DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DEPLOYMENT OF DOWNHOLE TOOL

Abstract

A deployment device for deploying a downhole tool in a well includes a body shaped to host an internal chamber, first and second inserts having complementary shapes and configured to be placed inside the internal chamber thereby defining an internal through passage for part of the downhole tool, and first and second levers rotatably attached to the body and configured to press the first and second inserts further inside the internal chamber.

Description

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein generally relate to an apparatus and method for efficiently deploying a downhole tool in a well, and more specifically, to a deployment device for assisting in the deployment of a vertical seismic profile (VSP) system.

Discussion of the Background

A VSP system is used to conduct seismic surveys in downhole environments, such as, for example, inside of wells used for oil and gas extraction. The VSP system includes one or more downhole tools connected to each. Such downhole tool may contain sensors, such as, for example, geophones, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, accelerometers, optical sensors, etc. The downhole tools may be mounted at regular or irregular intervals along a cable (e.g., a logging cable) before being lowered into the well. Typically, the downhole tools that form the VSP system are attached to each other on the ground, and then an ancillary system is used to raise part of the VSP system in air and then lower it into the well.

FIG. 1 shows a system 100 that includes multiple tools 106 to 110 deployed in a well 102. Tools 106 to 110 may be lowered into the well 102 from the surface by main logging cable 104. Logging cable 105 may connect tools 106 to 110 to each other, and also to a telemetry unit 111. Main logging cable 104 may connect an electronic device 122, which is part of an end unit 120, to telemetry unit 111, and may be used to control the descent and ascent of all of the seismic survey equipment within the well 102. In one application, main logging cable 104 may be different from logging cable 105. Electronic device 122 may serve as an interface between the tools 106 to 110 and a computer 124 through a link 126. Computer 124 may be any suitable computing device for gathering data from and sending commands to tools 106 to 110, and the end unit 122. Telemetry unit 111 may collect data from sensors in tools 106-110 for transmission to the electronic device 122 and computer 124.

When tools 106-110 are deployed inside the well 102, a large tension may develop within logging cables 105, as the number N of the tools may vary from 1 up to 250, usually between 20 and 200, and the weight of each unit may be in the tens of kilograms. Thus, a total weight of the tools when deployed in the well and hanging from main logging cable 104 can reach several tones. Further complicating the deployment process is the necessity to use a crane for lifting each tool from the ground and deploying it in the well with all the other deployed modules hanging from the current module. This process is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2 in which plural tools 206-210 are shown, some of them 209, 210 already deployed in the well 202, and some of them 206, 207 waiting to be deployed.

A crane 230 (partially shown) is connected with cables 232 to corresponding brackets 234 of a deployment device 236 (called “bottle” in the art). Deployment device 236 is a cylinder configured to house tool 208, that is connected through logging cable 105 to a next tool 207 and also to tools 209 and 210, already deployed in the well. Thus, a large force (exerted by all the tools 209 and 210 already deployed inside the well) is applied to current tool 208, which is waiting its turn for being deployed inside the well. Current tool 208 is connected with another logging cable 105 to an upstream tool 207, which lies on the ground with other tools 206. A second deployment device 238 is used for housing the next tool 207. Note that the existing deployment devices are configured to receive the entire tool, except a top portion. Current tool 208, together with first deployment device 236, are supported by a rig-up plate 240, which sits on ground 242 on top of well 202. Rig-up plate 240 has a slit (not shown) that permits logging cable 105 to be removed when required. Both deployment devices 236 and 238 also have corresponding slits extending all the way along their length so that they can be removed from logging cables 105. After current tool 208 and first deployment device 236 are placed on rig-up plate 240, crane's cables 232 are removed from first deployment device 236 and are now attached to the second deployment device 238. After next tool 207 is secured to second deployment device 238, crane 230 raises second deployment device 238 together with next tool 207 until current tool 208 is raised from its first deployment device 236. As this stage, the first deployment device 236 is removed from logging cable 105 and the next tool 207 is lowered with its second deployment device 238 on top of the rig-up plate 240, which is placed on top of the well after current tool 208 has entered the well. Note that this operation is necessary as an opening in the rig-up plate is smaller in diameter than an external diameter of the deployment device. Next, the freed first deployment device 236 is used to house the next tool 206 and the process continues in this way until all the tools are deployed inside the well.

