Unthreaded Casing Thread Protector

A method of preparing a tubular casing for use in a well and conveying the casing to a drilling rig floor for installation in the well wherein the tubular casing has a casing outside diameter and at least one end with male threading extending a first axial distance along the casing tube, the method comprising:

• providing a unthreaded thread protector, the thread protector comprising a polymeric tube having a protector open end, a protector closed end, a protector inside diameter and a protector length with the protector inside diameter being 5-35% greater than the casing outside diameter and the protector length being at least twice as long as the first axial distance;
• removing a threaded thread protector from the male threading;
• installing the unthreaded thread protector over the male threading and the at least one end;
• placing the combination of the casing tube and the unthreaded thread protector generally horizontally on a rack;
• lifting and moving the combination of the casing tube and the unthreaded thread protector generally horizontally onto a catwalk conveyor;
• moving the combination of the casing tube and the unthreaded thread protector along the conveyor towards the rig floor;
• hoisting the casing tube vertically above the rig floor;
• and
• removing the unthreaded thread protector from the casing tube while moving along the conveyor, or while being hoisted above the rig floor.

A thread protector for a casing tube in combination with the casing tube, wherein:

• (i) the casing tube comprises an elongated tube having an casing outside diameter and at least one end with male threading extending a first axial distance along the casing tube;
• (ii) the thread protector comprises an unthreaded polyethylene or polypropylene tube having a protector open end, a protector closed end, a protector inside diameter, a wall thickness of about 0.5-1.0″ and a protector length with the protector inside diameter being 15-30% greater than the casing outside diameter and the protector length being 2.5-3.5× as long as the first axial distance;
• and
• (iii) the thread protector is received over the at least one end completely covering the male threading.