Patent Publication Number: US-6209653-B1

Title: Well lock with multiple shear planes and related methods

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U. S. Provisional Application No. 60/075,049, filed Feb. 18, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a well locking device and double-shear shear ring, which may be used therewith. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The present invention constitutes an improvement over prior well locks and in shearable retaining means that may be used in the setting and removal of those well locks. 
     Conventional well locks include selective locks and no-go locks. Selective locks utilize a specific type of profile in a portion of a well bore location at which the well lock is to be set. The well bore is cut to receive matching keys in the well lock for locating the well lock within a desired downhole portion of the well bore. When the well lock is lowered into the portion of the well bore having the proper profile, the well lock keys will engage within the well bore profile to engage, for example, locking dogs within a locking recess in the well bore to lock the well lock in place. Selective locks are expensive and complicated and, in operation, may have mechanical difficulties or other drawbacks. 
     Generally more reliable than selective locks are no-go locks, which typically incorporate a no-go landing shoulder in both the well bore and a portion of the well lock housing body, itself. When the well lock is lowered into the well bore, the no-go shoulder on the well lock housing abuts the no-go shoulder in the well bore preventing further downhole movement of the well lock body. The well lock is thereby positioned in the desired locking position for engaging the locking dogs, for example, within corresponding locking recesses of the well bore to engage the well lock in the desired downhole position of the well bore. However, when the no-go landing profile is provided on the well lock housing body, downward pressure against the well lock may be borne by the no-go landing shoulder and the well lock body housing, not by the locking dogs of the well lock, which may be stronger than the well lock housing. Providing the no-go shoulder on the well lock housing may, therefore, create undesirable high bearing stresses on a portion of the well lock housing or may have additional drawbacks. A shearable no-go shoulder has been used so that, once the well lock is positioned in the well bore and the locking dogs engaged, the shearable no-go shoulder on the well lock body can be sheared by additional downward force to relieve operating stresses from the well lock body, which may be advantageously borne by the locking dogs. Similarly, retractable no-gos have been provided that retract from engagement of the no-go in the well bore upon setting of the locking dogs. However, use of such complicated retractable and shearable no-go shoulders could be expensive, may prevent complications upon removal of the well lock from the well bore, and may otherwise be undesirable in certain applications. Accordingly, removing the no-go landing shoulder from the well lock housing body may be desirable in certain applications. 
     No-go locks are typically operated in multiple modes. For example, in a running mode, the locking dogs of the well lock are withdrawn within the well lock housing to allow the well lock to run freely within the well bore. In a locking mode, the locking dogs may be engaged within a recess in the well bore by use of a setting wedge associated with the well lock to force the locking dogs into the recess of the well bore, thereby setting the well lock and locking it in place within the desired downhole portion of the well bore. Thereafter, in a pulling mode, the locking dogs may be disengaged from within the recesses of the well bore so that the well lock can be removed from the well bore. The modes of operation may typically be provided by use of multiple shear pins provided in connection with: the well lock housing and running tool that is used to position and set the well lock within the well bore; the setting wedge that is used to set the well lock within the well bore and a first location on the well lock housing; and the setting wedge and a second location on the well lock housing. 
     In operation of a typical well lock having multiple shear pins, a first shear pin may be provided on the running tool to initially attach the running tool to the lock housing to permit lowering of the well lock within the well bore by use of the running tool; a second shear pin may be provided in a first location on the well lock housing to prevent the setting wedge from engaging the locking dogs and thereby setting the well lock prior to proper positioning; and a third shear pin may then be provided at a second location on the well lock housing to lock the setting wedge in place within the well lock housing when the locking dogs are engaged to maintain the locking of the well lock within the well bore. However, use of multiple shear pins may provide unnecessary complications, and may require the use of garter springs and other elements that could be prone to failure. Accordingly, use of multiple shear pins may be unreliable in certain applications. 
