A coupling assembly includes a coupling, a protective ring and two tubulars, the coupling of generally cylindrical shape with a channel therethrough, the coupling having at least one internal thread and two coupling ends and a pin end of at least one of the two tubulars having an external thread for threaded mating therewith so that the coupling assembly provides a connection between the two tubulars, the protective ring including a ring body for positioning adjacent an interior wall of the coupling between the two ends thereof, the ring body being generally cylindrical and having a ring channel therethrough, the protective ring includes one of a tongue and groove and at least one of the ends of at least one of the two tubulars having the other of a tongue and groove.

A flexible pipe joint (200) includes a body (210) having a pin-end member (230) telescopically fitted within a box-end member (220), the pin-end member (230) including an outer connection profile (235) and the box-end member (220) including a complementary inner connection profile (225), a bearing (240) including an outer bearing surface (244), wherein the bearing (240) is fitted within the body (210) such that at least a portion of an inner body surface (212) interfaces with at least a portion the outer bearing surface (244), and wherein the bearing (240) includes an inner bearing surface (243), and an extension pipe (270) including an outer extension pipe surface (289), wherein the extension pipe (270) is fitted within the bearing (240) such that at least a portion of the inner bearing surface (243) interfaces with at least a portion of the outer extension pipe surface (289).

An indicator assembly includes a fastener defining a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an axis extending from the first end to the second end; a first indicator positioned radially outwardly of the fastener relative to the axis of the fastener; and a second indicator positioned radially outwardly of the fastener relative to the axis of the fastener, wherein the second indicator is axially in between the first indicator and the second end of the fastener upon the fastener being oriented in a first position, and wherein the second indicator is radially inwardly or radially outwardly of the first indicator upon the fastener being oriented in a second position.

A wellbore equipment assembly and components for a wellbore equipment assembly are disclosed along with a method of connecting wellbore string components. In some embodiments, the assembly includes a first component and a second component with an end portion received in an end of the first component defining a connection or a joint. The first and second components include corresponding threads that together define a threaded region of the joint or connection. The first and second components also include corresponding interface surfaces that together define an interface region of the joint or connection that is spaced apart from the threaded region. The interface surfaces are sized such that the interface surface of the second component is urged into frictional engagement with the interface surface of the first component to bear at least part of a torque applied to the assembly.

A plug for a pressure test configured for a tubular component, the tubular component including a male threaded element at a free end, the male threaded element including a male thread and a sealing surface, the plug including a thread compatible with the male thread, an inner annular groove, and a sealing ring held in the groove such that the sealing ring is radially compressed between an outer periphery of the male threaded element and a bottom of the inner annular groove.

A seal apparatus provides sufficient sealing and is compact and inexpensive. The seal apparatus includes a thread part screwed to the screw fastening part of a hollow component; a seal part that moves along an axis of the screw part and comes into pressure contact with the screw fastening part of the hollow component; a stopper part fixed to the screw part that restricts the movement of the seal part; a pressed part that moves the seal part into pressure contact with the screw fastening part; a spring disposed between the pressed part and the stopper part; and an accumulator formed between the stopper part and the seal part and into which a test fluid which is introduced into the hollow component for inspection flows.

A tubular string having a box end and pin end coupled to one another with a threaded attachment and a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly includes an annular outer thrust ring having an axial end abutting a shoulder on a terminal end of the box end. Included with the coupling assembly is an inner thrust ring, which is also annular, and which has an end that axially abuts a shoulder formed along an outer surface of the pin end. An alternate type of the inner thrust ring is made up of two separate semi-circular members that circumscribe the pin end when positioned in the recess so their arcuate ends adjoin. The inner thrust ring inserts into the outer thrust ring, and has a radial surface on its outer circumference that lands on a shoulder formed along an inner circumference of the outer thrust ring.

A tubular connection includes a tubular joint including a pin with a first pin thread having a first pitch and a second pin thread having a second pitch, and also includes a connector that includes a box with a first box thread having the first pitch and a second box thread having the second pitch. The connection also includes an elastomeric seal ring comprised of a material that swells in the presence of hydrocarbons. Upon make-up of the connection, the first pin thread engages with the first box thread, the second pin thread engages with the second box thread, and the elastomeric seal ring is disposed around the tubular joint between the first pin thread and the second pin thread and forms a metal-to-elastomer seal between the tubular joint and the connector.

A fitting includes a fitting body defining a hole; and an indicator assembly comprising a fastener extending through the hole, a first indicator mounted on the fastener, and a second indicator mounted on the fastener, the fastener defining a fastener axis; wherein the second indicator is axially in between the first indicator and the fitting body upon the fastener being oriented in a first position, and wherein the second indicator is radially inwardly or radially outwardly of the first indicator upon the fastener being oriented in a second position.

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 their torque transfer capacities may be also feasible.