Patent ID: 6230801
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A method of gravel packing a wellbore while maintaining said wellbore in an overburdened condition with a completion string having a flow restriction device that restricts flow of gravel and provides a fluid path between said wellbore and inside of said completion string, said method comprising:conveying said completion string in said wellbore to position said fluid flow restriction device adjacent a selected formation while maintaining the wellbore in the overburdened condition, the space between the wellbore and the completion string defining an annulus;setting the completion string to establish a first crossover fluid flow path in said completion string uphole of the fluid flow restriction device while maintaining said wellbore in the overburdened condition, said first crossover fluid flow path allowing fluid supplied to the completion string to pass from said completion string to said annulus;setting the completion string to establish a return fluid path in said completion string while maintaining said wellbore in the overburdened condition, said return fluid path allowing fluid flowing from said selected formation, through said flow restriction device, into said completion string and from said completion string into said annulus uphole of said first crossover fluid flow path; andsupplying a fluid mixture containing gravel under pressure to said completion string, thereby causing said mixture to flow into and gravel pack said annulus downhole of said first crossover fluid path.