     The present invention may overcome one or more of any shortcomings that may be present in the prior systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been contemplated to overcome the foregoing deficiencies and meet the above described needs. In a broad aspect, the invention is an improved well locking device for locking in the bore of a tubing in a well using a running tool, the tubing including a recess for receiving a portion of at least one locking dog associated with the well locking device and also including a no-go shoulder adapted to receive a no-go shoulder associated with the well locking device, wherein the improvement includes locating the no-go shoulder associated with the well locking device on the running tool. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the invention is a well locking device for locking in the bore of a tubing in a well, the tubing having a no-go shoulder and a recess formed therein. The well locking device may comprise: a well lock, having at least one locking dog adapted for releasable engagement within the recess of the tubing; and a setting tool, releasably engageable in connection with the well lock for placement and removal of the well lock within the bore of the tubing, the setting tool having a no-go shoulder located thereon for engagement with the no-go shoulder of the tubing. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, the invention is a well lock for locking in the bore of a tubing in a well comprising: a well lock housing having a plurality of recesses formed therein; a setting wedge having a recess formed therein; and a shear ring disposed in the setting wedge recess for selectively providing engagement of the setting wedge within the plurality of recesses formed in the well lock housing. The shear ring may be a double-shear shear ring. In this aspect of the invention, the well lock may further include at least one locking dog disposed in connection with the well lock housing and adapted for releasable engagement within a recess in the tubing, and the plurality of recesses may includes a first and a second recess, the setting wedge may be slidably disposed within the well lock housing, and the shear ring may include a spring portion disposed within the recess of the setting wedge and a shearing portion comprising a first and second shearable segment extending outwardly from the recess of the setting wedge for initial engagement of the first shearable segment within the first recess of the well lock housing and for subsequent engagement of the second shearable segment within the second recess of the well lock housing. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the invention is a well lock for locking in the bore of a tubing in a well comprising: a well lock housing having a first and second recess formed therein; at least one locking dog disposed in connection with the well lock housing and adapted for releasable engagement within a recess in the tubing; a setting wedge slidably disposed within the well lock housing, and having a recess formed therein; and a double-shear shear ring having a spring portion of the double-shear shear ring disposed within the recess of the setting wedge and having a shearing portion comprising a first and second shearable segment extending outwardly from the recess of the setting wedge for initial engagement of the first shearable segment within the first recess of the well lock housing and for subsequent engagement of the second shearable segment within the second recess of the well lock housing. The setting wedge may be selectively moveable between: a first position, in which the setting wedge permits the at least one locking dog to be disengaged from the recess of the tubing and in which the double-shear shear ring is outwardly biased so that the first shearable segment of the shearing portion is engaged within the first recess of the well lock housing; and a second position wherein the setting wedge permits the at least one locking dog to be engaged within the recess of the tubing and in which the double-shear shear ring is outwardly biased so that the second shearable segment of the shearing portion is engaged within the second recess of the lock housing. Moreover, the first shearable segment of the shearing portion may be shearable upon a first setting force being applied to the setting wedge and wherein the second shearable segment of the shearing portion is shearable upon a second setting force being applied to the setting wedge. In addition, the first setting force is a downward force and the second setting force is an upward force. 
     In still another aspect of the invention, the invention is a shear ring, comprising: a shearing portion comprising at least one shear plane; and a spring portion biased against the shearing portion. The spring portion may be fused to the shearing portion at a fuse location; the fuse location may be a shear plane; or the shearing portion may include a plurality of shear planes. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the invention may be a method of setting and removing a well lock, the well lock having a setting wedge, a well lock housing, and a shear ring disposed in a recess of the setting wedge and adapted for selective engagement of the setting wedge within at least first and second recesses formed in the well lock housing, the shear ring initially engaged within the first recess of the well lock housing, including the steps of: providing a running tool; lowering the well lock into a downhole portion of a well tubing bore in which the well lock is to be set; providing a first shearing force against the setting wedge to shear the shear ring along a first shear plane, to set the well lock in the tubing, and to engage the shear ring within the second recess of the well lock housing; and providing a second shearing force against the setting wedge to shear the shear ring along a second shear plane and to remove the well lock from the tubing. The method may further include providing a bearing means for preventing downward movement of the well lock beyond the downhole portion of the well tubing bore in which the well lock is to be set. The bearing means may include a nipple landing shoulder formed in the tubing; and the bearing means may further include a no-go shoulder formed in the running tool. