Apparatus and method for down-hole retrieval of pumping equipment

A method for severing cables connecting down-hole pumps and fluid-producing wells to the ground surface of sid fluid-producing wells, said severing taking place adjacent to top of said down-hole pump, said method comprising, (1) introducing a means of cutting the walls of the tubing string of said fluid-producing well, into the tubing string under conditions such that the wall of said tubing string is cut adjacent to the top of said down-hole pumps, (2) pulling said tubing string vertically to separate the cut-apart edges of said tubing a distance such as to accommodate the outward extension of the grasping means of an apparatus for severing said connecting cables, but not pulling said tubing strings vertically to such extent as to cause said connecting cables to sever, said apparatus comprising (a) a cylindrical carrier member of a size to be accommodated within a tubing string in slidable and rotatable contact with the interior walls of said tubing string, (b) at least one cable grasping member extending downward from a central section of the interior of said cylindrical carrier and rotatably affixed to said central section of said cylindrical carrier such as to permit rotation of said grasping member through a vertical plane, (c) a vertical slotted opening in said cylindrical carrier for each of said grasping means, such slotted opening being positioned such that the lower portion of said grasping member may rotate in a vertical direction through said slotted opening and with the upper edge of said slotted opening being located below the rotational connection of said grasping member of said cylindrical carrier to thereby limit said grasping member from rotating in said vertical direction to more than 90.degree., (d) a tension producing means positioned in an internal portion of said carrier such as to exert force on said grasping members such as to cause the lower portion thereof to rotate in a vertical direction, and (e) means for connecting said cylindrical carrier to a connecting means connecting said cylindrical carrier to the ground surface of said fluid-producing well, (3) introducing into said tubing string said apparatus for severing said connecting cables, (4) lowering said apparatus through said tubing string until said apparatus reaches the opening between said upper and lower section of the cut-apart tubing string, whereupon the grasping arm of said apparatus is extended out through said opening to an open extension no greater than 90 .degree. from the vertical axis of said apparatus, (5) rotating said severing apparatus such that said grasping arm is brought into contact with said connecting cables with sufficient force to cause such grasping arms to firmly engage said connecting cables, and (6) pulling said severing apparatus upward such that said cables are brought into contact with the lower edge of the upper section of said tubing string by said grasping arm with sufficient force to cause said cables to be cut.