This invention builds up on technical features and on the industry experience with the use of Merlin™ family connectors. In addition to friction, structural means utilized to transfer high torsional loads include dog-clutch teeth and may also include: interlocked thread systems, shear pins, keys and splines, all used in isolation or in arbitrary combinations. Static and fatigue bending load capacities of the connectors remain high, while the axial load capacities may or may not be high, depending on the design requirements. Connectors according to this invention can be built as new, carefully optimized designs. In some cases upgrading existing Merlin™ family connector designs to increase they torque transfer capacities may be also feasible.

A joint structure for steel pipes according to the invention includes a pair of steel pipes having male threads formed at end portions thereof, and a coupling having a pair of sets of female threads formed therein so that the male threads of the pair of steel pipes screw in the pair of the sets of female threads, respectively. Distal end surfaces at the end portions of the steel pipes have inner circumferential edges each protruding in a direction of a pipe axis with respect to outer circumferential edges thereof. When the pair of steel pipes are coupled to each other by the coupling and the inner circumferential edges of the distal end surfaces of the pair of steel pipes are brought into contact with each other, a gap is formed between the outer circumferential edges of the distal end surfaces of the pair of steel pipes.

A tubular component for a threaded connection includes at one of its ends a threaded zone. The end includes a terminal surface and the threaded zone includes, over at least a portion, threads including, when viewed in a longitudinal section passing through an axis of the tubular component, a thread crest, a thread root, a load flank, and a stabbing flank, such that a respective axial width of thread crests decreases in a direction of the terminal surface while a respective axial width of thread roots increases when considered in the same direction. At least one of a profile of the load flank and a profile of the stabbing flank of a thread portion includes, as a contral portion, a continuous curve provided with a point of inflection such that the profile with the point of inflection in convex at the thread crest and concave close to the thread root.

A connection between a first tubular member and a second tubular member includes a first tubular end, a second tubular end, a load shoulder member threadable onto the first tubular end, and a nut receivable around the first tubular end and the load shoulder member and threadable onto the second tubular end. The connection also includes a keyway through the load shoulder member and into the first tubular end to receive a key member.

An orientable perforating gun assembly may include a gun housing with a charge carrier and shaped charge positioned within an interior space of the gun housing, in fixed orientation relative to the gun housing. An orientation alignment ring may be connected to a first end of the gun housing. The orientation alignment ring and the gun housing may be rotatable relative to each other when the orientation alignment ring is in an unfixed connection state. The gun housing may be in a fixed orientation relative to the orientation alignment ring in a fixed connection state. A locking ring may be connected to the gun housing first end. A method may include orienting the perforating gun housing relative to the orientation alignment ring and other perforating gun assemblies in a string.

Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for increasing accuracy of firing perforating charges in an oil well casing. In one implementation, a body of an orientation device has a first portion and a second portion. An opening extends through a center of the body from a first lateral surface to a second lateral surface, and the opening is configured to receive a perforating gun string. An outer perimeter surface extends about the center of the body from the first lateral surface to the second lateral surface. The outer perimeter surface has a first shape associated with the first portion and a second shape associated with the second portion. The second shape forms a base portion configured to maintain the perforating gun string in an orientation by preventing rotation of the perforating gun string. The orientation corresponds to a predetermined perforating charge direction of the perforating gun string.

A protector for a male end or a female end of a tubular drilling or production component for hydrocarbon wells, the end respectively including at least one external thread or internal thread, an annular external surface and an annular internal surface separated by the at least one thread, the protector including a first internal or external thread including at least one first threaded portion including at least one thread with pitch P1 configured to cooperate with the thread of the end to screw the protector onto the end, and a second threaded portion including at least one thread with a pitch P2 different from P1.

A quick connect device for connecting a plug to a setting tool includes a collet having a body and plural fingers; a first end of the collet is configured to be attached to a trapping mechanism associated with the setting tool; and a second end of the collet has the plural fingers, which are configured to be attached to the plug. The second end automatically connects to the plug by only pushing the second end onto the plug.

A downhole pump gas eliminating seating nipple system for preventing and eliminating the collection of gas such as a foam barrier during operations of a downhole pump assembly. The downhole pump gas eliminating seating nipple system generally includes a seating nipple including an upper end, a lower end, and a channel extending between the upper and lower ends. The channel includes a beveled edge below the upper end and a locking lip above the lower end. A plurality of upper gas eliminators are positioned below the beveled edge. A plurality of lower gas eliminators are positioned below the locking lip. A plurality of central gas eliminators are positioned between the upper and lower gas eliminators. Each of the gas eliminators is angled upwardly from inlet to outlet so as to prevent accumulation of gasses within or below the seating nipple, which can lead to gas locking and/or gas interference.

In a threaded connection of a two-step thread construction including intermediate shoulder surfaces, a break is prevented near the intermediate critical cross sections upon application of a tensile load, and the intermediate shoulder surfaces are easier to create, thus improving productivity. The outer periphery portion of a pin located between an intermediate shoulder surface of the pin and a second male thread is provided with a circumferential groove including a curved surface smoothly contiguous to the intermediate shoulder surface, thereby mitigating plastic strains generated near the pin intermediate critical cross section PICCS. The inner periphery portion of a box located between an intermediate shoulder surface of the box and a first female thread is provided with a circumferential groove including a curved surface smoothly contiguous to the intermediate shoulder surface, thereby mitigating plastic strains generated near a box intermediate critical cross section BICCS.