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the invention may be a method of setting and removing a well lock in a bore of a tubing having a recess formed therein, the well lock having a well lock housing with a first and a second recess, at least one locking dog, a setting wedge initially disposed at a first position within the well lock housing, the setting wedge having a recess formed therein, an outwardly biased spring portion of a shear ring disposed within the setting wedge recess, and a first shearable segment of a shearing portion of the shear ring initially engaged within the first recess of the well lock housing, the method comprising: providing a running support tool adapted to be detachably connected to the well lock housing; detachably connecting the running support tool to the well lock housing; lowering the running support tool with the well lock connected thereto into a downhole portion of a well tubing bore in which the well lock is to be set; providing a running setting tool adapted to engage the setting wedge upon application of a downward force against the setting wedge; lowering the running setting tool until it engages the setting wedge; providing a downward force against the running setting tool sufficient to shear the first shearable segment of the shearing portion of the shear ring and to lower the setting wedge to a second position within the well lock housing, wherein the outwardly biased spring portion of the shear ring causes a second shearable segment of the shearing portion of the shear ring to be engaged within the second recess of the well lock housing and wherein the setting wedge causes the at least one locking dog to be engaged within the tubing recess; detaching the running support tool from the well lock housing and removing the running support tool from the downhole portion of the well tubing bore; providing a running removal tool adapted to engage the setting wedge of the well lock; lowering the running removal tool into the downhole portion of the well tubing bore until it engages the setting wedge; and providing an upward force against the running removal tool sufficient to shear the second shearable segment of the shearing portion of the shear ring, to raise the setting wedge from the second position within the well lock housing to the first position within the well lock housing to permit the at least one locking dog to be disengaged from the tubing recess, and to remove the well lock from the downhole portion of the tubing bore. The method may further include providing a bearing means for preventing downward movement of the well lock beyond the downhole portion of the well tubing bore in which the well lock is to be set. The bearing means may include a nipple landing shoulder provided formed in the tubing; and the bearing means may further include a no-go shoulder formed in the running support tool. 
     In yet another aspect, the present invention may be a method of setting a well lock, comprising: providing a nipple landing shoulder on a tubing proximally above at least one recess in the tubing; connecting a well lock to a running tool having a no go shoulder; running the running tool and the well lock into the tubing; positioning the no go shoulder into landing abutment with the nipple landing shoulder; shearing a shear ring of the well lock allowing a setting wedge of the well lock to move relative to the well lock housing of the well lock from a running position to a locking position; and forcing at least one locking dog into the at least one recess when the setting wedge is in the locking position. The method may further include: shearing the shear ring of the well lock allowing the setting wedge to move relative to the well lock housing from the locking position to a removal position; and releasing the at least one locking dog from the at least one recess when the setting wedge is in the removal position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a partial elevational view, partly in cross section, illustrating the well lock of the present invention in a running position in a landing nipple prior to locking. 
     FIG. 2 is a partial elevational view, partly in cross section, illustrating the well lock of the present invention in a locking position in a landing nipple after locking. 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the well lock of the present invention, showing an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the setting wedge, well lock housing and double-shear shear ring of the present invention in a running position prior to locking of the well lock. 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the well lock of the present invention, showing an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the setting wedge, well lock housing and double-shear shear ring of the present invention in a locking position after locking of the well lock. 
     FIG. 5 is a partial, cross-sectional, perspective view of an embodiment of the double-shear shear ring of the present invention having the spring portion fused to the shearing portion. 
     FIG. 6 is a partial, cross-sectional, perspective view of an embodiment of the double-shear shear ring of the present invention having the spring portion disposed loosely within the shearing portion. 
     FIG. 7 is an elevational view, in cross section, illustrating the well lock of the present invention in its locking position and also showing a pulling tool engaged with an inner recess in the setting wedge. 
