Liner Hanger Setting Tool and Method Enabling Traditional Bottom Up Cementing or Tack and Squeeze Top Down Cementing in a Single Trip

Abstract

A liner hanger is initially set to the surrounding tubular. A standard bottom up cement job through a shoe at the liner bottom can be performed. If that job does not test satisfactory then the running tool can be unlatched at the packoff and raised beyond the liner hanger extension tubular so that a tack and squeeze job can be accomplished pumping the cement top down through the gaps in the liner anchor. The running tool can be re-latched to the liner hanger extension tube that is still unexpanded. Once re-locked into a groove in the extension the running tool for the liner hanger can be operated to set the seal and release the running tool from the groove in the extension to pull out of the hole. The liner hanger anchor and seal can be expanded into the set position by the running tool.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A completion method for a liner in a surrounding existing tubular, comprising:
 running in a liner with a liner hanger supported by a running tool;   setting at least one slip in said liner hanger against the existing tubular;   performing cement jobs in different directions in an annular space surrounding said liner in a single trip into a subterranean location;   setting a seal on said liner hanger;   removing said running tool from the subterranean location.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 releasing said running tool from said liner hanger before cementing said annulus in a top down direction through at least one gap adjacent said slip.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising:
 reconnecting said running tool to said liner hanger after said releasing.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , comprising:
 setting said seal on said liner hanger after said reconnecting.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , comprising:
 providing a packoff assembly connected to said running tool to selectively engage said liner hanger.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising:
 selectively locking dogs mounted to said packoff into a groove in said liner hanger with relative movement of a running tool mandrel having different diameters.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , comprising:
 retaining said locking dogs against relative axial movement with respect to said mandrel upon unlocking said dogs from said groove.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , comprising:
 releasing said mandrel for relative axial movement with respect to said locking dogs to enable locking said dogs to said groove.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , comprising:
 selectively opening a fluid path through said packoff assembly upon unlocking said dogs from said groove.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , comprising:
 selectively closing said fluid path through said packoff assembly upon locking said dogs to said groove.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising:
 defining said fluid path between said mandrel and an inner seal on said packoff assembly.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising:
 providing at least one flat on said mandrel;   moving said inner seal past an end of said flat to close said fluid path.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising:
 opening said fluid path before unlocking said dogs from said groove.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , comprising:
 moving biased latch dogs having a ratchet profile with said mandrel, as said locking dogs remain latched to said groove, into contact with at least one collet finger with a mating ratchet profile connected to said locking dogs.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising:
 opening said fluid path with said locking dogs locked to said groove.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising:
 undermining said locking dogs to release from said groove after said ratchets on said latch dogs and collet finger have engaged.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising:
 releasing said ratchets on said latch dogs and collet finger after said locking dogs are secured to said groove.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 performing a bottom up cement job in said annular space followed by a top down tack and squeeze cement job in said annular space.