Bi-directional Running Tool for Expandable Liner Hanger

A method for operating a bi-directional running tool and installing an expandable liner hanger in a well, the method comprising:

• setting the bi-directional running tool prior to running-in-hole;
• lowering the bi-directional running tool having the expandable liner hanger to a depth in a well;
• expanding the expandable liner hanger with a forward stroke of the bi-directional running tool by applying a hydraulic pressure to a piston of the bi-directional running tool in a first direction and moving, with the piston, a cone of the bi-directional running tool into the expandable liner hanger for an expansion, wherein the piston and the cone move along an inner spine of the bi-directional running tool;
• initiating a reverse stroke of the bi-directional running tool by applying a second hydraulic pressure to the piston in a second direction opposite the first direction to pull the cone out of the expandable liner hanger;
• and
• conducting pulling-out-of-hole operations to remove the bi-directional running tool from the well.

A system comprising:

• a casing string lining a first section of a well;
• a bi-directional running tool removably coupled to an expandable liner hanger;
• and
• a rig configured to lower the bi-directional running tool with the expandable liner hanger through a wellhead and into the well to a depth approximate an end of the casing string,
• wherein bi-directional running tool comprises:
• an inner spine, wherein a body of the inner spine defines a bore;
• a piston movably coupled around the inner spine and moveable in a forward stroke in a first direction along the inner spine and a reverse stroke in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the inner spine is stationary with respect to the well in the forward stroke and the reverse stroke;
• and
• a cone coupled to the piston and movably coupled around the inner spine,
• wherein once at the depth, the forward stroke is conducted to move the cone into the expandable liner hanger for an expansion of a portion of the expandable liner hanger against casing string,
• wherein after the forward stroke, the reverse stroke is initiated to move the cone out of the expandable liner hanger, and
• wherein the expandable liner hanger is affixed to the end of the casing string to line a second section of the well below the first section.