Hydraulically activated selective circulating/reverse circulating packer assembly

An apparatus for use in wellbore operations, comprising:

• a valve;
• and
• a packer disposed below the valve, wherein the packer comprises:
• a first tubular subunit and a second tubular subunit moveably coupled together;
• a flexible packing element disposed between the first tubular subunit and the second tubular subunit, wherein the first tubular subunit has a surface disposed adjacent a first end of the packing element and wherein the second tubular subunit has a surface disposed adjacent a second end of the packing element;
• and
• a temporary mechanical connection adapted to restrain the first tubular subunit and the second tubular subunit from compressing the flexible packing element, wherein the temporary mechanical connection is adapted to be hydraulically disengaged.

A method of operating an apparatus disposed on a tubular string in a wellbore to remove a fluid from the tubular string, comprising:

• locating the apparatus, comprising a packer and a valve positioned above the packer, at a predetermined location within the wellbore;
• setting the packer, the method of setting the packer comprising:
• applying a first hydraulic pressure within a central bore of the apparatus;
• and
• applying down weight on the apparatus;
• and
• opening the valve.

A method of operating an apparatus, comprising a packer, a valve positioned above the packer, and a displacement device below the packer, in a wellbore, the method comprising:

• actuating the displacement device to displace a fluid below the packer;
• setting the packer by utilizing a predetermined fluid pressure to disengage a temporary mechanical connection between a first surface and a second surface of the packer and by compressing a packing element between the first surface and second surface;
• and
• opening the valve.