Abstract:
A fairing for suppressing a vortex induced vibration (VIV) of a tubular. The fairing including a tail member dimensioned to suppress a vortex induced vibration of a tubular. The fairing further including an encircling member dimensioned to encircle less than an entire circumference of a tubular, the encircling member being separable from the tail member. The fairing further including a connecting assembly dimensioned to attach the tail member to the encircling member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This non-provisional application claims the benefit of the earlier filing dates U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/046,160, filed Sep. 4, 2014, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/108,991, filed Jan. 28, 2015 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/160,604, filed May 13, 2015, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     A fairing having multiple parts, more specifically, a fairing have a fairing tail, a fairing nose and a connecting assembly for attaching the fairing tail to the fairing nose. 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 typically free to weathervane (rotate) about the longitudinal axis of the tubular, and are supported by collars to keep them from sliding along the tubular axis more than desired. Often, collars are used at each end of the fairing to maintain the desired axial position. 
     A problem associated with fairings is that, when used on drilling risers or other risers for which installation costs are quite high, the time to install them can be expensive. 
     Another problem associated with fairings is that the cost of fasteners can be quite substantial, especially when metallic fasteners (that must survive long periods of time in seawater) are required. 
     Another problem, for tubulars with one or more adjacent lines near their surface, is that the fairing body must completely encircle the tubular in order to achieve maximum VIV suppression effectiveness. 
     Another problem with fairings is that they must have sufficient friction against their rotation to insure that they work most effectively. 
     Another problem with fairings is that they can take up very large amounts of storage space prior to installation (or after installation if they are retrieved such as for a drilling riser). 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention consists of a fairing that is comprised of two or more parts, for example, a fairing tail and an encircling member such as a fairing nose or strap that encircles a tubular and can be used to attach the tail to the tubular. In addition, the fairing may include a fairing tail that is fast to install and fabricate, as well as less expensive to fabricate. In some embodiments, the fairings (consisting of the two or more parts) completely encircle the tubular, especially when more than one tubular is present. The fairings may have sufficient friction against rotation. In addition, the fairings may take up minimal storage space. 
     More specifically, the invention is directed to a fairing for suppressing a vortex induced vibration (VIV) of a tubular. The fairing may include a tail member dimensioned to suppress a vortex induced vibration of a tubular and an encircling member dimensioned to encircle less than an entire circumference of a tubular. The encircling member may be separable from the tail member. In addition, the fairing may include a connecting assembly dimensioned to attach the tail member to the encircling member. In some cases, the tail member may include a base portion and a fin portion. The base portion may be dimensioned to encircle a tubular and the fin portion may extend from the base portion in a direction normal to the tubular. In some embodiments, the tail member encircles less than an entire circumference of a tubular when positioned on the tubular. In some cases, the encircling member has a height that is equal to, or less than, a height of the tail member. The encircling member may include a first end and a second end that are connected to the tail member by the connecting assembly. The connecting assembly may include a first bolt and a second bolt. The first bolt is inserted through the first end and the tail member and the second bolt is inserted through the second end and the tail member. In other cases, the connecting assembly includes an insertion member attached to the encircling member and a channel formed within the tail member. The insertion member is dimensioned to be inserted into the channel. The channel may be formed through a side of the tail member facing away from a tubular around which the tail member is positioned. The insertion member may extend from an inner surface of the encircling member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the inner surface and the channel is formed within an outer surface of the tail member. The tail member may include a first set of tabs and the encircling member includes a second set of tabs. Each of the first set of tabs includes an insertion member that is dimensioned for insertion within a channel formed within each of the second set of tabs. In other embodiments, the tail member includes a first set of tabs and the encircling member includes a second set of tabs. In this embodiment, each of the first set of tabs includes a hole and each of the second set of tabs includes a slot that can be aligned with the hole and a fastener inserted therein. In still further embodiments, the connecting assembly includes an insertion member extending from a surface of the tail member facing away from the tubular, an opening formed through an end of the encircling member and a lynch pin. In this embodiment, the insertion member is dimensioned for insertion through the opening and has an opening dimensioned to receive the lynch pin once the insertion member is inserted through the opening. In one embodiment, the tail member includes a stabilizing member formed on an outer surface of the tail member facing the encircling member. The stabilizing member is positioned on the outer surface such that it is above or below the encircling member when the insertion member is inserted through the opening in the encircling member. In still further embodiments, the connecting assembly includes a strap that attaches the encircling member to the tail member. 
     In still further embodiments, the invention is directed to a fairing having a tail member having a base portion that encircles less than an entire circumference of a tubular and a fin portion that extends from the base portion. The fairing further includes an encircling member dimensioned to encircle less than an entire circumference of a tubular, and the encircling member has a first end and a second end. In one embodiment, a slot is formed within the base portion and an insertion member extends from at least one of the first end or the second end. The insertion member is dimensioned to be inserted within the slot formed within the base portion to connect the encircling member to the tail member. 
     In still further embodiments, the fairing includes a tail member and an encircling member. The tail member has a base portion that encircles less than an entire circumference of a tubular and a fin portion that extends from the base portion. In addition, an insertion member extends from the base portion. The encircling member is dimensioned to encircle less than an entire circumference of a tubular and includes an insertion member opening dimensioned to receive the insertion member within one of its ends. In one embodiment, the insertion member further includes a pin opening that is dimensioned to receive a pin that is dimensioned to prevent the insertion member from sliding out of the insertion member opening. The pin may, for example, be a lynch pin. 
