Abstract:
A vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device including a fairing comprising a fairing body having a nose dimensioned to partially encircle an underlying tubular and a first arm and a second arm extending from the nose, wherein the nose, the first arm and the second arm are one integrally formed unit and the first arm and the second arm are spaced a distance from one another along their entire length so as to define a gap therebetween; and a securing element dimensioned to fit within the gap between the first arm and the second arm and secure the fairing to an underlying tubular. Methods for securing a U-shaped fairing to a tubular and manufacturing a U-shaped fairing are also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The application is a non-provisional application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/183,299, filed Jun. 23, 2015 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/295,482, filed Feb. 15, 2016, both of which are incorporated herein by reference 
     FIELD 
     A two-piece U-shaped fairing. Other embodiments are also described herein. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A difficult obstacle associated with the exploration and production of oil and gas is management of significant ocean currents. These currents can produce vortex-induced vibration (VIV) and/or large deflections of tubulars associated with drilling and production. VIV can cause substantial fatigue damage to the tubular or cause suspension of drilling due to increased deflections. Both helical strakes and fairings can provide sufficient VIV suppression. 
     Fairings are a popular VIV suppression device. Fairings are placed around a tubular (on a collar that clamps to the tubular to restrain the fairing from sliding along the tubular&#39;s longitudinal axis more than desired) and are free to rotate (weathervane) with changes in current direction. 
     In order to function properly, it is important that the fairings be structurally sound and do not come off of the underlying tubular. It is also important that the fairing be economical and easy to fabricate. Another desired feature is that the fairing be able to accommodate copper or other materials to inhibit marine growth in the annulus so that the fairing is not restricted from rotation by marine growth. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides systems and methods for securing a U-shaped fairing to a tubular. The U-shaped fairing disclosed herein is structurally sound and capable of being securing fastened to an underlying tubular. The fairing is also designed to accommodate antifouling materials in the annulus and restrict marine growth in the annulus. The entire fairing, including an associate securing element, may be molded as one single piece such that manufacturing and processing times are sufficiently reduced. 
     More specifically, in one embodiment, the invention is directed to a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device including a fairing having a fairing body having a nose dimensioned to partially encircle an underlying tubular and a first arm and a second arm extending from the nose, wherein the nose, the first arm and the second arm are one integrally formed unit and the first arm and the second arm are spaced a distance from one another along their entire length so as to define a gap therebetween. A securing element dimensioned to fit within the gap between the first arm and the second arm and secure the fairing to an underlying tubular is further provided. The securing element may also be formed as one integrally formed unit such that the entire fairing device consists of only two pieces, namely the fairing body and the securing element. The gap maybe of a size sufficient for insertion of a tubular therethrough. The first arm and the second arm may be substantially parallel to one another. The first arm and the second arm may each include a first portion extending in a same direction away from the nose, and a second portion extending toward one another. An opening may be formed between interfacing ends formed by the second portion of the first arm and the second arm. The securing element may include a base member, a first extension member extending from one side of the base member and a second extension member extending from another side of the base member, and the base member the first extension member and the second extension member may be one integrally formed unit. The first extension member and the second extension member may be spaced a distance from one another such that their outer surfaces rest along an inner surface of the first arm and the second arm of the fairing body, respectively, and the base member rests along a tubular when the fairing body is positioned around a tubular. A space formed between the first extension member and the second extension member may be substantially open to allow for fluid flow entirely through the extension member. The device may further include an internal support member positioned between the first extension member and the second extension member, wherein the internal support member is positioned between the first extension member and the second extension member and extends along less than an entire height of the first and second extension members. The securing element may extend along less than an entire length of the fairing body. The nose may include a longitudinal opening extending along at least a portion of an axis of the fairing body, and wherein the opening is modifiable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The device may further include an antifouling member placed along a portion of the securing element. 
     In another embodiment, a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device includes a fairing comprising a fairing body having a nose dimensioned to partially encircle an underlying tubular and a first arm and a second arm extending from the nose, wherein the first arm and the second arm are spaced a distance from one another along their entire length so as to define a gap therebetween, a securing element dimensioned to fit within the gap between the first arm and the second arm and secure the fairing to an underlying tubular, wherein the securing element is substantially open to allow for fluid flow through the entire securing element, and an antifouling member attached to the securing element. The nose, the first arm and the second arm may be a U-shaped integrally formed unit and the securing element is one integrally formed unit. The securing element may include at least three open sides and fluid flow is in a direction substantially parallel to at least a length dimension of the securing element. The antifouling member may be a copper piece extending along an entire length of the securing element. The antifouling member may be positioned along a surface of the securing element that interfaces with a tubular around which the fairing body and securing element are positioned. 