Prior to being deployed, the tools are connected to each other, both mechanically and electrically along a bidirectional link. Thus, one can communicate with the tools along the bidirectional link. Therefore, prior to deploying the tools into the well, they are connected to each other as illustrated in FIG. 2 and tested. However, it is customary to unchain the tools after this test and chain them again while being deployed in the well.

The operation of deploying the tools into the well is of particular complexity as discussed above with regard to FIG. 2. This operation brings up safety issues. Indeed, the mechanical tension induced by the weight of the tools already disposed into the well could reach several tones. As the tools are laid onto the floor prior to being deployed, there is a risk that the tools may get carried by the tension of the logging cable 105 and hurt the operator. Therefore, there is a need to control the tension in the logging cable and deploy tools into the well with no tension and no risk regarding human safety.

There are further drawbacks with the method described above. There is a need for two deployment devices to actually deploy one tool: the deployment device is different depending on the space available and thus the clamping of the tool or the cable. Also, the deployment process is slow, which increases the cost of the operation. Further, as the deployment tools have to be constantly raised and lowered under high tension, it increases the safety risks associated with the equipment manipulation. In particular, when removing the deployment device, it happens sometimes that it falls down on the floor, potentially injuring the equipment's operator.

To improve this method, the Assignee of this application has invented a new deployment device, which is shown in FIG. 3, which corresponds to FIG. 5 of U.S. Pat. No. 9,677,395. Deployment device 300 has a body 302 to which a door 304 is attached, for example, with a bolt 306. When door 304 closes as illustrated in FIG. 4, it forms, together with body 302, a latching compartment 309 that is configured to latch on a predetermined portion of the tool, as discussed later. Those skilled in the art would recognize that deployment device 300 may have more parts, e.g., one or more bodies and one or more doors.

Deployment device 300 may include a bend restrictor 310 that has a groove 312 shaped to receive logging cable 105 that extends from the tool. Logging cable 105 may be flexible or not. Bend restrictor 310 is configured to protect logging cable 105 from excessively bending when the tool is raised by the crane so that the mechanical and electrical capabilities of the logging cable 105 are preserved. Bend restrictor 310 may also include one or more clamps 314 for securing logging cable 105 within groove 312 when the tool is raised and lowered for deployment.

One or more flanges 320 are provided on the deployment device 300, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. These flanges are used for tying cables belonging to the crane and for raising and lowering the deployment device and associated tool. In one embodiment, one flange 320 is located on body 302 and the other flange on door 304, so that there is symmetry of the flanges around the deployment device. FIG. 4 shows tool 330 locked into deployment device 300. Deployment device 300 may also include a locking mechanism 308 for locking door 304 to body 302 to prevent accidental opening of the door while the deployment device holds the tool. Locking mechanism 308 may include the actual lock unit 308A and a lever 308B that is actuated by the operator, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

However, the existing devices need enough space above the well for raising the connected tools above the well prior to being deployed in the well. In addition, the existing devices are not adapted for clamping both either to the neck of the tool or to the logging cable, and they are still cumbersome to use and time consuming.

Thus, there is a need for an apparatus and method for deploying in a well, faster and safer, a chain of connected downhole tools. More generally, there is a need to deploy or handle any type of cable in an easier and safer way.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, there is a deployment device for deploying a downhole tool in a well. The deployment device includes a body shaped to host an internal chamber, first and second inserts having complementary shapes and configured to be placed inside the internal chamber thereby defining an internal through passage for part of the downhole tool, and first and second levers rotatably attached to the body and configured to press the first and second inserts further inside the internal chamber.

In another embodiment, there is a deployment device for placing a downhole tool into a well. The deployment device includes first and second inserts having complementary shapes and defining a first inner bore when placed together, and a body configured to receive the first and second inserts, where the body is shaped to promote the first and second inserts to press against each other. The first and second inserts clamp on a part of the downhole tool as the gravity pushes the first and second inserts deeper into the body, and the part of the downhole tool fits inside the first inner bore.

