STORM PACKER ANCHOR AND SERVICE TOOL

Abstract

An anchor-packer assembly includes a packer having a set of grooves and a seal. The groove and seal assembly can expand radially to engage with a surrounding tube. The assembly also includes an anchor coupled to the packer. The anchor includes a set of grooves and is configured to transmit a first torque and a first axial force to the packer to secure the packer. The anchor is configured to be actuated from an anchor operating position, where its groove assembly retracts, to an anchor securing position, where its groove assembly expands radially outward in response to a second torque and a second axial force. In the anchor securing position, the anchor is configured to prevent an upward force on the packer from disengaging the packer's groove assembly from its engagement with the surrounding tube.

Description

STORM PACKER ANCHOR AND SERVICE TOOL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Packers are downhole tools used in the oilfield to isolate one region of the wellbore from another. Packers are generally lowered and secured in the hole using a drill string. Once the packer is secured, the set string is released from the packer, and then the set string is withdrawn. There are a variety of different types of packers. One specific type of packer is a storm packer. Storm packers are typically used in offshore drilling to plug an upper section of a well from a lower section, while supporting a drill string (tailpipe) extending further down the wellbore. In contrast, most retrievable packers / plugs are not configured to support a tailpipe.By using a storm packer, when inclement weather approaches (hence the name storm packer), or if a well is otherwise temporarily abandoned, the well can be plugged and the surface rig can be moved without removing the entire drill string from the well. In at least some jurisdictions, regulatory authorities may require offshore drilling rigs to have a storm packer available for such situations. Because they are often required, storm packers may be readily available on drilling rigs. However, storm packers generally have limited use outside of temporary well abandonment. For example, storm packers are not generally considered a substitute for retrievable packers / plugs because storm packers rely on the suspended weight of the tailpipe to remain anchored in place. Without this weight, storm packers may be prone to release, for example, in the presence of a transient upward pressure differential.Therefore, storm packers are generally not used during most drilling operations; however, since rig operators often rent storm packers to meet regulatory requirements, a cost is incurred for the storm packer while it is not in use. SUMMARY Embodiments of the disclosure include an anchor-packer assembly including a packer having a set of grooves and a seal. The set of grooves and seal are radially expandable to engage a surrounding tubular. The assembly includes an anchor coupled to the packer. The anchor includes a set of grooves and is configured to transmit a first torque and a first axial force to the packer to secure the packer. The anchor is configured to be driven from an anchor operating position wherein its set of grooves are retracted to an anchor securing position wherein the set of grooves thereof expands radially outwardly in response to a second torque and a second axial force, and the anchor in the anchor securing position is configured to prevent an upwardly directed force on the packer from releasing the set of grooves of the packer from engagement with the surrounding tubular.Embodiments of the disclosure also include an anchor for a storm packer. The anchor includes a torque mandrel configured to be connected to a packer mandrel of the storm packer and configured to transmit torque and axial forces thereto, an inner mandrel positioned at least partially within the torque mandrel, and a clutch coupled to the inner mandrel and the torque mandrel. The clutch is configured to transmit torque between the inner mandrel and the torque mandrel up to a predetermined amount of torque, and to allow relative rotation therebetween at a torque above the predetermined amount of torque. The storm packer in an operating position can be rotated by rotating the torque mandrel in a first rotational direction.The anchor includes a set of slots positioned around the inner mandrel and radially outwardly extendable to move the inner mandrel in a first axial direction relative to the torque mandrel, and a locking mechanism for selectively coupling the torque mandrel to the inner mandrel, the locking mechanism having a first locked condition that allows the inner mandrel to rotate relative to the torque mandrel and prevents the inner mandrel from moving in a first axial direction relative to the torque mandrel, an unlocked condition that allows the inner mandrel to move in the first axial direction and a second axial direction relative to the torque mandrel to extend and retract the set of slots, and a second locked condition that allows the inner mandrel to rotate relative to the torque mandrel and prevents the inner mandrel from moving in the second axial direction relative to the torque mandrel.The locking mechanism is configured to be actuated from the first locked condition to the unlocked condition by rotating the inner chuck in the first direction of rotation relative to the torque chuck at a torque that is above the predetermined amount of torque. IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UO IO I or Embodiments of the disclosure also include a method of securing a packer including connecting an anchor to the packer to form at least a portion of a packer assembly, deploying the packer assembly in a wellbore, rotating a packer mandrel of the packer in a first rotational direction by rotating an inner mandrel of the anchor in the first rotational direction, after rotating the packer mandrel, securing the packer grooves in a surrounding tubular by moving the anchor in a first axial direction, after securing the packer, rotating the inner mandrel relative to a torque mandrel of the anchor to release a locking mechanism, preventing the torque mandrel from rotating together with the inner mandrel by connecting to the packer mandrel, and after rotating the inner mandrel, securing the anchor grooves by moving the inner mandrel in the first axial direction relative to the torque mandrel.Moving the inner mandrel in the first axial direction locks the locking mechanism, thereby preventing the torque mandrel from moving in a second axial direction relative to the inner mandrel. The inner mandrel is prevented from moving in the second axial direction by the grooves in the anchor. The above summary is intended merely to introduce a subset of the features described more fully in the following detailed description. Accordingly, this summary should not be considered limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this description, illustrate one embodiment of the present teachings and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present teachings. The figures: Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a packer assembly, in accordance with one embodiment. Figure 2 illustrates a semi-sectional side view of an anchor for the packer assembly, according to one embodiment. Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of an anchor adjustment control assembly, according to one embodiment. Figure 4A illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an upper locking ring of the adjustment control assembly, according to one embodiment. Figure 4B illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a lower locking ring of the adjustment control assembly, according to one embodiment. IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UO IO I or Figure 5 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a clutch of the adjustment control assembly, according to one embodiment. Figure 6 illustrates a semi-sectional side view of a packer of the packer assembly, according to one embodiment. Figure 7A illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the packer, showing drive blocks and a pin received in a J-slot in an operating configuration, according to one embodiment. Figure 7B illustrates a perspective view of the same portion of the packer as Figure 7A, but with the pin moved in the J-slot to a fixed configuration, according to one embodiment. Figure 8 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for securing a packer in a wellbore, according to one embodiment. It should be noted that some details of the figures have been simplified and are drawn to facilitate understanding of the modalities rather than to maintain strict structural, detailed and scaled accuracy. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present teachings, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one or more illustrative embodiments, identical reference numerals have been used to designate identical elements, where appropriate. The following description is merely a representative example of such teachings. Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an anchor-packer assembly 100, according to one embodiment. The anchor-packer assembly 100 generally includes an anchor 200 and a packer 300. The packer 300 may be a storm packer, which may be designed to be connected to a tailpipe extending downhole from there. Thus, the packer 300 may be configured to rely on the weight of the tailpipe to remain in a fixed position (also referred to herein as a packer-attached position), wherein the grooves of the packer 300 extend and anchor in a surrounding tubular, as will be described in more detail below. In one embodiment, such a tailpipe may not be provided, and instead, the anchor 200 may be connected to an upper end of the packer 300.The anchor 200 may be coupled to a set rope extending from the surface, such that the set rope may manipulate the packer. IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UO IO I or 300 (e.g., securing the packer 300) through the anchor 200. Furthermore, the setting string may be used to secure the anchor 200, which in turn serves to lock the packer 300 in the packer securing position. Since the anchor 200 is configured to lock the packer 300 in the packer securing position, the anchor 200 may be free of sealing elements configured to seal with a surrounding tubular. In other embodiments, the anchor 200 may include such seals. Once the packer 300 and anchor 200 are secured in the hole, the setting string is disconnected from the anchor 200 and may be removed from the hole. Figure 2 illustrates a semi-sectional side view of the anchor 200, with the anchor components in position for driving the anchor into the hole, i.e., in an anchor operating position, according to one embodiment. As shown, the anchor 200 may include an inner mandrel 202, which may be one or more hollow, generally cylindrical members, around which one or more components may be positioned. An upper sub 204 may be coupled to the inner mandrel 202. The upper sub 204 may include an upper connection 206, which may be a female threaded or box-end connection for connecting to a tubular rope extending from the surface. The upper sub 204 may be positioned around and connected to a top of the inner mandrel 202.For example, the upper sub 204 can be screwed onto the inner mandrel 202, so that the upper sub 204 and the inner mandrel 202 can move together, i.e., they cannot move relative to each other unless the connection between them is released. A set of grooves 207 may also be positioned around the inner mandrel 202. The set of grooves 207 may include a first cone 208, a second cone 210, and one or more grooves 212. The set of grooves 207 may also include a cage 214 that connects to and extends between the first and second cones 208, 210. The cage 214 also extends over the grooves 212 and provides windows through which the grooves 212 may extend radially outward. The grooves 212 may be driven radially outward by moving the cones 208, 210 axially closer together, for example, by moving one or both of the cones 208, 210 relative to the inner mandrel 202 and the grooves 212. In one embodiment, the first cone 208 may be axially positioned against one end of the upper sub 204. A shroud 216 may be provided over an interface between the first cone 208 and the upper sub 204 and may be secured against movement in at least one direction by connection to the upper sub 204. The first cone 208 may be prevented from moving relative to the inner mandrel 202 through engagement with the upper sub 204 and shroud 216 and / or by direct attachment thereof to the inner mandrel 202. In the anchor operating position IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UO IO I or illustrated, the grooves 212 retract radially inward and remain generally within the cage 214, proximate the inner mandrel 202. Upon actuation to an anchor locking position, the grooves 212 may extend radially outward to engage and anchor a surrounding tubular. The anchor 200 also includes a lower sub 218 that is received around a lower portion of the inner mandrel 202. The lower sub 218 may not be directly secured to the inner mandrel 202; rather, the inner mandrel 202 may be configured to rotate and / or axially translate relative to the lower sub 218 to drive the anchor 200. The lower sub 218 may also provide a lower connection 220, which may be a threaded male pin end connection that is configured to directly connect to the packer 300. Thus, the connection between the lower sub 218 and the packer 300 may be configured to transmit axial loads and torque therebetween, which may allow the anchor 200 to not only secure the packer 300 in the wellbore, but also use the packer 300 to secure the anchor 200, as will be described in more detail below. Anchor 200 also includes a torque mandrel 224 that is secured to lower sub 218 such that torque mandrel 224 and lower sub 218 cannot rotate or move axially relative to each other. For example, torque mandrel 224 may be threaded, clamped, or otherwise secured to lower sub 218. In some embodiments, torque mandrel 224 may be an integral part of lower sub 218. A setting control assembly 222 may be positioned between the upper sub 204 and the lower sub 218. The setting control assembly 222 may be configured to selectively transfer torque, applied to the upper sub 204, to the lower sub 218, and to the packer 300, to facilitate rotation of a portion of the packer 300 to unlock and set the grooves thereof, as will be described in more detail below. Once the grooves of the packer are set, the setting control assembly 222 may allow for differential rotation of the upper sub 204 and the inner mandrel 202 relative to the lower sub 218 of the anchor 200 and the packer 300, which may allow for selective setting of the anchor 200 in the wellbore. In one embodiment, the adjustment control assembly 222 includes a lower locking ring 226 that is positionable in a groove formed between the inner shoulders of the torque mandrel 224 and the lower sub 218 when the outer shoulders of the torque mandrel 224 and the lower sub 218 abut each other. For example, as shown, the torque mandrel 224 may overlap the lower sub 218 such that the torque mandrel 224 not only axially abuts the locking ring 6 IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UO IO I or lower locking ring 226, but also extends over the lower locking ring 226 and draws it radially between the torque mandrel 224 and the inner mandrel 202. When the anchor 200 is in the fixed position, the lower locking ring 226 engages threads on the inner mandrel 202, as will be described in more detail below. Axial movement of the inner mandrel 202 in at least one axial direction (e.g., both directions) relative to the lower locking ring 226 is prevented (e.g., only rotation is permitted) while the anchor 200 is in the operating position by engagement between the upper locking ring 232 and mating threads on the inner mandrel 202.In the illustrated anchor operating position, the lower locking ring 226 may not engage the threads of the inner mandrel 202, but may be axially movable, allowing the axial sliding movement necessary to secure the anchor in the hole. The adjustment control assembly 222 may further include a clutch connector 230 that may be received around the inner mandrel 202. The clutch connector 230 may be rotationally secured to the inner mandrel 202 such that the clutch connector 230 cannot rotate relative thereto. However, the connection between the clutch connector 230 and the inner mandrel 202 may allow the inner mandrel 202 to slide or axially shift a distance relative to the clutch connector 230. For example, the clutch connector 230 may be secured to the inner mandrel 202 via one or more keys, pins, blocks, etc., which may be received in corresponding axially extending slots (not visible in this view) formed in the inner mandrel 202. Additionally or alternatively, keys, blocks, etc., may be formed or connected to the inner mandrel 202 and received in corresponding slots in the clutch connector 230.Since the inner mandrel 202 and the clutch connector 230 are locked together in rotation, the torque applied to the inner mandrel 202 (via the upper sub 204) is transmitted to the