Reduced Drag Centralizer

Abstract

An apparatus according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure comprises at least two centralizers, each centralizer having a circumferential stand-off portion and a second circumferential portion defining 360 degrees, at least two bows extending between opposing collars within the stand-off circumferential portion; wherein the at least two centralizers are spaced axially apart and fixedly attached to the tubular with the respective circumferential stand-off portions angularly offset from one another to provide 360 degrees of standoff. According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, one or both of the collars of each centralizer may be rotationally stationary relative to the tubular and axially moveable relative to the tubular.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 opposing collars spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal axis, each of the opposing collars adapted to be fixedly secured to a tubular with a holding force; and   a bow extending between the opposing collars, the bow having an at least one apex and a stand-off force.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a single bow. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising two or more bows. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein fixedly secured comprises rotationally stationary and axially moveable relative to the tubular. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus comprising:
 opposing collars spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal axis, each of the opposing collars adapted to be fixedly secured to a tubular with a holding force; and   two or more bows extending between the opposing collars, each of the two or more bows spaced apart from one another within a circumferential arc no greater than 180 degrees.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein fixedly secured comprises rotationally stationary and axially moveable relative to the tubular. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least two centralizers, each centralizer having a first circumferential stand-off portion and a second circumferential portion together defining 360 degrees, at least two bows extending between opposing collars within the stand-off circumferential portion, wherein the at least two centralizers are spaced axially apart and fixedly attached to the tubular with the respective circumferential stand-off portions angularly offset from one another to provide 360 degrees of standoff.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the second circumferential portion is at least about 180 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein fixedly secured comprises rotationally stationary and axially moveable relative to the tubular. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least three centralizers, each centralizer having a first circumferential stand-off portion and a second circumferential portion together defining 360 degrees, at least one bow extending between opposing collars within the stand-off circumferential portion, wherein the at least three centralizers are spaced axially apart and fixedly attached to the tubular with the respective circumferential stand-off portions angularly offset from one another to provide 360 degrees of standoff.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein fixedly secured comprises rotationally stationary and axially moveable relative to the tubular. 
     
     
         12 . A method comprising:
 providing a centralizer having opposing collars spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal axis, each of the opposing collars adapted to be fixedly secured to a tubular with a holding force; and   a bow extending between the opposing collars, the bow having an at least one apex and a stand-off force.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein fixedly secured comprises securing the collar to the tubular in a manner to be rotationally stationary relative to the tubular. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising connecting at least two centralizers to a tubular, each centralizer having a first circumferential stand-off portion and a second circumferential portion together defining 360 degrees, at least two bows extending between opposing collars within the stand-off circumferential portion, wherein the at least two centralizers are spaced axially apart and attached to the tubular with the respective circumferential stand-off portions angularly offset from one another to provide 360 degrees of standoff.