difficult to release them is substantially
`lessened if not eliminated, the slips comprising at least
`two annular rows of segments and the packer arrange-
`ment including means to selectively set the uppermost
`row of slip segments prior to setting the lower row of
`slip segments. The packer arrangement can be retrieved
`with either a coupled pipe string, coiled pipe string or
`wireline.
`An object of the present invention is to provide a
`retrievable packer arrangement which employs a rela-
`tively simple compression set packer and the same type
`packer can be employed with either a mechanical, hy-
`draulic or wireline setting tool to be positioned in a well
`bore tubular member and which can be retrieved with
`either a coupled pipe string, coiled pipe string or wire-
`line by engaging an external grapple means adjacent the
`upper end of the packer arrangement with a grapple
`tool including jar means to aid in releasing the packer
`arrangement for retrieval.
`Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a
`retrievable packer arrangement
`including inner and
`outer tubular members secured against movement as
`they are lowered into the well bore with the inner mem-
`ber having a seal engaging surface adjacent its upper
`end which is surrounded by an adapter while the packer
`arrangement is lowered and positioned in a well bore
`tubular member and then the adapter removed to ex-
`pose the seal engaging surface for telescoping engage-
`ment into a production string. The outer member is
`provided with an external grapple engaging surface
`adjacent its upper end for engagement by a grapple tool
`to release and retrieve the packer arrangement. The
`packer arrangement can be set mechanically, hydrauli-
`cally or explosiviely by wireline and retrieved by either
`wireline, coiled or coupled tubing as-desired.
`Accordingly, it is another object of the present inven-
`tion to provide a retrievable packer arrangement for use
`particularly with small diameter production strings in
`which the internal bore may be restricted so that access
`to the packer setting arrangement for release is limited
`thus making retrieval difficult, if not impossible, in some
`
`4
`It» also has application to any size tubular
`situations.
`production string member, and is constructed and ar-
`ranged so it may be lowered into the well bore on a well
`string along with a setting tool which may be explo-
`sively actuated, or hydraulically or mechanically actu-
`ated to sealably secure a packer in engagement with a
`well bore and tubular member, and to expose the upper
`end of the packer arrangement which has an external
`seal surface for sealably receiving the production string
`thereover that is lowered into the well bore and releas-
`ably engaged therewith.
`A still further object of the present invention is to
`. provide a method of positioning a landing nipple with
`recess means therein in a well bore well string which
`has no landing shoulder to receive the landing nipple
`and which well string has a larger diameter than the
`diameter of a production string thereafter positioned in
`the well string whereby retrievable plug means and/or
`instrument means may be seated in the landing nipple to
`selectively and instrumentally measure well bore condi-
`tions and/or block flow from the well bore to the pro-
`duction string comprising the steps of lowering an up-
`wardly open receptacle into the well bore and securing
`it to the well string, lowering retrievable packer means
`with landing nipple means depending therefrom into
`and securing the packer means in position in the up-
`wardly open receptacle and lowering a production
`string into the well string and sealably engaging it
`within the upwardly open receptacle above the packer
`means.
`
`30
`
`An object of the present invention is to provide a
`method of positioning a landing nipple in a liner in a
`well bore well string which has no landing shoulder to
`receive the landing nipple and which well string has a
`larger diameter than the diameter of a production string
`thereafter positioned in the well string whereby a re-
`trievable plug may be seated in the landing nipple to
`block flow from the well bore to the production string
`comprising the steps of lowering an upwardly open
`receptacle into the well bore and securing it to the well
`string,
`lowering packer means with landing nipple
`means depending therefrom into and sealably securing
`it in position in the upwardly open receptacle, applying
`fluid pressure to the sealably secured landing nipple to
`test for leaks and lowering a production string into the
`well bore and sealably engaging it within the upwardly
`open receptacle, lowering a retrievable plug through
`the production string to engage in the landing nipple
`beneath the production string to block flow from the
`well bore to the production string, elevating the pro-
`duction string to sealably disengage it from upwardly
`facing receptacle and circulating fluid above the plug
`between the well string and production string.