According to yet another embodiment, there is a method for attaching a downhole tool to a deployment device, to lower the downhole tool into a well. The method includes electrically and mechanically connecting the downhole tool to a cable, selecting first and second inserts to be placed around the cable and into the deployment device, placing the first and second inserts and the cable and the downhole tool, into the deployment device, connecting cables from a crane to first and second levers of the deployment device, and raising the first and second levers with the crane so that the first and second levers directly press the first and second inserts, respectively. The first and second inserts define an inner bore that receives the cable or the downhole tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, explain these embodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a chain of downhole tools lowered inside a well;

FIG. 2 illustrates a deployment device that deploys plural downhole tools inside a well;

FIG. 3 illustrates a deployment device in an open position while FIG. 4 illustrates the deployment device in a closed position;

FIGS. 5A to 5D show various views of a novel deployment device that can clamp a cable or a downhole tool for well deployment;

FIG. 6 shows the deployment device clamped to a cable connecting two downhole tools;

FIGS. 7A to 7D illustrate how the deployment device is attached to and then detached from a cable;

FIGS. 8A to 8C illustrate how a crane is handling the deployment device to move a downhole tool into a well, and also the various inserts that may be used with the deployment device to clamp the cable or the downhole tool; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method for deploying downhole tools inside a well with the deployment device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. In various embodiments as illustrated in the figures, a deployment device and method for quickly and safely deploying a downhole tool inside a well are discussed. The deployment device can be quickly and easily converted to clamp either a cable or the body of a downhole tool. However, the invention is not limited to deploying a downhole tool inside a well, but it may be applied to other situations, as for example, placing various modules inside a tube or deploying any type of cable in a well. Those skilled in the art would recognize other applications of the embodiments discussed herein.

Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

According to an embodiment, a novel deployment device is used to deploy a plurality of tools in a well. The deployment device is configured to latch onto a logging cable or the body of a downhole tool, although the diameters of the logging cable and the downhole tool are different. The deployment device has a body with a slot that allows a cable to enter a chamber formed inside the body. Two levers are attached to the body, at opposite locations, and are configured to press two or more inserts into the chamber of the body. The two or more inserts are shaped to receive the logging cable. Different inserts can be used and are shaped to receive the body of the downhole tool. Thus, the body of the deployment device works with various inserts, depending on whether the logging cable, the downhole tool, or another part of the chain of downhole tools needs to be grabbed.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the deployment device 500 has a body 510 that is configured to receive a cable (not shown) through a slot 512 formed through the body 510. Preferably, the slot 512 has a dimension which allows the frictionless passage of the standard cables used for downhole tools. The body 510 hosts an internal chamber or bore 514, which can be circular. The body 510 itself can be shaped as a circular pot. The internal chamber 514 is sized to fully accommodate two or more inserts 520A and 520B. The two or more inserts are shaped complementary to each other to fill the bore or internal chamber 514. The two or more inserts can be dropped into the internal chamber 514 by gravity, i.e., by simply placing a cable or another part of a downhole tool within a space formed by grooves formed in the inserts and letting the inserts fall due to the gravity into the internal chamber 514. In this way, for some devices, there is no need for any force to be exerted on the inserts or the cable for gripping the cable with the deployment device 500. However, for safety and ensuring a true gripping without potential damages caused by slipping of two elements against each other, the deployment device 500 also has a mechanism for forcing the inserts inside the chamber, as discussed later. FIG. 5A shows only two inserts 520A and 520B, but more than two inserts may be used, the size and shape of which are complementary for being lodged in the internal chamber. Each insert in this embodiment is shaped as a half of a truncated cone, which is also called a frustoconical shape. Thus, the chamber 514 has a frustoconical shape. FIG. 5A shows that each insert 520A and 520B has an internal groove 522A, 522B, which extends along the entire insert, and which is sized to fit the external size of the cable to which the deployment device needs to be attached. Thus, the internal groove 522A shown in FIG. 5A is small, as these inserts are configured to be attached to a cable. Other inserts, not shown, may have a much larger groove 522A, if they are configured to be attached to the body of a downhole tool, for example, as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5B shows the inserts 520A and 520B placed tightly inside the chamber 514. This means that the external shape of the inserts is manufactured to match the shape of the internal chamber. In other words, a top diameter of the chamber 514 is larger than a bottom diameter of the chamber. This ensures that the inserts cannot pass through the entire chamber, and also that the inserts are pressed against each other by the inclined internal wall of the chamber, to clamp the cable or the body of the tool in the opening defined by their grooves 522. The body 510 and the inserts 520A and 520B may be made of steel so that they are able to withstand to the weight exerted by the downhole tools, in particular when inserted in the well. A bend restrictor 300 can of course also be used in association with a crane, for deployment.