clutch connector 230. An upper locking ring 232 of the adjustment control assembly 222 may be disposed axially adjacent to at least a portion of the clutch connector 230. Like the lower locking ring 226, the upper locking ring 232 may be configured to engage an upper set of threads formed on the inner mandrel 202. In addition, a tapered connector 234 may be coupled with the clutch connector 230, which may draw the upper locking ring 232 axially within a groove formed between the tapered connector 234 and the clutch connector 230, and radially between the inner mandrel 202 and the tapered connector 234. In the illustrated anchor operating position, the upper locking ring 232 may engage threads of the inner mandrel 202, such that the tapered connector 234 engages the threads of the inner mandrel 202. IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UO IO I or such that the inner mandrel 202 is prevented from slipping relative to the clutch connector 230 in at least one axial direction. Accordingly, the combination of the locking rings 226, 232 and the components that interact with them in the anchor 200 form one embodiment of a locking mechanism, since they can be configured to selectively restrain the anchor 200. In other embodiments, one or more of these components can be omitted or other components can be added to perform the function of the locking mechanism. In this embodiment, the upper locking ring 232 restrains the anchor 200 in the operating position, and the lower locking ring 226 restrains the anchor 200 in the fixed position, as will be described in more detail below. Additionally, the term “selectively” refers to something that is done at the discretion of the designer and / or operator, and is not performed incidentally.For example, the locking mechanism may selectively restrict (or allow movement) of the anchor 200 depending on the operations performed by the operator's intentional operations. The adjustment control assembly 222 may also include a clutch 240, which may be configured to selectively prevent or allow relative rotation between the inner mandrel 202 and components positioned around the inner mandrel 202 that do not rotate relative to the lower sub 218. For example, the clutch 240 may prevent rotation between the inner mandrel 202 and the torque mandrel 224 unless a predetermined amount of torque is applied. When the packer 300 is not stationary, this predetermined amount of torque may not be experienced because the packer 300 can generally be allowed to rotate in the hole, as will be described in more detail below. In other words, rotating the inner mandrel 202 may cause the lower sub 218 that is connected to the packer 300 to rotate unless there is a resistance to such rotation that requires at least a predetermined amount of torque to overcome.When such resistance exists, the clutch 240 does not transmit additional torque, but allows the inner mandrel 202 to rotate relative to the lower sub 218 (and packer 300). In one embodiment, the clutch 240 includes an upper clutch clamp 242 that engages the clutch connector 230 and is rotationally locked to the inner mandrel 202. The clutch 240 also includes a lower clutch clamp 244 that engages the upper clutch clamp 242 and is rotationally locked to the torque mandrel 224, which is in turn rotationally locked to the lower sub 218. The upper and lower clutch clamps 242, 244 are biased into engagement by a biasing element 246, e.g., a spring. In the illustrated embodiment, the biasing element 246 is axially positioned between the torque mandrel 224 and the lower clutch clamp 244, thereby biasing the clutch clamp 244. IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UO IO I or lower 244 in torque transmitting connection with upper clutch clamp 242; however, it will be appreciated that biasing member 246 could be configured to apply a biasing force on upper clutch clamp 242. A clutch shroud 248 may extend between torque mandrel 224 and clutch connector 230 and may cover upper and lower clutch clamps 242, 244 and biasing members 246, while allowing relative rotation of clutch connector 230 and torque mandrel 224. Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of anchor 200, with various exterior components omitted for purposes of discussion, in accordance with one embodiment. As compared to Figure 2, Figure 3 shows mandrel 202 after it has been axially translated downward relative to lower sub 218 such that the position of mandrel 202 now corresponds to the point where lower threads 252 of inner mandrel 202 are beginning to engage the threads of segmented lower locking ring 226. With downward movement of inner mandrel 202 relative to lower sub 218, torque mandrel 224, and lower cone, grooves 212 begin to be pushed radially outward until anchor 200 reaches a fully fixed, anchored position where grooves 212 engage and anchor into the surrounding tubular. The inner mandrel 202 has upper threads 250 and lower threads 252. The upper and lower threads 250, 252 can be configured to screw into the upper and lower locking rings 232, 226 respectively, by rotating the inner mandrel 202 relative thereto. Furthermore, as shown, the upper locking ring 232 may be formed from a plurality of arcuate segments 254, which may be held together, end-to-end to form an annular structure extending about the inner mandrel 202. The arcuate segments 254 may be held together by one or more springs, which may be received in circumferential grooves 256, 258 formed in the segments 254. The lower locking ring 226 may be similarly formed from the segments 260, with springs received in the grooves 262, 263 holding the segments 260 together about the inner mandrel 202.Accordingly, the thread form on the locking rings 232, 226 and the inner mandrel 202 may be configured to permit jumping of the respective threads 250, 252 as the segments 254, 260 thereof are spaced apart, each permitting axial sliding movement (i.e., without requiring rotation) of the inner mandrel 202 in an axial direction. In one embodiment, the locking rings 232, 226 may be configured to permit axial movement of the inner mandrel 202 in opposite directions, while each resisting movement in the opposite direction, when engaged with either the threads 250 or 252. 9. IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UO IO I or helical orientation of the threads 250, 252 may also be reversed, such that selective rotation of the inner mandrel 202 in the same rotational direction (e.g., clockwise rotation) causes the locking rings 232, 226 to disengage from the threads 250, 252 in opposite axial directions. Figure 4A illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper locking ring 232 received around the inner mandrel 202, according to one embodiment. As shown, the upper locking ring 232 is axially offset from the upper threads 250, and therefore, the upper locking ring 232, in this configuration, does not prevent axial movement of the inner mandrel 202 relative to the upper locking ring 232. The threads 266 on the upper locking ring 232 may be tapered at an angle, and the upper threads 250 may be similarly tapered.Thus, given the segmented, spring-loaded construction of the upper locking ring 232, when the threads 266 and the upper threads 250 are in mesh, the threads 266, 250 may allow the inner mandrel 202 to slide axially in the wellhead direction (toward the left, in this view), while preventing axial movement of the inner mandrel 202 in the downhole direction. Furthermore, when in mesh, the threads 250, 266 may allow rotation of the inner mandrel 202, for example, as a threaded connection. The upper locking ring 232 may also receive a bolt 267 therein, which may be configured to fit into a hole 269 of the tapered connector 234, which may prevent the upper locking ring 232 from rotating with the inner mandrel 202. When the anchor 202 is released from the fixed position in the hole, the upper sub 204 and the inner mandrel 202 are lowered relative to the clutch connector 230, the torque mandrel 224 and the lower sub 218. As the inner mandrel 202 is lowered, the upper locking ring segments 232 lock radially outwardly onto the upper threads 250 without rotation of either the inner mandrel or the upper locking ring 232. The anchor 200 is retained in the operating position by re-engagement between the upper threads 250 and the upper locking ring 232. This action resets the anchor 200 to the operating position, allowing the anchor-packer assembly 100 to be withdrawn from the hole. Figure 4B similarly illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower locking ring 226, according to one embodiment. As shown, the lower locking ring 