摘要 |
A gravel packing apparatus and associated method of gravel packing a subterranean well prevents screen collapse without requiring sealing engagement of a washpipe with an external seal, without requiring reliance solely on differential pressure, and without utilizing a reciprocating valve. In a preferred embodiment, a gravel packing apparatus has a tubular mandrel, a tubular housing attached to the mandrel and defining an annular space between the mandrel and housing, a sleeve slidably disposed on the mandrel and extending into the annular space, first and second seals disposed on the sleeve, and a screen slidably disposed on the mandrel and attached to the sleeve for sliding displacement therewith.
|