Protective sleeve for threaded connections for expandable tubulars

Abstract

A tubular sleeve is coupled to and overlaps the threaded connection between a pair of adjacent tubular members.

1 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve; and    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve; and    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member;    wherein the tubular sleeve is in circumferential tension;    wherein the end portion of the first tubular member is in circumferential compression; and    wherein the end portion of the second tubular member is in circumferential compression.    
     
     
         3 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve; and    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member;    wherein the tubular sleeve is in circumferential compression;    wherein the end portion of the first tubular member is in circumferential tension; and    wherein the end portion of the second tubular member is in circumferential tension.    
     
     
         4 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve; and    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member;    wherein the tubular sleeve comprises an internal flange.    
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the end portion of the first tubular member is received within an end of the tubular sleeve; and wherein the end portion of the second tubular member is received within another end of the tubular sleeve.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the end portions of the first and second tubular members abut the internal flange of the tubular sleeve.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the end portion of the first tubular member is received within an end of the tubular sleeve.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the end portions of the first and second tubular members abut the internal flange of the tubular sleeve.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the end portion of the second tubular member is received within an end of the tubular sleeve.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the end portions of the first and second tubular members abut the internal flange of the tubular sleeve.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the internal flange of the tubular sleeve is positioned between the ends of the tubular sleeve.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the internal flange of the tubular sleeve is positioned at an end of the tubular sleeve.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve; and    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member;    wherein the tubular sleeve comprises an external flange.    
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein an end portion of the tubular sleeve is received within the first tubular member; and wherein another end portion of the tubular sleeve is received within the end portion of the second tubular member.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the end portions of the first and second tubular members abut the external flange of the tubular sleeve.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein an end portion of the tubular sleeve is received within the end portion of the first tubular member.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the end portions of the first and second tubular members abut the external flange of the tubular sleeve.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein an end portion of the tubular sleeve is received within the end portion of the second tubular member.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the end portions of the first and second tubular members abut the external flange of the tubular sleeve.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the external flange of the tubular sleeve is positioned between the ends of the tubular sleeve.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the external flange of the tubular sleeve is positioned at an end of the tubular sleeve.  
     
     
         22 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve; and    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member;    wherein the tubular sleeve further comprises one or more sealing members for sealing the interface between the tubular sleeve and at least one of the tubular members.    
     
     
         23 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve;    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member; and    a retaining ring positioned between the end of the first tubular member and the end of the tubular sleeve.    
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , further comprising: 
 another retaining ring positioned between the end of the second tubular member and the other end of the tubular sleeve.    
     
     
         25 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve;    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member; and    a retaining ring positioned between the end of the first tubular member and the other end of the tubular sleeve.    
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the retaining ring is resilient.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the retaining ring and the other retaining ring are resilient.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the retaining ring is resilient.  
     
     
         29 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve; and    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member;    wherein the end of the tubular sleeve is deformed onto the end of the first tubular member.    
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the other end of the tubular sleeve is deformed onto the end of the second tubular member.  
     
     
         31 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve; and    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member;    wherein the other end of the tubular sleeve is deformed onto the end of the second tubular member.    
     
     
         32 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve;    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member; and    a retaining ring coupled to the end of the first tubular member for retaining the tubular sleeve onto the end of the first tubular member.    
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising: 
 another retaining ring coupled to the end of the second tubular member for retaining the other end of the tubular sleeve onto the end of the second tubular member.    
     
     
         34 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve;    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member; and    a retaining ring coupled to the end of the second tubular member for retaining the other end of the tubular sleeve onto the end of the second tubular member.    
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the retaining ring is resilient.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the retaining ring and the other retaining ring are resilient.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the retaining ring is resilient.  
     
     
         38 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve;    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member; and    a locking ring for coupling the end of the first tubular member to the end of the tubular sleeve.    
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , further comprising: 
 another locking ring for coupling the end of the second tubular member to the other end of the tubular sleeve.    
     
     
         40 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve;    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member; and    a locking ring for coupling the end of the second tubular member to the other end of the tubular sleeve.    
     
