CONTROLLING FLUID FLOW IN CONDUITS

A completion string for use in a wellbore includes a main conduit (49), such as a production tubing (12), and one or more alternate path conduits, such a s shunt tubes (44), that extend generally in parallel with the main conduit (49). A flow control device (70, 72) is positioned in each alternate path conduit to control flow through the alternate path conduit. The one or more alternate path conduits may be adapted to carry gravel slurry to perform gravel packing operations. The one or more flow control devices (70, 72) in the one or more alternate path conduits may be actuated to the open position to allow communication of the gravel slurry to multiple zones (16, 18, 20) i n the wellbore. Once the gravel packing operation is completed, the one or mor e flow control devices (70, 72) may be actuated to the closed position to bloc k fluid flow communication between multiple zones (16, 18, 20) through the alternate path conduits during operation of the well. Other types of fluids may be communicated through the one or more alternate path conduits, such as fracturing fluids.