Retrieving tool for well packer

Abstract

A retrieving tool is provided for effecting the retrieval of a packer from a well and includes a locking member, such as a conventional locking collet having expandable fingers for sliding over a downwardly facing shoulder on a seal nipple secured to the top end of the packer. The locking collet is surrounded by a housing sleeve which has an upwardly facing surface therein normally positioned below the finger portions of the locking collet but being engageable therewith by upward movement applied to the housing by the pulling of the tubing string, hence retrieving the packer. In the event that for some unforeseen reason, the packer being retrieved refuses to dislodge from its engagement with the well conduit, a releasing collet mechanism is provided within the retrieving tool sleeve housing which is actuated by downward jarring forces applied thereto by a wireline actuated releasing probe to effect an axial engagement between the locking collet and the housing so that the upwardly facing shoulder on the housing is not brought into engagement with the locking fingers of the locking collet and the collet locking fingers can slide over the downwardly facing shoulder on the seal nipple of the packer, thus permitting convenient recovery of the retrieval tool upon the occurrence of such emergency conditions.