Element Pressure Release System

Abstract

An element pressure release system includes a mandrel having at least one groove or recess and a retainer having at least one window passing through the retainer. The retainer extends around a perimeter of the at least one window. A lug is positioned in the at least one window of the retainer, and a wedge is configured to engage a casing slip and the lug such that, when the element pressure release system is in a coupled position, the lug is capable of transferring a force from the retainer to the wedge and the casing slip. The element pressure release system is positionable in a decoupled position in which the mandrel is moved to align the at least one groove or recess with the lug to allow the lug to become disengaged from the wedge and thereby no longer transfer the force from the retainer to the wedge.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An element pressure release system comprising:
 a mandrel having at least one groove or recess;   a retainer having at least one window passing through the retainer, the retainer extending around a perimeter of the at least one window;   a lug positioned in the at least one window of the retainer; and   a wedge configured to engage a casing slip and the lug such that, when the element pressure release system is in a coupled position, the lug is capable of transferring a force from the retainer to the wedge and the casing slip;   wherein the element pressure release system is positionable in a decoupled position in which the mandrel is moved to align the at least one groove or recess with the lug to allow the lug to become disengaged from the wedge and thereby no longer transfer the force from the retainer to the wedge.   
     
     
         2 . The element pressure release system of  claim 1 , wherein the wedge comprises one or more teeth or grooves to engage the lug. 
     
     
         3 . The element pressure release system of  claim 2 , wherein the lug comprises complimentary one or more teeth or grooves to engage the one or more teeth or grooves of the wedge. 
     
     
         4 . The element pressure release system of  claim 1 , wherein the element pressure release system in the decoupled position allows disengagement of the casing slip and retrieval of the element pressure release system from a bore. 
     
     
         5 . The element pressure release system of  claim 1 , wherein, when the element pressure release system is in the coupled position:
 the lug is constrained between the wedge and the mandrel; and   the lug is surrounded on any remaining sides by the retainer.   
     
     
         6 . The element pressure release system of  claim 1 , wherein, when the element pressure release system is in the decoupled position:
 the lug is received by the groove or recess of the mandrel and is spaced apart from the wedge; and   the lug is surrounded on any remaining sides by the retainer.   
     
     
         7 . The element pressure release system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one window comprises eight windows circumferentially spaced around the retainer. 
     
     
         8 . The element pressure release system of  claim 7 , wherein the lug in each of the windows is independently capable of moving into the groove or recess relative to the other lugs. 
     
     
         9 . The element pressure release system of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer extending around a perimeter of the at least one window further comprises the retainer surrounding the perimeter. 
     
     
         10 . The element pressure release system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one window further comprises:
 a plurality of windows, each window being independent from other windows and each window being surrounded along the perimeter by the retainer;   wherein the lug in each of the windows is independently capable of moving into the groove or recess relative to the other lugs;   wherein, when the element pressure release system is in the coupled position, the lug is constrained between the wedge and the mandrel;   wherein, when the element pressure release system is in the decoupled position, the lug is received by the groove or recess of the mandrel and is spaced apart from the wedge; and   wherein, when the element pressure release system is in either the coupled position or the decoupled position, each of the lugs remain within the windows.   
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 running an element pressure release system into a bore of a subterranean formation, the element pressure release system comprising:
 a wedge; 
 a mandrel comprising at least one groove or recess; and 
 one or more lugs in a window of a retainer, wherein the one or more lugs are located at least partially between the wedge and the mandrel; 
   moving the mandrel to a release position where the at least one groove or recess in the mandrel receives the one or more lugs, wherein the wedge responds to the movement of the one or more lugs to release a force applied by the wedge to a slip.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the wedge comprises one or more teeth or grooves to engage the one or more lugs; and   the one or more lugs comprise one or more complimentary teeth or grooves to engage the one or more teeth or grooves of the wedge.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising removing the element pressure release assembly from the bore. 
     
     
         14 . The method  claim 11 , wherein the retainer, when the one or more lugs is positioned in the window of the retainer, surrounds a perimeter of the one or more lugs. 
     
     
         15 . A packer assembly capable of being disposed in a bore in a subterranean formation, the packer assembly comprising:
 a slip; and   a wedge capable of, in a set position of the packer assembly, exerting a force on the slip to cause the slip to engage a casing or other surface, the wedge being capable of, in a release position of the packer assembly, allowing the slip to disengage the casing or other surface;   wherein the wedge is held in the set position by a lug positioned within a window of a retainer.   
     
     
         16 . The packer assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the packer assembly is retrievable from the bore subsequent to the packer assembly being positioned in the release position. 
     
     
         17 . The packer assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the lug is constrained by the window of the retainer in both the set position and the release position. 
     
     
         18 . The packer assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising a mandrel comprising a groove or recess capable of receiving the lug in the release position, wherein the lug, when received by the groove or recess, releases the wedge. 
     
     
         19 . The packer assembly of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the wedge comprises one or more teeth or grooves to engage the lug; and   the lug comprises one or more complimentary teeth or grooves.   
     
     
         20 . The method  claim 15 , wherein the retainer, when the lug is positioned in the window of the retainer, surrounds a perimeter of the lug.