# US 11,111,757 B2 · System and methodology for controlling fluid flow > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,111,757 B2 - Document ID: US11111757B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/494,734 - Filed: 2018-03-16 - Published: 2020-01-09 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2017-03-16 - Assignees: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Applicants: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Inventors: Bryan Stamm; Michael Dean Langlais; John R. Whitsitt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11111757B2 ## CPC - E21B 34/10: operated by control fluid supplied from outside the borehole - E21B 43/08: Screens or liners {(expandable screens or liners E21B43/108)} - E21B 33/1208: {characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means (E21B33/1277 takes precedence)} - E21B 34/066: {electrically actuated} - E21B 34/14: operated by movement of tools, e.g. sleeve valves operated by pistons or wire line tools {(E21B34/066 takes precedence)} - E21B 43/04: Gravelling of wells - E21B 43/045: {Crossover tools} - E21B 43/086: {Screens with preformed openings, e.g. slotted liners (comprising porous materials E21B43/082)} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A technique facilitates formation of a gravel pack. A well completion is provided to facilitate improved gravel packing during a gravel packing operation and subsequent production. The well completion is constructed to freely return a gravel pack carrier fluid through a base pipe during gravel packing. A valve system is positioned to enable restriction of fluid flow into the base pipe following the gravel packing operation. The valve system may be selectively actuated to restrict the fluid flow into the base pipe via a signal such as a pressure signal or timed electric signal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for use in a well, comprising: a completion system having a screen assembly sized for deployment in a wellbore, the screen assembly comprising: a tubular member having a filter section and a non-permeable section; a base pipe disposed within the tubular member and creating an annulus therebetween, the base pipe having a perforated base pipe section radially inward of the non-permeable section and a non-perforated base pipe section radially inward of the filter section; a bulkhead extending between the base pipe and the tubular member at a location dividing the perforated base pipe section and the non-perforated base pipe section, the bulkhead having a passage therethrough of sufficient size to allow enough flow to the perforated base pipe section so as to avoid substantial pressure loss during gravel packing; and a valve assembly positioned in cooperation with the passage for selectively restricting flow through the passage, the valve assembly being actuatable via a signal applied to an actuator system of the valve assembly, wherein the completion system comprises a shunt tube system deployed externally of the tubular member, and wherein the valve assembly is coupled with a flow line extending to the shunt tube system, the valve assembly being actuatable via a pressure signal, the valve assembly comprising a dart oriented for selective engagement with the passage once the valve assembly is actuated via the pressure signal applied via the flow line, thus restricting flow through the bulkhead and through the perforated section of the base pipe. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the completion system comprises a plurality of screen assemblies. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the dart comprises an inflow control device (ICD). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the dart comprises a plug member positioned to plug the passage once the valve assembly is actuated. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the dart is moved into engagement with the passage via a spring upon application of sufficient pressure in the shunt tube system to cause release of the dart. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the dart is moved into engagement with the passage via application of sufficient pressure in the shunt tube system to cause release of the dart and then to shift the dart. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the valve assembly is actuatable via an electric signal applied to the actuator system. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the completion system comprises a backup actuation system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the valve assembly comprises a lock mechanism. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the passage comprises a plurality of passages and the valve assembly comprises a plurality of darts corresponding with the plurality of passages. ### Claim 11 A system, comprising: a completion system having: a screen assembly sized for deployment in a borehole, the screen assembly comprising a tubular member having a filter section and a base pipe disposed in the tubular member; and a valve assembly positioned to control a fluid flow through a passage disposed within the screen assembly, the valve assembly being actuatable via a signal so as to change flow into the base pipe from a higher rate during a gravel packing operation to a lower rate during a subsequent production operation, wherein the completion system comprises a shunt tube system deployed externally of the tubular member, and wherein the signal comprises a pressure signal applied through the shunt tube system. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the valve assembly comprises a dart having an ICD which is selectively movable into the passage to reduce flow therethrough. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the valve assembly comprises a dart having a plug member which is selectively movable into the passage to block flow therethrough and to thus force a production flow through an ICD mounted in the base pipe. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the signal comprises a timed, electrical signal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the signal comprises a pressure signal. ### Claim 16 A method, comprising: providing a well completion with a shunt tube system to facilitate a gravel packing operation; enabling a gravel pack carrier fluid to return through a base pipe of the well completion; positioning a valve assembly to restrict fluid flow into the base pipe following the gravel packing operation; and selectively actuating the valve assembly, via a signal, to restrict fluid flow into the base pipe, wherein the signal comprises a pressure signal applied through the shunt tube system, and wherein selectively actuating comprises actuating a pressure release mechanism to enable flow of the pressure signal from the shunt tube system to the valve assembly.