226 includes tapered threads 268 that mesh with the lower threads 252 of the inner mandrel 202. The threads 252, 268 taper, for example, in a reverse orientation to the threads 250, 266, discussed above, and therefore prevent axial movement of the inner mandrel 202 in the IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UO IO I or second axial direction (upwards), that is, the same direction in which the threads 250, 266 are configured to allow it. Furthermore, the threads 252, 268 may allow axial movement of the inner mandrel 202 in the first axial (downward) direction relative to the clutch connector 230, the torque mandrel 224, and the lower sub 218 without the need to rotate either of the inner mandrels 202 or the lower lock ring 218. The combination of the tapered thread shape and the segmented construction of the lower lock ring 218 allows the inner mandrel 202 to move downwardly relative to the lower lock ring 218, and in doing so, the segments of the lower lock ring 218 move radially outward allowing the inner mandrel 202 to ratchet downwardly relative to the lower lock ring 218.The lower locking ring 226 may also include a screw 272 that is received through and configured to fit into a hole 273 of the torque chuck 224, to prevent the lower locking ring 226 from rotating relative to the torque chuck 224 and thus allow the inner chuck 202 to rotate relative to the lower locking ring 226. It will be appreciated that the positioning of the lower locking ring 232 may be interchanged with the upper locking ring 232, along with interchanging the orientation of the threads 250, 252, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the upper and lower locking rings 226, 232 may be on the same axial side of the clutch 240. In other embodiments, other connections may be employed that permit rotation but control (e.g., selectively permit and lock) axial translation of the inner mandrel 202. Turning to Figure 3, axially extending slots 270 are formed in inner mandrel 202. As indicated above, these slots 270 may form one half of a torque transmitting connection between inner mandrel 202 and upper clutch clamp 242 (e.g., via clutch connector 230, which is omitted from the view in this figure). Figure 5 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of adjustment control assembly 222, in accordance with one embodiment. In particular, this view shows torque blocks 274 received through the upper clutch clamp 242 and torque blocks 276 received through the lower clutch clamp 244. The torque blocks 274 may be received in the slots 270 formed in the inner mandrel 202, thereby forming a torque transmitting connection between the upper clutch clamp 242 and the inner mandrel 202.Furthermore, this torque transmission connection does not prevent the inner mandrel 202 from sliding in an axial direction, at least for a certain range of motion, defined by the axial length of the slots 270. Similarly, the torque blocks 276 may be received in the slots 278 formed in the mandrel. IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UO IO I or torque 224, forming a torque transmitting connection between the torque mandrel 224 and the lower clutch clamp 244. This torque transmitting connection may allow reciprocating axial movement of the lower clutch clamp 244 relative to the first gear 242. Accordingly, the teeth of the lower clutch clamp 244 may be allowed to be momentarily moved out of engagement with the mating wedge-shaped teeth of the upper clutch clamp 242 by applying a torque from the inner mandrel 202 to the upper clutch clamp 242 that is above a predetermined amount of torque (e.g., predetermined torque threshold). This clutch arrangement allows a torque below the predetermined torque threshold to be transmitted from the inner mandrel 202 and the upper clutch clamp 242 to the lower clutch clamp 244, the torque mandrel 224, the lower sub 218, and the packer 300 further down.Once the packer 300 is secured and rotationally secured to engage the pit, the upper sub-member 204, clutch hub 230, and inner mandrel 202 are allowed to rotate relative to the torque mandrel 224 and lower sub-member 218 through the ratcheting action of the lower clutch clamp 242. It will be appreciated that other clutch 240 designs, configured to transmit torque up to a predetermined torque setting, may be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the packer 300 in the packer operating position, according to one embodiment. The packer 300 may include an upper sub 302, which may provide an upper connection 304 that connects to the lower connection 220 of the anchor 200, as explained above. Accordingly, torque and / or axial loads may be applied to the packer 300 through the connection with the lower sub 218 of the anchor 200 (Figure 2). In particular, torque and / or axial forces may be applied to the packer mandrel 312 through the inner mandrel 202, the torque mandrel 224, and the lower sub 218. The packer 300 may further include a clamping mandrel 306, which includes clamping knobs 308 and straps 310, which will be described in more detail below. A packer mandrel 312 may extend from the clamping mandrel 306 and may be coupled thereto such that the packer mandrel 312 rotates with the mandrel 306, which is rotated by torque applied to the upper sub 302. The torque mandrel 224 (Figure 2) may be thought of as being coupled to the packer mandrel through the lower sub 218 and the upper sub 302. The packer mandrel 312 may be formed from several different cylindrical members, for example, for special purposes. IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UO IO I or (e.g., multiple internal mandrels, J-slot mandrels, etc.), which may be threaded, pinned, or otherwise connected to one another, potentially via other components. In some embodiments, the packer mandrel 312 may be a single monolithic structure. Elastomeric seals 314 may be positioned around the packer mandrel 312. The seals 314 may be configured to expand radially outward when axially compressed during fit-up. The seals 314 may be configured in this manner to form a fluid-tight seal with a surrounding tubular. A set of grooves 316 may also be positioned around the packer mandrel 312. The set of grooves 316 may include a plurality of grooves 317 (e.g., unidirectional), which may, on one axial side, engage a conical cone 318. Thus, when the set of grooves 316 is axially compressed, e.g., by pressing or allowing the packer mandrel 312 to move downwardly relative thereto, the set of grooves 316 may expand radially outwardly urging the cone 318 downwardly relative to the grooves 317. Once the grooves 317 are anchored in the surrounding tubular, and the sealing element 314 is in the sealing position (the packer 300 is stationary), the clamping buttons 308 are hydraulically pressed radially outward into gripping engagement with the surrounding tubular when a differential between the pressure from below the packer 300 is greater than the pressure from above the packer 300. The clamping buttons 308 may have angled teeth, and the teeth of the grooves 317 are angled in the opposite direction. Thus, when the buttons 308 are pressed outward, the combination of the grooves 317 and the buttons 308 may prevent an upward force from below the packer 300 from dislodging the packer 300 from its fixed position. The drive blocks 320 may be positioned below the groove assembly 316 and around the packer mandrel 312. The drive blocks 320 are configured to bear against the surrounding tubular to provide friction therewith to resist movement and allow the packer mandrel 312 to move relative thereto. In addition, a control body 322 may be positioned lower and coupled to (e.g., secured relative to) the drive blocks 320. A J-pin retainer 323 may be secured to a lower end of the control body 322. The control body 322 and the J-pin retainer 323 may be moved relative to the packer mandrel 312, for example, to secure the packer 300. For example, Figure 7A illustrates the control body 322 and the J-pin retainer 323. IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UO IO I or control body 322 and J-pin retainer 323 as transparent and positioned around packer mandrel 312. As shown, control body 322 and J-pin retainer 323 receive a pin 324 therethrough, which is also received in a J-slot 326 formed in packer mandrel 312. In the packer operating position, pin 324 is positioned in the circumferentially extending portion of J-slot 326 such that control body 322 and J-pin retainer 323 are prevented from axially sliding relative to packer mandrel 312. Therefore, to drive packer 300 to the packer clamping position, the packer mandrel is first rotated