     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 one embodiment of a tubular with both fairing and collars. 
         FIG. 1B  is a side view of one embodiment of a fairing with two parts used for the body and fasteners for the connection. 
         FIG. 1C  is a top view of one embodiment of a fairing with two parts used for the body and fasteners for the connection. 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view of one embodiment of a fairing with two parts that interlock. 
         FIG. 2B  is a top view of one embodiment of a fairing with two parts that interlock with the fairing nose entering the front of the fairing tail. 
         FIG. 2C  is a top view of one embodiment of a fairing with two parts that interlock with the fairing nose entering the side of the fairing tail. 
         FIG. 2D  is a side view of one embodiment of a fairing with two nose parts that interlock with a tail part. 
         FIG. 2E  is a side view of one embodiment of a fairing nose that is initially flat. 
         FIG. 2F  is an illustration of one embodiment of a fairing nose and fairing tail being installed using interlocking. 
         FIG. 2G  is an illustration of one embodiment of a fairing nose and fairing tail being installed using fastening. 
         FIG. 2H  is an illustration of one embodiment of the fairing nose and fairing tail of  FIG. 2G  being installed using fasteners. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of one embodiment of a fairing, nose, and two straps. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a tail fairing and a strap with slots in the tail fairing. 
         FIG. 4B  is close-up view showing the slots of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4C  is a side view of the tail fairing of  FIG. 4A  with two different types of slots. 
         FIG. 4D  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a fairing strap with a male piece. 
         FIG. 4E  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a male piece on a fairing strap that is slid into a slot in a tail fairing. 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a fairing tail with two straps. 
         FIG. 5B  is a close-up of the attachment method used in  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 5C  is a side view of the attachment method used in  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 5D  is a perspective view of a strap with bushings. 
         FIG. 5E  is a perspective view of a strap with serrated latch pins. 
         FIG. 5F  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a tail and strap with an attachment mechanism. 
         FIG. 5G  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a tail and strap having a stabilizing member. 
     
    
    
     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. 
     Referring now to the invention in more detail,  FIG. 1A  presents fairings  101 ,  102 , and  103  and collars  111 ,  112 , and  113  around tubular  100 . Fairing  101  generally consists of nose part  101 A and tail part  101 B; fairing  102  consists of nose part  102 A and tail part  102 B; and fairing  103  consists of nose part  103 A and tail part  103 B. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 1A , collars  111 ,  112 , and  113  are clamped tightly around tubular  100 . Fairings  101 ,  102 , and  103  may be fixed or may be free to weathervane around tubular  100 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1A , nose part  101 A and tail part  101 B, nose part  102 A and tail part  102 B, and nose part  103 A and tail part  103 B may be connected by any suitable means including, but not limited to, fastening, joining, clamping, interference fitting, interlocking, welding, and chemical bonding. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1A , nose part  101 A and tail part  101 B, nose part  102 A and tail part  102 B, and nose part  103 A and tail part  103 B may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, rubber or other elastomer, composite, fabric, or any combination thereof. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1B , fairing  102 , collar  111 , and collar  112  are placed around tubular  100 . Fairing nose  102 A is connected to fairing tail  102 B by fasteners  106 . Fairing nose  102 A, however, is considered a separate piece, or otherwise separable, from fairing tail  102 B because the two pieces are not one integrally formed structure, but rather two pieces that must be connected together by fasteners  106 . 
     Again referring to  FIG. 1B , fairing nose  102 A is connected to fairing tail  102 B to form fairing  102 . Any suitable fastener components or methods may be used including, but not limited to, bolts, nuts, washers, pins, rivets, snaps, hooks, welds, chemical bonding, or any combination thereof. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1B , fairing nose  102 A, fairing tail  102 B, and fasteners  106  may be of any suitable size. Fairing nose  102 A is dimensioned to encircle a portion of tubular  100  and may therefore be referred to herein as an encircling member. Fairing nose  102 A may have a length sufficient to encircle less than an entire circumference of tubular  100 . Typically, fairing nose  102 A will encircle, or otherwise cover at least 180 degrees of the circumference of tubular  100 , but less than an entire circumference. Fairing tail  102 B also encircles, or otherwise covers, less than an entire circumference of tubular  100 . For example, fairing tail  102 B encircles a portion of the tubular circumference that is not covered by fairing nose  102 A. Typically, the portion of tubular  100  covered by fairing tail  102 B is less than that which is covered by fairing nose  102 A. In addition, fairing nose  102 A may have a height (H) that is the same as, or substantially the same as, a height (h) of fairing tail  102 B. Fairing tail  102 B may be of any suitable shape and may be of any suitable size. For example, fairing tail  102 B may have a base portion  130  and a fin portion  132  as shown in  FIG. 1C . The base portion  130  may have a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape and be dimensioned to contact and encircle tubular  100 . Fin portion  132  may extend from the base portion  130  in a direction normal to tubular  100 , and have a cross-sectional shape of a thin, elongated rectangle. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1B , fairing nose  102 A, fairing tail  102 B, and fasteners  106  may be of any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, rubber or other elastomer, composite, fabric, or any combination thereof. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1C , fairing  102  is placed around tubular  100  and consists of fairing nose  102 A and fairing tail  102 B. Insertion members  107  (e.g. screws) are shown attaching a first end  134 A and a second end  134 B of fairing nose  102 A (or encircling member) to fairing tail  102 B. For example, the base portion  130  of the fairing tail may include an opening or slot within which the screws  107  can be inserted. It is noted that the opening or slot is formed within, or through, the base portion  130 , as opposed to within a separate structure attached to the base portion  130 . Opening  122  is inside of tail  102 B. