Downhole gripping tool and method

A gripping tool for lowering within a well on a running string to position the gripping tool downhole in the well and at least temporarily secure the gripping tool to a borehole wall, such as formed by downhole tubular, the gripping tool comprising:

• a drag member carried by an outer tool body axially moveable relative to an inner mandrel secured to the running string, the drag member engaging the borehole wall to resist movement with the running string;
• a plurality of circumferentially spaced slips for gripping the borehole wall;
• a collet mechanism including axially extending first collet fingers which engage a stop surface on the mandrel secured to the running string for axially securing the running string to the slips when the collet mechanism is in a run-in position;
• a cone member including a pocket for receiving one of the plurality of slips and axially moveable with the running string relative to the slips to move the slips radially outward to a set position for gripping the borehole wall;
• at least one ramp secured to one of the running string and the outer tool body for moving the slip setting mechanism to a released position when the running string is rotated in a first direction;
• and
• a ratchet member including circumferentially extending second collet fingers each having a torque transmitting surface for engagement with the outer tool body when the running string is rotated in the first direction, and a torque releasing surface on each second collet finger for engagement with the outer tool body when the running string is rotated in the opposing second direction.

A method of setting a gripping tool within a well on a running string to at least temporarily secure the gripping tool to a borehole wall, such as formed by down hole tubular, the method comprising:

• providing a drag member on an outer tool body axially moveable relative to an inner mandrel secured to the running string, the drag member engaging the borehole wall to resist movement with the running string;
• providing a plurality of circumferentially spaced slips forgripping the borehole wall;
• providing a slip setting mechanism to axially secure the running string to the slips when the slip setting mechanism is in a run-in position;
• securing at least one ramp to one of the inner mandrel secured to the running string and the outer tool body for moving the slip setting mechanism to a released position when the running string is rotated in a first direction;
• while the gripping tool is in the well, rotating the running string to move the slip setting mechanism along the at least one ramp from the run-in position to the released position;
• thereafter moving a cone member axially with the running string relative to the slips when the slip setting mechanism is in the released position to move the slips radially outward to set position for gripping the borehole wall;
• and
• providing a ratchet member for rotating the slip setting mechanism with the running string when the running string is rotated in the first direction, and for rotatably releasing the slip setting mechanism from the running string when the running string is rotated in an opposing second direction.