GB2592427A

GB2592427A - Downhole tool with improved nozzles and method of operating a downhole tool

Info

Publication number: GB2592427A
Application number: GB2002837.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Strilchuk Nathan
Original assignee: Schoeller Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment AG
Current assignee: Schoeller Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment AG
Priority date: 2020-02-28
Filing date: 2020-02-28
Publication date: 2021-09-01
Also published as: GB202002837D0

Abstract

Described is a downhole tool 100 comprising: an inlet for receiving a flow of drilling fluid; an outlet; a body defining an axial flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet; a lateral through hole in the body, the lateral through hole being located between the inlet and the outlet; and a nozzle comprising an opening and a flow path towards the opening, the flow path defining a nozzle axis; the lateral through hole defining a centerline along the lateral through hole; the nozzle being located in the lateral through hole; and the nozzle axis being inclined with regard to the centerline of the lateral through hole. Further, a method is described wherein during a splitflow operation, locating a closure element in the downhole tool is performed to thereby at least partially close off a first flow portion of the split flow, to thereby allow the downhole tool to be operated in a different mode of operation.

Description

Downhole tool with improved nozzles and method of operating a downhole tool

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to the field of downhole tools, in particular circulating tools which are intended to be mounted in a drill string or a coiled tubing.

BACKGROUND

WO 2006/134446 Al discloses an activating mechanism for controlling the operation of a downhole tool. An arrangement of deformable activator is capable of being activated by launch of a large activator ball, and which can subsequently be deactivated by launch of two further large balls which block access to by-pass ports, thereby to cause increase in pressure upstream of the deformable activator, causing the latter to deform and pass downwardly through the valve seat and deactivate the mechanism.

SUMMARY

In view of the above-described situation, there still exists a need for an improved technique that enables to provide an improved downhole tool and to efficiently 30 operate a downhole tool.

This need may be met by the subject matter according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter are described by the dependent claims. -2 -

According to a first aspect of the herein disclosed subject matter, there is provided a downhole tool according to one or more embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter.

According to an embodiment of the first aspect there is provided a downhole tool comprising: an inlet for receiving a flow of drilling fluid; an outlet; a body defining an axial flow path extending between the inlet and outlet; a lateral through hole in the body, the lateral through hole being located between the inlet and outlet; and a nozzle comprising an opening and a flow path towards the opening, the flow path defining a nozzle axis; the lateral through hole defining a centerline along the lateral through hole; the nozzle being located in the lateral through hole; and the nozzle axis being inclined with regard to the centerline of the lateral through hole.

According to a second aspect of the herein disclosed subject matter, a method of operating a downhole tool is provided.

According to an embodiment of the second aspect there is provided a method of operating a downhole tool comprising an inlet, an outlet and a bypass port located between the inlet and the outlet, the method comprising: activating a splitflow operation of the downhole tool in which an incoming flow, which enters the downhole tool through the inlet, is split into a first flow portion exiting the downhole tool through the outlet and a second flow portion exiting the tool through the bypass port; during the splitflow operation, locating a closure element in the downhole tool to thereby at least partially close off the first flow portion, thereby allowing the downhole tool to be operated in a different mode of operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a partly cross-sectional view of a downhole tool according to embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter.

Fig. 2 shows part of the downhole tool of Fig. 1 in a cross-sectional view. -3 -

Fig. 3 shows a part of the downhole tool of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in greater detail.

Fig. 4 shows a first piece of a nozzle according to embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter.

Fig. 5 shows a second piece of a nozzle according to embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter.

Fig. 6 shows an elevated view on part of the downhole tool of Fig. 2 with the nozzle angled upwards and sideways.

Fig. 7 shows the downhole tool of Fig. 2 in a different mode of operation according to embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In the following, exemplary embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter are described, any number and any combination of which may be realized in an implementation of aspects of the herein disclosed subject matter.

According to an embodiment, the downhole tool comprises an inlet for receiving a flow of drilling fluid, an outlet and a body defining an axial flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet. According to an embodiment, the downhole tool comprises a lateral through hole in the body, the lateral through hole being located between the inlet and outlet. According to a further embodiment, the downhole tool comprises a nozzle comprising an opening and a flow path towards the opening (through which bypass flow may exit the tool). Accordingly, the opening of the nozzle may also referred to as bypass port. According to a further embodiment, the lateral through hole is free of any additional component and and hence the lateral through hole itself forms a bypass port.

