The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 10, 2003
Filed:
Aug. 14, 2001
Patrick W. Bixenman, Houston, TX (US);
Steven L. Anyan, Sugar Land, TX (US);
Micah L. Schutz, Stafford, TX (US);
James A. Pramann, II, Sugar Land, TX (US);
Schlumberger Technology Corporation, Sugar Land, TX (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for performing a gravel pack operation includes a bypass mechanism (e.g., a bypass valve) that is actuatable between plural positions. The bypass mechanism is part of a tool assembly, with the bypass mechanism providing different flow paths through the tool assembly corresponding to the plural positions of the bypass mechanism. For example, if the bypass mechanism is in a first position, an elevated pressure is communicated from an annular region outside a tool string to a target wellbore section. On the other hand, if the bypass mechanism is in the second position, the elevated pressure is communicated from inside the tool string to the target wellbore section. In either position, an overbalance condition is maintained in the target wellbore section so that swabbing effects are reduced or eliminated due to movement of the tool assembly during a gravel pack operation.