WO2017105562A1

WO2017105562A1 - System and method for restricting liner hanger during load reversal

Info

Publication number: WO2017105562A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/050464
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aravind KANDASWAMI; Sebastian CALO
Original assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation; Schlumberger Canada Limited; Services Petroliers Schlumberger; Schlumberger Technology B.V.
Priority date: 2015-12-14
Filing date: 2016-09-07
Publication date: 2017-06-22

Abstract

A technique facilitates use of a liner hanger in many types of borehole applications. The liner hanger is conveyed downhole into a borehole to a target depth. Once at the target depth, the liner hanger may be set by actuating an angled surface of a liner hanger slip against a corresponding angled cone surface of a liner hanger cone. When the liner hanger slip is moved against the liner hanger cone, the liner hanger slip is forced radially outward into engagement with a surrounding borehole surface, e.g. a surrounding well casing. The liner hanger slip and the liner hanger cone may be secured in this set position by engaging a catch with a retention member.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RESTRICTING LINER HANGER DURING

LOAD REVERSAL

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present document is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional

Application Serial No.: 62/267,042, filed December 14, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Hydrocarbon fluids such as oil and natural gas may be obtained from a subterranean geologic formation, referred to as a reservoir, by drilling a well that penetrates the hydrocarbon-bearing geologic formation. After a wellbore is drilled, various forms of well completion components may be installed to enable control over and to enhance efficiency of producing fluids from the reservoir. In some applications, a liner hanger and liner are deployed downhole into the wellbore via a running tool, and the liner hanger is suspended from well casing deployed in the wellbore. After being set against the well casing, the liner hanger is able to carry the load of the entire liner string which loads the liner hanger in a downward direction.

SUMMARY

[0003] In general, a system and methodology facilitate use of a liner hanger in many types of borehole applications. The liner hanger is conveyed downhole into a borehole to a target depth. Once at the target depth, the liner hanger may be set by actuating an angled slip surface of a liner hanger slip against a corresponding angled cone surface of a liner hanger cone. When the liner hanger slip is moved against the liner hanger cone, the liner hanger slip is forced radially outward into engagement with a surrounding borehole surface, e.g. a surrounding well casing. The liner hanger slip and the liner hanger cone are secured in this set position by engaging a catch and a retention member. The catch may be mounted on the angled slip surface and the retention member may be mounted on the corresponding angled cone surface. By way of example, the catch may comprise a slip pocket on the angled slip surface and the retention member may comprise a detent button mounted in the angled cone surface.

[0004] However, many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Certain embodiments of the disclosure will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements. It should be understood, however, that the accompanying figures illustrate the various implementations described herein and are not meant to limit the scope of various technologies described herein, and:

[0006] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an example of a well system comprising a liner and a liner hanger deployed in a borehole, according to an

embodiment of the disclosure;

[0007] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an example of a liner hanger, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0008] Figure 3 is an illustration similar to that of Figure 2 but showing the liner hanger in a different operational position, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; [0009] Figure 4 is an illustration of an example of a detent button that may be used with the liner hanger, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0010] Figure 5 is an illustration of another example of a detent button that may be used with the liner hanger, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0011] Figure 6 is an illustration of an example of a liner hanger slip having a catch, e.g. a slip pocket, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0012] Figure 7 is an illustration of another example of a liner hanger slip having a slip pocket and a secondary slip pocket, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0013] Figure 8 is a side view of an example of a retention member, e.g. a detent button assembly, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

[0014] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional illustration of the retention member illustrated in Figure 8, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the system and/or methodology may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments may be possible.

