Abstract: A method of conditioning a well bore featuring an annulus (50) between a bore-lining tubing (20) and a surrounding bore wall (110) comprises pumping conditioning fluid through an inner tubing (10) located within the bore-lining tubing (20) and into a portion of the well bore containing the bore-lining tubing to affect the temperature of the portion of the well bore containing the bore-lining tubing. The annulus (50) between the bore-lining tubing (20) and the surrounding bore wall (110) is at least partially filled with settable material (54). The affected temperature of the portion of the well bore containing the bore-lining tubing influences the setting of the settable material. For example, heating the bore may accelerate setting of the material, while cooling the bore may retard setting of the material.

Abstract: A method of conditioning a well bore featuring an annulus (50) between a bore-lining tubing (20) and a surrounding bore wall (110) comprises pumping conditioning fluid through an inner tubing (10) located within the bore-lining tubing (20) and into a portion of the well bore containing the bore-lining tubing to affect the temperature of the portion of the well bore containing the bore-lining tubing. The annulus (50) between the bore-lining tubing (20) and the surrounding bore wall (110) is at least partially filled with settable material (54). The affected temperature of the portion of the well bore containing the bore-lining tubing influences the setting of the settable material. For example, heating the bore may accelerate setting of the material, while cooling the bore may retard setting of the material.

Abstract: A well construction method, and corresponding apparatus, in which a drilled bore (106) is lined with a plurality of successively smaller diameter sections of bore-lining tubing includes at least one casing (108, 110, 112) and at least one liner (120). The well construction method comprises: drilling a final section of a bore (106) to intersect a hydrocarbon-bearing formation (130); providing a shoe (134) at a distal end of a liner and a running tool (150) at a proximal end of the liner, and coupling an inner string (140) between the shoe (134) and the miming tool (150); running the liner (120) into the final section of the bore (106) such that the liner extends into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation (130); pumping a settable material (116) from surface (104), through the inner string (140), and through the shoe (134) to at least partially fill an outer annulus (114) surrounding the liner (120); and retrieving the inner string (140) and the running tool (150).

Abstract: There is provided a sandscreen joint (110) capable of providing zonal isolation. The ends of the portion of the (110) are capable of extension on activation of the sandscreen (110), including transition areas (135), which are coated with an elastomer sleeve (134). On activation of the sandscreen (110), the sleeve (134) is pushed out into contact with the bore wall and serves to isolate the zone on one side of the activated sleeve (134) from the zone on the other side of the sleeve (134). Thus, the provision of the sleeve (134) on the activated sandscreen (110) may prevent fluid from flowing axially along the bore between the bore wall and sandscreen. This may serve to protect the weave at the transition area (135), preventing axial flow through the transition areas (135).

Abstract: Downhole apparatus comprises: a tubular body for mounting on an inner tubing string (10); a first flow port (24); a second flow port (12a); and a connector (68) associated with the tubular body (10) and operable to at least one of engage with and disengage from a lower end (22) of a bore-lining tubing string (20). The apparatus has a first configuration in which the first flow port (24) is open and the second flow port (12a) is closed, whereby a settable material (54) may be pumped in a first direction (56) downwards through the tubular body, through the connector, and through the first flow port, and a second configuration in which the first flow port (24) is closed and the second flow port (12a) is open, whereby a fluid may be pumped in the first direction (58) downwards through the tubular body (10), exit the tubular body through the second flow port (12a), and then flow in a second direction upwards and externally of the tubular body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a downhole apparatus and a valve arrangement for a downhole apparatus having a tubular body having first and second ports in a wall thereof; and a method of operating a valve arrangement of a downhole apparatus. The valve arrangement has at least one locked configuration and the first port provides fluid communication with a tool or a device which is a sand control element having at least one fluid deformable device. The present invention also provides a method of setting a sand control completion, extending the sand control filter element thereof to a wellbore surface and isolating the reservoir from an upper portion of the wellbore.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a downhole apparatus and a valve arrangement for a downhole apparatus having a tubular body having first and second ports in a wall thereof; and a method of operating a valve arrangement of a downhole apparatus. The valve arrangement has at least one locked configuration and the first port provides fluid communication with a tool or a device which is a sand control element having at least one fluid deformable device. The present invention also provides a method of setting a sand control completion, extending the sand control filter element thereof to a wellbore surface and isolating the reservoir from an upper portion of the wellbore.

Abstract: A method of conditioning a well bore featuring an annulus (50) between a bore-lining tubing (20) and a surrounding bore wall (110) comprises pumping conditioning fluid through an inner tubing (10) located within the bore-lining tubing (20) and into a portion of the well bore containing the bore-lining tubing to affect the temperature of the portion of the well bore containing the bore-lining tubing. The annulus (50) between the bore-lining tubing (20) and the surrounding bore wall (110) is at least partially filled with settable material (54). The affected temperature of the portion of the well bore containing the bore-lining tubing influences the setting of the settable material. For example, heating the bore may accelerate setting of the material, while cooling the bore may retard setting of the material.

