A sealing system connecting first and second tubular members includes a first curvilinear sealing surface on the first tubular member and a second curvilinear sealing surface on the second tubular member. Both the first and second curvilinear sealing surfaces are disposed between two sets of threading on the respective first and second tubular members. When the first and second tubular members are in a connected configuration, the first and second curvilinear sealing surfaces contact and interfere to form an annular curvilinear center seal. A relief pocket may be disposed adjacent to the first and/or second curvilinear sealing surfaces to contain excess lubricant between the first and second tubular members.

A two-step threaded connection for steel pipe includes an intermediate seal and intermediate shoulders. A pin 2 has an inner male-threaded section 23 and an outer male-threaded section 26. A box 3 has an inner female-threaded section 33 and an outer female-threaded section 36. The pin 2 has a pin intermediate critical cross section PICCS located near an end of the first male-threaded section 23. The box 3 has a box critical cross section BCCS located near an end of the inner female-threaded section 33 and a box intermediate critical cross section BICCS located near an end of the outer female-threaded section 36. The pin 2 and the box 3 satisfy the following relationships:
PICCSA+BICCSA>BCCSA, and
0.70≤PICCSA/BICCSA≤0.95.

A threaded tubular connection which includes a pin member and a mating box member. The pin member has pin threads with stab flanks and load flanks and thread crests and thread roots which are adapted to be made-up with a mating box member having a complimentary thread structure. The threads of the pin member are intentionally made asymmetric to those of the box.

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 interlocked thread systems and may also include: dog-clutch teeth, 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.

Threaded tubular connection comprising a tubular female end extending from a main body of a first tubular member, and a tubular male end extending from a main body of a second tubular member, such that the tubular female end comprises a machined outer cylindrical surface close to the female free end having a first outer diameter and a second machined outer cylindrical surface above a threaded portion of the female end, a second outer diameter of the second outer cylindrical surface being bigger than the first outer diameter.

A sealing system connecting first and second tubular members includes a first curvilinear sealing surface on the first tubular member and a second curvilinear sealing surface on the second tubular member. Both the first and second curvilinear sealing surfaces are disposed between two sets of threading on the respective first and second tubular members. When the first and second tubular members are in a connected configuration, the first and second curvilinear sealing surfaces contact and interfere to form an annular curvilinear center seal. A relief pocket may be disposed adjacent to the first and/or second curvilinear sealing surfaces to contain excess lubricant between the first and second tubular members.

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 interlocked thread systems and may also include: dog-clutch teeth, 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.

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 keys and may also include: interlocked thread systems, shear pins, dog-clutch teeth 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.

This invention builds up on technical features and on the industry experience with the use of MerlinTM family connectors. In addition to friction, structural means utilized to transfer high torsional loads include shear pins and may also include: interlocked thread systems, dog-clutch teeth, 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.

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 in order to transfer high torsional loads include: dog-clutch teeth, shear pins, keys, splines and interlocked thread systems, 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.