Baker Hughes Corporation

Baker Hughes, a Ge Compnay, LLC

David L Nevels

Louis M Gambertoglio

John Lindley Baugh

Jason C Stingerie

An actuator for a subterranean tool is releasably retained by a collet. The actuation system features opposing actuation pistons with ports communicating to the tubing. The spaced ports are sequentially straddled for initial setting and a subsequent release using a predetermined applied pressure. The applied pressure overcomes the retaining force of the collet and actuates a one of two opposed pistons to set the tool, which is preferably a liner hanger. Upon shifting the actuation tool to communication to another port leading to an actuating piston pushing in another direction with applied pressure releases the tool and re-latches a retaining collet. The tool can be set, released and repositioned for another cycle in the same trip in the hole.

Actuation and release tool for subterranean tools

Parts that need to be retained against relative movement are held with at least one collet that is captured in a groove with sleeve that acts as a piston. The piston is exposed to tubing pressure on opposed ends to be in pressure balance despite variations of pressure in the tubing. When it is desired to allow relative part movement to actuate the tool, one of the ports to the piston is isolated from the other and pressure drives the piston in a downhole direction. This releases the collet and drives a sleeve in an opposite direction to actuate a tool. The parts can be optionally rotationally locked.

Mechanical lock with pressure balanced floating piston

An apparatus and method are shown for cementing a liner in a well bore. An operating string of smaller diameter is inserted within the internal diameter of the liner. A setting tool initially connects the operating string within the liner and includes a plug carrying body at the lowermost extent. A top plug is releasably supported from the plug carrying body and a longitudinally spaced bottom plug is releasably supported from the top plug. A collet latch secures the top plug to the plug carrying body and a collet latch secures the bottom plug to the top plug. A shiftable sleeve positively locks the top plug to the plug carrying body until the collet latch securing the bottom plug is released.

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Spring, TX, United States of America

David L Nevels