`The packer arrangement also includes a grapple sur-
`face means adjacent its upper outer end which may be
`engaged by a grapple tool lowered into the well bore
`when it is desired to release and retrieve the packer
`arrangement, after first removing the production string
`from engagement with the upper end of the packer
`arrangement.
`_
`When the grapple tool is lowered into the'well bore,
`it engages adjacent the upper end of the outer member
`and is constructed and arranged so that it may selec-
`tively apply dislodging forces to the inner and outer
`members to dislodge the slip means from engagement
`with the tubular member and enable the packer and slips
`to unset or release so that the packer arrangement can
`be removed from the well bore.
`
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`MEGCO EX. 1017
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`MEGCO Ex. 1017
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`

`

`4,898,245
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`5
`Other objects and advantages of the present invention
`will become apparent from consideration of the follow-
`ing description and drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIGS. 1A, FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C are longitudinal
`one-quarter sectiOnal views illustrating an embodiment
`of the present invention for use with a hydraulically or
`explosively actuated setting tool. The views show the
`assembled packer arrangement in position for lowering
`into a well bore tubular member to set the packer and
`slip means in sealing and securing relationship with the
`well bore tubular member;
`FIG. 1D is a partial sectional view of FIG. 1B illus-
`trating in enlarged, greater detail one form of the lock
`means;
`FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are longitudinal one-quarter
`sectional views illustrating the relative position of com-
`ponents of the form of the present invention shown in
`FIGS. 1A—1C after longitudinal movement of the inner
`and outer tubular members has been effected to expand
`or move the packer and slips into sealing and securing
`relation with the well bore tubular member, expose the
`extermal seal surface adjacent the upper end of the inner
`tubular member and actuate the lock means to maintain
`the inner and outer tubular members in longitudinally
`moved relation for maintaining the packer and slip
`means engaged with the well bore tubular member;
`FIG. 3 is a one-quarter sectional view showing a
`production string releasably and sealably connected
`with theinner tubular member seal surface;
`FIG. 4 is cross-sectional view on the line 4—4 of
`FIG. 3 illustrating details of one form of releasable
`connection means between the production string and
`inner member;
`FIGS. 5A and 5B are one-quarter sectional views
`showing the position of the components when a grapple
`means has actuated the release means of the lock means
`and disengaged the packer and slip means of the FIG.
`1B and 1C form from the well bore tubular member for
`retrieval;
`FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line 6—6 of
`FIG. 5A showing the details of one form of means to
`enable the grapple means to selectively apply forces to
`the- packer arrangement to disengage the packer and
`slips from the well bore tubular member for retrieval.
`FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are schematic elevations, partly
`in section of a preferred form of the invention illustrat-
`ing respectively the invention with a mechanical setting
`tool which normally employs coupled pipe; the inven-
`tion with a hydraulic setting tool with which coiled
`pipe may be employed; and the invention with an explo-
`sively actuated setting tool with which a wireline in-
`cluding an electrical conduit is employed for setting the
`packer arrangement;
`FIG. 8 is a one-quarter sectional view showing the
`details of a mechanical setting tool including a portion
`of the adapter releasably supported on the setting tool;
`FIGS. 8A and 8B are one-quarter sectional views that
`are continuations of FIG. 8 showing in FIG. 8A the
`upper ends of the inner and outer tubular members, the
`adapter surrounding the external seal surface on the
`inner member; the grapple engaging surface means on
`the outer tubular member upper end other details, while
`FIG. 8B illustrates the preferred relationship of the
`packer and slip means; FIG. 8A and SB also show the
`details of the form of the invention which are employed
`with the hydraulic setting tool and explosively actuated
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`setting tool schematically shown in FIGS. 7b and 7C
`respectively;
`FIGS. 9Aand 9B are one-quarter sectional views
`showing the relationship of the components of the form
`invention of FIGS. 8A, 8B after it has been secured in
`the well bore tubular member either by a mechanical,