In accordance with an embodiment, the lateral through hole defines a centerline along the lateral through hole. According to an embodiment, the nozzle is located in the lateral through hole and the nozzle axis is inclined with regard to the -4 -centerline of the lateral through hole. In other words, by the inclination of the nozzle axis with regard to the centerline of the lateral through hole in the body of the downhole tool leads to a bypass flow which is accordingly inclined with regard to the centerline of the lateral through hole. In this way, the lateral through hole may be generated in a convenient way, e. g. perpendicular to a surface of the body while at the same time allowing a bypass flow in a different direction. According to an embodiment, the bypass flow may has a component in at least one of an upward direction, a radial direction and a circumferential direction. All three components may be defined with respect to the axial flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet, i. e. the upward direction may be defined as being parallel (but opposite) to the axial flow path, the radial direction may be defined as being perpendicular to the axial flow path and the circumferential direction may be defined as extending circumferentially about the axial flow path. According to an embodiment, the bypass flow may have a component in the upward direction, i. e. in a direction from the outlet to the inlet of the downhole tool. For example, according to an embodiment, the bypass flow may have a component in the upward direction and a component in the radial direction but no component in the circumferential direction (about the circumference of the tool in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction). In another embodiment, the component in the circumferential direction is non-zero.

According to an embodiment, the downhole tool is a downhole valve, e. g. a bypass valve, in particular a multiple activation bypass valve (e. g. a multiple activation circulating tool). In this regard, the term circulating tool (or circulating valve) relates to the circulation of drilling fluid, e. g. down a drillstring (or coiled tubing) and back to the surface through the annulus between the drillstring/coiled tubing and the surrounding formation.

According to an embodiment, a bypass valve can be operated in at least two modes of operation. According to an embodiment, a first mode of operation is a through flow mode, in which fluid entering the downhole tool through the inlet is entirely routed through the outlet. According to a further embodiment, a second mode of operation is a bypass mode in which fluid entering the downhole tool through the inlet is at least partially routed through the nozzle in the lateral through hole. According to an embodiment, the downhole valve comprises a -5 -mode of operation which is a splitflow mode, in which a first part of the fluid entering the downhole tool through the inlet is routed through the outlet and a second part of the fluid entering the downhole tool through the inlet is routed through the nozzle.

According to an embodiment, with regard to the centerline of the lateral through hole the nozzle axis is inclined towards the inlet. In other words, a thus inclined nozzle axis leads to a bypass flow which is directed upwardly, opposite to the downstream direction along which the fluid enters the inlet of the downhole tool.

It is noted that in case the lateral through hole is curved, the centerline is defined as the centerline of the lateral through hole at the opening in the outer surface of the body. Likewise, if the flow path of the nozzle is curved, the nozzle axis is defined as the centerline of the flow path of the nozzle at the opening of the nozzle. According to an embodiment the lateral through hole comprises a straight portion ending in the opening in the surface the body. According to a further embodiment, the flow path of the nozzle comprises a straight portion ending in the opening of the nozzle.

According to an embodiment, the nozzle comprises a first piece and a second piece, wherein the first piece is configured to be securable in the lateral through hole and wherein the second piece is configured to be securable to the first piece in at least two different angular positions. For example, according to an embodiment the second piece is securable to the first piece in a plurality of angular positions, e. g. so as to allow the nozzle axis to be directed generally upwardly irrespective of the orientation of the first piece in the lateral through hole. This embodiment allows to separate the securing of the nozzle in the lateral through hole and the desired orientation of the nozzle axis. For example, according to an embodiment the first piece and the lateral through hole are configured such that the first piece is threadable into the lateral through hole.

According to a further embodiment, the first piece is secured to the second piece in an angular position such that the nozzle axis is directed generally upwardly (i. e. in upstream direction) after the first piece is secured to the lateral through hole. -6 -

According to an embodiment, the method of operating the downhole tool comprises activating a splitflow operation of the downhole tool in which incoming flow, which enters the downhole tool through the inlet, is split into a first flow portion exiting the downhole tool through the outlet and a second flow portion exiting the downhole tool through the bypass port. According to a further embodiment, the method comprises, during the splitflow operation, locating a closure element in the downhole tool to thereby at least partially close off the first flow portion to thereby allow the downhole tool to be operated in a different mode of operation, e. g. in a bypass mode of operation in which the first flow portion is zero (i. e. in which 100 13/0 of the incoming flow is routed through the bypass port.