     In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a VIV suppression device includes molding a U-shaped fairing body and a securing element as a single unit using a rotational molding technique. The method may further include after molding, separating the U-shaped fairing body from the securing element to form a U-shaped fairing body and a securing element dimensioned for insertion within the U-shaped fairing body. The method may further include during molding, molding a transition member between the U-shaped fairing body and the securing element, wherein the transition member causes the securing element to have a smaller width than the U-shaped fairing body. 
     The above summary does not include an exhaustive list of all aspects of the present invention. It is contemplated that the invention includes all apparatuses that can be practiced from all suitable combinations of the various aspects summarized above, as well as those disclosed in the Detailed Description below and particularly pointed out in the claims filed with the application. Such combinations have particular advantages not specifically recited in the above summary. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and they mean at least one. 
         FIG. 1A  is a side view of a pipe with a U-shaped fairing. 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a U-shaped fairing with a unique securing element. 
         FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of a U-shaped fairing body. 
         FIG. 1D  is a perspective view of a securing element for a U-shaped fairing. 
         FIG. 2  is an end view of a U-shaped fairing with an accommodation for a copper piece. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a U-shaped fairing using a fastener type latching mechanism. 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of a single piece that contains both the U-shaped fairing body and the securing element for the U-shaped fairing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In this section we shall explain several preferred embodiments with reference to the appended drawings. Whenever the shapes, relative positions and other aspects of the parts described in the embodiments are not clearly defined, the scope of the embodiments is not limited only to the parts shown, which are meant merely for the purpose of illustration. Also, while numerous details are set forth, it is understood that some embodiments may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a side view of one embodiment of a VIV suppression device attached to an underlying structure. Referring now to the invention in more detail,  FIG. 1A  shows a VIV suppression device, in this case a fairing  101 , secured around an underlying structure, in this case a tubular  100 . Fasteners  111  are used to connect a securing element to fairing  101 . Collars  102  are clamped tight to tubular  100  and restrict sliding of fairing  101 . 
     Again referring to  FIG. 1A , fairing  101  is free to rotate around tubular  100  while collars  102  are clamped tight against tubular  100 . Fasteners  111  are used to attach the fairings to an internal securing element. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1A , fairing  101  may be of any suitable size or shape. In this embodiment, fairing  101  is shown having a cross sectional shaped like the letter “U” or a similar shape. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1B ,  FIG. 1B  illustrates a side perspective view of the fairing shown in  FIG. 1A . From this view, it can be seen that fairing  101  includes fairing body  106  and securing element  107  which are connected by bolts  111  and nuts  112 . Optional internal supports  115  are also shown. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 1B , fairing body  106  will typically be shaped like the letter “U” as shown, but may also have other similar shapes. More specifically, fairing body  106  may include a nose portion  130 , which is for example, a semi circular or curved portion of the body, that partially encircles the underlying tubular, and arm members  132 ,  134  extending from nose portion  130 . In the illustrated embodiment, arm members  132 ,  134  are substantially straight members that are parallel to each other. In other embodiments, however, arm members  132 ,  134  may taper toward one another such that a distance or gap between arm member  132  and arm member  134  at the nose portion  130  is smaller than a distance or gap between the free ends of arm member  132  and arm member  134 . The structure of fairing body  106  including nose portion  130  and arm members  132 ,  134  can be seen in more detail from  FIG. 1C . 