    
    
     While the invention will be described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals denote like elements throughout the several views, it can be seen, with reference to FIGS. 1-6, that in a specific embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, a well locking device  10  is provided that may lack a no-go shoulder on the well lock body and may, instead, include a no-go shoulder  25  located on a running tool  20 , which may be used to locate and set a well lock  40 . The well locking device  10  may further include a shear ring  50  having multiple shear planes to lock the well lock  40  in each of several modes of operation. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, the well locking device  10  of the present invention is shown in a running mode, being lowered into a desired downhole position within a bore  34  of a tubing  30  provided within a well (not shown). The running tool  20  is shown having a shearable shear pin  2  or other retaining means connecting the running tool  20  to a housing  44  of the well lock  40 . Use of the shearable shear pin  2  initially permits the well lock  40  to be lowered into the well bore  34  of the tubing  30  by lowering the running tool  20  attached thereto. The well lock  40  is lowered into the bore  34  of the tubing  30  until the no-go shoulder  25  of the running tool  20  abuts a nipple landing shoulder  35  on the tubing  30 . The no-go shoulder  25  and the nipple landing shoulder  35  provided in connection with the well locking device  10  and tubing  30 , respectively, comprise a bearing structure, which prevents downhole movement of the well lock  40  when the well lock  40  has reached the proper location within the tubing  30  for engagement thereof. However, it should be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the no-go shoulder  25  and the nipple landing shoulder  35  can be placed in various locations in connection with the well locking device  10  and the tubing  30  and other bearing designs could be used. For example, a particular embodiment of the well locking device  10  of the present invention could incorporate a selective lock (not shown) having matching keys and recesses provided in connection therewith for proper placement of the well lock  40  within the tubing  30 . Other bearing designs will also be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. In particular embodiments, such bearing designs could be used in connection with certain aspects of the device and method of the present invention. Placement of the no-go shoulder  25  on the running tool  20  and not on the well lock housing  44  may increase the structural integrity of the well lock housing  44  and may eliminate the need for shearable or retractable no-go shoulders (not shown) on the well lock housing  44 , which may be provided in a particular embodiment to eliminate undesirable stresses on the well lock housing  44 . 
     After the well lock  40  is positioned within the desired downhole portion of the tubing  30 , and the well lock  40  is set, as described further hereinafter, an upward force may be applied to the running tool  20  to shear the shear pin  2 , thus separating the running tool  20  from the well lock housing  44  and allowing the running tool  20  to be removed from the bore  34  of the tubing  30  after locking the well lock  40  in place. Shear pin  2  may be used to temporarily connect the running tool  20  to the well lock housing  44 . However, other retaining means may be provided, such as retractable fingers (not shown) provided in connection with the running tool  20  to engage an inner groove such as a recess  46  formed within a setting wedge  43  of the well lock  40 . In such an embodiment, when the running tool  20  is removed from the well lock  40 , the retractable fingers (not shown) may be retracted, thus disengaging the running tool  20  from the well lock  40  and permitting removal of the running tool  20  from the bore  34  of the tubing  30 . 
     At least a portion  28  of a setting portion  26 , or setting tool  26 , of the running tool  20  is provided in contact with at least a portion  48  of the setting wedge  43  of the well lock  40 . After the well lock  40  is positioned within the desired downhole portion of the tubing  30 , a downward pressure force may be applied to the setting portion  26 , or setting tool  26 , of running tool  20 , which may be resisted by abutment of the no-go shoulder  25  and the nipple landing shoulder  35 , provided on the running tool  20  and the tubing  30 , respectively. The downward motion of the setting portion  26 , or setting tool  26 , causes the setting wedge  43  to move downwardly within the well lock  40 . As shown in FIG. 1, the well locking device  10  is initially located within the tubing  30  in a running mode, in which at least one locking dog  45  of the well lock  40  is permitted to remain within the well lock  40  for lowering of the well lock  40  within the tubing  30 . The well lock  40  is maintained in the running mode by use of the shear ring  50  of the present invention, which is described in detail hereinafter. 
     In the running mode shown in FIG. 1, at least a portion of the shear ring  50  is disposed in a recess  47  formed or otherwise provided in a lower portion of the setting wedge  43 , and at least a portion of the shear ring  50  is disposed within a corresponding upper recess  41  formed or otherwise provided in an upper portion of the well lock housing  44 . When the setting portion  26 , or setting tool  26 , of the running tool  20  is forced downwardly, the shear ring  50  is sheared along a first shear plane  56  (FIGS.  3 - 6 ), as described hereinafter, thus permitting the setting wedge  43  to travel downwardly within the well lock housing  44  from a first, or running, position, thus forcing the at least one locking dog  45  outwardly from within the well lock housing  44  to engage the at least one locking dog  45  within a recess  32  formed or otherwise provided in the tubing  30 . 
