Apparatus and method for progressively gravel packing an interval of a wellbore

A method for progressively gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:

• traversing a formation with the wellbore;
• locating a sand control screen within the wellbore proximate the formation;
• positioning a tubular member within the wellbore that forms a first annulus between the tubular member and the sand control screen and a second annulus between the tubular member and the wellbore;
• initially substantially preventing fluid communication between the first annulus and the second annulus;
• injecting a fluid slurry containing gravel into the first annulus;
• progressively establishing fluid communication between the first annulus and the second annulus from a first end to a second end of the interval;
• and
• terminating the injecting.

A method for progressively gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:

• traversing a formation with the wellbore;
• locating a sand control screen within the wellbore proximate the formation;
• positioning a tubular member including a perforated pipe and a plurality propellant members disposed thereon within the wellbore that forms a first annulus between the tubular member and the sand control screen and a second annulus between the tubular member and the wellbore;
• initially substantially preventing fluid communication between the first annulus and the second annulus;
• injecting a fluid slurry containing gravel into the first annulus;
• progressively establishing fluid communication between the first annulus and the second annulus from a first end to a second and of the interval by activating pressure activated firing devices coupled to each propellant member, the pressure activated firing devices being positioned such that the pressure required to fire the pressure activated firing devices progressively increases from the first end to the second end;
• and
• terminating the injecting.

A method for progressively gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a casing within the wellbore traversing a formation;
• perforating the casing proximate the formation to form a plurality of perforations;
• locating a sand control screen within the wellbore proximate the formation;
• positioning a tubular member within the wellbore that forms a first annulus between the tubular member and the sand control screen and a second annulus between the tubular member and the casing;
• initially substantially preventing fluid communication between the first annulus and the second annulus;
• injecting a fluid slurry containing gravel into the first annulus;
• progressively establishing fluid communication between the first annulus and the second annulus from a first end to a second end of the interval;
• and
• terminating the injecting.