[0016] The present disclosure generally relates to a system and methodology which facilitate use of a liner hanger in many types of borehole applications, e.g.

wellbore applications. The liner hanger may be coupled with a liner and conveyed downhole into a borehole to a target depth. Once at the target depth, the liner hanger may be set by actuating an angled surface of a liner hanger slip against a corresponding angled cone surface of a liner hanger cone. When the liner hanger slip is moved longitudinally against the liner hanger cone, the liner hanger slip is forced radially outward into engagement with a surrounding borehole surface, e.g. a surrounding well casing.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the liner hanger is secured in the set position against the surrounding borehole surface by a retention system. For example, the liner hanger slip and the liner hanger cone may be secured in this set position by engaging a catch and a retention member. The catch may be mounted on the angled slip surface and the retention member may be mounted on the corresponding angled cone surface. By way of further example, the catch may comprise a slip pocket on the angled slip surface and the retention member may comprise a detent button mounted in the angled cone surface.

[0018] The retention system, e.g. the catch and detent button, protects the liner hanger from becoming un-set when, for example, a discharge load exceeds the total hanging load on the liner hanger. The retention system ensures that the liner hanger and liner do not release and slide farther down the surrounding casing. In certain

embodiments described herein, the detent button is spring biased into the slip pocket as the hanger slips are moved against the hanger cone to the set position. Once each detent button is received in the corresponding slip pocket inadvertent release of the hanger slips, e.g. unsetting of the hanger slips, is resisted. In some embodiments, a plurality of detent buttons may be used in cooperation with a plurality of slip pockets disposed on slips located circumferentially around a slip hanger body.

[0019] Referring generally to Figure 1, an embodiment of a well system 20 is illustrated as utilizing a liner hanger 22 to suspend a liner 24 in a borehole 26, e.g. a wellbore. By way of example, the wellbore 26 may be cased with a casing 28 and the liner hanger 22 may be secured to the casing 28, e.g. to a lower end of the casing 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the liner 24 and liner hanger 22 are deployed downhole into borehole 26 via a liner hanger running tool 30 coupled into a running string 32, e.g. a landing string. For example, the running string 32 may be in the form of a landing string comprising drill pipe for use in a drilling operation.

[0020] Actuation of the liner hanger 22 into engagement with the surrounding surface/casing 28 may be achieved by applying pressure to a hydraulic actuating fluid delivered down through an interior of the running string 32. The pressure increase within running string 32 and within liner hanger 22 may be achieved by closing off the flow path through the interior of the liner hanger 22. By way of example, a conventional ball drop system may be utilized to close off the flow path. In this type of technique, a ball is dropped down through the running string and into a corresponding ball seat to form a seal and to enable pressuring up within the running string and liner hanger. The ball and/or ball seat may subsequently be removed, if desired, to enable fluid flow therethrough. Depending on the application, the ball may comprise a variety of spheres or semi- spherical devices, darts, plugs, or other devices shaped and constructed to form the desired seal.

[0021] When the pressure of the hydraulic actuating fluid reaches an appropriate level, an actuator 34 is shifted to, in turn, shift a liner hanger slip 36 in a longitudinal direction. In the illustrated example, a plurality of liner hanger slips 36 is disposed about a liner hanger body 38. As the liner hanger slips 36 are moved longitudinally by actuator 34, a liner hanger cone effectively forces the liner hanger slips 36 in a radially outward direction, as described in greater detail below. The liner hanger slips 36 are forced in this radially outward direction until securely engaged with a surrounding surface 40, e.g. the inside surface of casing 28.

[0022] The actuator 34 may be a piston actuator disposed along liner hanger body

38, as with various conventional liner hangers. For example, the actuator 34 may be a cylindrical piston actuator disposed around liner hanger body 38 and acted on by the hydraulic actuating fluid which flows through a suitable radial port or ports in the liner hanger body 38. However, various types of actuators 34 may be used to shift the liner hanger slip or slips 36 in the desired longitudinal direction during setting of liner hanger 22.

