Directional Drilling

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Drillstring Components - Stabilizers

Sperry-Sun 2004

Stabilizer Types
Near bit
or

Rotating

String
Non-rotating
Welded blade
Integral blade
Sleeve

Left spiral

Steel

Right spiral

Non-Magnetic

Stabilizer Types
Types, per
1.

Position in the string : near-bit or string

2.

Operation mode : rotating or non-rotating

3.

Blade construction : integral, welded blade or replaceable

4.

Blade form : straight, left- or right spiral

5.

Blade coverage : partial or full wrap

6.

Size (gauge) : fixed or adjustable

7.

Material : steel or non-magnetic

Stabilizer Position in the Drillstring

1.

Near-bit stabilizer features :

2.

Foot below the blades is very short

Bottom connection is box
Bottom connection might be bored for float valve

String stabilizer features :

Long (normal) foot length

Bottom connection is normally pin (box is optional)
Box connection might be bored for float valve needs special
precautions when handled !

Stabilizer Operation Modes

Rotating stabilizers could be

Integral blade (IBS)
Welded blade (use only for soft formations)
Replaceable sleeve type (consider the side forces on the short
blades)

Non-rotating stabilizers with

Rubber blades on steel sleeve (e.g. DRILCO), replaceable
Aluminium blades for higher wear, temperature and oil resistance

Blade Forms

Straight blades :
Generates lot of torque and vibration
Wide flow path

Spiral blades :
Less torque and no vibration
RH spiral promotes cuttings lift, pumps mud upwards
LH spiral blades pump mud downwards, retarding cuttings, creating
turbulence (washouts)

Straight Blade Stabilizer

Rig replaceable blades

Various blade hardfacing types
Great flow area
Higher torque than with spiral blades
Generates vibration

Sperry-Drill Sleeve Stabilizer

Bit - Motor Stabilizers

Stabilized Fulldrift Bit

Cutter layout for smooth action

Impact arrestors

Spiral blades

Stabilizer section
Slot for bit breaker
Box connection up

Integral Blade Stabilizer

Integral blades for strength

Great contact area
360 blade cover (full wrap)
possible
Various types of hardfacing

Integral Blade Stabilizers

Integral Blade Stabilizers

Short Non-magnetic IB Stabilizers

hardfacing

TC block inserts

hardfacing

Short Non-magnetic IB Stabilizers

No Hardfacing on Fishing Neck

TC Inserts on Stabilizer Blade

Milled Over Stabilizer

Hardfacing for Back-reaming

crushed TC
hardfacing

Welded Blade Stabilizer

Rugged
Low cost
Custom mandrels
Drill collars can be bladed
Various types of hardfacing

Welded Blade Stabilizer

hardfacing with TC blocks

the blades are welded to

the body

full wrap of blades

Blade Wrap

partial wrap

Sleeve Stabilizer

Two piece body

Rig floor replaceable
Variable blade sizes
Reduced contact area
Not full wrap
Various type of gage protections
Fluted body for better
mud flow
blade cleaning

Sleeve Stabilizer

One piece body

Field changeable sleeves
Various gauge sizes
Reduced contact area
Not full wrap
Various type of gauge protections

Clamp-On Sleeve Stabilizer

Collar Size

Hole Size

Clamp-On Sleeve Stabilizer

Use : centralizing and steering aid

Can be mounted onto
drill collars
turbines
MWD hang-off subs and collars
shock subs
etc.

Mud Motor Mid Body

Sleeve Stabilizer

One piece body

Field changeable sleeves
Various gauge sizes
Reduced contact area
Not full wrap
Various type of gauge protections

Non-rotating Sleeve Stabilizer

(Drilco)
Non-rotating loose rubber or aluminium
sleeve
Used in abrasive formations
Blade wear is reduced
Used as the highest string stabilizer
Temperature limit 230F (standard)
Special elastomer to 350 F
Aluminium sleeve for higher temp and full oil
resistance
Weak point at internal connection

Variable Gauge Stabilizer

Multi-diameter tool
Replaceable blades
Straight or inclined blades
Partial wrap / blade coverage