# US 2016/0356129 A1 · Gravel Pack Apparatus Having Actuated Valves > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0356129 A1 - Document ID: US20160356129A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/242,515 - Filed: 2016-08-20 - Published: 2016-12-08 - Earliest claimed: 2012-10-26 - Assignees: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC - Applicants: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC - Inventors: John P. Broussard; Christopher A. Hall; Ronald van Petegem - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160356129A1 ## CPC - E21B 43/045: {Crossover tools} - E21B 33/10: in the borehole {(sealing the junction between main bore and laterals E21B41/0042)} - E21B 33/12: Packers; Plugs (used for cementing E21B33/134, E21B33/16) - E21B 33/1208: {characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means (E21B33/1277 takes precedence)} - E21B 34/06: in wells - E21B 43/08: Screens or liners {(expandable screens or liners E21B43/108)} - E21B 2200/04: Ball valves - E21B 2200/06: Sleeve valves - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A device and method allows a bore valve in the washpipe and in certain instances a port valve or sliding sleeve to open or close upon command from the surface so that gravel slurry may be placed in a wellbore. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for packing an annulus of a borehole around a wellscreen with gravel from a slurry, the system comprising: a packer supporting the wellscreen in the borehole and having an internal seal in an interior of the packer; and a washpipe landing on the internal seal and having a crossover tool, the crossover tool conducting the slurry from the washpipe to the borehole annulus, wherein the internal seal of the packer comprises a first variable diameter seat having at least two first segments and a first receiver, the at least two first segments movable between first and second positions relative to the interior of the packer, the at least two first segments in the first position being unsealed with the washpipe, the at least two first segments in the second position sealing with the washpipe, and wherein the first receiver receives a first signal and moves the at least two first segments, in response to the first signal, between the first and second positions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first receiver receives the first signal communicated by a radio frequency identification device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first receiver receives the first signal communicated by a pressure pulse. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first receiver actuates a lock, the lock moving the at least two first segments between the first and second positions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the crossover tool comprises a port for conducting the slurry to the borehole annulus and comprises a second variable diameter seat adjacent the port, the second variable diameter seat comprising at least two second segments and a second receiver, the at least two second segments movable between third and fourth positions in another interior of the crossover tool, the second receiver receiving a second signal and moving the at least two second segments, in response to the second signal, between the third and fourth positions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a valve disposed on the crossover tool and actuatable to communicate reverse circulation from the borehole uphole of the packer to inside the wellscreen. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the valve is actuatable in response to a second signal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the at least two second segments move radially between the third position and the fourth position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the at least two second segments in the third position allow a plug to pass through the interior; and wherein the at least two second segments in the fourth position catch the plug. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the at least two second segments in the fourth position form a seal with the caught plug. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the second receiver actuates a lock, the lock moving the at least two second segments between the third position and the fourth position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the second receiver receives the second signal communicated by a radio frequency identification device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the second receiver receives the second signal communicated by a pressure pulse. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the second variable diameter seat comprises a collet having at least two fingers as the at least two second segments. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the at least two fingers move radially between the third position and the fourth position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the at least two fingers in the third position allow a plug to pass through the interior; and wherein the at least two fingers in the fourth position catch the plug. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the at least two fingers in the fourth position form a seal with the caught plug. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the second receiver actuates a lock, the lock moving the at least two fingers between the third position and the fourth position. ### Claim 19 A system for packing an annulus of a borehole around a wellscreen with gravel from a slurry, the system comprising: a washpipe landing on an internal seal adjacent the wellscreen; and a crossover tool disposed on the washpipe, the crossover tool having a port for conducting the slurry to the borehole annulus and having a first variable diameter seat adjacent the port, the first variable diameter seat comprising at least two first segments and at least one receiver, the at least two first segments movable between first and second positions relative to an interior of the crossover tool, the at least two first segments in the first position for allowing fluid communication through the interior, the at least two first segments in the second position for closing off fluid communication through the interior and diverting the slurry to the port, the at least one receiver receiving a first signal and moving the at least two first segments, in response to the first signal, between the first and second positions. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one receiver receives the first signal communicated by a radio frequency identification device. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one receiver receives the first signal communicated by a pressure pulse. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one receiver actuates a lock, the lock moving the at least two first segments between the first position and the second position. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the at least two first segments move radially between the first position and the second position. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the at least two first segments in the first position allow fluid to pass through the interior; and wherein the at least two first segments in the second position block fluid flow through the interior. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The system of claim 24, wherein the at least two first segments in the second position form a seal. ### Claim 26 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, further comprising a valve disposed on the crossover tool and actuatable to communicate reverse circulation from the borehole uphole of the crossover tool to inside the wellscreen. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The system of claim 26, wherein the valve is actuatable in response to a second signal.