According to an embodiment, the different mode of operation includes pumping lost circulation material through the bypass ports. Embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter advantageously allow to prevent the lost circulation material from exiting the outlet (and thereby adversely affecting the drill bit), e. g. if the incoming flow as a whole (or at least a flow portion comprising the lost circulation material) is routed through the bypass port.

According to a further embodiment, after locating the closure element in the downhole tool a maximum clearance for the first flow portion is smaller than the smallest particle diameter of the particles of the lost circulation material. By this measure, the lost circulation material may also be prevented from exiting through the outlet.

According to an embodiment, the closure element is a ball or a dart.

According to a further embodiment, activating the splitflow operation includes locating a splitflow dart in a first seat provided at a valve element (i. e. a moveable element) of the downhole tool, wherein the splitflow dart itself comprises a second seat and at least one through hole extending from the second seat of the downhole tool, and wherein locating the closure element in the second seat includes closing off at least part of the at least one through hole in the splitflow dart with the closure element. -7 -

According to embodiments of the first aspect, the downhole tool is adapted for providing the functionality or features of one or more of the herein disclosed embodiments and/or for providing the functionality or features as required by one or more of the herein disclosed embodiments, in particular of the embodiments of the first and the second aspect disclosed herein.

According to embodiments of the second aspect, the method is adapted for providing the functionality or features of one or more of the herein disclosed embodiments and/or for providing the functionality or features as required by one or more of the herein disclosed embodiments, in particular of the embodiments of the first and second aspect disclosed herein.

In the above there have been described and in the following there will be described exemplary embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein with reference to a method of operating a downhole tool, and a downhole tool. It has to be pointed out that of course any combination of features relating to different aspects of the herein disclosed subject matter is also possible. In particular, some features have been or will be described with reference to device type embodiments (e. g. relating to a downhole tool, a part thereof, etc.) whereas other features have been or will be described with reference to method type embodiments (e. g. relating to a method of operating a downhole tool, a step thereof, etc.). However, a person skilled in the art will gather from the above and the following description that, unless otherwise notified, in addition to any combination of features belonging to one aspect also any combination of features relating to different aspects or embodiments, for example even combinations of features of device type embodiments and features of the method type embodiments are considered to be disclosed with this application. In this regard, it should be understood that any method feature derivable from a corresponding explicitly disclosed device feature should be based on the respective function of the device feature and should not be considered as being limited to device specific elements disclosed in conjunction with the device feature. Further, it should be understood that any device feature derivable from a corresponding explicitly disclosed method feature can be realized based on the respective function described in the method with any suitable device disclosed herein or known in the art. -8 -

The aspects and embodiments defined above and further aspects and embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter are apparent from the examples to be described hereinafter and are explained with reference to the drawings, but to which the invention is not limited. The afore-mentioned definitions and comments are in particular also valid for the following detailed

description and vice versa.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustration in the drawings is schematic. It is noted that in different figures, similar or identical elements are provided with the same reference signs. Accordingly, the description of the similar or identical features is not repeated in the description of subsequent figures in order to avoid unnecessary repetitions.

Rather, it should be understood that the description of these features in the preceding figures is also valid for the subsequent figures unless explicitly noted otherwise.

Further, spatially relative terms, such as "up" and "down", "front" and "back", "above" and "below", "left" and "right", et cetera are used to describe an element's relationship to another element(s) as illustrated in the Figures, unless explicitly noted otherwise. Thus, the spatially relative terms may apply to orientations in use which differ from the orientation depicted in the Figures. Obviously all such spatially relative terms refer to the orientation shown in the Figures only for ease of description and are not necessarily limiting as an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention can assume orientations different than those illustrated in the Figures when in use.

Fig. 1 shows a partly cross-sectional view of a downhole tool 100 according to 30 embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter.

In accordance with an embodiment, the downhole tool comprises an inlet 102 and an outlet 104. In accordance with an embodiment, the downhole tool 100 comprises a body 105 as well as an axial flow path 106 extending through the body 105 and being defined by the body 105. In accordance with an -9 -embodiment, the axial flow path 106 extends between the inlet 102 and the outlet 104.