Abstract: Downhole apparatus comprises: a tubular body for mounting on an inner tubing string (10); a first flow port (24); a second flow port (12a); and a connector (68) associated with the tubular body (10) and operable to at least one of engage with and disengage from a lower end (22) of a bore-lining tubing string (20). The apparatus has a first configuration in which the first flow port (24) is open and the second flow port (12a) is closed, whereby a settable material (54) may be pumped in a first direction (56) downwards through the tubular body, through the connector, and through the first flow port, and a second configuration in which the first flow port (24) is closed and the second flow port (12a) is open, whereby a fluid may be pumped in the first direction (58) downwards through the tubular body (10), exit the tubular body through the second flow port (12a), and then flow in a second direction upwards and externally of the tubular body.

Abstract: A tubular has a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. The tubular is initially in the retracted configuration and run into a bore at least partially lined with filter cake. The tubular is extended such that a filter cake-disrupting member mounted on the tubular defines high points or otherwise has an outer surface of varying radial extent for disrupting or disturbing the filter cake.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus including a tubular body, first and second ports in a wall of the body, and a fluid pressure-responsive valve arrangement having a locked first configuration associated with a first pressure in which the first port is open and the second port is closed, an unlocked second configuration associated with a second pressure higher than the first pressure in which the first port is open and the second port is closed, and a third configuration associated with a third pressure lower than the second pressure in which the second port is open and the first port is closed.

Abstract: Downhole Apparatus and Method For Providing Zonal Isolation. There is provided a sandscreen joint (110) capable of providing zonal isolation. The ends of the portion of the (110) are capable of extension on activation of the sandscreen (110), including transition areas (135), which are coated with an elastomer sleeve (134). On activation of the sandscreen (110), the sleeve (134) is pushed out into contact with the bore wall and serves to isolate the zone on one side of the activated sleeve (134) from the zone on the other side of the sleeve (134). Thus, the provision of the sleeve (134) on the activated sandscreen (110) may prevent fluid from flowing axially along the bore between the bore wall and sandscreen. This may serve to protect the weave at the transition area (135), preventing axial flow through the transition areas (135).

Abstract: A method is for use with subterranean formations, such as oil and/or gas reservoirs. In some examples (e.g., production examples), the method improves the production from that formation. Some of the examples of the method describe selecting both an exertive force (e.g., a pressure) to apply at a wellbore, but together with a drawdown pressure at the wellbore to modify operations (e.g., improve production) at that subterranean formation. The selection of one or both of the exertive force and drawdown pressure may be based on the downhole environment at that wellbore, which can include the porosity and/or permeability of a near-wellbore formation radially surrounding a wellbore. The exertive force and drawdown pressure may be specifically selected to modify the porosity and/or permeability of the near-wellbore formation.

Abstract: A sandscreen joint is capable of providing zonal isolation. The ends of a portion of the sandscreen are capable of extension on activation of the sandscreen, including transition areas, which are coated with an elastomer sleeve. On activation of the sandscreen, the sleeve is pushed out into contact with the bore wall and serves to isolate the zone on one side of the activated sleeve from the zone on the other side of the sleeve. Thus, the sleeve on the activated sandscreen may prevent fluid from flowing axially along the bore between the bore wall and sandscreen. This may protect the weave at the transition area, preventing axial flow through the transition areas.

Abstract: A method of injecting fluid into a formation, comprises exerting a mechanical force on a wall of a bore extending through a formation to modify the permeability of the formation; and injecting fluid into the modified formation. The mechanical force is exerted through inflation of at least one pressure deformable member mounted on a base member with a retaining ring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a downhole apparatus and a valve arrangement for a downhole apparatus having a tubular body having first and second ports in a wall thereof; and a method of operating a valve arrangement of a downhole apparatus. The valve arrangement has at least one locked configuration and the first port provides fluid communication with a tool or a device which is a sand control element having at least one fluid deformable device. The present invention also provides a method of setting a sand control completion, extending the sand control filter element thereof to a wellbore surface and isolating the reservoir from an upper portion of the wellbore.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus including a tubular body, first and second ports in a wall of the body, and a fluid pressure-responsive valve arrangement having a locked first configuration associated with a first pressure in which the first port is open and the second port is closed, an unlocked second configuration associated with a second pressure higher than the first pressure in which the first port is open and the second port is closed, and a third configuration associated with a third pressure lower than the second pressure in which the second port is open and the first port is closed.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus including a tubular body, first and second ports in a wall of the body, and a fluid pressure-responsive valve arrangement having a locked first configuration associated with a first pressure in which the first port is open and the second port is closed, an unlocked second configuration associated with a second pressure higher than the first pressure in which the first port is open and the second port is closed, and a third configuration associated with a third pressure lower than the second pressure in which the second port is open and the first port is closed.

Abstract: A method of injecting fluid into a formation, comprises exerting a mechanical force on a wall of a bore extending through a formation to modify the permeability of the formation; and injecting fluid into the modified formation. The mechanical force may be exerted through inflation of at least one pressure deformable member mounted on a base member. The base member may be a base pipe. The pressure deformable member may be a hollow or tubular member mounted externally of the base pipe. A plurality of pressure deformable members may be provided.

Abstract: A method of injecting fluid into a formation, comprises exerting a mechanical force on a wall of a bore extending through a formation to modify the permeability of the formation; and injecting fluid into the modified formation. The mechanical force may be exerted through inflation of at least one pressure deformable member mounted on a base member. The base member may be a base pipe. The pressure deformable member may be a hollow or tubular member mounted externally of the base pipe.