packer 312 relative to control body 322 and J-pin retainer 323, with drive blocks 320 serving to resist rotation of control body 322 with packer mandrel 312.This positions pin 324 in the axially extending portion of J-slot 326. Packer mandrel 312 may then be lowered axially downward relative to control body 322 and J-pin retainer 323, as shown in Figure 7B, again with drive blocks 320 initially resisting downward movement of control body 322 and J-pin retainer 323. This transmits an axially upward compressive force to groove assembly 316, which reacts by extending its grooves 317 radially outward. Once grooves 317 establish radial gripping engagement with the hole, the weight of the tubulars suspended below the lower sub (the lower sub needs an identification number in Figure 6) of the packer pulls downward on clamping mandrel 306.The downward movement of the packer mandrel 306 relative to the slide assembly 316 applies an axial compressive load to the seals 314, which expand radially outward as a result. The combination of the expansion of the seals 314 and the radially outward pressure of the grooves 317 seals and anchors the packer 300 in place. The combined operation of the anchor 200 and the packer 300 can be understood in view of the foregoing description of the components and the following discussion. In particular, Figure 8 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 800 for securing the anchor-packer assembly 100 in a wellbore, in accordance with one embodiment. With continuing reference to Figure 8, and beginning with Figure 1, the anchor 200 and packer 300 may initially be in the anchor and packer operating positions, respectively, with the grooves thereof retracted. Method 800 may include connecting anchor 200 to packer 300, as in 802. Anchor 200 may, for example, be connected to the top of packer 300 by threading lower connection 220 into upper connection 304 of packer 300, such that a tubular rope that IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UO IO I or drives the assembly 100 into the wellbore is connected to the anchor 200 and not directly to the packer 300. In some embodiments, the packer 300 may be configured to be connected at its lower end to a tailpipe, but may not be connected to such a tailpipe. In other embodiments, a tailpipe may be present. The anchor 200 may then be connected to a tubular string, as in 804, and the anchor-packer assembly 100 may be deployed (run) into a wellbore, as in 806. Eventually, the anchor-packer assembly 100 may reach a location where the anchor-packer assembly 100 is to be attached. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, in the operating position of the anchor 200, the adjustment control assembly 222 is initially in a first locked condition. In the first locked condition, as illustrated, the upper locking ring 232 engages the upper threads 250. As can be seen in Figure 2, this locked condition secures the inner mandrel 202 to the upper locking ring 232.Returning to Figure 2, because the upper locking ring 232 is axially pulled between the clutch hub 230 and the cone hub 234, the weight of the cone hub 234, clutch hub 230, torque mandrel 224, lower sub 218, and packer 300 below are suspended via the upper threads 250, any downwardly directed force on the inner mandrel 202 is transmitted to the upper locking ring via the threads 250, then to the clutch hub 230, clutch facing 248, torque mandrel 224, lower sub 218, and packer 300. As indicated above and shown in Figures 6 and 7A, the packer mandrel 312, connected to and movable with the lower sub 218, is initially restricted from movement relative to its slide assembly 316 and seals 314 by the pin 324 in the circumferentially extending section of the J-groove 326. The operating position of the packer thus prevents the packer 300 from binding during downhole deployment. Once the anchor-packer assembly 100 reaches the desired attachment location, the method 800 may include rotating the packer mandrel 312, rotating the tubular rope and anchor 200 through the transmission of a first torque, as in 808. This first torque received at the anchor 200 from the tubular rope is transmitted through the inner mandrel 202 to the clutch 240. The lower sub 218 may rotate together with the inner mandrel 202 by transmitting torque through the clutch 240. The drive blocks 320 of the packer 300 resist this rotation, but do not react with a torque greater than the predetermined torque setting of the clutch 240. Accordingly, the lower sub 218 and therefore the packer mandrel 312 rotate relative to the control body 322, thereby moving the pin 324 toward the portion to be extends 15 IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UO IΟ I or axially of the J-slot 326. Next, as at 810, the grooves 317 and seals 314 of the packer 300 are secured by applying a downward force (weight) to the anchor 200 via the tubular rope, e.g., a first axial force. The downward force is applied to the inner mandrel 202 via the upper sub 204. As indicated above, the locking mechanism is in the first locked condition, with the upper locking ring 232 transmitting the downward axial force from the inner mandrel 202 to the clutch connector 230, the torque mandrel 224, and the lower sub 218. Therefore, this downward axial force is transmitted to the packer mandrel 312. The drive blocks 320 resist the axial movement and, as a result, the packer mandrel 312 moves downward relative to the control body 322, thereby moving the pin 324 in the axially extending portion of the J-slot 326 and expanding the groove assembly 316 and seals 314.The packer 300 is now fixed (i.e., driven into the packer locking position). However, the packer 300, as mentioned above, may be a storm packer and thus may be designed to remain in the packer set position under a downward axial load on its packer mandrel 312 provided by the blowout tube. In the absence of a blowout tube (e.g., when the packer 300 is used as a retrievable plug and is connected to the anchor 200), the packer 300 may not include any devices that, independent of the anchor 200, are configured to prevent the packer mandrel 312 from rising in the wellbore, e.g., due to a transient pressure differential, and release the grooves 317. The anchor 200, however, provides this functionality. At this point, the anchor 200 remains in the anchor operating position, with its locking mechanism in the first locked condition. Specifically, the upper locking ring 232 engages the upper threads 250 and prevents downward movement of the inner mandrel 202. Accordingly, the method 800 may include, as in 812, rotating (e.g., second torquing) the tubular string to rotate the upper portion of the anchor 200 relative to the packer 300. The direction of rotation may remain the same, e.g., clockwise, to preserve the integrity of the threaded connections in the tubular string and in the anchor-packer assembly 100. This second torque is applied to the upper sub 204 of the anchor 200 and is transmitted to the inner mandrel 202. The packer 300, which is secured as noted above and has its pin 324 in the axially extending portion of the J-slot 326, thus resists rotation relative to the hole.The torque applied to the inner mandrel 202 is applied to the upper clutch clamp 242 16. IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UO IO I or clutch 240, but the lower clutch clamp 244 is rotationally locked to the lower sub 218 and thus to the packer mandrel 312, which cannot rotate because the packer 300 is stationary. Once the torque applied to the inner mandrel 202 reaches the predetermined torque setting of the clutch 240, the upper clutch clamp 242 rotates relative to the lower clutch clamp 244, allowing the inner mandrel 202 to rotate relative to the upper locking ring 232 in the first rotational direction. Continued rotation results in the upper threads 250 disengaging from the threads 266 of the upper locking ring 232, which unlocks or releases the anchor locking mechanism 200. In other words, the anchor 200 is now in the unlocked condition, as the inner mandrel 202 can be allowed to move axially downward from its position in the anchor setting position. The method 800 may then include setting the grooves 212 of the anchor 200 by lowering the inner mandrel 202 axially in the first axial (downhole) direction, e.g., by moving the tubular string in the first axial (downhole) direction (e.g., through application of a “second” axial force), as in 814. The upper cone 208 may not be axially movable relative to the inner mandrel 202 and therefore also moves downward. In contrast, the grooves 212 and the lower cone 210 may be axially stationary relative to the