Setting tool for expandable liner hanger and associated methods

Abstract

A method of conveying an expandable liner hanger in a well includes: conveying the hanger into the well on a work string with a setting tool releasably secured to the hanger by an anchoring device; applying left-hand rotation to the work string; then lowering the work string, thereby releasing the anchoring device and permitting the setting tool to be retrieved from within the hanger. A method of setting a liner hanger includes: forcing an expansion cone through a hanger portion, thereby expanding the portion; and forcing another expansion cone into another hanger portion, thereby expanding that portion. A method of setting an expandable liner hanger includes: lowering a liner into the well; then connecting the hanger and a setting tool lower section to the liner; then lowering the hanger and the lower section into the well; and then connecting a setting tool upper section to the lower section.

1 . A method of setting an expandable liner hanger in a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:
 lowering a liner into the well;   then connecting the liner hanger and a lower section of a setting tool to the liner;   then lowering the liner hanger and the lower section into the well; and   then connecting an upper section of the setting tool to the lower section.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of connecting the upper section of the setting tool to the lower section of the setting tool further comprises connecting an upper section of an outer housing assembly to a lower section of the outer housing assembly. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of connecting the upper section of the setting tool to the lower section of the setting tool further comprises the step of connecting an upper section of an inner mandrel assembly to a lower section of the inner mandrel assembly prior to the step of connecting the upper section of the outer housing assembly to the lower section of the outer housing assembly. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the step of releasably securing the upper section of the outer housing assembly to the upper section of the inner mandrel assembly prior to the step of connecting the upper section of the outer housing assembly to the lower section of the outer housing assembly. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the step of displacing the outer housing assembly relative to the inner mandrel assembly to thereby expand the liner hanger. 
   
   
       6 . A method of setting an expandable liner hanger in a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:
 forcing a first expansion cone through a first portion of the liner hanger, thereby expanding the first portion radially outward; and   forcing a second expansion cone into a second portion of the liner hanger, thereby expanding the second portion radially outward.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the second portion is an end of the liner hanger. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second expansion cones are longitudinally spaced apart along a setting tool received in the liner hanger. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first expansion cone forcing step further comprises expanding the liner hanger first portion to a first internal dimension, wherein the second expansion cone forcing step further comprises expanding the liner hanger second portion to a second internal dimension, and wherein the second internal dimension is greater than the first internal dimension. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second internal dimension is formed by the second expansion cone at an end of the liner hanger. 
   
   
       11 . A method of setting an expandable liner hanger in a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:
 applying a pressure differential between an inner flow passage of a setting tool and an annulus formed between the setting tool and a wellbore, the pressure differential causing the setting tool to begin to expand the liner hanger; and   applying a biasing force to a bypass closure as a result of the pressure differential acting on a piston area of the bypass closure, thereby causing the bypass closure to displace and provide fluid communication between the flow passage and the annulus.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the biasing force applying step further comprises displacing an outer housing assembly relative to an inner mandrel assembly of the setting tool, thereby causing the outer housing assembly to contact the bypass closure. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the biasing force applying step further comprises increasing the biasing force to a predetermined level to thereby shear a shear member. 
   
   
       14 . A method of conveying an expandable liner hanger in a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:
 conveying the liner hanger into the well on a work string with a setting tool releasably secured to the liner hanger by an anchoring device;   applying left-hand rotation to the work string; and   then lowering the work string, thereby releasing the anchoring device and permitting the setting tool to be retrieved from within the liner hanger.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the anchoring device secures an inner mandrel assembly of the setting tool relative to the liner hanger, and wherein the step of applying left-hand rotation further comprises rotating the work string relative to the inner mandrel assembly. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of rotating the work string relative to the inner mandrel assembly further comprises displacing a lug in a J-slot. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of lowering the work string further comprises releasing an engagement member which previously prevented displacement of the inner mandrel assembly relative to the outer housing assembly.