[0023] Referring generally to Figures 2 and 3, a portion of the liner hanger 22 is illustrated in cross-section to show an embodiment of a retention system 42 used to secure liner hanger slips 36 in the set position. Referring initially to Figure 2, a portion of an embodiment of the liner hanger 22 is illustrated in cross-section to show one of the liner hanger slips 36 mounted in a corresponding liner hanger cone 44. The hanger cone 44 is positioned along an exterior of hanger body 38 which may be in the form of a tubular body having an open internal passage 46 therethrough. The liner hanger cone 44 comprises an angled cone surface 48 oriented for engagement with liner hanger slip 36. For example, the liner hanger slip 36 may comprise an angled slip surface 50 positioned adjacent the angled cone surface 48. In various applications, the liner hanger cone 44 may comprise a plurality of the angled cone surfaces 48 located circumferentially around hanger body 38 for interaction with a corresponding plurality of liner hanger slips 36.

[0024] The liner hanger slip 36 (e.g. the plurality of liner hanger slips 36) is mounted along liner hanger cone 44 and hanger body 38 for longitudinal movement relative to the liner hanger cone 44. During actuation of liner hanger 22, hydraulic actuating fluid under pressure is supplied along internal passage 46 to actuator 34. The actuator 34, in turn, is shifted to drive the liner hanger slip(s) 36 into engagement with the surrounding wall surface 40, e.g. into engagement with wellbore casing 28, as illustrated in Figure 3. As described above, a ball may be dropped down into sealing engagement with a ball seat to enable pressuring up within liner hanger 22. In some applications, the actuator 34 is in the form of a piston which may initially be held in an un-actuated position by a shear member, such as shear screws. When sufficient pressure of the hydraulic actuating fluid is applied to the actuator, the shear member is sheared to enable shifting of the liner hanger slip 36. However, the shear member can be replaced by a resettable temporary retention system as explained in greater detail below. [0025] In the illustrated example, each liner hanger slip 36 is driven by actuator

34 against the liner hanger cone 44 in a longitudinal direction. As the liner hanger slip 36 is moved longitudinally, the angled slip surface 50 moves against the angled cone surface 48 which forces the liner hanger slip 36 in a radially outward direction and into engagement with surrounding surface 40. The liner hanger slip or slips 36 may comprise a plurality of gripping teeth 52 which engage the surrounding borehole surface 40 to help securely grip the surrounding surface 40 of, for example, well casing 28.

[0026] Once the liner hanger 22 is set via engagement of slips 36 with surface 40, the liner hanger 22 is able to resist downward movement of liner hanger 22 and liner 24. The retention system 42 is used to ensure against unwanted release of the liner hanger slip(s) 36 from this set position. By way of example, the retention system 42 may comprise features along angled surfaces 48, 50 which resist sliding movement of the liner hanger slip 36 back to the radially retracted position illustrated in Figure 2.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the retention system 42 comprises a catch

54 disposed along the angled slip surface 50. For example, the catch 54 may be in the form of a slip pocket 56 recessed into the angled surface 50 and having a beveled edge or edges 58 positioned along the direction of travel of angled subsurface 50 relative to angled cone surface 48. In this embodiment, the retention system 42 further comprises a retention member 60 disposed for engagement with the catch 54 when the hanger slip 36 is moved to the set position, as illustrated in Figure 3. By way of example, the retention member 60 may comprise a detent button 62 biased to engage the slip pocket 56 via a spring member 64. In some embodiments, the detent button 62 may be located in a cone cavity 66 and biased outwardly against the angled slip surface 50.

[0028] During setting of liner hanger 22, the liner hanger slips 36 are moved longitudinally relative to liner hanger cone 44 which creates relative sliding motion between angled slip surfaces 50 and angled cone surfaces 48. The relative sliding motion drives the slips 36 radially outward and into engagement with the surrounding surface 40 until the spring loaded detent buttons 62 are moved into corresponding slip pockets 56. Engagement of detent buttons 62 with slip pockets 56 creates a spring-loaded lock of the liner hanger slips 36 relative to the liner hanger cone 44.