Returning to FIG. 5A, two levers 530A and 530B are movable attached to the body 510. Lever 530A is attached with a corresponding pin 532A to a flange 516A of the body 510. The other lever may be attached in similar way to the body. Other mechanisms may be used to attach each lever to the body 510. The levers 530A and 530B can pivot about the corresponding pins, to allow inserts 520A and 520B to be placed inside the chamber 514, when the deployment device 500 is an open position, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, or to directly press onto the inserts 520A and 520B, when in a closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 5B. Each lever has a corresponding connecting mechanism 534A, 534B, for example, a hole. This hole is configured to be attached to a cable provided by a crane, as discussed later. Each lever may have one or more beaks 536A, 536B, that are configured to directly press on the inserts 520A, 520B. In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, each lever has two beaks, and each beak of a single lever is sized to press on a single corresponding insert. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, one beak from the first lever 530A and one beak from the second lever 530B press together on the first insert 520A, and another beak from the first lever 530A and another beak from the second lever 530B press together on the second insert 520A.

The deployment device 500 is shown from above in FIG. 5C, with the inserts 520A and 520B fully engaged by the levers 530A and 530B. The grooves 522A and 522B in FIG. 5C are not grabbing any tool or wire, i.e., the space or inner bore 524 defined by these grooves is empty in this view. FIG. 5D shows a cross-section through the body 510, the levers 530A and 530B, and the inserts 520A and 520B. It is noted that that the external surface 521A and 521B of the inserts 520A and 520B, respectively, is manufactured to tightly fit (or to match) the internal surface 511 of the chamber 514 of the body 510. Note also that the internal surface 511 of the chamber 514 is inclined relative to a vertical, to prevent the inserts to slide out at the bottom of the body 510. The space or inner bore 524 defined by the grooves 522A and 522B is shown to be empty in this embodiment.

FIG. 6, which is an overview of the deployment device 500, shows the inserts 520A and 520B fully enclosing a logging cable 105, so that the grooves 522A and 522B match tightly around the cable 105, and the empty inner bore 524 is now occupied by this cable. FIG. 6 also shows a first downhole tool 207 upstream the deployment device 500 and a second downhole tool 209 downstream the deployment device 500, both of them being connected to the cable 105. For this configuration, when the inserts 520A and 520B are inside the chamber 514 and fully pressed by the beaks 536A and 536B of the levers 530A and 530B, the cable 105 cannot move relative to the inserts 520A and 520B. For this reason, this case or state is called the closed state. The configuration shown in FIG. 5A is the open state, when the inserts 520A and 520B are not deployed around the cable or another tool, and/or they are not yet engaged by the levers 530A and 530B.

The force necessary to keep the levers 530A and 530B pressing on the corresponding inserts 520A and 520B is supplied by the crane, which moves the downhole tools from their rest place on the ground, to the well. More specifically, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 7A, when a hook 702 from the crane 700, and the corresponding cables 704 and 706 are raising in the air the deployment device 500, the forces F exerted by the cables 704 and 706 on the deployment device 500, act on corresponding distal ends 531A and 531B of the levers 530A and 530B, respectively. Because the levers 530A and 530 are fixed at the pins 532A and 532B, relative to the body 510, the corresponding opposite ends of the levers 530A and 530B act with a proportional force F′ on the inserts 520A and 520B. Depending on the distance L1 (between the pin 532A and the connecting mechanism 534A) and the distance L2 (between the pin 532A and contact point between the beak and the insert), the force F′ can be expressed as a product between (1) the force F and (2) the ratio between L1 and L2. Note that the force F is half of the force exerted by the crane 700 on the hook 702.

