There is provided a protective method and joint for multiple consecutive production tubing each having a body portion and an increased diameter portion within a zone to be protected, the method including the steps of installing a plurality of first generally cylindrical annular protective rings coaxially over the body portion of each tubular; placing a plurality of second generally cylindrical annular protective rings coaxially locatable along the increased diameter portion of each tubular over the body portion of the first tubular while supporting the second protective rings with at least one sleeve coaxially located along the body portion of the first tubular; coupling a second tubular to the first tubular to form coupled tubulars; and placing the second protective rings over the increased diameter portion of the second tubular while using at least one sleeve to limit movement of the second protective rings in their radial direction and facilitate movement of those rings over the increased diameter and body portions of the coupled tubular. The apparatus includes a sleeve coaxially located along the body portion of the first tubular, the sleeve forming an extension of the increased diameter portion. The apparatus also includes at least two transition ring formations and a plurality of first and second generally cylindrical annular protective rings coaxially locatable with the body portion and the increased diameter portion and sleeve, respectively. The transition ring formation is located between the first and second protective rings and may include a transition ring, a supporting ring and a compensating ring which are sealingly biased with the protective rings against two retainers by a biasing means to thereby form a protective shield for multiple consecutive tubulars capable of accommodating longitudinal movement of the production tubing relative to the protective joint as well as flexing in the production string.
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