[0029] In some embodiments, each slip pocket 56 may comprise at least one beveled edge 58 having a desired angle relative to the slip surface 50, e.g. relative to the direction of travel of slip surface 50 along cone surface 48. By way of example, the desired angle may be in the range of 30° to 60° although one specific example utilizes a 45° angle. The angle of the beveled edge 58 may be selected to resist un-setting of the corresponding liner hanger slip 36 during a load reversal in which the downward loading caused by the liner 24 is reversed, e.g. reversed upon experiencing a strong discharge load.

[0030] Without the retention system 42, the liner hanger slip or slips 36 could lose contact with the surrounding surface 40 of casing 28. However, as the reverse loading occurs, detent button 62 slides against the angled, beveled edge 58, e.g. against the 45° angled edge, to create an axial and radial load which maintains the corresponding slip 56 against the surrounding surface 40. The spring member 64 may be used to maintain the detent button 62 in this position as the beveled edge 58 acts against the detent button 62.

[0031] The position of the slip pocket 56 and detent button 62 may be selected based on, for example, the predetermined travel of slip 36 relative to cone 44. The angle of the beveled edge 58 and/or the depth of slip pocket 56 also may be selected based on a variety of factors, such as the anticipated forces to be encountered. Additionally, the spring member 64 may comprise a variety of spring types, such as coil springs or die springs. In some embodiments, the spring force exerted by spring member 64 may be selected to help overcome resistance, such as the resistance provided by O-ring seal friction or the resistance resulting from contact friction between each liner hanger slip 36 and corresponding splines 68 of the liner hanger cone 44 (see Figure 3). [0032] Referring generally to Figure 4, an embodiment of detent button 62 is illustrated. In this example, the detent button 62 has a generally cylindrical shape defined by a cylindrical surface 70 which extends to an engagement end 72. Engagement end 72 may be in the form of a truncated cone having an angled or beveled surface 74. The beveled surface 74 may be oriented at a desired angle with respect to cylindrical surface 70. By way of example, the desired angle may be in the range of 30° to 60° and oriented for engagement with a corresponding beveled edge 58 of slip pocket 56. In a specific example, the desired angle of beveled surface 74 may be approximately 45° relative to cylindrical surface 70.

[0033] In another embodiment, the detent button 62 may comprise engagement end 72 constructed with a plurality of beveled surfaces oriented at different angles, as illustrated in Figure 5. By way of specific example, the detent button 62 may comprise beveled surface 74 combined with a secondary beveled surface 76 oriented at a different desired angle with respect to cylindrical surface 70. The desired angle of secondary beveled surface 76 may vary depending on the parameters of a given application but an embodiment may utilize an angle greater than 10° and less than 30°. In a specific example, the desired angle of secondary double surface 76 relative to cylindrical surface 70 may be approximately 25°.

[0034] Referring generally to Figures 6 and 7, embodiments of liner hanger slips

36 are illustrated for use with the embodiments of detent buttons 62 of Figures 4 and 5, respectively. In Figure 6, the liner hanger slip 36 is constructed with the single slip pocket 56 having at least one beveled edge 58 positioned to cooperate with the detent button 62. In this example, the at least one beveled edge 58 of the slip pocket 56 and the beveled surface 74 of the detent button 62 may be selected to provide the desired resistance to un-setting of the slips 36.

[0035] In some applications, the desired angles of edge 58/surface 74 may be selected to enable repositioning of the slip(s) 36 back to the radially retracted position (see Figure 2) if unintentionally preset to the set position (see Figure 3). For example, if the liner hanger 22 presets while running in hole to the target depth, the running string 32 may be picked up in an effort to move the hanger slips 36 back to the radially retracted position in which the slips 36 are in their corresponding pockets of liner hanger cone 44. If the liner hanger 22 remains preset after a few attempts of picking up running string 32, the running string 32 may be pulled out of hole or reverse circulated depending on the location of the liner hanger downhole. In some embodiments, the force exerted by spring members 64 may be overcome when the reverse circulation pressure crosses a threshold. Once this spring force is overcome, the detent buttons 62 are forced back into their corresponding cone cavities 66 so that slips 36 can move back to the radially retracted position for further progress downhole. In a drilling application, for example, retraction of the unintentionally preset slips 36 allows the driller to continue progressing downhole.

