System and method for sealing gravel exit ports in gravel pack assemblies

A system for isolating a gravel pack, the system comprising:

• a longitudinal screen having an exterior surface and an interior bore, the screen being adapted to permit fluid to pass from the exterior surface into the interior bore and to retain the gravel pack in an annulus between a wellbore and the exterior surface of the screen;
• a housing having an exterior surface and an interior bore in communication with the interior bore of the screen, the housing connecting the screen to a packer that is adapted to be set against a casing, the housing having at least one fluid port permitting a fluid communication between the interior bore and the annulus between the casing and the screen;
• and
• a sealing device positioned directly on the exterior surface of the housing, the sealing device being adapted to selectively provide a seal between the housing and the casing, the sealing device being positioned above the screen and below the fluid port most proximate to the screen, the sealing device being actuated after the gravel pack is formed;
• and
• wherein the sealing device is an unidirectional sealing device that allows a gravel slurry to pass in a downward direction and prevents the gravel slurry from passing in an upward direction.

A system for isolating a gravel pack, the system comprising:

• a longitudinal screen having an exterior surface and an interior bore, the screen being adapted to permit fluid to pass from the exterior surface into the interior bore and to retain the gravel pack in an annulus between a wellbore and the exterior surface of the screen;
• a housing having an exterior surface and an interior bore in communication with the interior bore of the screen, the housing connecting the screen to a packer that is adapted to be set against a casing, the housing having at least one fluid port permitting a fluid communication between the interior bore and the annulus between the casing and the screen;
• a sealing device positioned on the exterior surface of the housing, the sealing device being adapted to selectively provide a seal between the housing and the casing, the sealing device being positioned below the fluid port and above the screen most proximate to the fluid port, and the sealing device being actuated after the gravel pack is formed;
• and
• wherein the sealing device is positioned above the gravel pack in the annulus.