Swell packer setting confirmation

Abstract

A swellable setting confirmation arrangement comprising: a mandrel; a swellable material supported by the mandrel; one or more sensory configurations at the swellable material and a method for confirming setting of a swellable material and for installing a swellable material having a setting confirmation function.

1 . A swellable setting confirmation arrangement comprising:
 a mandrel;   a swellable material supported by the mandrel;   one or more sensory configurations at the swellable material.   
   
   
       2 . A swellable setting confirmation arrangement as claimed in  claims 1  wherein the one or more sensory configurations are positioned between the swellable material and the mandrel. 
   
   
       3 . A swellable setting confirmation arrangement as claimed in  claims 1  wherein the one or more sensory configurations are positioned within the swellable material. 
   
   
       4 . A swellable setting confirmation arrangement as claimed in  claims 1  wherein the one or more sensory configurations are positioned between an outside surface of the swellable material. 
   
   
       5 . A swellable setting confirmation arrangement as claimed in  claims 1  wherein the one or more sensory configurations are positioned to contact a structure against which the swellable material is to be set. 
   
   
       6 . A swellable setting confirmation arrangement as claimed in  claims 1  wherein the one or more sensory configurations is one or more optic fibers. 
   
   
       7 . A swellable setting confirmation arrangement as claimed in  claims 6  wherein the one or more optic fibers are positioned axially of the mandrel or the swellable material. 
   
   
       8 . A swellable setting confirmation arrangement as claimed in  claims 6  wherein the one or more optic fibers are positioned helically about one of the mandrel, the swellable material or within the swellable material. 
   
   
       9 . A swellable setting confirmation arrangement as claimed in  claims 8  wherein the helical positioning is spaced apart. 
   
   
       10 . A swellable setting confirmation arrangement as claimed in  claims 8  wherein the helical positioning is without spacing between wraps. 
   
   
       11 . A swellable setting confirmation arrangement as claimed in  claims 1  wherein the one or more sensory configurations is one or more hall effect sensors. 
   
   
       12 . A swellable setting confirmation arrangement as claimed in  claims 1  wherein the one or more sensory configurations is one or more momentary switches. 
   
   
       13 . A swellable setting confirmation arrangement as claimed in  claims 1  wherein at least one of the one or more sensory configurations is capable of dichotomous measurement only. 
   
   
       14 . A swellable setting confirmation arrangement as claimed in  claims 1  wherein at least one of the one or more sensory configurations is capable of quantitative measurement. 
   
   
       15 . A swellable setting confirmation arrangement as claimed in  claims 1  wherein the arrangement is runnable in a single run. 
   
   
       16 . A swellable setting confirmation arrangement as claimed in  claims 1  wherein the swellable material and the one or more sensory configurations are located axially spaced from each other. 
   
   
       17 . A method for confirming setting of a swellable material comprising: running a swellable material to a target location in a wellbore; swelling the swellable material for a period of time; measuring strain caused by the swelling of the swellable material with one or more sensory configurations. 
   
   
       18 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the measuring is dichotomous. 
   
   
       19 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the measuring is quantitative. 
   
   
       20 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the method further comprises mapping the measured strain to produce an image of the structure against which the swellable material is being set. 
   
   
       21 . A method for installing a swellable material having a setting confirmation function in a wellbore comprising: Installing one or more sensory configurations in a wellbore; Installing a swellable material radially adjacent the one or more sensory configurations.