Apparatus for gravel packing wells

Claim 1

Apparatus for gravel packing a well that penetrates a subterranean oil or gas reservoir, comprising: (a) a sand screen positioned in said well in juxtaposition with said reservoir, an annulus being formed in said well surrounding said sand screen, (b) at least one conduit positioned in said annulus in juxtaposition with said sand screen and having passageways at selected intervals along said conduit to permit fluid communication between said conduit and said annulus, c) means for injecting a fluid slurry containing gravel down through said annulus whereby the fluid portion of said slurry is forced out of said annulus into said reservoir and the gravel portion of said slurry forms a gravel pack in said annulus surrounding said sand screen, and d) actuatable means associated with said passageways in said conduit for controlling fluid flow between said conduit and said annulus through said passageways such that if the gravel portion of said slurry forms a bridge in a portion of said annulus adjacent said conduit, thereby blocking the flow of said slurry through said annulus, said slurry will flow from said annulus into said conduit through one or more of said passageways in said conduit above said bridge, downward through said conduit, and out through one or more of said passageways in said conduit into said annulus below said bridge to continue the forming of a gravel pack within said annulus below said bridge.