Thus, the forces F′ acting on the inserts 520A and 520B, and also on the cable 105 or another tool that is located between the inserts, is determined by the weight of the deployment device 500, the weight of the tool 105, and the weight of any other tool that is hanging downstream from the tool 105 and is raised by the crane. This force is pretty high, which ensures that the cable 105 will not slip relative to the inserts 520A and 520B. In one embodiment, to increase the friction between the inserts and the cable 105, the grooves 522A and 522B are serrated.

In order to bring another downhole tool in position for being deployed inside the well, the crane places the deployment device 500 on a rig-up plate 730, as shown in FIG. 7B, so that the distal ends 531A and 531B (ends furthest away from the body 510) of the levers 530A and 530B are sitting on corresponding support blocks 732 associated with the rig-up plate 730. The rig-up plate is usually located at the head of the well, on the ground 731. When the distal ends 531A and 531B of the corresponding levers 530A and 530B are sitting on the support blocks 732, as shown in FIG. 7B, the tension (force) in the cables 704 and 706 can be reduced to zero, as the cable 703 that holds the hook assembly 702 is lowered and thus, it has almost zero tension. This means that the forces F shown in FIG. 7A acting on the distal ends 531A and 531B of the levers 530A and 530B are substantially generated now by the support blocks 732 and thus, it is possible to remove the hook 702 from the cables 704 and 706 and pick up the next downhole tool, while the cable 105 and all the downhole tools already extending into the well are still safely hold in place by the deployment device 500. In other words, the closed state of the deployment device 500 is maintained by the forces supplied by the support blocks 732. These forces are in fact a reaction produced in response to the weight of the deployment device and any downhole tool that is located downstream from the deployment device.

After the next downhole tool is safely engaged by the hook 702, using another deployment device (not shown), and raised above the deployment device 500 in FIG. 7B, the crane may raise both deployment devices until the deployment device 500 is not sitting on the support blocks 732, as shown in FIG. 7C. At this point, the operator of the well may apply a temporary force F″ to the distal ends 531A and 531B of the levers 530A and 530B, with a heavy object 750, for example, a hammer, to disengage the beaks 536A and 536B of the levers from the inserts 520A and 520B. Then, the operator may remove the inserts 520A and 520B to free the cable 105, and also remove it from the body 510 so that the cable 105 exits the chamber 514 of the body 510 through the slot 512. While all these operations are performed by the operator of the well, the deployment device 500 shown in FIG. 7C may be held above the supporting blocks 732 by another crane or the crane 702.

In one preferred embodiment, the inserts 520A and 520B may be connected to a common hinge 760, as shown in FIG. 7D, so that placing and removing the inserts inside the chamber 514 is simplified. The hinge 760 may be attached to a handle 762 that allows the operator to manually, or assisted by a machine, hold the hinge 760 and the corresponding inserts 520A and 520B and to move them back and forth as necessary for placing or removing them from the body 510 of the deployment device 500. Preferably, the handle 762 is designed to be complementary to the passage 512 (i.e., to tightly fit into the passage 512 as illustrated in FIG. 7D) of the housing 510 wherein it can be lodged. This assists in centering the inserts 520A and 520B into the chamber 514 and in blocking the cable 105 in the opening 522 so that the cable cannot exit the housing 510 during operation.

A method for lowering one or more downhole tools 206-210 into a well is now discussed with regard to FIGS. 8A-8C. FIG. 8A shows plural downhole tools 810 to 818 that are already connected to corresponding cables 105 (e.g., logging cables). Some of the tools 814-818 are already deployed in the well 802, while other tools 810 are stored on the ground 731, ready to be deployed. A deployment tool 500′ is shown being located on the rig plate 730 and another deployment tool 500 is shown next to the downhole tool 812 that is next in line for being deployed in the well. Note that in this embodiment, the deployment tool 500′ is attached directly to the cable 105. However, the deployment tool 500 may be attached either to the cable 105 or directly to the body of the tool 812. If the deployment tool 500 is attached directly to the cable 105, then a first set of inserts 520A and 520B is used, as these inserts are manufactured to have the corresponding grooves 522A and 522B to fit the small outer diameter D1 of the cable 105, as shown in FIG. 8B. If the deployment tool 500 is attached directly to the body of the tool 812, then a second set of inserts 520A′ and 520B′ is used, as these inserts are manufactured to have the corresponding grooves 522A′ and 522B′ to fit the larger diameter D2 of the body of the tool 812, as shown in FIG. 8C. The second set of inserts 520A′ and 520B′, when placed together in the body 510, define a second internal bore 524′, see FIG. 8C, which has a larger diameter D2 than the diameter D1 of the first internal bore 524. However, FIGS. 8B and 8C show that the external diameter D of the first and second sets of inserts is the same.

