Stabilizer with Drilling Fluid Diverting Ports

Abstract

Described are drilling subs that may be connected in a drill string for reducing the accumulation of debris on the exterior of the drill string or otherwise facilitating the return of drilling fluid during drilling operations. A plurality of radially spaced stabilizing blades protrude from an exterior surface of the drilling subs to define exterior flow channels therebetween through which drilling fluid returning to the surface may is directed. Diverting nozzle passages are provided that extend between an inner axial passage of the drilling subs and the exterior surface of the drilling subs. The diverting nozzle passages exhibit a radial spacing corresponding to a radial spacing of the exterior flow channels such that drilling fluid discharged from the diverting nozzle passages is directed toward the exterior flow channels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for facilitating the return of drilling fluid through an annulus surrounding a drill string, the apparatus comprising:
 a longitudinal body defining an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the upper and lower ends including connectors for connecting the longitudinal body into the drill string;   an interior axial passage extending between the upper and lower ends through the longitudinal body tor conveying drilling fluid therethrough;   a plurality radially spaced blades protruding from an exterior surface of the longitudinal body and defining open exterior flow channels therebetween; and   a plurality diverting nozzle passages extending between the inner axial passage and respective nozzle outlets on the exterior surface of the longitudinal body, the nozzle outlets exhibiting a radial spacing corresponding to a radial spacing of the exterior flow channels such that drilling fluid discharged from the diverting nozzle passages is directed toward the exterior flow channels.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each diverting nozzle passage is oriented upward and outward with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the each of the nozzle outlets is longitudinally spaced from the plurality of blades and disposed below the plurality of blades. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the longitudinal body comprises:
 a stabilizer sub supporting the plurality of radially spaced blades thereon and including a first sub connector at a lower end thereof; and   a first fluid diverting sub having a second sub connector at an upper end thereof for coupling to the first sub connector of the stabilizer sub, the first fluid diverting sub supporting the plurality of diverting nozzle passages.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the first sub connector of the stabilizer sub comprises an internally threaded box for receiving a threaded pin comprising the second sub connector of the fluid diverting sub. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein a longitudinal spacing between an uppermost nozzle outlet and a lower end of the plurality of blades is in the range of three to five inches. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the longitudinal body further includes a mud motor coupled to a lower end of the first fluid diverting sub and a second fluid diverting sub coupled to a lower end of the mud motor. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the nozzle outlets has a longitudinal position along the longitudinal body between upper and lower ends of the radially spaced blades. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the blades are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of radially spaced blades and the plurality of diverting nozzle passages are integrally formed together on a single tubular body. 
     
     
         11 . A well drilling apparatus, comprising:
 a body defining a longitudinal body axis, and including a threaded upper end for connection into a drill string and a threaded lower end for connection and rotation with an earth boring bit;   an axial passage in the body for conveying drilling fluid to an outlet in the earth boring bit;   a plurality of blades extending radially outward from an exterior surface of the body and radially spaced to define exterior flow channels therebetween, the plurality of blades configured for engaging a wall of a borehole formed by the earth boring bit; and   a plurality of nozzles outlets defined on the exterior surface of the body and in fluidic communication with the axial passage, each of the nozzle outlets having a longitudinal position along the body between upper and lower ends of the radially spaced blades.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein each of the nozzle outlets defines a nozzle axis that points upward and outward and also at an oblique angle relative to a vertical plane of the body axis that intersects the nozzle axis at the nozzle outlet. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of blades is are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis in the direction of the oblique angle. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one nozzle outlet is positioned within in each of the exterior flow channels defined between the blades. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising a tubular member coupled to a lower end of the body, wherein the tubular member comprises at least one of a mud motor, a drill pipe and a drill collar. 
     
     
         16 . A method of drilling a well, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a drill string having an earth boring device at a lower end thereof, the drill string having a body coupled therein that defines a longitudinal axis, the body including a plurality of blades extending radially outward from an exterior surface of the body, a plurality of nozzle outlets defined on the exterior surface of the body between the blades, and an axial passage extending through the body and in fluidic communication with each of the nozzle outlets;   (b) lowering the drill string into the well and rotating the earth boring device;   (c) pumping drilling fluid down the drill string into the axial passage of the body, conveying a first portion of the drilling fluid through the axial passage and discharging the first portion of the drilling fluid through an outlet defined in the earth boring device into an annulus surrounding the drill string; and   (d) diverting and discharging a second portion of the drilling fluid from the axial passage in the body through the plurality of nozzle outlets into the annulus.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 (e) engaging a wall of the annulus with the plurality of blades to stabilize the drill String.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein step (a) comprises providing the drill string with a tubular member coupled therein, the tubular member comprising at least one of a mud motor, a drill pipe and a drill collar, and providing the body in the drill string above the tubular member.