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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.