     Securing element  107  is dimensioned to be inserted between arm members  132 ,  134  of fairing body  106 . Securing element  107  includes a base member  136  and extension members  138 ,  140  which extend from base member  136  as will be described in more detail in reference to  FIG. 1D . In this aspect, when securing element  107  is inserted within fairing body  106 , base member  136  forms a closed structure with nose portion  130  of fairing body  106  that completely surrounds tubular  100 . In addition, extension members  138 ,  140  may be parallel to one another such that they can be positioned along the inner surfaces of arm members  132 ,  134  of fairing body  106  and connected to arm members  132 ,  134  as shown. It should further be understood that although in this embodiment, securing element  107  is shown having a curved or semicircular base member  136  near the underlying tubular (not shown), base member  136  may have other shapes (straight, for example). Securing element  107  may act as a bearing surface for fairing  101  and also serve to strengthen fairing body  106 . In addition, while  FIG. 1B  shows bolts  111  and nuts  112  used to attach securing element  107  to fairing body  106 , other attachment methods may be used including, but not limited to, chemical bonding, riveting, welding, clamping, or any combination thereof. Still further, internal supports  115  are optional, and when included may be used to, for example, further strengthen fairing  101  and fairing body  106 . While internal supports  115  are shown as rods such that they do not extend along an entire length or width of arm members  132 ,  134  of fairing body  106  in  FIG. 1A , other internal support structures may be used including, but not limited to, blocks, trusses, beams, and any combination thereof. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1B , securing element  107  will typically traverse from one end of the fairing to another along the underlying tubular&#39;s longitudinal axis, but may traverse only part of the fairing or may consist of sections that do, or do not, traverse the entire fairing. Securing element  107  may be a single integrally formed structure, or include more than one piece. While the possibility of securing element  107  including various sections along the fairing was previously presented, it is also possible for the various sides of securing element  107  to include more than one structure that is bonded, fastened, welded, or held together by any suitable means. It is also possible for various parts of securing element  107  to include different materials or more than one material. Similarly, securing element  107  may include a different material than fairing body  106 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1B , securing element  107 , fairing body  106 , bolts  111 , nuts  112 , and internal supports  115  may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, composite, fiberglass, and rubber or elastomer. Each of securing element  107 , fairing  106 , bolts  111 , nuts  112 , and internal supports  115  may be made of the same material or made of different materials and materials may be mixed or matched in any suitable manner. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1C ,  FIG. 1C  illustrates a perspective view of the body portion of the fairing of  FIG. 1A - FIG. 1B . From this view, it can be seen that the arm members  132 ,  134  extending from nose portion  130  form a gap G and an opening  160  through which the underlying tubular can be inserted. In one embodiment, arm members  132 ,  134  are substantially parallel with one another such that the distance D 1  formed between portions of arm members  132 ,  134  near the nose portion is substantially the same as the distance D 2  between the free ends of arm members  132 ,  134 . In other words, in this embodiment, D 1  is equal to D 2 . Said another way, D 1  is substantially equal to D 2  along an entire length dimension (L 1 ) and width dimension (D 1 ) of fairing body  106 . It is contemplated, however, that in other embodiments D 1  and D 2  may be different. For example, D 1  may be greater than D 2 , or D 1  may be less than D 2 . 
     Fairing body  106 , including nose portion  130  and arm members  132 ,  134  may, in one embodiment, be a single integrally formed piece or structure. For example, nose portion  130  and arm members  132 ,  134  may be formed by bending a single sheet of material, or molding a single piece of material, into the desired shape and size (e.g., a fairing having a nose portion  130  and parallel arm members  132 ,  134 ). In other embodiments, fairing body  106  may be made of multiple pieces or in multiple sections. In the case of multiple pieces, the pieces (e.g., nose portion  130  and parallel arm members  132 ,  134 ) may be attached to each other by any suitable means. Each piece may be made of the same material or of different materials consisting of, but not limited to, one or more of metal, plastic, rubber, elastomer, fiberglass, or composite. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1D ,  FIG. 1D  illustrates an end perspective view of the securing element of the fairing described in reference to  FIG. 1A - FIG. 1B , except that the internal supports are omitted. From this view, it can be seen that securing element  107  includes base member  136 , which in this embodiment is a semicircular shaped structure, and extension members  138 ,  140  extending from base member  136 . Base member  136  is curved such that it protrudes into the gap formed between extension members  138 ,  140 . In other words, base member  136  forms a concave shaped cavity between extension members  138 ,  140 . The cavity is dimensioned to receive one side of the underlying tubular such that when the nose portion  130  of body portion  106  is positioned around the other side of the underlying tubular, the base member  136  and nose portion  130  completely encircle the tubular. Extension members  138 ,  140  may, in one embodiment, be parallel to one another such that a width W 1  of the gap formed between extension members  138 ,  140  near base member  136  is substantially the same as a width W 2  of the gap formed between the free ends of extension members  138 ,  140 . In other embodiments, W 1  and W 2  of the gap may be different. For example, where the arm members  132 ,  134  of body portion  106  are tapered toward one another such that D 2  is less than D 1 , extension members  138 ,  140  may also taper toward one another such that W 2  is less than W 1 . In addition, it should be understood that in some embodiments, a length dimension (L 2 ) of extension members  138 ,  140  of securing element  107 , may be substantially similar to the length dimension (L 1 ) of arm members  132 ,  134  of fairing body  106  and a height dimension (H 2 ) of extension members  138 ,  140  may be substantially similar to the height dimension (H 1 ) of arm members  132 ,  134  of fairing body  106 . In addition, the opening, gap or channel formed between base member  136 , extension members  138 ,  140  may be substantially open such that fluid may flow through it. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1D , at least three sides of securing element  107  are open such that fluid may flow in one side and out another opposing side, for example, in a direction parallel to a height dimension (H 2 ) of securing element  107 . 