Fig. 2 shows part of the downhole tool 100 of Fig. 1 in a cross-sectional view.

In accordance with an embodiment, located within the body 105 is a movable element 108 (i. e. a valve element), e. g. a movable sleeve which is axially movable so as to open or close bypass ports 110 of the downhole tool 100. Fig. 2 shows the downhole tool 100 in a splitflow configuration, in which through holes 112 in the movable element 108 are aligned with lateral through holes 114 in the body 105 of the downhole tool 100. Further, in the splitflow configuration the axial flow path 106 is at least partially open such that incoming flow 116 which enters the downhole tool 100 through the inlet (not shown in Fig. 2) is split into a first flow portion 118 exiting the downhole tool 100 through the outlet (not shown in Fig. 2) and a second flow portion 120 exiting the downhole tool 100 through the bypass port 110. In accordance with an embodiment, a nozzle 121 is located in the lateral through hole 114. The splitflow configuration (splitflow mode) of the downhole tool may be reached as described e. g. in WO 2018/050418 Al or WO 2006/134446 Al.

According to an embodiment, the splitflow operation of the downhole tool which is established e. g. by the splitflow configuration described above, is achieved by activating the downhole tool 100 with a splitflow dart 122, e. g. as shown in Fig. 2. In accordance with an embodiment, the splitflow dart 122, upon being pumped down to the downhole tool 100, is configured to land in a seat 124, thereby reducing the free cross-section of the axial flow path 106. According to an embodiment, a ball (not shown in Fig. 2) may be used to pressure up the tool and to move the moveable element 108 into the bypass position, e. g. as described in WO 2018/050418 Al or WO 2006/134446 Al. According to a further embodiment, the bypass position of the movable element 108 (e. g. as shown in Fig. 2) is flow activated, i. e. a flow is generated through the axial flow path such that the resulting force on the sleeve is sufficient to move the sleeve into the bypass position. To this end, a flow restriction 126 may be provided, e. g. in the splitflow dart, e. g. as shown in Fig. 2.

-10 -Fig. 3 shows a part of the downhole tool 100 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in greater detail.

In accordance with an embodiment, the nozzle 121 comprises an opening 128 and a flow path 130 towards the opening 128. In accordance with an embodiment, the flow path 130 defines a nozzle axis 132. According to an embodiment, the nozzle axis corresponds to a centerline of the flow path 130, in particular at the opening 128. According to a further embedded embodiment, the lateral through hole 114 defines a centerline 134, wherein the nozzle axis 132 is inclined with regard to the centerline 134 of the lateral through hole 114, performing an angle 136 there between. In accordance with an embodiment, the angle 136 is between 5 degrees and 70 degrees. In a further embodiment, the angle 136 is zero, i. e. the nozzle axis 132 is parallel to the centerline 134 of the through hole 114 (not shown in Fig. 3).

According to an embodiment, the nozzle axis 132 is inclined towards the inlet, i. e. generally opposite a flow direction 138 from the inlet to the outlet, e. g. as shown in Fig. 3. Generally opposite means that the resulting bypass flow (i. e. the second flow portion 120 in case of split flow) exiting the nozzle 121 has at least a directional component pointing opposite the flow direction 138 through the tool. Such an inclination of the nozzle axis 132 may have the advantage of an improved hole cleaning (of the holed drilled into the formation) as well as a reduced depositing of lost circulation material close to the drill bit.

According to an embodiment, the nozzle 121 comprises a first piece 140 and a second piece 142. In accordance with an embodiment, the first piece 140 is configured to be securable in the lateral through hole 114, e. g. by means of a thread 144, e. g. as shown in Fig. 3. According to a further embodiment, the second piece 142 is configured to be securable to the first piece 140. For example, according to an embodiment the second piece 142 is configured to be securable to the first piece 140 by a split ring 146, e. g. as shown in Fig. 3.

According to a further embodiment, the second piece 142 is configured to be securable to the first piece 140 in at least two different angular positions, e. g. in a plurality of angular positions. To this end, mating elements 148, 150, e. g. a recess and the corresponding protrusion, may be provided on the first piece and the second piece. For example, there may be provided a protrusion 150 which may be mated with each of a plurality of recesses 148, thereby allowing the plurality of angular positions.

