Gravel pack completions in lateral wellbores of oil and gas wells

Abstract

A technique enables an efficient, dependable approach to gravel packing lateral wellbores. The technique employs alternate path gravel placement technology which includes alternate path equipment deployed along a gravel pack screen positioned in an open hole lateral wellbore disposed above a lower lateral wellbore. A crossover system is positioned in the lateral wellbore, and the alternate path is provided by connecting a shunt tube or other appropriate alternate path equipment to the crossover system. A flow of gravel slurry is directed along an exterior of the gravel pack screen through the alternate path equipment to enable uniform distribution of the gravel pack along the gravel pack screen.