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 1C , fairing  102  is free to weathervane, or rotate, around tubular  100 . Screws  107  attach fairing nose  102 A fairly rigidly to fairing tail  102 B. Opening  122  illustrates that tail  102 B may be hollow (it also may be solid) or have one or more openings or voids inside. Screws  107  may be all installed prior to installation or one or more screws  107  may be installed during installation of fairing  102  about tubular  100 . For example, screws  107  may be installed on one side of fairing tail  102 B prior to installation so that, during installation, fairing nose  102 A is rotated around tubular  100  and then the screws on the opposite side of fairing tail  102 B are installed. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1C , fairing tail  102 B may be of any suitable size or shape. For example, as previously discussed, fairing tail  102 B may include a base portion  130  and a fin portion  132 . The base portion  130  may have a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape and be dimensioned to contact and encircle a portion of tubular  100 . Fin portion  132  may extend from the base portion  130  in a direction normal to tubular  100 , and have a cross-sectional shape of a thin, elongated rectangle. For example, fairing tail  102 B may be thin at the far edge (as shown at the bottom of  FIG. 1C ) or may be thick at the far edge. In other embodiments, fairing tail  102 B may be triangular in cross section, circular in cross section, elliptical in cross section, rectangular in cross section, C-shaped in cross section, or of any suitable cross section. Fairing nose  102 A will typically encircle around 180 degrees or more of tubular  100 , and most typically will be around 180-300 degrees of tubular  100 . Fairing nose  102 A may encircle less than 180 degrees of tubular  100 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1C , fairing nose  102 A, fairing tail  102 B, and screws  107  may be of any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, rubber or other elastomer, composite, fabric, or any combination thereof. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2A , fairing  201 , collar  211 , and collar  212  are placed around tubular  200 . Fairing  201  consists of fairing nose  201 A and fairing tail  201 B. Collar  211  is separated from fairing  201  by gap  215 . 
     Again referring to  FIG. 2A , fairing nose  201 A is inserted into a channel in fairing tail  201 B. This aspect of the invention is illustrated further in  FIG. 2B . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2B , fairing  201  is placed around tubular  200  and consists of fairing nose  201 A and fairing tail  201 B. Fairing nose  201 A is attached to fairing tail  201 B by sliding blocks  217  into channels  218 . Fairing tail  201 B has opening  222  present. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 2B , by sliding blocks  217  (also referred to herein as insertion members) into channels  218  (also referred to herein as slots), fairing nose  201 A is constrained from exiting fairing tail  201 B unless it is slid along channels  218 . It is noted that the channels  218  (or slots) are formed within, or through, the base portion  130 , as opposed to within a separate structure attached to the base portion  130 . The use of adjacent collars can be used to restrain the sliding of fairing nose  201 A (see collars in  FIG. 2A ) or optional fasteners or other locks may be used (not shown). Any type fastener such as a cable tie or bolt and nut combination may be used to attach fairing nose  201 A to fairing tail  201 B. Any appurtenance on fairing nose  201 A that is larger than channels  218  and residing above or below channels  218  can restrict the sliding of fairing nose  201 A in one direction. While these appurtenances are not shown, they can consist of fasteners, other blocks or even be part of fairing nose  201 A or fairing tail  201 B. Blocks  217  may be attached to fairing nose  201 A (by any suitable means) or may be molded or formed into fairing nose  201 A. Blocks  217  may be continuous along the longitudinal axis of fairing  201  or may consist of discrete segments. Channels  218  may be molded into fairing tail  201 B or be cut or formed into fairing tail  201 B. Blocks  217  and channels  218  may run parallel to tubular  200  (again see  FIG. 2A ) or may run at an angle or helical in tubular  200  (but most commonly will run substantially parallel to tubular  200  (along the longitudinal axis of fairing  201 .  FIG. 2B  shows fairing nose  201 A entering the front  240  of fairing tail  201 B (the front of fairing tail  201 B is the part, or side(s), substantially facing the tubular). 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2B , sliding blocks  217  and channels  218  may be of any suitable shape or size. The key is that by sliding blocks  217  into channels  218  in a direction normal to the page (vertically in  FIG. 2A ), fairing nose  201 A is restrained in the cross sectional plane of  FIG. 2B  (horizontally in  FIG. 2B ). Any suitable cross sectional geometry that has block  217  being wider than the part of channel  218  adjacent to tubular  200  can fulfill the function of this aspect of the invention. A keyway type method may also be used. In addition, any type of fastener such as a cable tie or bolt and nut combination may be used to attach fairing nose  201 A to fairing tail  201 B. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2B , sliding blocks  217  may be of any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, rubber or other elastomer, composite, fabric, or any combination thereof. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2C , fairing  201  is placed around tubular  200  and consists of fairing nose  201 A and fairing tail  201 B. Fairing nose  201 A is attached to fairing tail  201 B by appurtenances  232 A and  232 B sliding into channels  231 A and  231 B (also referred to herein as slots). It is noted that the channels  231 A,  231 B (or slots) are formed within, or through, the base portion  130 , as opposed to within a separate structure attached to the base portion  130 . Fairing tail has opening  222  present. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 2C , this attachment method for fairing nose  201 A and fairing tail  201 B is similar to that of  FIG. 2B  except that: a) fairing nose  201 A enters fairing block  201 B through the side of fairing block  201 B; b) appurtenances  232 A and  232 B are made of a thin portion  250  and a thicker portion  252 ; and c) appurtenances  232 A and  232 B enter into the outer surface or outer side  242  of fairing tail  201 B (i.e. the surface of fairing tail  201 B facing away from tubular  100 ), whereas blocks  217  in  FIG. 2B  enter in the front  240  of fairing tail  201 B (i.e. the surface facing substantially toward the tubular). Note that appurtenance  232 A extends at a different angle than appurtenance  232 B. These changes illustrate that appurtenances  232 A and  232 B may be made of any suitable shape and may enter fairing nose  201 A at any suitable angle. In the case of  FIG. 2C , the design allows for the outer direction of fairing nose  201 A to be parallel to the outer edge of fairing tail  201 B. This could also be accomplished by the design shown in  FIG. 2B , by imposing a simple bend in fairing nose  201 A or by making blocks that are “L-shaped” or by any suitable means. More than one opening  222  may be present. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2C , appurtenances  232 A and  232 B may be of any suitable size or shape. Appurtenances  232 A and  232 B may each be made of a single piece, may each be made of multiple pieces, or may be molded or formed into fairing nose  201 A. Channels  231 A and  231 B will typically be made just a little a larger than appurtenances  232 A and  232 B. All of the properties ascribed to blocks  217  and channels  218  in  FIG. 2B  may be applied to appurtenances  232 A and  232 B as well as channels  231 A and  231 B, respectively. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2C , appurtenances  232 A and  232 B may be of any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, rubber or other elastomer, composite, fabric, or any combination thereof. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2D , fairing  201  and collars  211  and  212  are placed around tubular  200 . Fairing  201  consists of fairing nose pieces  201 A and  201 C along with fairing tail  201 B. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 2D , this figure illustrates that the nose of fairing  201  may be made of more than one piece, in this case fairing nose pieces  201 A and  201 C. These pieces may each be slid into fairing tail  201 B (as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C ) or may be attached to each other by any suitable means and slid into fairing tail  201 B. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2D , fairing nose pieces  201 A and  201 C may be of any suitable length and need not be identical in length or means of attachment to fairing tail  201 B. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2D , fairing nose pieces  201 A and  201 C may be of any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, rubber or other elastomer, composite, fabric, or any combination thereof. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2E , fairing nose  201 A is shown with appurtenances  232 A and  232 B extending along an entire height of fairing nose  201 A. Said another way, appurtenances  232 A and  232 B are shown as continuous pieces that extend from one end to another of fairing nose  201 A. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 2E , this figure shows fairing nose  201 A as a flat sheet that is simply bent around tubular  200  (or simply bent) to form the shape shown in  FIGS. 2B and 2C . This illustrates that fairing nose  201 A may be flat until installation, or may be heated, formed, rolled or a combination thereof to curve it prior to installation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2F , this figure is an illustration of fairing nose  201 A being installed into fairing tail  201 B. In this embodiment, a set of tabs  241 A reside on fairing nose  201 A and a set of tabs  241 B reside on fairing tail  201 B. Set of tabs  241 A and set of tabs  241 B may be any type of flap, protrusion or other similar appendage extending from an edge (e.g an edge which is parallel to the tubular  200 ) of the fairing nose  201 A and fairing tail  201 B, respectively. Appurtenances  251  are shown on fairing nose  201 A. Appurtenances  251  may be any type of structure that protrudes from the surface of each of the tabs within the set of tabs  241 A, for example, be similar to appurtenances  232 A and  232 B previously discussed in reference to  FIG. 2C . It is further noted that although three tabs within each of the set of tabs  241 A,  241 B are shown, any number of tabs, for example more or less, may be used. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 2F , in order to attach fairing nose  201 A to fairing tail  201 B, fairing nose  201 A is moved downward (in the direction of the arrow) so that appurtenances  251  may slide into channels  261  (also referred to herein as slots) in fairing tail  201 B. It is noted that the channels  261  (or slots) may be formed within, or through, the base portion  130 , as opposed to within a separate structure attached to the base portion  130 . This figure also illustrates that fairing nose  201 A may have discrete tabs  241 A so that the engaging edge(s) of fairing nose  201 A may be straight or have tabs (there is no limitation on the geometry of the engaging edges of fairing nose  201 A nor do both edges have to be the same). Similarly, fairing tail  201 B may be discrete tabs  241 B so that the engaging edges of fairing tail  201 B may be straight or have tabs (there is also no limitation on the geometry of the engaging edges of fairing tail  201 B nor do both edges have to be the same). Fairing nose  201 A may be fastened to fairing tail  201 B in addition to, or in place of, the appurtenances  251 . For example, the middle appurtenance  251  may be replaced by fastener so that, once installed, fairing nose  201 A may not slide up or down relative to fairing tail  201 B. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2F , tabs  241 A and tabs  241 B may be of any suitable size or shape. Appurtenances  251  may have any of the properties of appurtenances  232 A and  232 B of  FIG. 2E . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2F , tabs  241 A and  241 B may be formed or molded as part of fairing nose  201 A or may be attached separately to fairing nose  201 A. Tabs  241 A and  241 B may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, rubber or other elastomer, composite, fabric, or any combination thereof. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2G , this figure is an illustration of fairing nose  201 A being installed into fairing tail  201 B. Tabs  241 A reside on fairing nose  201 A and tabs  241 B reside on fairing tail  201 B. Slots  254  are present on fairing nose  201 A and holes  253  are present on fairing tail  201 B. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 2G , by using slots  254  on fairing nose  201 A, the location of fairing nose  201 A relative to fairing tail  201 B may be controlled. For example, the annulus between fairing  102  and tubular  100  in  FIG. 1C  may be altered simply by sliding fairing nose  201 A relative to fairing tail  201 B and inserting fasteners through the desired location of slots  254  into holes  253 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2G , slots  254  and holes  253  may be of any suitable size and shape. 
