Pipe is a huge investment for any company, which is why there are many options for pipe protection that will help to extend the life of the pipe as well as protect the people who are handling it. With many different forms of pipe protection, companies are often unsure which forms they need to invest in. Understanding what each type of pipe protection offers can help guide companies in their buying decisions and help them understand that pipe protection is not one size fits all.
Thread Protectors
Thread protectors are one of the most well-known types of pipe protection. Their purpose is to protect threads from damage during transport and handling.
Unfortunately, damage to pipe threads is one of the most common causes of pipe failure. When the threads are damaged, you often cannot safely fit two pieces of pipe together. When drilling, you cannot gamble with safety, so damaged pipe threads can delay a project, costing companies involved time and money. Thread protectors come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, ensuring a snug fit over the threads. Utilizing high-quality thread protectors will help to reduce the likelihood of damage.
While an investment, it is one that most will find is less costly than delayed projects due to unexpected pipe thread failure.
Bumper Rings
Bumper rings are an important protection product to consider for any company that is handling multiple units. Bumper rings are a relatively simple product, but
they have just one purpose: to prevent damage that is caused by friction among multiple joints of pipe. When tubular come into contact with one another the risk of damage is remarkably high, even if the contact is short in duration and doesn’t appear to be all that substantial. The use of bumper rings will help to eliminate this collision and will help to preserve the integrity of the tubular. While bumper rings are an investment, they are a much more affordable investment over the long term because it is extending the life of the drill pipe.
Pipe Chocks
Pipe chocks are another great tool used in the protection of tubular. Pipe chocks are designed to be nailed down to wood to provide a stable resting position for pipe. These devices are molded from durable resin and contain a nail slot design that makes it simple to keep pipe secure during transportation or storage. Pipe chocks come in a variety of sizes to maintain the integrity of all pipe while also ensuring the safety of workers.
Lifting Bails
Lifting bails are another important investment consideration when the goal is pipe protection. Lifting bails, also often referred to as lifting caps, are used to safely lift drill pipe and other items. This makes handling the pipe or tools much easier, and safer, for both the equipment and workers on the job site. When purchasing lifting bails, it is important to ensure that they have been load tested and manufactured to ASTM A27 Grade 60-30 specifications and machined to meet current API thread connection standards. Purchasing lifting bails that meet these specifications ensures the safety of all assets – people and equipment.
Stabbing Guides
Stabbing guides are a worthwhile investment for those who engage in making up a string of pipe. Stabbing guides function to prevent face damage and connection failure when making up a string of pipe and connecting the pin and box threads. These guides are comprised of steel cores, urethane outer shells, and complete with handles for guidance. The stabbing guides serve as a funneled guide for the pipe, molded to fit the specific dimensions of your thread profile. As such, stabbing guides are available in a wide variety of sizes to fit all tubular needs.
Drill Pipe Storage
Pipe protection practices are important when pipe is being transported or in use, but it is also important to consider protective measures for storage purposes. 
Tubular handling systems are a worthwhile investment that will help to extend the life of pipe as these systems can be utilized for warehousing pipe when it is not in use and for secure transit. When searching for a tubular handling system, it is important to look for one that is manufactured under current ISO 9001:2015 standards. The more versatile the better; systems that can be modified to accommodate a wide variety of tubular goods and accessories are recommended.
MSI Can Fulfill All of Your Pipe Protection Needs
MSI is proud to have provided pipe protection to our clients for more than 40 years. In that time we have continued to develop innovative pipe protection products that will fulfill the needs of every client whether they are looking to buy one type of protection or a broad range of products to protect their investment from storage to transportation to handling. If we don’t have the product on hand or listed in our catalog, we create custom products, as our goal is to meet the unique needs of every client.
Not sure where to start or what you need to protect your tubular goods and people? MSI can help! We would love to talk to you about your specific assets and needs and help you create a plan to protect your investments. Contact us today and we will help you get started! We look forward to working with you!
