Centralizer assembly and method for attaching to a tubular

A method for assembling a centralizer on a tubular, comprising:

• attaching a stop collar to the tubular, wherein attaching comprises at least one of:
• spraying a thermal spray metal on the tubular, so as to form the stop collar in attachment with the tubular;
• forming an interference fit between the stop collar and the tubular;
• or
• positioning a shell on the tubular and injecting a bonding material between the shell and the tubular;
• positioning an end collar of the centralizer at least partially over the stop collar, wherein at least a portion of the end collar defines an inner diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the stop collar;
• and
• coupling a retainer to the end collar, wherein at least a portion of the retainer defines an inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the stop collar, so as to prevent the end collar from sliding away from the stop collar in at least one direction relative to the tubular.

A centralizer assembly for connecting to a tubular, comprising:

• a first stop collar fixed in place on the tubular;
• a first end collar that is sized to slide axially over the first stop collar;
• a first retainer coupled with the first end collar, wherein the first retainer prevents the first stop collar from sliding past the first stop collar in at least one axial direction;
• and
• a plurality of ribs coupled with the first end collar and configured to engage a surrounding tubular in which the tubular is disposed.