     Securing element  107  may be made of a single integrally formed piece, for example, such as by bending a single sheet of material, or molding a single piece of material into the desired shape and size. Alternatively, securing element may be made of multiple pieces or in multiple sections. The pieces may be attached to each other by any suitable means. Each piece may be made of the same material or of different materials consisting of, but not limited to, one or more of metal, plastic, rubber, elastomer, fiberglass, or composite. 
     It should be understood that in some embodiments, fairing body portion  106  and securing element  107  are manufactured separately from different pieces of material. In other embodiments, fairing body portion  106  and securing element  107  are formed as a single structure, for example by rotational molding a material into the desired size and shape structure, and the structure once taken out of the mold is then cut into sections in the shape of the body portion  106  and securing element  107 . This exemplary method of manufacturing a fairing will be discussed in more detail in reference to  FIG. 4 . Referring now to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 2  illustrates an end view of a fairing similar to that discussed in reference to  FIG. 1A - FIG. 1C , except in this embodiment, the fairing includes an antifouling member. Representatively, similar to  FIG. 1A - FIG. 1C , fairing  101  includes fairing body  106  having a nose portion  130  and arm members  132 ,  134 . In addition, securing element  107  includes a base member  136  and extension members  138 ,  140 . Once assembled together, nose portion  130  of fairing  101  encircles one side of tubular  100 , while base member  136  of securing element  107 , which is positioned within fairing body  106 , encircles the other side of tubular  100 . In addition, extension members  138 ,  140  of securing element  107  are secured by bolts  111  and nuts  112  to arm members  132 ,  134  of fairing body  106 . Still further, internal supports  115  may be attached at each end to both sides of fairing  101  (e.g., arm members  132 ,  134 ) and copper piece  133  may be attached to securing element  107  by bolt  131  and nut  135 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , however, securing element  107  includes an antifouling region  150  near tubular  100  to accommodate an antifouling system including, for example, copper piece  133 , bolt  131 , and nut  135 . In addition, other parts of securing element  107  may be altered to accommodate one or more copper or other antifouling pieces. A key feature of securing element  107  in  FIG. 2  is that securing element  107  together with fairing body  106  completely surround tubular  100  which reduces the flow of water in the annulus area immediately surrounding tubular  100  and also restricts the availability of light in this same annulus area (which reduces marine growth in the annulus). It is recognized that any number of copper piece  133 , bolt  131 , and nut  135  may be used and that more than one bolt  131  and nut  135  may be used for a single copper piece  133 . Copper piece  133  may be of any suitable shape and may be split into sections and will typically be a bar or plate. Copper piece  133  may traverse the entire longitudinal length of fairing  101  or may traverse part of the longitudinal length of fairing  101 . Copper piece  133  may be attached by any suitable means. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , fairing body  106  and securing element  107  may also be attached or mated by other means. For example, fairing body  106  may have an open (female) channel running down its side walls on both sides to receive securing element  107 . Securing element  107  may, or may not, have male pieces to mate with the open channel. Pins, cable ties, screws, bolts, nuts, rivets, or any other suitable means may be used to assist with mating securing element  107  with fairing body  106  through using the channel (or shorter channel sections). 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , securing element  107 , bolts  111 , nuts  112 , bolt  131 , and nut  135  may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, rubber, elastomer, fiberglass, composite, or synthetic. Copper piece  133  is typically made of a copper or copper alloy material but other materials that have antifouling properties may also be used. Copper piece  133  may cover all or part of securing element  107  or fairing body  106  and thus need not be a single piece as depicted in  FIG. 2 . Copper piece  133  may be present on the inside surface of the base member  136  of securing element  107  (facing tubular  100 ) or may be on the exterior of securing element  107 , or both. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 3  illustrates an end view of another embodiment of a U-shaped fairing. U-shaped fairing  201  is shown installed around tubular  200  with annulus  209  representing the gap between U-shaped fairing  201  and tubular  200 . Similar to the previously discussed fairing, the fairing body  206  includes a nose portion  230  and arm members  232 ,  234  extending from nose portion  230 . In addition, rear fairing sides  203 A and  203 B extend inwardly toward one another from the ends of arm members  232 ,  234 . Each of the nose portion  230 , arm members  232 ,  234  and rear fairing sides  203 A,  203 B may be formed as one single integrally formed structure. The rear fairing sides  203 A,  203 B may be separated by rear opening  204 . 