       FIG. 2H  illustrates the embodiment of  FIG. 2G  with the slots  254  and holes  253  aligned so that fasteners  270  can be inserted through the desired location of the slots  254  and holes  253  to secure the fairing nose  201 A to the fairing tail  201 B. Fasteners  270  may be any sort of fastening mechanism suitable for fastening fairing nose  201 A to fairing tail  201 B as described (e.g. a bolt, screw, pin or the like). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , fairing  301 , collar  311 , and collar  312  are placed around tubular  300 . Fairing  301  consists of fairing nose  301 A, fairing tail  301 B, and straps  335 A and  335 B. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 3 , this figure illustrates that other structures such as straps  335 A and  335 B may be used. Fairing nose  301 A may be attached to straps  335 A and  335 B which are, in turn, attached directly to fairing tail  301 B. In short, any number of intermediate or adjacent structures may be used to attach fairing nose  301 A to fairing tail  301 B. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , straps  335 A and  335 B may be of any quantity and may be of any suitable size or shape. Typically, straps  335 A and  335 B will surround a portion of the circumference of tubular  300 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , straps  335 A and  335 B may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, rubber or other elastomer, composite, fabric, or any combination thereof. 
     Referring now to another embodiment,  FIG. 4A  illustrates a fairing tail  401  that is held adjacent to tubular  400  by strap  402  through slotted connections  410 A and  410 B. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 4A , only one strap  402  holding tail  401  against tubular  400  is shown, however multiple straps may be used. For applications where sliding of tail  401  and strap  402  relative to tubular  400  is desired to be minimized, a collar may be clamped around tubular  400  above and/or below tail  401  (the collar is not shown here). Tail  401  is free to rotate around tubular  400  since strap  402  does not clamp to tubular  400 . Slotted connections  410 A and  410 B represent connections that utilize one or more slots in tail  401  to connect strap  402  to tail  401 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4A , each of slotted connections  410 A and  410 B consist of a slot  412  and male piece  413  (also referred to herein as an insertion member or arm member) attached to strap  402  that slides into slot  412  along the tubular  400  longitudinal axis. It is noted that slot  412  may be formed within, or through, the base portion  130 , as opposed to within a separate structure attached to the base portion  130 . In this aspect, the male piece  413  may extend from an inner surface of strap  402  (i.e. surface facing tubular  400 ) in a substantially perpendicular direction to the strap surface such that it extends toward the outer surface of tail  401  (i.e. the surface of tail  401  facing strap  402 ). The male piece  413  is sufficiently large so that it can slide along the longitudinal or circumferential axes of tubular  100  but cannot easily be removed by pulling it normal to the longitudinal axis of tubular  400  or normal to the face of tail  401  to which it is attached. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4A , each component shown may be made of any suitable size and is not limited to the size or shapes shown in  FIG. 4A . Any number of straps  402  may be used and the straps may even consist of, or cover, the entire nose of a fairing (i.e. the entire length of tubular  400  may be covered along the length of tail  401 ). Strap  402  may be of any suitable height and cross sectional shape. Slotted connections  410 A and  410 B may utilize a bushing in strap  402  which can provide strength. In addition, most existing straps already have bushings so that these existing straps may easily be retrofitted with the designs described herein. Similarly, existing tails may be retrofitted with this design. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4A , each component shown may be of any suitable material including, but not limited to, plastic, wood, metal, fiberglass or other composites, elastomer, and synthetics. Each component may be made of a single material or may be made of multiple materials. Each component in  FIG. 4A  may be made of the same material or various components may be made of different materials. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4B , this figure is a close-up of  FIG. 4A  and shows tail  401  held adjacent to tubular  400  by strap  402 . Slots  412 A and  412 B are present in tail  401  and male pieces  413 A and  413 B are used to connect strap  402  to tail  401 . 
