Patent ID: 9416622
Filing Date: 2016-08-16
CPC Classification: E21B

Claim Text:
1. A gravel packing assembly configured for being disposed in a wellbore, the gravel packing assembly comprising: a main tube for providing a main flow path for gravel packing slurry; a transport tube for providing an alternative flow path to the main flow path for the gravel packing slurry; and a flow restrictor for use downhole, the flow restrictor being on a surface of the transport tube and comprising a plurality of resilient flaps that overlap each other and that are configured for flexing outwardly from a first position that forms a gap to a second position that forms an opening larger than the gap in response to flow pressure in an inner area of the transport tube and for returning to the first position, wherein the plurality of resilient flaps are configured for variably restricting flow of the gravel packing slurry between the first position and the second position based on the flow pressure in the transport tube.