System and method for isolating flow in a shunt tube
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorRaymond J. Tibbles
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A technique is provided to selectively control flow along shunt tubes, such as those used in gravel pack operations. The technique utilizes a swellable material valve that comprises a swellable material deployed along the shunt tube flow path. When flow through a specific shunt tube is no longer desired, the swellable material valve can be exposed to a substance that induces swelling of the swellable material. The expanded or swollen material blocks further flow along the shunt tube.
Claims22
A system for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- a gravel pack completion having:
- a shunt tube for conducting a material along a shunt tube flow path;
- and
- a swellable material valve deployed in the shunt tube flow path to shut off flow along the shunt tube flow path after a gravel pack procedure.
A method of controlling a gravel packing procedure, comprising:
- flowing a gravel slurry to a gravel pack location by routing the gravel slurry through a shunt tube;
- and
- subsequently blocking flow through the shunt tube with a swellable material deployed in a flow path.
A method, comprising:
- locating a shunt tube within a wellbore;
- lining an interior of the shunt tube with a swellable material to define a flow path for a gravel laden slurry;
- and
- blocking flow through the shunt tube with the swellable material that swells upon exposure to a specific fluid.
A system, comprising:
- a shunt tube having a swellable material valve located in the shunt tube to selectively block flow through the shunt tube;
- and
- a gravel pack completion for use in wellbore, wherein the shunt tube forms part of the gravel pack completion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.