lower sub 218. Thus, moving the inner mandrel 202 in a downhole direction moves the upper cone 208 toward the lower cone 210 and urges the grooves 212 radially outward and into engagement with (e.g., to partially embed or bite into) the surrounding tubular. This axial movement of the inner mandrel 202 may also move the locking mechanism into a second locked condition, i.e., the axial movement locks the previously unlocked / released locking mechanism. In particular, as shown in Figure 3, the lower locking ring 226 may engage the lower threads 252 of the inner mandrel 202. As shown in Figure 4B, the orientation of the threads 252, 268 prevents reverse axial sliding movement of the inner mandrel 202 in the second axial direction (upward, to the left in this view) relative to the lower locking ring 226, while the pressure of the grooves 212 against the surrounding tubular prevents the inner mandrel 202 from moving further in the first axial direction (downhole, to the right in this view). The anchor 200 is thus locked in its anchor-setting position. With the mandrel 202 locked in place relative to the lower sub 218, the packer 300 is similarly locked in its packer-locking configuration. That is, the packer mandrel 312 is at least axially locked in position relative to the lower sub 218 of the anchor. IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UO IO I or 200. The lower sub 218 is prevented from moving axially in the wellhead direction because it axially engages the groove assembly 207. To allow the lower sub 218 to move toward the wellhead, the groove assembly 207 needs to be compressed or released. However, compressing the groove assembly 207 would cause the grooves 212 to move outward, and the grooves 212 are already engaged with the surrounding tubular and therefore cannot move outward. The lower locking ring 226 prevents the inner mandrel 202 from moving in the wellhead direction relative to the lower sub 218, which would retract the grooves 212, by engaging the threads 252 of the inner mandrel 202. Therefore, the lower sub 218 is locked in axial position by the set of grooves 207, thereby locking the packer 300 in its packer-locking configuration.Once the packer is secured in the hole, the set string can be disconnected and retrieved from the hole. The packer 300 and anchor assembly 200 can be considered secured, and therefore the wellbore plugged. The packer 300 can retain its position in the wellbore indefinitely. This is achieved, as described above, through selective rotation and axial movement of the anchor 200 and / or the packer 300. At some point, it may be desired to retrieve the packer 300 from the wellbore. Thus, the method 800 may include selective rotation of the inner mandrel 202, for example, by using the tubular string connected to the upper sub 204 of the anchor 200, to release the locking mechanism, as in 820. This rotation may continue in the same clockwise orientation. Since the packer 300 is still stationary and resisting rotation, the clutch 240 allows the inner mandrel 202 to rotate relative to the lower sub 218 and therefore relative to the lower locking ring 226. Rotation of the inner mandrel 202 may cause the threads 252 to progressively advance out of engagement with the lower locking ring 226, and the mandrel 202 may be rotated until the threads 252 are completely disengaged from the lower locking ring 226. This unlocks (releases) the locking mechanism from its second locked condition. Then, the grooves 212 may be retracted, as in 822, selectively moving / sliding the inner mandrel 202 and upper sub 204 axially in the second (upward) axial direction, which may allow the upper cone 208 to move away from the lower cone 210. The threads 250 of the inner mandrel 202 may be axially moved into engagement with the threads 266 of the upper locking ring 232, allowing such movement toward the wellhead but resisting axial sliding movement of the inner mandrel 202 in the first (downhole) axial direction relative to the lower sub 218. The locking mechanism is thus once again locked, this time back in the first locked condition, and the anchor 200 returns to the locked position. IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UO IO I or operation of the anchor. The method 800 may then include retracting the grooves 317 and seals 314 of the packer 300 by selectively applying an upward force in the second axial (wellhead) direction to the anchor 200, as at 824. This force is transmitted to the lower sub 218 through the inner mandrel 202 and the threads 250 thereof relative to the upper locking ring 232. Since the anchor 200 is in the anchor operating configuration and is not anchored in place against the surrounding tubular, the force on the lower sub 218 is applied to the packer mandrel 312. Therefore, the packer mandrel 312 moves relative to the pin 324 such that the pin 324 moves back into the circumferentially extending portion of the J-slot 326. This also retracts the grooves 317 and seals 314 of the packer 300. 317 and allows the seals 314 to elastically retract radially inward.In this way, the packer 300 is not fixed, although the drag blocks 320 still engage the surrounding tubular. Method 800 then includes selectively rotating packer mandrel 312 by selectively rotating upper sub 204 of anchor 200, as in 826. Because packer 300 is no longer stationary, the resistance to rotation between inner mandrel 202 and lower sub 218 cannot exceed the predetermined torque setting of clutch 240. As a result, rotation is transferred to packer mandrel 312, which moves pin 324 in the circumferentially extending portion of J-slot 326, back to its original position. The packer 300 is now back in the packer operating position and, because the anchor 200 has now returned to the anchor operating position, the assembly 100 may be withdrawn from the wellbore, for example, by moving the anchor-packer assembly 100 in the second axial (wellhead) direction, as at 828. As used herein, the terms “internal” and “external”; “above” and “below”; “upper” and “lower”; “upward” and “downward”; “above” and “below”; “inward” and “outward”; “wellhead” and “downhole”; and other similar terms as used herein refer to positions relative to each other and are not intended to denote a particular direction or spatial orientation. The terms couple, coupled, connect, connection, connected, relating to, and connecting refer to being in direct connection with or in connection with one or more intermediate elements or members. Although the present teaching has been illustrated with respect to one or more implementations, alterations and / or modifications may be made to the illustrated examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, while a particular element of the present teachings 19 ML / E / ZH / ZH / ZH OΊ may have been described with respect to only one of several implementations, such element may be combined with one or more other elements of the other implementations as desired and advantageous for any given or particular function. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including,” “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof are used either in the detailed description or in the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Furthermore, in the description and in the claims herein the term “about” indicates that the recited value may be altered in a certain manner, so long as the alteration does not result in a nonconformity of the process or structure to the illustrated embodiment. Other embodiments of the present teachings will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the description and upon practice of the teachings described herein. The description and examples are intended to be considered illustrative only, with the true scope and spirit of the teachings being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. An anchor-packer assembly, comprising: a packer having a set of slots and a seal, the set of slots and seal being radially expandable to engage a surrounding tubular; and an anchor coupled to the packer, the anchor comprising a set of slots and configured to transmit a first torque and a first axial force to the packer to engage the packer, the anchor being configured to be driven from an anchor operating position in which its set of slots are retracted to an anchor setting position in which its set of slots are radially outwardly expanded in response to a second torque and a second axial force, and the anchor in the anchor setting position being configured to prevent an upwardly directed force on the packer from releasing the set of slots from the packer from engaging the surrounding tubular.

