Verification of swelling in a well

摘要

Disclosed is a method of verifying whether a swellable material (28) has swollen in a well. The method includes positioning an electrical conductor (32) proximate the swellable material (28) such that the conductor (32) parts in response to swelling of the swellable material (28). The method also includes detecting whether the conductor (32) has parted by detection of at least one electromagnetic characteristic of the conductor (32). The swellable material (28) may be part of a packer (12) and detection of the parting may indicate that the swellable material (28) has swollen sufficiently to form a seal with a surrounding wall. Arrangements are also provided for signalling a detection of the parting to a separate receiver.