The first and second sets of inserts can interchangeably be used with the same body 510 and the same levers 530A and 530B, which makes this device to save time and be easy to manipulate and adapt to the various situations that may occur in the field. The first and second inserts 520A and 520B have an identical external diameter with the third and fourth inserts 520A′ and 520B′. Only one pair of inserts can be used at any given time. In other words, if the inserts 520A and 520B are used, then the other inserts 520A′ and 520B′ cannot be used, and the other way around. More than two sets of inserts may be used. In one embodiment, for each downhole tool that has a given external diameter, there is a matching set of inserts that have grooves to fit that diameter and all the sets of inserts have the same external diameter to fit the single internal chamber 514 of the deployment device 510.

According to a method for deploying the tools 810-818 in a well 802, as illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 9, in step 900, the tools 810-818 are electrically and mechanically connected to each other through the cables 105, as shown in FIG. 8A. In step 902, the operator decides whether to couple the cable 105 or the body of the tool 812 to a deployment device 500, which is in an open state (i.e., the inserts are not placed inside the chamber 514 of the body 510). If the operator decides to couple the deployment device 500 directly to the cable 105, in step 904, the operator selects first inserts 520A and 520B that have grooves that fit the exterior diameter of the cable. If the operator decides to couple the deployment tool 500 directly to the body of the tool 812, the operator selects in step 904 second inserts 520A′ and 520B′ that have grooves that fit the exterior diameter of the body of the tool.

Then, in step 906, the operator places the cable through the slot 512 of the body 510 of the deployment device 500 and places the selected inserts around the cable or body, into the chamber 514 of the body 510. In step 908, cables 704 and 706 of the crane are connected to the distal ends of the levers 530A and 530B of the deployment device 500, and in step 910 the deployment device 500 is raised with the crane, so that the weight of the deployment device acts on the levers 530A and 530B, which in turn press the inserts 520A and 520B toward each other and into the chamber 514 of the body 510. This force makes the inserts to grip the cable or body of the tool so that the cable or body of the tool cannot slide relative to the deployment device. The tool 812 is raised in step 912 in a safe manner for being deployed in the well 802. The crane then places the closed deployment device 500 onto the rig-up plate 730, and a next deployment device may be used to pick up a next tool or cable. When the next tool or cable is raised with the second deployment device 500, the first deployment device 500′ needs to be removed from the previous cable or tool. To do so, the crane raises the deployed system such that the deployment device 500′ from the support blocks 732 of the rig plate 730, and then the operator may apply a force to the distal ends of the levers 530A′ and 530B′, to disengage the levers from the inserts, so that the inserts can be removed and the cable or body of the tool is released. Then, the deployment device 500′ can be removed and reused for a next cable or tool.

In one application, the method may further include raising the cable or the downhole tool from the ground; moving the cable or the downhole tool above the well; and lowering the deployment device, clamped to the cable or to the downhole tool, onto a rig-up plate that covers a head of the well. Further, the method may further include removing a force exerted on the first and second levers; opening the first and second levers; removing the first or second pair of inserts from the body; and releasing the cable or the downhole tool from the deployment device.

The disclosed embodiments provide an apparatus and method for deploying one or more tools inside a well. It should be understood that this description is not intended to limit the invention. On the contrary, the exemplary embodiments are intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which are included in the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Further, in the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the claimed invention. However, one skilled in the art would understand that various embodiments may be practiced without such specific details.

Although the features and elements of the present exemplary embodiments are described in the embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements of the embodiments or in various combinations with or without other features and elements disclosed herein.