     With reference now to FIG. 2, a continued downward force applied to the setting wedge  43  by the setting portion  26 , or setting tool  26 , of the running tool  20  may be applied to lower the setting wedge  43  to a second, or locking, position, whereby the outwardly-biased shear ring  50 , as described further hereinafter, expands so that at least a portion of shear ring  50  remains disposed within the recess  47  in the setting wedge  43  and at least a portion of the shear ring  50  is disposed within a lower recess  42  formed or otherwise provided in a lower portion of the well lock housing  44 . Movement of the shear ring  50  into engagement with the lower recess  42  operates to fully engage the at least one locking dog  45  within the recess  32  of the tubing  30  and lock the setting wedge  43  in the second, or locking, position. Such locking of the setting wedge  43  in the locking position enables the well lock  40  to operate in its second, or locking, mode, thereby locking the well lock  40  and any device affixed thereto (not shown) securely within the bore  34  of the tubing  30 . 
     After setting the well lock  40  of the present invention in its locking mode within the bore  34  of the tubing  30 , the running tool  20  and its associated setting portion  26 , or setting tool  26 , may be detached from the well lock  40  and removed from the bore  34  of tubing  30 , leaving the well lock  40  securely locked within the bore  34  of the tubing  30 . In an embodiment wherein the running tool  20  and the well lock housing  44  are connected to one another by the shear pin  2 , the running tool  20  may be detached from the well lock  40  by providing an upward force on the running tool  20  sufficient to shear the shear pin  2  and thereby separate the running tool  20  from the well lock  40 . The upward force is resisted by the at least one locking dog  45  engaged within the recess  32  in the tubing  30 . Thereafter, the running tool  20  may be easily removed from the downhole portion of the tubing  30 , leaving the well lock  40  locked in place within the tubing  30 . 
     When it is desired to remove the well lock  40  from within the bore  34  of the tubing  30 , a running removal tool  60 , or pulling tool  60 , shown in FIG. 7, may be provided having at least one finger  62  adapted to engage the inner recess  46  formed in the setting wedge  43  of the well lock  40 . The running removal tool  60  may be lowered into the downhole portion of the tubing  30  until the at least one finger  62  engages the inner recess  46  in the setting wedge  43 . Thereafter, an upward force may be provided against the running removal tool  60  that is sufficient to shear the portion of the shear ring  50  engaged within the lower recess  42  of the well lock housing  44 . A continued upward force may thereafter be provided against the running removal tool  60  to raise the setting wedge  43  from the second, locking, position within the well lock housing  44 , returning the setting wedge  43  to the first, running, position within the well lock housing  44 . 
     This will permit the at least one locking dog  45  to be disengaged from the tubing recess  32  and permit the well lock  40  to be removed from the bore  34  of tubing  30 . When the setting wedge  43  is returned to the first, running, position within the well lock housing  44 , the well lock  40  is operable in its third, or pulling, mode. A continued upward force applied to the running removal tool  60  causes the setting wedge  43  to abut a flange  15  or other portion provided on the well lock housing  44  so that continued upward movement of the setting wedge  43  will allow the well lock  40  to be removed from the tubing  30 . 
     With reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the shear ring  50  of the well lock  40  is shown in operation to retain the well lock  40  in the running and locking modes, respectively. FIG. 3 shows at least a spring portion  52  of the double-shear shear ring  50  disposed within a recess  47  in the setting wedge  43 . The remaining portion of the shear ring  50 , also referred to as a shearing portion  54 , is shown in FIG. 3 disposed within the first recess  41  in the well lock housing  44 . FIG. 3 shows the setting wedge  43 , the shear ring  50  and upper and lower portions of the well lock housing  44  in the running mode. In the running mode, the setting wedge  43 , shear ring  50 , and well lock housing  44  are provided in their initial, running, position. As described further above, when the setting portion  26 , or setting tool  26 , of running tool  20  (FIGS. 1 and 2) is moved downwardly in response to a downward force, represented by arrow A (FIG.  3 ), to shear the shear ring  50  and to engage locking dogs  45  (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the well lock  44  (FIGS.  1  and  2 ), the shear ring  50  may be sheared along the first shear plane  56  provided in the shearing portion  54  of the shear ring  50 , thereby permitting the setting wedge  43  and the remaining portion of shear ring  50  disposed in the recess thereof, to travel downwardly and into engagement with the second recess  42  in the lower portion of the well lock housing  44 . 