     Again referring to  FIG. 4B , male pieces  413 A and  413 B may be slid into slots  412 A and  412 B at the end of tail  401  but are shaped so that they may not be pulled out of tail  401  unless they are slid along slots  412 A and  412 B. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4B , each component may be of any suitable size or shape. For example, slots  412 A and  412 B may be of any length and may extend in any direction along tail  401 . Slots  412 A and  412 B may be of constant width and depth or may a width or depth that varies. Male pieces  413 A and  413 B may be of constant width and depth or may a width or depth that varies. Any number of slots  412 A and  412 B and male pieces  413 A and  413 B may be used for tail  401 , even though only two are shown for strap  402 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4B , male pieces  413 A and  413 B may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to: metal, plastic, elastomer, fiberglass or other composite, or wood. Male pieces  413 A and  413 B may be made of various materials and components. Male pieces  413 A and  413 B may be made of a single component or made of multiple components. Male pieces  413 A and  413 B may be made of a single material or made of multiple materials. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4C , this figure shows one side of tail  401  with slot  414 A with optional end  415 A and slot  414 B with optional end  415 B. It is noted that the slots  414 A,  414 B may be formed within, or through, the base portion  130 , as opposed to within a separate structure attached to the base portion  130 . 
     Again referring to  FIG. 4C , this figure illustrates how various slot geometries may be used. Slot  414 A provides for an opening at the top of tail  401  so that a strap may be slid into the slot from the top of tail  401 . Slot  414 B provides an opening on the side of tail  401  (i.e. through a face of tail  401 ) so that a strap may be slid into the slot through the side (or face) of tail  401 . Any type of slot may be utilized and the slots on tail  400  may be different even for the same strap. For example, slot  414 A may be L-shaped or Z-shaped. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4C , optional ends  415 A and  415 B show that the slots need not be uniform along their length. For example, the optional end  415 A may consist of a hole with a diameter that is different than the width of slot  414 A. Other geometries are also possible for optional ends  415 A and  415 B including changes in direction in slots  414 A and  414 B and changes in shape of slots  414 A and  414 B. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4D , this figure shows strap  402  with male pieces  413 A and  413 B. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 4D , this figure shows male pieces  413 A and  413 B consisting of a fastener with various hardware attached to the fastener (more detail on the fastener is shown in  FIG. 4E ). While  FIG. 4D  shows a single fastener near each end of strap  402 , multiple fasteners may be used near each end of strap  402  and other geometries may be utilized for male pieces  413 A and  413 B. For example, male pieces  413 A and  413 B may be molded into strap  402 , clamped onto strap  402 , or attached by any suitable means. Male pieces  413 A and  413 B may be comprised of fastener components but may also be comprised of other components such as clamps, clips, pins, blocks, and other appurtenances. The invention is not limited to the geometry of male pieces  413 A and  413 B. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4E , this figure shows strap  402  attached to tail  401  using male piece  413 A in slot  412 A. Male piece  413 A is fairly complex and consists of bolt  431 , metal washers  421 , rubber washers  422 , strap spacer  425  and slot spacer  426 , jam nut  428 , and lock nut  427 . Slot  412 A consists of tail wall opening  441 , wide opening  442 , and narrow end opening  443 . 
     Again referring to  FIG. 4E , as male piece  413 A is slid into slot  412 A, slot spacer  426  travels through tail wall opening  441 . The presence of the washers in wide opening  442  prevent male piece  413 A from exiting tail  401  normal to the tail (i.e. male piece  413 A is only free to exit tail  401  by sliding male piece  413 A along slot  412 A). 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4E , many components of male piece  413 A are optional but may have a desirable function. For example, metal washers  421  are used to give strength while rubber washers  422  soften the stresses that metal washers  421  may impose upon tail  401  or strap  402 . Strap spacer  425  and slot spacer  426  are optional but can be used to protect the threads of bolt  431  and also keep the threads of bolt  431  from cutting adjacent pieces such a tail  401 . Jam nut  428  and lock nut  427  are optional but one or more may be used to keep the other components in place. Narrow end opening  443  is optional but may be cut as narrow to minimize the cutting of the material for slot  412 A. Strap spacer  425  is optional but may be used to space the strap away from the tail or used as a surface for auxiliary connections for keeping male piece  413 A from sliding out of slot  412 A. Both strap spacer  425  and slot spacer  426  are also useful to keep metal washers  421  and rubber washers  422  in place prior to inserting male piece  413 A into slot  412 A. As noted above, other hardware may be substituted for one or more components and most components are optional. For example, an entire male piece may be molded into the geometry of strap  402  or clamped onto strap  402 . This invention is not limited to the composition of male piece  413 A or the geometry of slot  412 A. All or part of slot  412 A or tail wall opening  441  may be reinforced with metal, plastic, elastomer, composite, or any other suitable reinforcing material. This reinforcement will typically consist of a plate or strip of material that is attached to tail  401 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4E , bolt  431 , metal washers  421 , rubber washers  422 , strap spacer  425 , slot spacer  426 , jam nut  428 , and lock nut  427  may be made of any suitable shape and material. Similarly, tail wall opening  441 , wide opening  442 , and narrow end opening  443  may be made of any suitable geometry. In particular, slot spacer  426  may have a square or rectangular cross section to inhibit rotation of male piece  413 A and strap  402  or to inhibit strap  402  coming out of slot  412 A (bolt  431  may also be cut to have a square or rectangular shaped segment). In general, male piece  413 A will have at least one component that passes through tail wall opening  441  (in  FIG. 4E , this is slot spacer  426 ) and at least one component that is larger in cross section than tail wall opening  441  but able to pass into wide opening  442  (in  FIG. 4E , this is any of metal washers  421  or rubber washers  422  or even jam nut  428  or lock nut  427 ). 