2. The anchor-packer assembly according to claim 1, wherein the packer is configured to be connected to an exhaust pipe, but is not connected to the exhaust pipe when the packer is connected to the anchor, and wherein the anchor is free of sealing elements.

3. The anchor-packer assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor comprises an inner mandrel, and wherein the anchor groove assembly and the packer groove assembly are configured to be secured to the surrounding tubular by selectively rotating the inner mandrel in a clockwise rotational direction and selectively moving the anchor inner mandrel in a first axial direction.

4. The anchor-packer assembly of claim 1, wherein: the packer comprises an upper sub, a packer mandrel, and a control body, wherein the packer mandrel is driven from a packer operating position to a packer securing position by rotating the upper sub and the packer mandrel relative to the control body and then moving the upper sub and the packer mandrel in a first axial direction relative to the control body;and the anchor comprises an inner mandrel, a torque mandrel positioned about the inner mandrel and coupled to the packer mandrel such that it is rotatable and axially movable only together with the packer mandrel, and a tightening control assembly coupled to the inner mandrel and the torque mandrel, the tightening control assembly comprising: a clutch configured to selectively allow or prevent the inner mandrel from rotating relative to the torque mandrel depending on whether the packer is in the packer securing position or in the packer operating position; and a locking mechanism configured to selectively allow the inner mandrel to move in a first axial direction or a second axial direction relative to the torque mandrel.