[0036] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the liner hanger slip 36 comprises slip pocket 56 and a secondary slip pocket 78. The secondary slip pocket 78 also may comprise a beveled edge 80 oriented for cooperation with secondary beveled surface 76 of detent button 62. The use of a plurality of slip pockets 56, 78 in

combination with the plurality of angled surfaces 74, 76 of detent button 62 enables controlled resistance to movement of liner hanger slip 36 relative to liner hanger cone 44 at a plurality of positions.

[0037] For example, the secondary slip pocket 78 working in cooperation with secondary beveled surface 76 may serve as a replacement for shear screws to provide an initial resistance to actuation of the liner hanger slips 36. If shear screws are

inadvertently sheared while running in hole, they cannot be reset. However, use of the secondary slip pocket 78 in combination with secondary beveled surface 76 enables resetting of the slips 36 to this initial run in position. If the liner hanger slips 36 are inadvertently shifted toward a set position by, for example, a pressure spike or other undesirable occurrence while running the liner hanger 22 downhole, the detent buttons 62 can simply be repositioned in secondary slip pockets 78. [0038] During assembly of the liner hanger 22, the engagement end 72 of detent button 62 may be positioned in secondary slip pocket 78. The detent button 62 is oriented so the shallower angle of the secondary beveled surface 76 is positioned for engagement with the corresponding edge, e.g. beveled edge 80, of secondary slip pocket 78. To set the liner hanger 22, sufficient pressure is applied to the actuator 34 to overcome the resistance load provided by the secondary beveled surface 76 acting against the edge 80 of secondary slip pocket 78. Once sufficient pressure is applied, the detent button 62 is forced out of secondary slip pocket 78 and the angled slip surface 50 may slide along angled cone surface 48 until the slips 36 are set against the surrounding surface 40, e.g. against the inside surface of casing 28.

[0039] If the detent button 62 is prematurely moved out of secondary slip pocket

78, the operator, e.g. driller, may reverse circulate until the slips 36 move back to the radially retracted, run in position. At this radially retracted position, a preliminary lock is again established via receipt of detent button 62 in secondary slip pocket 78. Once at the target depth, the appropriate pressure may be applied via the hydraulic actuating fluid/actuator 34 to force detent button 62 from secondary slip pocket 78 and then to set the slips 36 against the surrounding casing 28.

[0040] As the slips 36 are set, each detent button 62 is forced via spring member

64 into the corresponding slip pocket 56 so as to maintain the liner hanger 22 in the set position. The beveled edges 58, 80 may have an appropriate angle, e.g. 45°/25° respectively, to provide the desired resistance to release of the detent button 62 from the corresponding slip pocket 56, 78. For example, initial resistance at secondary slip pocket 78 may be used to resist initiation of the setting actuation; and subsequent resistance at slip pocket 56 may be used to resist release of the slips 36 from the set position.

[0041] Referring generally to Figures 8 and 9, an embodiment of a detent button assembly 82 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the detent button assembly 82 comprises a housing 84, e.g. a cylindrical housing, having a hollow interior 86 for receiving detent button 62 and spring member 64, as illustrated in Figure 9. In this example, the housing 84 is a cylindrical housing with an external threaded region 88 for threaded receipt in the corresponding cone cavity 66. A locking element 90, such as a friction element or locking paste, may be positioned along threaded region 88 to ensure housing 84 is securely retained within cone cavity 66.

[0042] When assembled, the detent button 62 is held at least partially in hollow interior 86 by the angled slip surface 50 of the corresponding liner hanger slip 36. The spring member 64 biases the detent button 62 outwardly from hollow interior 86 to ensure engagement with the appropriate slip pocket 78, 58 when the angled slip surface 50 is moved to the corresponding position relative to angled cone surface 48.