This written description uses examples of the subject matter disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the same, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the subject matter is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A deployment device for deploying a downhole tool in a well, the deployment device comprising:

a body shaped to host an internal chamber;

first and second inserts having complementary shapes and configured to be placed inside the internal chamber thereby defining an internal through passage for part of the downhole tool; and

first and second levers rotatably attached to the body and configured to press the first and second inserts further inside the internal chamber.

2. The deployment device of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second levers has a beak that directly engages one of the first and second inserts, and a connecting mechanism configured to connect to a cable.

3. The deployment device of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second inserts has a groove for receiving a cable or a body of the downhole tool, said grooves defining the internal through passage.

4. The deployment device of claim 1, wherein the first and second inserts fully occupy the internal chamber.

5. The deployment device of claim 1, wherein the internal chamber is shaped as a truncated cone and the first and second inserts have a frustoconical shape.

6. The deployment device of claim 1, wherein the body has a through slot so that a cable associated with the downhole tool passes from outside the body to the internal chamber through the slot.

7. The deployment device of claim 1, further comprising:

third and fourth inserts having complementary shapes and configured to be placed inside the internal chamber, wherein the first and second inserts have corresponding grooves sized to accommodate a cable and the third and fourth inserts having corresponding grooves sized to accommodate a body of the downhole tool,

wherein the cable has an exterior diameter different from an external diameter of the body of the downhole tool.

8. The deployment device of claim 7, wherein the first and second inserts have an external diameter identical to an external diameter of the third and fourth inserts.

9. The deployment device of claim 1, wherein a first end diameter of the internal chamber is smaller than a second end diameter of the internal chamber.

10. The deployment device of claim 1, wherein the first and second inserts are connected to a common hinge.

11. The deployment device of claim 1, wherein the body has a through slot so that a cable of the downhole tool passes from outside the body to the internal chamber through the slot, and wherein the first and second inserts are connected to a common hinge having a handle, said handle being sized to fill the through slot.

12. A deployment device for placing a downhole tool into a well, the deployment device comprising:

first and second inserts having complementary shapes and defining a first inner bore when placed together; and

a body configured to receive the first and second inserts, wherein the body is shaped to promote the first and second inserts to press against each other,

wherein the first and second inserts clamp on a part of the downhole tool as the gravity pushes the first and second inserts deeper into the body, and

wherein the part of the downhole tool fits inside the first inner bore.

13. The deployment device of claim 12, further comprising:

third and fourth inserts that define a second inner bore,

wherein the first inner bore has a first diameter, and the second inner bore has a second diameter, and

wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter.

14. The deployment device of claim 13, further comprising:

an internal chamber formed in the body;

the first and second inserts or the third and fourth inserts configured to be placed inside the internal chamber; and

first and second levers rotatably attached to the body and configured to press the first and second inserts or the third and fourth inserts, further inside the internal chamber.

15. The deployment device of claim 14, wherein either the first and second inserts or the third and fourth inserts fully occupy the internal chamber.

16. The deployment device of claim 14, wherein the first and second inserts have an external diameter identical to an external diameter of the third and fourth inserts.

17. The deployment device of claim 12, wherein a first end diameter of the internal chamber is smaller than a second end diameter of the internal chamber.

18. A method for attaching a downhole tool to a deployment device, to lower the downhole tool into a well, the method comprising:

electrically and mechanically connecting the downhole tool to a cable;

selecting first and second inserts to be placed around the cable and into the deployment device;

placing the first and second inserts and the cable and the downhole tool, into the deployment device;

connecting cables from a crane to first and second levers of the deployment device; and

raising the first and second levers with the crane so that the first and second levers directly press the first and second inserts, respectively,

wherein the first and second inserts define an inner bore that receives the cable or the downhole tool.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

raising the cable or the downhole tool from the ground;

moving the cable or the downhole tool above the well; and

lowering the deployment device, clamped to the cable or to the downhole tool, onto a rig-up plate that covers a head of the well.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

removing a force exerted on the first and second levers;

opening the first and second levers;

removing the first and second inserts from the body; and

releasing the cable or the downhole tool from the deployment device.