US Patent 7207603 Insulated tubular assembly

A tubular assembly 10 is disclosed for passing fluids within a hydrocarbon recovery well. The tubular assembly 10 has an insulated connection 12 between insulated tubing segments 14, 16. Tubing segments 14, 16 are connected via a threaded connection, and the resulting joint 10 is insulated by an external insulating sleeve 18. The insulating sleeve 18 may have unitary construction, such that the sleeve 18 may only be installed or removed by first breaking apart the joint 10. Alternatively, the sleeve 18 may comprise a plurality of arcuate partial-sleeves, which may be assembled about or removed from the completed joint 10 without first breaking apart the joint 10.