[0043] The retention system 42 may be used with many embodiments of liner hanger 22 employed in a variety of borehole applications, e.g. wellbore applications. Additionally, the retention system 42 may comprise a variety of catches 54 and retention members 60 deployed at suitable positions along each liner hanger slip 36 and liner hanger cone 44. In some embodiments, the catch 54 and the retention member 60 may be positioned in angled slip surface 50 and angled cone surface 48, respectively, or vice versa. However, the catch 54 and the retention member 60 may be located at other suitable positions which enable the desired engagement. The catch 54 also may comprise variously shaped slip pockets 56 or other suitable features, e.g. recesses or protuberances, along the corresponding surface, e.g. angled slip surface 50. Similarly, the retention member 60 may comprise variously shaped detent buttons 62 or other movable pins, rods, latches, or suitable features able to engage the corresponding catch 54.

[0044] Although a few embodiments of the disclosure have been described in detail above, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system for hanging tubing in a borehole, comprising: a liner hanger having:

a tubular body;

a hanger cone positioned along an exterior of the tubular body, the hanger cone having an angled cone surface;

a slip mounted along the tubular body for longitudinal movement relative to the hanger cone, the slip having an angled slip surface which moves against the angled cone surface to force the slip in a radially outward direction to a set position when the slip undergoes sufficient longitudinal movement with respect to the angled cone surface, the slip having a catch in the angled slip surface; and

a retention member disposed for engagement with the catch when the slip is moved to the set position, the retention member and the catch holding the slip against release from the set position.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the hanger cone comprises a plurality of angled cone surfaces and the slip comprises a plurality of slips oriented for engagement with the plurality of angled cone surfaces.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the retention member is mounted on the hanger cone and spring biased for engagement with the catch.

4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the catch comprises a slip pocket on the angled slip surface.

5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the retention member comprises a detent button spring biased to engage the slip pocket.

6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the detent button is located in a cone cavity disposed along the angled cone surface.

7. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein the slip pocket has beveled edge

positioned for engagement with the detent button.

8. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein the detent button has a corresponding beveled edge.

9. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the slip further comprises a second slip pocket to provide a second detention position with respect to movement of the angled slip surface along the angled cone surface.

10. A system, comprising: a liner hanger comprising:

a body;

a hanger cone disposed along an exterior of the body, the hanger cone having an angled cone surface and a cone cavity on the angled cone surface;

a spring loaded detent button disposed in the cone cavity; and a slip mounted along an exterior of the body for movement in an axial direction with respect to the angled cone surface, the slip having an angled slip surface for complementary engagement with the angled cone surface, the angled slip surface having a slip pocket oriented to receive at least a portion of the detent button when the slip is moved axially along the body so as to cause the angled slip surface to move along the angled cone surface as the slip is shifted to a set position.

11. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein the slip pocket comprises at least one beveled edge.

12. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the beveled edge is oriented at

approximately a 45° angle with respect to the angled slip surface.

13. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the detent button has a corresponding beveled edge.

14. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein the slip comprises a second slip pocket positioned to secure the slip in a radially retracted position during running into a wellbore.

15. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein the detent button has separate beveled edges for engaging the slip pocket and the second slip pocket, respectively.

16. A method, comprising: moving a liner hanger downhole into a borehole to a target depth;

setting the liner hanger by actuating an angled slip surface of a hanger slip against a corresponding angled cone surface of a hanger cone to force the hanger slip radially outward into engagement with a surrounding borehole surface; and securing the hanger slip and the hanger cone in a set position by engaging a catch and a retention member mounted on the angled slip surface and the corresponding angled cone surface, respectively.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein setting the liner hanger comprises forcing a plurality of hanger slips radially outward into engagement with a surrounding well casing.

18. The method as recited in claim 16, further comprising forming the catch as a slip pocket on the angled slip surface .

The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising forming the retention member as a spring-loaded detent button received in a cone cavity formed in corresponding angled cone surface.

The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising using a second slip pocket to initially receive the spring-loaded detent button when the liner hanger is run downhole into the borehole.