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4E , other appurtenances or auxiliary devices may be used to assist in keeping male piece  413 A from sliding out of slot  412 A. For example, a cable tie may be strung through holes on each side of slot  412 A and tightened to restrict sliding of male piece  413 A. Another example restraining device is the use of a carbineer attached to a short rope that restricts sliding of male piece  413 A. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5A  presents fairing tail  501  secured by straps  502 A and  502 B around tubular  500 . A collar or clamp (not shown) would normally be located under tail  501  to keep tail  501  and straps  502 A and  502 B from sliding down tubular  500 . Strap  502 A is attached to tail  501  at connection  510 A while strap  502 B is attached to tail  501  at connection  510 B. Lynch pin  531  is shown attached to strap  502 A as part of connection  510 A while lynch pin  537  is shown attached to strap  502 B as part of connection  510 B. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 5A , tail  501  and straps  502 A and  502 B are free to rotate around tubular  500 . Straps  502 A and  502 B may be attached to any location on tail  501 . While  FIG. 5A  shows two straps used to attach tail  501  to tubular  500 , any number of straps may be used. Each strap may be approximately identical or may be different. For example, one strap may be similar to that shown in  FIG. 5A , while a second strap may consist of a simple rope or cable. Tail  501  and straps  502 A and  502 B may be manufactured by any suitable means including, but not limited to, rotational molding, injection molding, and extrusion. More details on the connection method for attaching straps  502 A and  502 B to tail  501  are described below. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5B , this figure is a close-up of the attachment of the top strap in  FIG. 5A , and shows connection  510 A and tail  501 . Connection  510 A consists of various components which are bolt  534 , nut  533 , washer  532 , and lynch pin  531 . Lynch pin  531  is inserted through a hole that is in bolt  534 . 
     Again referring now to  FIG. 5B , more than one connection  510 A may be attached to tail  501  and should consist of at least a bolt and a nut. Both the nut and the washer are optional (since a pin is used on the far end, a nut is not required). Other pins may be used in place of lynch pin  531  and various components may be mixed and matched to make up a connection. For example, more than one lynch pin may be used; more than one washer may be used; a lynch pin may be used on one bolt with a different pin or fastener used on another bolt; etc. Possible pins include, but are not limited to, wire lock pins, clevis pins, cotter pins, serrated pin, taper pins, quick-release pins, dowel pins, carbineers, shackles, fasteners such as bolts, screws, and nuts, and hitch pins. A split ring or a simple piece of rope that is inserted through the hole and tied around the bolt or tied to the tail or strap may be used too. In addition, other common fasteners may be used including, but not limited to, screws, nuts, bolts, hooks, and rope. Bolt  534  may be of any suitable size and may have a cross section that is round or not round. Bolt  534  may have part of its threads stripped off on the outer end. Other structures or fasteners may be used in place of, or in conjunction with, bolt  534 , including pins, rods, and brackets. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5B , bolt  534 , nut  533 , washer  532 , and lynch pin  531  may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, and fiberglass. 
       FIG. 5C  is a close-up and side view of the attachment method. Bolt  534  is inserted through tail  501  and strap  502 . Bolt  534  consists of bolt head  544  (which includes optional flange  545  as part of bolt head  544 ), threads  554 , and the unthreaded shank  547 . Inner washer  542 , outer washer  532 , and nut  533  are on bolt  534  and lynch pin  531  is inserted through a hole in unthreaded shank  547 . Ring  597  is part of lynch pin  531 . 
     Again referring to  FIG. 5C , bolt  534  may be permanently attached to tail  501  with nut  533 . Inner washer  542  and outer washer  532  are both optional (none, one, or both may be used; other washers may also be added) and may be used to add strength. During installation, strap  502  is slid onto bolt  534  and then lynch pin  531  is inserted into bolt  534  and ring  597  is pushed around the end of bolt  534  for a quick and secure connection (ring  597  acts like a spring when pushed around bolt  534  and requires force to retract). 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5C , bolt  534  may be fully or partially threaded as shown. Inner washer  542  and outer washer  532  may be of any suitable thickness and diameter (and may also be non-circular). Bolt head  544  may or may not have a flange  545 . As noted above, other pins and fasteners may be substituted for lynch pin  531 . Bolt  534  may be of any suitable length. More than one bolt  534  may be used at a single strap location. Lynch pin  531  may be tied or connected to tail  501  or strap  502  by rope, cable, split rings, or any other suitable means so that it is not easily dropped or lost. Bolt  534  may be attached to tail  501  by any suitable means (i.e. without necessarily using nut  533 ), for example by chemical bonding, melting the materials together, clamping, or with interference. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5C , bolt  534 , inner washer  542 , outer washer  532 , nut  533 , and lynch pin  531  may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to plastic, metal, fiberglass, and rubber/elastomer. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5D , strap  502  has optional slots  562 , openings  570 A and  570 C, and bushings  581 A and  581 C in openings  570 A and  570 C, respectively. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 5D , openings  570 A and  570 C are used to insert strap  502  over a bolt or pin, as shown in  FIG. 5A - FIG. 5C . Bushings  581 A and  581 C are used to provide strength for strap  502  as well as provide a relatively smooth surface. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5D , openings  570 A and  570 C, as well as bushings  581 A and  581 C, may be of any suitable size, shape, or geometry. Any number of openings and bushings may be used. For example, strap  502  may have multiple openings at each end so that the same strap may accommodate underlying tubulars of different diameters. Bushings  581 A and  581 C may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, fiberglass, and rubber/elastomer. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5E , strap  502  has optional slots  562 , and openings  570 A and  570 C. Serrated pin head  591  is shown through opening  570 A of strap  502 . Washer  592 , nut  593 , and serrated pin  594  are shown through opening  570 C of strap  502 . 