     Securing element  202  is similar to the previously discussed securing element  107  in that it is inserted between arm members  232 ,  234  once the fairing body  206  is placed around the tubular. Securing element  202  may further include a base member  236  that partially encircles the tubular and extension members  238 ,  240  extending from base member  236 . In some embodiments, extension members  238 ,  240  may also be connected by an optional connecting member  242 , which is at an end of the extension members  238 ,  240  opposite the base member  236 . In addition, securing element  202  may be attached to the arm members  232 ,  234  of fairing  201  by left side fasteners  231 A and right side fasteners  231 B. 
     In addition, left rear fasteners  241 A, and right rear fasteners  241 B may be used to attach rear fairing sides  203 A,  203 B to the fairing  201 . Optional side supports  250  are shown between securing element  202  and fairing  201  and may be attached using left side fasteners  231 A or right side fasteners  231 B or other fasteners that do not travel into securing element  202 . 
     In this embodiment, U-shaped fairing  201  may also include a nose opening  219  that can be used to position fairing  201  around the underlying tubular. In particular, opening  219  may be modifiable between an open and closed configuration such that it can be opened and the tubular inserted through the opening  219 , and then closed around the tubular. To hold the opening  219  in the closed configuration, opening  219  may be bridged by internal support  158  which is connected to U-shaped fairing  201  by nose fasteners  156 . 
     Again referring to  FIG. 3 , U-shaped fairing  201  is pulled apart at nose opening  219  and placed around tubular  200  during installation. One or more left side fasteners  231 A, right side fasteners  231 B, left rear fasteners  241 A, and right rear fasteners  241 B may be removed (or not yet installed) to reduce stresses on U-shaped fairing  201  while it is pulled open during installation. For example, one or more left side fasteners  231 A (in addition to the left side of nose fasteners  156 ) may be absent and installed after U-shaped fairing  201  is placed around tubular  200 . In order to minimize stresses during installation, it is generally desirable to have an unfastened length that is as long as necessary along one side (beginning at the nose and going towards the tail). Thus, securing element  202  may be designed to be sufficiently far from tubular  200  to achieve a sufficiently long unfastened length while minimizing the number of fasteners that must be installed during installation. It is possible that left rear fasteners  241 A, and right rear fasteners  241 B may not be required. It is also possible to replace rear opening  204  with a hinge. Rear opening  204  (or a hinge in its place) may run the entire height of fairing  201  or may exist only in short segments. Optional side supports  250  are used to add structural stiffness to the walls of fairing  201  and may exist at any location along fairing  201  and may consist of short segments along the fairing height or may consist of one or more long segments that traverses most of the fairing height. Optional side supports  250  may be of any suitable geometry. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , securing element  202  may have any suitable geometry provided that it attaches to both left and right hand sides of U-shaped fairing  201 . It is often desirable, but not always necessary, that securing element  202  provide some bearing or structural support for U-shaped fairing  201  when current or wave forces create contact or impact between U-shaped fairing  201  and securing element  202 . Securing element  202  will typically be short relative to the fairing height (the fairing height is normal to the page in  FIG. 3 ) and thus two or more securing elements  202  may be used along the fairing height and spaced apart. U-shaped fairing  201  may vary in shape such as having a larger annulus at the nose, having appurtenances at the nose, having sides that taper inward or outward, having the rear fairing sides  203 A and  203 B removed or absent, etc. Annulus  209  may be larger on the sides than from the nose towards the block or vice versa or may vary non-uniformly or in any way. Other appurtenances may be attached to U-shaped fairing  201 . Any number, size, or type of fasteners may be used for nose fasteners  156 , left side fasteners  231 A, right side fasteners  231 B, left rear fasteners  241 A, and right rear fasteners  241 B. 
