Single zone gravel packing system

Abstract

A setting device for a gravel packing system includes a housing having a slurry supply passage, a fluid return passage and a gravel packing port disposed therein. A weight responsive return valve is operatively associated with the housing for communicating an upper portion of the return passage with a well annulus exterior of the housing in response to reciprocation of a work string to which the setting device is attached. A hydraulic setting piston is operatively associated with the housing for setting a liner hanger of the gravel packing system in response to a first increase in fluid pressure within the supply passage of the housing. A hydraulically actuated supply valve is operatively associated with the housing for communicating the gravel packing port with the supply passage in response to a second increase in fluid pressure in the supply passage. The supply valve includes a sliding supply valve sleeve having an open central passageway extending therethrough open at both the lower and upper end of the sleeve. A check valve is disposed in a lower portion of the housing below the supply valve for permitting flow return fluid upward therethrough and for preventing downward flow therethrough. The gravel packing system includes a liner hanger releasably connected to the setting device, and a liner valve connected to a lower end of the liner hanger.