BACKGROUND

Wells are often constructed for the potential recovery of hydrocarbons such as oil and gas. A wellbore may first be drilled to the desired depth into a formation. A wellbore is typically reinforced with a casing string cemented in place downhole and perforated at selected intervals for extracting hydrocarbon fluids from the formation. A production zone may also be sealed off and stimulated with well treatments intended to enhance production. A production tubing string may be run into the well to the production zone, protecting the casing and providing a flow path to a wellhead through which the oil and gas can be produced. Sand screens may also be installed in selected production zones to filter certain particulates while permitting liquid flow. Many wells are benefited by additionally having a gravel pack placed around the screens.

An inflow control device (ICD) may also be installed when the well is constructed, to control the flow of produced fluids. An ICD may variably restrict the fluid flow, to preferentially produce certain formation fluids like oil while restricting other fluids like water. ICDs may have the capability to respond to changed downhole conditions and/or be remotely controlled (e.g., “intelligent” inflow control devices). Very long horizontal open hole completions can benefit substantially from the use of inflow control devices in screens. However, ICDs are conventionally not conducive to the gravel packing process due to their inherent flow restrictions.