     Again referring to  FIG. 5E , serrated pin  594  may be used instead of a bolt and lynch pin for attaching strap  502  to a tail. Instead, serrated pin  594  is pushed into a properly sized opening in the tail so that interference is created between the threads of serrated pin  594  and the tail. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5E , serrated pin  594  may be of any suitable size or shape but will typically have a spacing between threads (the serrated pins are not helical like those of a bolt or screw, rather they are circular and parallel to each other with a space between them) that is equal to or greater than the tail thickness. The tail may also be reinforced with a plate or other structure at the location the serrated pin is inserted which can also influence the spacing between threads of serrated pin  594 . Serrated pin  594  may not need a washer or a nut to be attached to strap  502  and may be even simply pushed through strap  502  similar to how it is pushed into a hole in the tail. Serrated pin  594  may be attached to strap  502  by any suitable means including, but not limited to, chemical bonding, melting the materials together, clamping, or with interference. Serrated pin  594  may be of any suitable diameter, length or cross sectional shape. More than one serrated pin  594  may be used on a single strap end. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5E , serrated pin  594 , washer  592 , and nut  593  may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, and fiberglass. 
     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 while the bolt is shown on the tail (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5B ), the bolt (or pin or other fastener) may be located on the strap (such as in  FIG. 5E ) instead of on the tail. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5F ,  FIG. 5F  presents fairing tail  501  secured by straps  502 A and  502 B around tubular  500 , as shown in  FIG. 5A . In this embodiment, however, strap  502 A is attached to tail  501  using connection  510 A as well as a second connection  510 C while strap  502 B is attached to tail  501  at connection  510 B and a second connection  510 D. In addition, connection  510 A includes a first lynch pin  531 A and connection  510 C includes a second lynch pin  531 B for attaching strap  502 A to tail  501 . Similarly, connection  510 B includes a first lynch pin  537 A and a second lynch pin  537 B. It is contemplated that the use of two connections and two lynch pins to attach each end of straps  502 A,  502 B to tail  501  may provide additional reinforcement and/or stability to straps  502 A,  502 B. For example, the use of two connections per strap end reinforces the attachment between straps  502 A,  502 B and tail  501 . In addition, the use of two connections per strap may prevent the strap from rotating about the connection point, and in turn, “sagging” around tubular  500 . It should be understood that although laterally spaced connections  510 A,  510 C and  510 B,  510 D are shown, the connections could be spaced axially, or in other directions, so long as they improve strap stability as previously discussed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5G ,  FIG. 5G  is similar to  FIG. 5A  in that it presents fairing tail  501  secured by straps  502 A and  502 B around tubular  500 . In this embodiment, however, stabilizing members  560 A,  560 B,  560 C and  560 D are included on tail  501  to help maintain the position of straps  502 A,  502 B with respect to tail  501  at the connections  510 A,  510 B. In this aspect, stabilizing members  560 A- 560 D may be structures which protrude from the tail surface, at locations above and/or below each of straps  502 A,  502 B. For example, stabilizing members  560 A- 560 D may be ledge or shelf like structures that are either attached to tail  501 , or integrally formed with tail  501  during manufacture. Representatively, stabilizing member  560 A and stabilizing member  560 B may be shelf like structures that protrude from the surface of tail  501 , and are spaced from one another in an axial direction a sufficient distance to accommodate insertion of the end of strap  502 A. Similarly, stabilizing member  560 C and stabilizing member  560 D may be shelf like structures that protrude from the surface of tail  501 , and are spaced from one another in an axial direction a sufficient distance to accommodate insertion of the end of strap  502 B. Since stabilizing members  560 A- 560 D are positioned above and below their respective straps  502 A,  502 B, straps  502 A,  502 B are prevented from moving, or otherwise rotating, at connections  510 A,  510 B, thereby preventing sagging as previously discussed. It should be understood that although each strap end is shown positioned between two of stabilizing members  560 A- 560 D, a single stabilizing member either above or below each of straps  502 A,  502 B may be used to help maintain the strap position along tail  501 . In addition, stabilizing members  560 A- 560 D may be of any size and shape so long as they protrude far enough from the surface of tail  501  to prevent straps  502 A,  502 B from sliding over stabilizing members  560 A- 560 D. 
     In the broadest embodiment, the present invention is directed to systems and methods for constructing a fairing body having multiple pieces; methods and systems for constructing a tail fairing with one or more slots; and systems and methods for quickly attaching a tail fairing to a tubular, for example, a strap which can be quickly attached to a fairing tail. 
     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.