5. The anchor-packer assembly according to claim 4, wherein the packer further comprises drive blocks coupled to the control body, the drive blocks being configured to couple to the surrounding tubular to allow the packer mandrel to move relative to the control body in response to movement of the anchor torque mandrel and the packer upper sub.

6. The anchor-packer assembly according to claim 4, wherein the packer comprises a J-slot formed in the packer mandrel, and a pin received in the J-slot and through the control body.

7. The anchor-packer assembly according to claim 4, wherein the clutch transmits torque between the inner mandrel and the torque mandrel up to a predetermined amount of torque, and allows rotation of the inner mandrel relative to the torque mandrel by applying a torque that exceeds the predetermined amount of torque.

8. The anchor-packer assembly of claim 7, wherein, when the packer is in the packer operating position, the packer mandrel is configured to be rotatable relative to the control body by applying a torque to the packer mandrel that is below the predetermined amount of torque, and wherein, when the packer is in the packer securing position, the packer mandrel is non-rotatable relative to the control body by applying a torque less than or equal to the predetermined amount. ΜL / E / ΖυΖΖ / υΟΊ ΟΊ ¿ outwardly by moving the inner mandrel in a first axial direction relative to the torque mandrel;and a locking mechanism for selectively coupling the torque chuck to the inner chuck, the locking mechanism having: a first locked condition that allows the inner chuck to rotate relative to the torque chuck and prevents the inner chuck from moving in a first axial direction relative to the torque chuck; an unlocked condition that allows the inner chuck to move in the first axial direction and in a second axial direction relative to the torque chuck to extend and retract the set of grooves; and a second locked condition that allows the inner chuck to rotate relative to the torque chuck and prevents the inner chuck from moving in the second axial direction relative to the torque chuck;and wherein the locking mechanism is configured to be actuated from the first locked condition to the unlocked condition by rotating the inner chuck in the first rotational direction relative to the torque chuck at a torque that is above the predetermined amount of torque.; 13. The anchor of claim 12, further comprising a lower sub coupled to the torque mandrel, wherein the lower sub is configured to be connected to an upper sub of the storm packer, the upper sub of the storm packer being connected to the packer mandrel such that torque and axial forces are transmitted from the torque mandrel to the packer mandrel through the lower sub of the anchor and the upper sub of the storm packer.

14. The anchor according to claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism in the first locked condition is configured to cause the inner mandrel to transmit an axial force in the first axial direction to the mandrel of the packer, to fix the storm packer, and wherein the locking mechanism in the second locked condition is configured to prevent the inner mandrel from sliding in the second axial direction, so that the groove assembly is prevented from retracting.

15. The anchor of claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism is activated from the unlocked condition to the second locked condition by sliding the inner mandrel relative to the torque mandrel in the first axial direction, wherein sliding the inner mandrel relative to the torque mandrel in the first axial direction causes the set of grooves to extend radially outward, and wherein the locking mechanism is actuated from the second locked condition to the unlocked condition by rotating the inner mandrel in the first rotational direction.

16. The anchor according to claim 12, wherein the clutch comprises an upper clutch clamp rotationally secured to the inner mandrel, a lower clutch clamp rotationally secured to the torque mandrel, and a spring biasing the upper and lower clutch clamps together.

17. A method for securing a packer, comprising: connecting an anchor to the packer to form at least a portion of a packer assembly; deploying the packer assembly in a wellbore; rotating a packer mandrel of the packer in a first rotational direction by rotating an inner mandrel of the anchor in the first rotational direction; after rotating the packer mandrel, securing packer recesses in a surrounding tubular by moving the anchor in a first axial direction; after securing the packer, rotating the inner mandrel relative to a torque mandrel of the anchor to release a locking mechanism, preventing the torque mandrel from rotating together with the inner mandrel by connecting to the packer mandrel;and after rotating the inner mandrel, fixing the anchor grooves by moving the inner mandrel in the first axial direction relative to the torque mandrel, wherein movement of the inner mandrel in the first axial direction blocks the locking mechanism such that the torque mandrel is prevented from moving in a second axial direction relative to the inner mandrel, and wherein the inner mandrel is prevented from moving in the second axial direction by slipping of the anchor.; 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: rotating the inner mandrel in the first rotational direction relative to the torque mandrel to release the locking mechanism; after rotating the inner mandrel to release the locking mechanism, moving the inner mandrel in the second axial direction relative to the torque mandrel to retract the anchor slots, wherein movement of the inner mandrel in the second axial direction locks the locking mechanism; after retracting the anchor slots, rotating the inner mandrel and the torque mandrel to rotate the packer mandrel in a second rotational direction; after rotating the packer mandrel in the second rotational direction, retracting the packer slots by moving the inner mandrel and the torque mandrel in the second axial direction; and withdraw the packer assembly from the well in the second axial direction.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the anchor comprises a clutch that engages the inner mandrel and the torque mandrel, the clutch allowing the inner mandrel to rotate relative to the torque mandrel when the packer slots engage the surrounding tubular, and the clutch transmitting rotation of the inner mandrel to the torque mandrel and the packer mandrel when the packer slots are retracted.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the anchor comprises a locking mechanism having a first locked condition, a second locked condition, and an unlocked condition, wherein the locking mechanism in the first locked condition is configured to transmit an axial force in the first axial direction from the inner mandrel to the torque mandrel and to the packer mandrel to expand the packer grooves, and wherein the locking mechanism in the second locked condition is configured to prevent the inner mandrel from moving in the second axial direction relative to the torque mandrel to prevent the packer grooves from retracting.

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