`hydraulic or explosive wireline setting tool, respec-
`tively, as shown by FIGS. 7A—7C;
`FIG. 10 is a one-quarter sectional view showing the
`production string surrounding the inner seal surface;
`FIGS. 11A and 11B are one-quarter sectional views
`showing the FIGS. 8A, 8B form after it is released for
`retrieval;
`FIG. 12 is a partial section of FIG. 8A illustrating in
`enlarged form and greater detail of a preferred form of
`the lock means;
`'
`FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view on the line 13—13 of
`FIG. 10 and is similar to FIG. 4;
`FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view on the line 14—14 of
`FIG. 11A and is similar to FIG. 6;
`FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating a well bore
`with a casing, a liner supported therein with an up-
`wardly facing tubular member such as a packer bore
`receptacle and the packer arrangement of the present
`invention having connected therewith a landing nipple
`which is sealably secured in position in the liner;
`FIG. 16 illustrates a well bore with a production
`packer between a casing and a single production string
`with the packer arrangement of the present invention
`positioned as a plug in the production string; and
`FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16 and schemati-
`cally illustrates a dual flow production packer arrange-
`ment with dual
`flow production strings associated
`therewith and the packer arrangement of the present
`invention positioned to control communication through
`each of the production strings as desired.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1A, FIG. 1B,
`FIG. 1C, FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C wherein a
`setting or well string WS including a setting tool is
`schematically illustrated at the upper end of FIG. 1A;
`7A, 7B and 7C and represented generally by the letters
`ST. The setting tool portion of the setting string is con-
`nected to an inner tubular member I and supported on
`an outer tubular member 0 by the adapter A as illus-
`trated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 7A, 7B and 7C. The setting tool
`ST may be considered part of the inner member I as the
`packer arrangement is lowered into the well and actu-
`ated by the setting tool mechanism referred to generally
`at 17. A lock means referred to generally by the letter L
`in FIGS. 1B and 8A is associated with the inner and
`outer members to maintain the packer means repre-
`sented generally at P and slips S generally supported on
`the outer member 0 sealably engaged and secured,
`respectively, with a well bore tubular member T as will
`be described. The well bore tubular member T is shown
`in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3 through 6; FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10, 11A,
`11B, 13 and 14.
`The setting string WS with the setting tool ST
`thereon may be lowered along with the structure shown
`in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 7A, 7B or 7C into the well bore
`and may be considered part of well string WS. The well
`string WS may be either coupled pipe, that is joints of
`pipe connected by couplings; a continuous length of
`pipe, that is pipe coiled on a drum D such as represented
`in FIG. 7B; or it may be a wireline coiled on drum D as
`
`MEGCO EX. 1017
`
`MEGCO Ex. 1017
`
`

`

`4,898,245
`
`8
`tapered surfaces form the surface means in FIGS. 8A,
`9A, 11A and 12. The multiple taper form is preferred as
`it provides less back-off movement between the inner
`and outer members after the packer P is compressed and
`thereby attains a somewhat better sealing relationship of
`the packer and a better securing relationship by the slips
`S.
`
`7
`represented in FIG. 7C, the latter also including an
`electric line to operate the explosively actuated setting
`tool schematically represented in FIG. 7C.
`An adapter A is supported in any suitable manner on
`the mechanical, hydraulic, or wireline setting tool of the
`drawings by any suitable means such as by the setting
`tool portion represented at 16 and 20' that is engaged
`with the adapter A in any suitable manner as repre-
`sented at 15 and 21. The adapter is retrieved with the
`setting tool after the packer arrangement has been seal-
`ably in the well bore tubular member T.
`The actuating mechanism of the setting tool repre-
`sented in dotted line in FIGS. 1A and schematically in
`FIGS. 7A—7C_at 17 is connected by any suitable means
`such as the arrangement 18 to the portion 19 of inner
`member I that extends longitudinally within the sur-
`rounding adapter A. The portion 19 is connected at its
`lower end 20 to a shear release sleeve and/or rotational
`release mechanism 21 adjacent the upper end of the
`inner tubular member I. The lower end 22 of adapter A
`rests on or is adjacent the annular shoulder 31 adjacent
`the upper end of outer tubular member 0.
