Patent ID: 7111688

Claim:
A releasable clamp utilized in a wellbore extending from a wellhead at the surface of the wellbore, the releasable clamp for securing an elongated, smaller tubular member positioned in the wellbore below the wellhead and having inner and outer walls and of a first outer diameter axially disposed within an elongated larger tubular member positioned in the wellbore below the wellhead having a first end, a second end, a central axis and inner and outer walls of second, larger internal diameter, the clamp comprising: a peripheral member having an inner diameter and an outer diameter and being disposed around the periphery of the larger tubular member below the wellhead and only between the first and second ends of both tubular members; a clamping device in communication with the peripheral member for generating an axial forces on said peripheral member for reducing the inner diameter of the peripheral member and thereby reducing the inner diameter of the larger tubular member for engaging and securing the smaller tubular member and for releasing said forces for disengaging the smaller tubular member.