It should be understood that sealing elements 152 may be provided depending on actual implementation of embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter and the corresponding needs for sealing.

Fig. 4 shows a first piece 140 of a nozzle according to embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter.

In accordance with an embodiment, the first piece 140 has a thread 144 which can be threaded into a corresponding thread in the lateral through hole 114 of the downhole tool. Further in accordance with an embodiment, the first piece 140 comprises a plurality of recesses (some of which are indicated at 148 in Fig. 4) which are configured to cooperate with at least one corresponding protrusion of a second piece 142 according to embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter.

Fig. 5 shows a second piece 142 of a nozzle according to embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter.

In accordance with an embodiment, the second piece 142 has a protrusion 150 configured to cooperate with a corresponding recess of a first piece 140 according to embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter.

According to an embodiment, the second piece 142 defines the opening 128 and the flow path 130 of the nozzle.

Fig. 6 shows an elevated view on part of the downhole tool 100 of Fig. 2 with the nozzle axis of the nozzle 121 being angled upwards and sideways.

In other words, according to an embodiment, the bypass flow 120 (schematically illustrated in Fig. 6) has an upward component (i. e. opposite the axial flow direction 138 through the tool 100), a radial component (i. e. radially outwardly), -12 -and a circumferential component (i. e. a component in a circumferential direction 139, about the axial flow direction 138), leading to a helical bypass flow about the tool 100 (e. g. as shown in Fig. 6) and the drillstring (not shown in Fig. 6). With a helical bypass flow the individual flows out of each bypass port may result in a combined helical swirling effect. This may improve the cleaning effect (removal of cuttings in the annulus) of the bypass flow. Fig. 6 shows three helical bypass flows 120, 120-1 and 120-2 coming from three bypass ports, one of which is shown in Fig. 6 as emerging from nozzle 121. A sideway angle of the nozzle 121 (leading to the circumferential component of the bypass flow) may be adjusted by the orientation of the first piece 140 and the second piece 142 of the nozzle 121 with respect to each other. According to an embodiment, this orientation is fixed by the mating elements 148, 150 (see Fig. 4, Fig. 5).

Fig. 7 shows the downhole tool 100 of Fig. 2 in a different mode of operation according to embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter.

While the downhole tool 100 in Fig. 2 is shown in a splitflow operation, in which incoming flow 116 is split into the first flow portion 118 and the second flow portion 120, Fig. 7 shows the downhole tool in a different mode of operation, in which a closure element 154, e. g. a ball, e. g. as shown in Fig. 7, is located in the downhole tool 100 to thereby at least partially close off the first flow portion 118, shown in dashed lines in Fig. 7. For example, according to an embodiment the first flow portion 118 is entirely closed off, e. g. as shown in Fig. 7.

Worded differently, in the different mode of operation, with the closure element 154 in place, the second flow portion 120 is increased, e. g. for improving the cleaning of the annulus between the downhole tool 100 and the surrounding formation.

According to a further embodiment, after locating the closure element in the downhole tool, a maximum clearance for the first flow portion 118 is smaller than the smallest particle diameter of particles of the lost circulation material which is provided with the incoming flow 116 (not shown in Fig. 7). For example, the maximum clearance for the first flow portion 118 is reduced to zero, i. e. the first flow portion is entirely closed off. According to a further embodiment, the seat -13 - 124 and/or the splitflow dart 122 may include passages which remain open even with the closure element 154 in place.

According to an embodiment, the seat 124, in which the splitflow dart 122 is seated, is a first seat and the splitflow dart itself comprises a second seat 156, wherein locating the closure element 154 in the downhole tool 100 means locating the closure element 154 in the second seat 156. In accordance with an embodiment, the splitflow dart 122 has at least one through hole 158, e. g. a single through hole 158, e. g. as shown in Fig. 7, which is at least partially close off by the closure element 154.

Advantageously, according to an embodiment of the herein disclosed subject matter the locating of the closure element 154 in the downhole tool 100 to thereby at least partially close off the first flow portion 118 is performed during the splitflow operation. In other words, according to an embodiment the at least partial closing off of the first flow portion 118 is performed directly from the splitflow operation, without any intermediate operation (e. g. without shifting the movable element 108). In this way, a time duration required for entering the different mode of operation and material consumption (e. g. flow of drilling fluid, activation elements, etc.) may be reduced.

