Liner Hanger from Baker Hughes

Baker Hughes installs thousands of liner hanger systems globally. A liner is a casing string anchored at the bottom of a previous casing string, which can be a long string run to the surface. After the long string is cemented in place, the liner section is drilled. A leak-off test then determines the open hole's strength or fracture pressure, dictating the mud weight for the next drilling operation and ensuring cement integrity.

The liner's bottom, known as the shoe track, typically includes a double-valve float shoe and a type 2 landing collar with a ball seat. The liner, designed to cover open holes and overlap with the host casing, is then assembled. The liner hanger assembly consists of a FlexLock liner hanger, an RS nipple, and a ZXP liner top packer. Running tools, including a rotating packer setting dog sub and an HRDE liner setting tool, facilitate its installation on drill pipe and allow for aggressive rotation if needed.

The RS pack-off directs cement flow and provides a seal for hydraulic activation. A ComDrill Solo liner wiper plug improves cement quality and speeds up drill-out. As the liner is run to depth, measurements for pickup, slack-off weights, and torques are taken at various stages (before open hole, after shoe track in open hole, and after tagging total depth) to establish baselines and circulation pressures.

To set the FlexLock liner hanger, a setting ball is dropped from the surface and circulated to land on the type 2 landing collar in the shoe track. Applying predetermined pressure from the surface causes pins in the hanger to shear, an internal cylinder to stroke upward, and the FlexLock slips to bite into the host casing. The tool string technician (TST) verifies this by observing the liner's weight and downward movement.

Further slacking off on the drill pipe compresses the setting tool, leading to increased surface pressure that shears pins in the HRDE setting tool. This retracts the collet from the HRDE profile, releasing the running string from the liner. After confirming release by observing the loss of liner weight, the HRDE setting tool is lowered. Pressure is again increased to shear the ball seat in the type 2 landing collar, re-establishing circulation for cementing. Cement is pumped down the drill pipe, through the liner, and into the annulus, with the RS pack-off ensuring proper flow.

After cementing, a pump-down plug is released, separating cement from displacement fluid and wiping the drill pipe. It latches into the ComDrill Solo wiper plug, and increased pressure displaces both downhole, creating a barrier that wipes the liner clean and prevents cement contamination. Float valves stop cement back-flow. The ZXP liner top packer is then set by picking up the running string until the rotating packer setting dog sub is out of the liner top, then applying set-down force to push pull-down slips against a cone, making them bite into the host casing. An indicator gap closing confirms adequate force for setting the ZX seal.

The indicator gap ensures the correct amount of set-down weight was applied. The liner top seal can be tested if needed. The running string is pulled up to break the pack-off seal, allowing circulation to flush excess cement. The newly installed and cemented liner is supported by the FlexLock liner hanger and ZXP liner top packer, ensuring annular seal integrity. The video concludes, stating the well is ready for further drilling or tie-back to the surface, and encourages contacting Baker Hughes for liner hanger system options.