Method for fracturing and gravel-packing a well

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A method for gravel-packing an interval within a cased wellbore wherein perforations in the well casing are cleaned of any plugging materials before placement of the gravel (e.g. sand). A screen having alternate flowpaths thereon is lowered adjacent the perforated casing and a clear fluid (e.g. clear fracturing gel) is pumped through the perforations into the formation. The gel cleans the perforation of any plugging material and fractures the formation. A gravel (e.g. sand) slurry is then pumped into the annulus and through the perforations to deposit sand in the fracture the perforations, and the annulus around the screen. If a sand bridges) forms in the annulus the alternate flowpaths …