A hydraulic anchoring
assembly (10, 10a), and method of its use, for anchoring and sealing an insertable progressing cavity pump on rods in a well. The
assembly (10, 10a) has one or more cup seals (42, 42a), upstream of one or more
inflatable packers (14, 14a) upstream of one or more hydraulic slips (16). The cup seals (42, 42a) provide a pressure differential for inflation of the upstream most
inflatable packer (14), which in turn provides a pressure differential for the downstream
inflatable packer(s) (14a) to inflate to produce a fluid tight seal between the insertable progressing cavity pump and the well. In highly deviated wells the up seals (42, 42a) can be used to pump the hydraulic anchoring
assembly (10, 10a) down the well in situations where the rods would otherwise buckle.