It should be noted that any entity disclosed herein (e. g. components, elements and devices) are not limited to a dedicated entity as described in some embodiments. Rather, the herein disclosed subject matter may be implemented in various ways and with various granularity on device level or method step level while still providing the specified functionality. Further, it should be noted that according to embodiments a separate entity (e. g. a method step, a device feature, etc.) may be provided for each of the functions disclosed herein. According to other embodiments, an entity (e. g. a method step, a device feature, etc.) is configured for providing two or more functions as disclosed herein. According to still other embodiments, two or more entities are configured for providing together a function as disclosed herein.

Further, it should be noted that while the exemplary method and downhole tool described with regard to the drawings comprise a particular combination of -14 -several embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter, any other combination of embodiment is also possible and is considered to be disclosed with this application and hence the scope of the herein disclosed subject matter extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative examples of the herein disclosed subject matter.

It should be noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps and the "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. According to an embodiment, the term "comprising" includes the meaning "consisting of".

According to a further embodiment, the term "comprising" includes the meaning "comprising inter alia". Also elements described in association with different embodiments may be combined. It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

According to an embodiment the term "adapted to" includes inter alia the meaning "configured to". Further, herein the disclosure of a function which is performed by an entity implicitly discloses that according to an embodiment the entity is configured to perform the function.

In order to recapitulate some of the above described embodiments of the herein disclosed subject matter one can state: Described is a downhole tool comprising: an inlet for receiving a flow of drilling fluid; an outlet; a body defining an axial flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet; a lateral through hole in the body, the lateral through hole being located between the inlet and the outlet; and a nozzle comprising an opening and a flow path towards the opening, the flow path defining a nozzle axis; the lateral through hole defining a centerline along the lateral through hole; the nozzle being located in the lateral through hole; and the nozzle axis being inclined with regard to the centerline of the lateral through hole. Further, a method is described wherein during a splitflow operation, locating a closure element in the downhole tool is performed to thereby at least partially close off a first flow portion of the split flow, to thereby allow the downhole tool to be operated in a different mode of operation.

Claims

-15 -Claims 1. Downhole tool comprising: an inlet for receiving a flow of drilling fluid; an outlet; a body defining an axial flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet; a lateral through hole in the body, the lateral through hole being located between the inlet and the outlet; and a nozzle comprising an opening and a flow path towards the opening, the flow path defining a nozzle axis; the lateral through hole defining a centerline along the lateral through hole; the nozzle being located in the lateral through hole; and the nozzle axis being inclined with regard to the centerline of the lateral through hole.
2. Downhole tool according to claim 1, wherein with regard to the center line of the lateral through hole the nozzle axis is inclined towards the inlet.
3. Downhole tool according to any one of claims 1 or 2, the nozzle comprising a first piece and a second piece, wherein the first piece is configured to be secureable in the lateral through hole and wherein the second piece is configured to be securable to the first piece in at least two different angular positions.
4. Method of operating a downhole tool comprising an inlet, an outlet and a bypass port located between the inlet and the outlet, the method comprising: activating a splitflow operation of the downhole tool in which an incoming flow, which enters the downhole tool through the inlet, is split into a first flow portion exiting the downhole tool through the outlet and a second flow portion exiting the downhole tool through the bypass port; -16 -during the splitflow operation, locating a closure element in the downhole tool to thereby at least partially close off the first flow portion, to thereby allow the downhole tool to be operated in a different mode of operation.
5. Method according to claim 4, wherein the different mode of operation includes pumping lost circulation material through the bypass ports.
6. Method according to claim 5, wherein after locating the closure element in the downhole tool a maximum clearance for the first flow portion for is smaller than the smallest particle diameter of particles of the lost circulation material.
7. Method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the closure element is a ball or a dart.
8. Method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein activating the splitflow operation includes locating a splitflow dart in a first seat provided at a valve element of the downhole tool, the splitflow dart itself comprising a second seat and at least one through hole extending from the second seat of the splitflow dart; and wherein locating the closure element in the second seat includes closing off at least part of the at least one through hole in the splitflow dart with the closure element.