System and method for gravel packing a wellbore
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorMichael Langlais
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A downhole tool includes a housing having a screen. An inner tubular member is positioned radially-inward from the housing such that an annulus is formed therebetween, and a first opening is formed radially-through the inner tubular member. A valve is positioned within the annulus. A flow control device is positioned within the annulus. A degradable member is configured to at least partially degrade in response to contact with a fluid. The valve is configured to actuate from a first position to a second position in response to the degradable member at least partially degrading. This changes a proportion of the fluid that flows through the flow control device after entering through the screen.
Claims25
A downhole tool, comprising:
- a housing comprising a screen;
- an inner tubular member positioned radially-inward from the housing such that an annulus is formed therebetween, wherein a first opening is formed radially-through the inner tubular member;
- a valve positioned within the annulus;
- a flow control device positioned within the annulus;
- and
- a degradable member configured to at least partially degrade in response to contact with a fluid, wherein the valve is configured to actuate from a first position to a second position in response to the degradable member at least partially degrading, thereby changing a proportion of the fluid that flows through the flow control device after entering through the screen.
A downhole tool, comprising:
- a housing comprising a screen;
- an inner tubular member positioned radially-inward from the housing such that an annulus is formed therebetween, wherein a first opening is formed radially-through the inner tubular member;
- a valve positioned within the annulus between the screen and the first opening, wherein the valve comprises:
- an intermediate tubular member having a second opening formed radially-therethrough;
- a body positioned at least partially within the intermediate tubular member, wherein a third opening is formed radially-through the body;
- and
- a flow control device positioned within the body;
- and
- a degradable member configured to at least partially degrade in response to contact with a fluid, wherein the valve is configured to actuate from a first position to a second position in response to the degradable member at least partially degrading, thereby changing a proportion of the fluid that flows through the screen that flows through the flow control device.
A method for gravel packing a wellbore, comprising:
- degrading a degradable member in a downhole tool, wherein the downhole tool comprises a screen and a valve;
- actuating the valve in response to the degradable member at least partially degrading;
- and
- changing a proportion of fluid that flows through a flow control device after entering through the screen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.