`As previously noted, the actuating mechanism 17 of
`the setting tool ST may be explosively actuated, hy-
`draulically actuated or mechanically actuated which-
`ever may be desired. FIGS. 1A—1C; and FIGS. 7C, 8A,
`8B, respectively, illustrate two forms of the explosively
`set packer arrangement; FIGS. 1A—1C, 7B, and FIGS.
`8A, 8B illustrate two forms of the hydraulic set packer
`arrangement and FIGS. 7A, 8, 8A and 8B illustrate the
`form of the mechanical set packer arrangement. The
`setting tools details are generally well known to those
`skilled in the art and no detailed description is deemed
`necessary as to their detailed structure and function.
`When the inner tubular member I and outer tubular
`member 0 are assembled for lowering into the well
`bore tubular member T, they are initially releasably
`connected together against relative longitudinal move-
`ment as they are lowered to position in the well bore
`tubular member T by suitable means such as the shear
`pin 35 adjacent the upper end of the inner member I and
`outer member 0 above the lock means L, the packer
`means P and slips S. The inner member I is provided
`adjacent its upper end with an external seal surface 38
`formed by any suitable means for sealably receiving
`therearound the lower end of the production string PS
`as shown in FIG. 10 for communicating fluid flow from
`a producing formation through the set packer arrange-
`ment as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 9A and 9B to the
`production string PS as shown in FIGS. 3 and 10 for
`flow to the earth’s surface. The production string PS is
`provided with internal seal means 38a for sealably en-
`gaging longitudinal seal surface 38. The adapter A ex-
`tends over and surrounds the external seal surface 38 on
`'the inner member I as the packer arrangement is low-
`ered into the well bore and secured with the tubular
`member T and thus inhibits damage to the seal surface
`during operations.
`The lock means L includes a ratchet surface 40 on the
`outer periphery of the inner member I that extends
`longitudinally thereof, A split or segmented ratchet ring
`42 having a ratchet surface 43 on its inner periphery and
`outer annular tapered surface means 44 abuts a ratchet
`ring support 48 which is provided with an internal ta-
`pered annular surface means 50 conforming with the
`tapered surface means 44 on the ratchet ring 42. It will
`be noted that in FIGS. 1B, 1D, and 2A a single taper
`forms the surface means 44 and 50, while a plurality of
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`An annular groove 52 is formed in the outer circum-
`ferential surface 53 of the ratchet ring support 48 and
`receives therein a split spring lock ring 54 which may be
`formed to tend to expand out of engagement with the
`groove 52, but which lock ring is retained in position in
`the groove 52 by the release means 58 when the lock
`means and release means is in the position shown in
`FIGS. 1B, 2A, 8A, and 9A. The top surface of ring 54
`and the top or upper surface of groove 52 may be
`shaped as shown in FIGS. 1D and 12 to tend to urge the
`ring 54 out of groove 52 when release means in the form
`of sleeve means 58 is shifted to a second position as
`shown in FIGS. 5A and 11A.
`The release means 58 cooperate with lock means L
`when in the position shown in FIGS. 1B, 2A, 8A and
`9A to ihibit release of the lock means L. Manipulation
`of the outer member 0 shifts the release means to a
`second position to enable lock ring 54 to move out of
`groove 52 as will be described.
`The outer member 0 includes the release sleeve
`means 58 which projects above and is telescopically
`received in the upper end of outer member 0 as shown
`in FIGS. 1B, 2A, 5A, 8A, 9A and 11A, the sleeve means
`58 being releasably coupled with the remainder of the
`outer member 0 by the shear pin 59. The sleeve means
`58 includes a longitudinally extending, annular portion
`60 of reduced diameter providing or forming an annular
`upper shoulder 61 on the sleeve means 58. The lower
`end 64 of sleeve means 58 formed on portion 60a adja-
`cent the 1ock means L when the lock means is engaged
`provides a lower annular shoulder. A counterore 63
`extends from lower end or shoulder 64 whi