Patent ID: 9587459
Date: 2017-03-07
CPC Classifications: E21B

Claim:
1. A method for use in a wellbore, the method comprising: providing an apparatus in a downhole annulus in the wellbore, the apparatus comprising a mandrel and a swellable element disposed on the mandrel, wherein the swellable element comprises a material selected to increase in volume when exposed to a downhole stimulus; placing a first portion of a gravel pack below the apparatus via the downhole annulus in which the apparatus is located in the absence of shunt tubes; placing a third portion of the gravel pack adjacent to the swellable element between the swellable element and the wellbore; placing a second portion of the gravel pack above the apparatus; subsequent to placing the first, second, and third portions of the gravel pack, causing the swellable element to increase in volume to create an annular barrier in the wellbore, wherein the gravel pack material comprises a gravel pack slurry of solid particles and sacrificial particles, and wherein the proportion of the sacrificial particles in the gravel pack slurry is selected to provide a sacrificial volume approximately equal to the volume of solid material required to be displaced by the swellable element during swelling.