Retrievable packer having a positively operated support ring

This invention relates, in general, to tools and equipment for completing a subterranean well that traverses a hydrocarbon bearing formation and, in particular, to a retrievable well packer for releasably sealing the annulus between a tubing string and the well casing using a collet member to positively operate a support ring. A retrievable packer () for establishing a sealing and gripping engagement between a tubing string and a well casing () disposed in a wellbore is disclosed. The retrievable packer () comprises a collet member () that is slidably disposed about a packer mandrel (). The collet member () has a first operating position wherein the collet member () applies an axial force on a support ring () to positively position the support ring () at least partially between a first slip wedge () and the packer mandrel () to set a seal assembly (). In addition, the collet member () has a second operating position wherein the collet member () applies an axial force on a slip assembly () to set the slip assembly ().