Apparatus and method for delivering settable fluid downhole

A method for locating a bore-lining tubing string in a bore hole, the method comprising:

• a) engaging a lower end of an inner tubing string with a lower end of a bore-lining tubing string;
• b) pumping settable material down through the inner tubing string and a first flow port at a lower end of the bore-lining tubing string such that the settable material flows into a first annulus between the bore-lining tubing string and a surrounding bore wall;
• c) closing the first flow port;
• d) opening a second flow port in the inner tubing string above the lower end of the bore-lining tubing string;
• e) pumping fluid down through the inner tubing string, out of the second flow port and into a volume between the inner tubing string and the bore-lining tubing string, the fluid then flowing into the volume between the inner tubing string and the bore-lining tubing string;
• and
• f) disengaging the lower end of the inner tubing string from the lower end of the bore-lining tubing and retrieving the inner tubing string.

A method for locating a bore-lining tubing string in a bore hole, the method comprising:

• a) engaging a lower end of an inner tubing string with a lower end of a bore-lining tubing string;
• b) pumping settable material down through the inner tubing string and a first flow port at a lower end of the bore-lining tubing string such that the settable material flows into a first annulus between the bore-lining tubing string and a surrounding bore wall;
• c) closing the first flow port;
• d) opening a second flow port in the inner tubing string above the lower end of the bore-lining tubing string;
• e) pumping fluid down through the inner tubing string, out of the second flow port and into a volume between the inner tubing string and the bore-lining tubing string, the fluid then flowing into the volume between the inner tubing string and the bore-lining tubing string;
• and
• f) disengaging the lower end of the inner tubing string from the lower end of the bore-lining tubing and retrieving the inner tubing string,
• the method further comprising:
• retaining a volume of the settable material in a lower end of the inner tubing string;
• allowing the volume of settable material to set;
• and removing the volume of set material from the inner tubing string.

Downhole apparatus comprising:

• an inner string for location within a bore-lining tubing string;
• a tubular body mounted on a lower end of the inner tubing string;
• a running tool for coupling to an upper end of the inner string and operable to engage with and disengage from an upper end of the bore-lining tubing string;
• a valve in the running tool operable to control flow into and from an annulus defined between the inner string and the bore-lining tubing string;
• a first flow port;
• a second flow port;
• and
• a connector associated with the tubular body and operable to engage with and disengage from a lower end of the bore-lining tubing string,
• the apparatus having:
• a first configuration in which the running tool is coupled to the upper end of the inner string and engaged with the upper end of the bore-lining tubing string, the connector is engaged with the lower end of the bore-lining tubing string, the first flow port is open, and the second flow port is closed, whereby a settable material may be pumped in a first direction downwards through the inner tubing string, through the tubular body, through the connector, and through the first flow port, and
• a second configuration in which the running tool is coupled to the upper end of the inner string and engaged with the upper end of the bore-lining tubing string, the valve in the running tool is open, the connector is engaged with the lower end of the bore-lining tubing string, the first flow port is closed, and the second flow port is open, whereby a fluid may be pumped in the first direction downwards through the tubular body, exit the tubular body through the second flow port, flow in a second direction upwards and externally of the tubular body through the annulus defined between the inner string and the bore-lining tubing string, and exit the annulus through the valve in the running tool.

A method for locating a bore-lining tubing string in a bore hole, the method comprising:

• a) engaging a lower end of an inner tubing string with a lower end of a bore-lining tubing string;
• b) engaging an upper end of the inner tubing string with the upper end of the bore-lining tubing string via a running tool including a valve;
• c) locating the coupled inner tubing string and bore-lining tubing string in a bore hole;
• d) pumping settable material down through the inner tubing string and a first flow port at a lower end of the bore-lining tubing string such that the settable material flows into a first annulus between the bore-lining tubing string and a surrounding bore wall;
• e) closing the first flow port;
• f) opening a second flow port in the inner tubing string above the lower end of the bore-lining tubing string;
• g) pumping fluid down through the inner tubing string, out of the second flow port and into a volume between the inner tubing string and the bore-lining tubing string, and out of the volume through the valve in the running tool;
• h) disengaging the running tool from the upper end of the bore-lining tubing string,
• i) disengaging the lower end of the inner tubing string from the lower end of the bore-lining tubing string, and
• j) retrieving the inner tubing string from the bore hole.