A screen connection area assembly configured to mount between adjacent sand screens of a gravel pack string including a body attachable to a screen connection area between two adjacent sand screens of the gravel pack string, the body configured to displace fluid and present a radial dimension between about 75% and 100% of a radial dimension of the adjacent sand screens. A method for packing a gravel pack string including disposing an assembly as in any prior embodiment on a screen connection area between adjacent sand screens of the string, running the string into a borehole, supplying a slurry to the borehole proximate the sand screens, packing the sand screens and the screen connection area between adjacent sand screens without altering a flow regime of the slurry.