     FIG. 4 shows the setting wedge  43 , the shear ring  50 , and the upper and lower portions of the well lock housing  44  in the locking mode. When the setting wedge  43  is lowered so that the outer groove  47  formed therein is substantially aligned with the second inner groove  42  in the lower portion of well lock housing  44 , the outwardly-biased spring portion  52  causes at least a portion of the shear ring  50  to be engaged within the second inner groove  42 , thereby initially preventing further upward or downward movement of the setting wedge  43  within the well lock  44 , thus retaining locking dogs  45  in their engaging relationship within the recess  32  of the tubing  30 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The spring portion  52  of the shear ring  50  is preferably selected so that the shear ring  50  is biased towards the well lock housing  44  and so that a second shear plane  58  of the shearing portion  54  of the shear ring  50  is provided at the interface of the well lock housing  44  and the setting wedge  43 . 
     With reference to FIG. 4, when an upward force, represented by arrow B, is imparted to the setting wedge  43  using the running removal tool  60  (see FIG. 7) upon removal of the well lock  44  in its pulling mode, the shear ring  50  will shear along the second shear plane  58  to permit upward movement of the setting wedge  43  to disengage the locking dog  45  from within the recess  32  formed in the tubing  30 , thereby permitting removal of the well lock  40  from within the tubing  30 , as described further above. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 show two embodiments of the shear ring  50  of the present invention. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the shear ring  50  may comprise the spring portion  52  and the shearing portion  54 , which may be fused together at a fuse location  53 , as shown in FIG. 5, or the spring portion  52  may be loosely disposed adjacent the shearing portion  54 , as shown in FIG.  6 . The shearing portion  54  of the shear ring  50  has multiple shearable segments  55 ,  57  and in a preferred embodiment may have a first shearable segment  55  and a second shearable segment  57 , defining a first shear plane  56  therebetween. In an embodiment of the shear ring  50  wherein the spring portion  52  is fused to the shearing portion  54 , the spring portion  52  may be fused directly to the second shearable segment  57 , whereby the fuse location  53  may provide a second shear plane  58 . However, in a preferred embodiment, the shearing portion  54  may also include a support segment  59 , which is fused to the shear ring  50 . In the preferred embodiment, the support segment  59  and the second shearable segment  57  form the second shear plane  58  therebetween. It should be noted that the shearing portion  54  may be an integral piece of material, formed of brass or other shearable material. Further, the shearable segments  55 ,  57  and the support segment  59  may each be discrete segments, which can comprise different materials fused together, or may have deformities formed at desired locations in the shearable material to provide the discrete shear planes  56 ,  58 . However, the shear planes  56 ,  58  may also be provided at whatever point along the shearing portion  54  of shear ring  50  that happens to be disposed along the interface between the setting wedge  43  and the well lock housing  44  (FIGS. 3-4) and may, therefore, not be predetermined. 
     The spring portion  52  of the shear ring  50  may comprise a strip of spring steel formed in a circular fashion, with the shearing portion  54  disposed loosely therearound or disposed therearound and fused thereto. The spring portion  52  of the shear ring  50  may also comprise a wave spring, as shown in FIG.  6 . In the embodiments shown, the spring portion  52  is biased outwardly. However, in a particular embodiment (not shown), the spring portion  52  could be, for example, a garter spring or other spring portion, and may be disposed around the shearing portion  54  of shear ring  50  biasing the shear ring  50  inwardly towards, for example, the setting wedge  43 . In such an embodiment, wherein the shear ring  50  is used in connection with the well locking device  40  of the present invention, the shear ring  50  may be disposed in a single inner groove, or recess, formed in the well lock housing  44 , and the setting wedge  43  will then have first and second outer grooves, or recesses, formed therein for selective engagement of the shear ring  50  there within for retention of the setting wedge  43  in the particular modes of operation of the well locking device  10 , as described further above. 
     FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the shear ring  50  of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 6, the spring portion  52  of the shear ring  50  is not fused to the shearing portion  54  thereof. The spring portion  52  of the shear ring  50  shown in FIG. 6 comprises a wave spring, which is shown loosely formed in a circular fashion within the shearing portion  54 . In such an embodiment, the spring portion  52  should be selected such that at least a portion of the shearing portion  54 , which is preferably the support segment  59 , remains disposed within the outer groove  47 , or recess  47 , of setting wedge  43  (see FIGS.  3  and  4 ). While the shear ring  50  is shown for use with a well lock, it may also be used with numerous other downhole well tools (e.g., packers, etc.). 
     It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials or embodiments shown and described, as obvious modifications and equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention is therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.