Method and apparatus for cutting and retrieving casing from a well bore

A well tool for telescopic disposition with a tubular pipe or the like comprising:

• a gripping assembly comprising first gripping means selectively engageable with said pipe and disengageable therefrom respectively for preventing and allowing movement of said gripping assembly with respect to said pipe in a first longitudinal direction, and second gripping means longitudinally spaced from said first gripping means and selectively engageable with said casing and disengageable therefrom respectively for preventing and allowing movement of said gripping assembly with respect to said pipe in a second longitudinal direction opposite to said first direction;
• an operating assembly connected to said gripping assembly and including mandrel means extending longitudinally through said gripping assembly, actuating means carried by said mandrel means for selectively engaging said first gripping means with said pipe upon relative movement of said assemblies in one direction and for selectively engaging said second gripping means with said pipe upon relative movement of said assemblies in another direction opposite said one direction, and swivel means engageable with said gripping assembly, when said first gripping means is engaged with said pipe, to permit relative rotation of said mandrel means with respect to said gripping assembly;
• and
• movement limiting means cooperative between said assemblies to limit said relative movement of said assemblies, and selectively releasable to permit said relative movement of said assemblies.

A method of cutting and retrieving pipe and the like in a well bore with a well tool comprising an operating assembly supported on a well string, a gripping assembly connected to said operating assembly and operable thereby to engage and disengage said pipe, releasable movement limiting means cooperative between said assemblies to selectively limit and permit relative movement of said assemblies, and a cutter assembly carried by said well string, said method comprising the steps of:

• a. lowering said tool into the well bore on said well string in telescopic relation with said pipe;
• b. releasing said movement limiting means;
• c. moving said operating assembly in one direction by means of said well string to engage said gripping assembly with said pipe thereby preventing downward movement of said tool with respect to said pipe;
• d. cutting said pipe with said cutter assembly;
• e. moving said operating assembly in another direction opposite said first direction by means of said well string to engage said gripping assembly with said pipe thereby preventing upward movement of said tool with respect to said pipe;
• f. raising said tool and said pipe out of said well bore by means of said well string.