     Internal support  158  may be of any suitable size or shape and may be as tall as the fairing height or may be made in discrete segments that can vary from one other in size and shape. Internal support  158  and securing element  202  may be attached to U-shaped fairing  201  by any suitable means including, but not limited to, bolting, chemical bonding, molding into the part, clamping, riveting, and clipping. Often, if fasteners are used, one or more of nose fasteners  156 , left side fasteners  231 A, right side fasteners  231 B, left rear fasteners  241 A, and right rear fasteners  241 B will be countersunk. Corresponding nuts may be countersunk too. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , U-shaped fairing  201 , rear fairing sides  203 A and  203 B (which may be separate structures from U-shaped fairing  201  or integral to U-shaped fairing  201 ), securing element  202 , optional side supports  250 , left side fasteners  231 A, right side fasteners  231 B, left rear fasteners  241 A, right rear fasteners  241 B, internal support  158 , and nose fasteners  156  may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, rubber or other elastomer, ceramic, fiberglass, synthetic, and wood. Materials may be mixed and matched as needed, and various components may each be made of the same material or may be made of different materials. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 4  shows one embodiment of a method of manufacturing a U-shaped fairing. Representatively,  FIG. 4  shows a side view of a molded body  109  which includes a fairing body and securing element, for example fairing body  106  and securing element  107  as previously discussed in reference to  FIG. 1A - FIG. 2 , and transition pieces  121 . It should be noted that although reference is made to fairing body  106  and securing element  107  of fairing  101  from  FIG. 1A - FIG. 2 , the method of manufacturing could also be used to manufacture one or more aspects of fairing  201  discussed in reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     Again referring to  FIG. 4 , fairing body  106  and securing element  107  are molded together as a single unit called molded body  109 , for example using a rotational molding technique. For example, the molding steps may include filling a hollow mold (which is in the shape of the U-shaped fairing and securing element) with a desired material, heating the mold, rotating the mold so that the material disperses and sticks to the walls of the mold, and then cooling the mold so the material solidifies into the desired shape. Transition pieces  121  connect fairing body  106  and securing element  107  and are typically cut away after molding. Once transition pieces  121  are cut away, fairing body  106  and securing element  107  are separate and may be utilized as designated in other parts of this invention. By producing molded body  109 , both fairing body  106  and securing element  107  may be molded at the same time thereby saving time and costs. In addition, the resulting VIV suppression device may be considered to include only two pieces, namely the fairing body  106  and securing element  107 , making it an improvement over conventional devices in which the body and/or securing element are made of multiple pieces, therefore more than two pieces. It is noted that other geometries of securing element  107  and fairing body  106  may also be molded together as a single unit. For example, the curved portion of securing element  107  may be turned 180 degrees from what is shown in  FIG. 4 , and cut away separately from the straight side walls of securing element  107  (this may be easier to mold in some instances). In that case, the curved and straight segments of securing element  107  would be attached separately to each other or to fairing body  106  by any suitable means. Note that the straight segments of securing element  107  are optional and may not be needed if the side walls of fairing body  106  are sufficiently strong without them. Hinges may also be used to ensure ease of opening fairing body  106  around an underlying tubular. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , fairing body  106 , securing element  107 , and transition pieces  121  may be of any suitable size or shape, but a prevalent feature of this invention is that securing element  107  is constructed to be near the underlying tubular and, together with fairing body  106 , completely cover most all of the underlying tubular (i.e., completely surround the underlying tubular and traverse the length of the fairing). In addition, securing element  107  serves to strengthen fairing body  106  by aligning and attaching parallel sides. Fairing body  106 , securing element  107 , and transition pieces  121  may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, rubber, elastomer, fiberglass, or composite. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , molded body  109  may be made by any suitable plastic forming means including rotational molding, injection molding, drape forming, and extrusion. 
     The above aspects of this invention may be mixed and matched in any manner suitable to achieve the purposes of this invention. It is recognized that, various components may be mixed and matched and that antifouling materials or coatings may be attached to all or part of the components. 
     In broad embodiment, the present invention consists of methods for securing a U-shaped fairing to a tubular. 
     While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. For several of the ideas presented herein, one or more of the parts may be optional. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.