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A well string for use in a wellbore having plural fluid regions includes a flow conduit having an inner bore defining one of the fluid regions and an actuating assembly including an operator mechanism, an activation port in communication with the operator mechanism, and a member adapted to block the

A well string for use in a wellbore having plural fluid regions includes a flow conduit having an inner bore defining one of the fluid regions and an actuating assembly including an operator mechanism, an activation port in communication with the operator mechanism, and a member adapted to block the activation port. The member is moveable by an applied pressure in a first fluid region to expose the activation port to a second fluid region. The operator mechanism includes a piston assembly. The first fluid region may include the annulus region outside the flow conduit, and the second fluid region may include the flow conduit inner bore.

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[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An actuating apparatus for use with a downhole tool in a wellbore including a flow conduit having an inner bore, comprising:an operator piston;a port in communication with the operator piston;a moveable member that when in a first position blocks the port from fluid pre

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An actuating apparatus for use with a downhole tool in a wellbore including a flow conduit having an inner bore, comprising:an operator piston;a port in communication with the operator piston;a moveable member that when in a first position blocks the port from fluid pressure in the flow conduit inner bore; andan actuating assembly responsive to pressure outside the flow conduit to move the member to a second position to expose the port to the flow conduit inner bore to enable communication of fluid pressure from the flow conduit inner bore to the operator piston. [11.]11. A method of operating a downhole tool in a wellbore including a flow conduit having an inner bore, comprising:applying a first pressure outside the flow conduit;moving a blocking member in response to the first pressure from a first position to a second position to expose an activation port to pressure in the flow conduit inner bore; andapplying a pressure in the flow conduit inner bore communicated through the activation port to an operator piston assembly.12. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a rupture mechanism to prevent communication of pressure outside the flow area from the blocking member until the first pressure has been reached.13. A method of operating a downhole tool in a wellbore including a flow conduit having an inner bore, comprising:applying a first pressure in one of the flow conduit inner bore and region outside the flow conduit;moving a blocking member in response to the first pressure to expose an activation port;applying a second pressure in the other one of the flow conduit inner bore and region outside the inner bore; andcommunicating the second pressure through the activation port to actuate the downhole tool.14. The method of claim 13, wherein the region outside the flow conduit includes an annulus region.15. A well string for use in a wellbore having plural fluid regions, comprising:a flow conduit having an inner bore defining one of the fluid regions;an actuating assembly including an operator mechanism, an activation port in communication with the operator mechanism, and a member adapted to block the activation port, the member moveable by an applied pressure in a first fluid region to expose the activation port to a second fluid region.16. The string of claim 15, wherein a region outside the flow conduit includes an annulus region.17. The string of claim 15, wherein the actuating assembly further includes an operator piston assembly in communication with the activation port.18. The string of claim 15, further comprising a second port in communication with the activation port when the member is in an inactive position, the second port in communication with the first fluid region when the member is in its inactive position.19. The string of claim 18, wherein the second port is isolated from the activation port when the member is in its active position.