Gravel pack sand out detection/stationary gravel pack monitoring

Abstract

The disclosure provides a packing monitor, method, and gravel pack system for real-time monitoring of a particulate for improved gravel packing. Via the real-time monitoring, the quality of the gravel pack can be detected in real-time. Accordingly, a top-off procedure can be performed without additional tripping of the inner service tool string. Detecting when the gravel pack is approaching screen-out can also be determined in real-time. Detecting when screen-out is approaching allows the operator to prepare to stop pumping in case of miscalculations or early screen-out. In one example, the packing monitor includes: (1) a packing detector configured to, when stationary within the wellbore, obtain measurements indicating presence of a particulate in an annulus of the wellbore at different positions along a length of a screen; and (2) a packing controller configured to determine, based on the measurements, a status of the particulate in the annulus at the different positions.