Dual completion string gravel pack system and method

Abstract

Gravel packing a wellbore can include simultaneously conveying separate gravel slurry delivery and production strings into the wellbore, flowing a gravel slurry through the gravel slurry delivery string and into an annulus about the production string, and producing fluid from the wellbore via the production string. A gravel packing system can include the gravel slurry delivery and production strings positioned laterally adjacent each other in a wellbore, and the gravel slurry delivery string being in direct fluid communication with one passage in a packer, and the production string being in direct fluid communication with another passage in the packer. Another gravel packing method can include flowing a gravel slurry through a gravel slurry delivery string and into an annulus about a production string, producing fluid from the wellbore via the production string, and these steps being performed without manipulation of either of the strings in the wellbore.

1 . A method of gravel packing a subterranean wellbore, the method comprising:
 simultaneously conveying a gravel slurry delivery string and a separate production string into the wellbore;   flowing a gravel slurry through the gravel slurry delivery string, thereby delivering the gravel slurry into an annulus formed between the production string and the wellbore; and   producing fluid from the wellbore via the production string.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein flowing the gravel slurry further comprises, flowing the gravel slurry through a first passage formed through a packer, while a fluid portion of the gravel slurry flows through a second passage formed through the packer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second passages are laterally spaced apart from each other in the packer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the simultaneously conveying step further comprises positioning the gravel slurry delivery string and the production string laterally adjacent each other in the wellbore. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the production string includes multiple well screens, with a packer being interconnected between at least two of the well screens. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the packer comprises a swellable material which swells in response to contact with an activating agent in the wellbore. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gravel slurry flowing and fluid producing steps are performed without manipulation of either of the gravel slurry delivery string or the production string in the wellbore. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising supporting the gravel delivery string and the production string with a tubing hanger, prior to flowing the gravel slurry. 
     
     
         9 . A gravel packing system, comprising:
 a gravel slurry delivery string;   a production string positioned laterally adjacent the gravel slurry delivery string in a wellbore; and   a first packer having first and second passages extending through the first packer, the gravel slurry delivery string being in direct fluid communication with the first passage, and the production string being in direct fluid communication with the second passage.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second passages are laterally spaced apart from each other in the first packer. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein a gravel slurry flows into the wellbore through the gravel slurry delivery string, while a fluid portion of the gravel slurry flows out of the wellbore through the production string. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the production string comprises multiple well screens, with a second packer being interconnected between at least two of the well screens, the second packer including a swellable material which swells in response to contact with an activating agent in the wellbore. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein a gravel slurry flows through the gravel slurry delivery string into the wellbore while the gravel slurry delivery string and the production string are supported by a tubing hanger. 
     
     
         14 . A method of gravel packing a subterranean wellbore, the method comprising:
 flowing a gravel slurry through a gravel slurry delivery string extending to a surface location, thereby delivering the gravel slurry into an annulus formed between a production string and the wellbore, the gravel slurry delivery string and the production string being disposed in the wellbore;   producing fluid from the wellbore via the production string; and   the gravel slurry flowing and fluid producing steps being performed without manipulation of either of the gravel slurry delivery string or the production string in the wellbore.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising simultaneously conveying the gravel slurry delivery string and the separate production string into the wellbore. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the simultaneously conveying step further comprises positioning the gravel slurry delivery string and the production string laterally adjacent each other in the wellbore. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein flowing the gravel slurry further comprises, flowing the gravel slurry through a first passage formed through a packer, while a fluid portion of the gravel slurry flows through a second passage formed through the packer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second passages are laterally spaced apart from each other in the packer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the production string comprises multiple well screens, with a packer being interconnected between at least two of the well screens, the packer including a swellable material which swells in response to contact with an activating agent in the wellbore. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising supporting the gravel delivery string and the production string with a tubing hanger, prior to flowing the gravel slurry.