     
         41 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve;    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member; and    a structure for receiving the first and second tubular members and the tubular sleeve;    wherein the tubular sleeve contacts the interior surface of the structure.    
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the tubular sleeve further comprises: 
 a sealing member for fluidicly sealing the interface between the tubular sleeve and the structure.    
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the other structure comprises a wellbore.  
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the other structure comprises a wellbore casing.  
     
     
         45 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve; and    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member;    wherein the tubular sleeve further comprises a sealing element coupled to the exterior surface of the tubular sleeve.    
     
     
         46 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve; and    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member;    wherein the tubular sleeve is metallic.    
     
     
         47 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve; and    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member;    wherein the tubular sleeve is non-metallic.    
     
     
         48 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve; and    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member;    wherein the tubular sleeve is plastic.    
     
     
         49 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve; and    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member;    wherein the tubular sleeve is ceramic.    
     
     
         51 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve; and    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member;    wherein the tubular sleeve is frangible.    
     
     
         52 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve; and    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member;    wherein the tubular sleeve comprises one or more longitudinal slots.    
     
     
         53 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve; and    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member;    wherein the tubular sleeve comprises one or more radial passages.    
     
     
         54 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve; and    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member;    wherein the first and second tubular members are amorphously bonded.    
     
     
         55 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve; and    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member;    wherein the first and second tubular members are welded.    
     
     
         56 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve; and    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member;    wherein only the portions of the first and second tubular members proximate the tubular sleeve are plastically deformed.    
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 55 , wherein a fluid tight seal is provided between the tubular sleeve and at least one of the first and second tubular members.  
     
     
         58 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member coupled to an end of the tubular sleeve; and    a second tubular member coupled to another end of the tubular sleeve and the first tubular member;    wherein the first tubular member comprises internal threads; and    wherein the second tubular member comprises external threads that engage the internal threads of the first tubular member.    
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein only the portions of the first and second members proximate the threads of the first and second tubular members are plastically deformed.  
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein a fluid tight seal is provided between the threads of the first and second tubular members.  
     
     
         61 . The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein a fluid tight seal is provided between the tubular sleeve and at least one of the first and second tubular members.  
     
     
         62 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve comprising an internal flange positioned between the ends of the tubular sleeve; 
 a first tubular member received within an end of the tubular sleeve in abutment with the internal flange that comprises internal threads; and  
 a second tubular member received within another end of the tubular sleeve in abutment with the internal flange that comprises external threads that engage the internal threads of the first tubular member;  
 wherein the tubular sleeve is in circumferential tension;  
 wherein the end of first tubular member is in circumferential compression; and  
 wherein the end of the second tubular member is in circumferential compression.  
   
     
     
         63 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve comprising an external flange positioned between the ends of the tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member that receives an end of the tubular sleeve and abuts the external flange that comprises internal threads; and    a second tubular member that receives another end of the tubular sleeve that abuts the external flange that comprises external threads that engage the internal threads of the first tubular member;    wherein the tubular sleeve is in circumferential compression;    wherein the first tubular member is in circumferential tension; and    wherein the second tubular member is in circumferential tension.    
     
     
         64 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve comprising an internal flange positioned between the ends of the tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member received within an end of the tubular sleeve in abutment with the internal flange that comprises internal threads; and    a second tubular member received within another end of the tubular sleeve in abutment with the internal flange that comprises external threads that engage the internal threads of the first tubular member;    wherein the tubular sleeve is in circumferential tension;    wherein the end of first tubular member is in circumferential compression;    wherein the end of the second tubular member is in circumferential compression;    wherein a fluid tight seal is provided between the tubular sleeve and at least one of the first and second tubular members; and    wherein a fluid tight seal is provided between the threads of the first and second tubular members.    
     
     
         65 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve comprising an external flange positioned between the ends of the tubular sleeve;    a first tubular member that receives an end of the tubular sleeve and abuts the external flange that comprises internal threads; and    a second tubular member that receives another end of the tubular sleeve that abuts the external flange that comprises external threads that engage the internal threads of the first tubular member;    wherein the tubular sleeve is in circumferential compression;    wherein the first tubular member is in circumferential tension;    wherein the second tubular member is in circumferential tension;    wherein a fluid tight seal is provided between the tubular sleeve and at least one of the first and second tubular members; and    wherein a fluid tight seal is provided between the threads of the first and second tubular members.