Drill Rods Having Stabilizers, And Systems And Methods Comprising Same

Abstract

A drill rod having a central axis can comprise a hollow, elongate body having a box end portion defining a first end of the elongate body and an opposing pin end portion. The elongate body can have an outer surface that defines a circumference of the elongate body. A plurality of stabilizing projections can extend outwardly from the circumference of the elongate body. The plurality of stabilizing projections can be spaced from the first end by at least 40 cm. The plurality of stabilizing projections can be spaced about the circumference of the elongate body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drill rod having a central axis and comprising:
 an elongate body having a box end portion defining a first end of the elongate body and an opposing pin end portion, the elongate body having an outer surface that defines a circumference of the elongate body, wherein the elongate body is hollow; and   a plurality of stabilizing projections that extend outwardly from the circumference of the elongate body, wherein the plurality of stabilizing projections are spaced from the first end by at least 40 cm,   wherein the plurality of stabilizing projections are spaced about the circumference of the elongate body.   
     
     
         2 . The drill rod of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of stabilizing projections comprise a plurality of wear strips that are bonded to the outer surface of the elongate body. 
     
     
         3 . The drill rod of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of wear strips comprise cladding. 
     
     
         4 . The drill rod of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of stabilizing projections are arranged in a helical orientation. 
     
     
         5 . The drill rod of  claim 1 , wherein each stabilizing projection of the plurality of stabilizing projections extends along a respective centerline, wherein the respective centerline intersects a cross-sectional plane that contains the central axis of the drill rod at an acute angle. 
     
     
         6 . The drill rod of  claim 5 , wherein the acute angle is from about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The drill rod of  claim 6 , wherein the acute angle is about 20 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The drill rod of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of wear strips comprise tungsten carbide. 
     
     
         9 . The drill rod of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of wear strips comprise diamond. 
     
     
         10 . The drill rod of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of wear strips have a radial thickness of less than 0.2 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The drill rod of  claim 1 , wherein the drill rod has a maximum outer diameter of less than 3 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The drill rod of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of stabilizing projections are mechanically formed into the elongate body. 
     
     
         13 . The drill rod of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of wear strips are bonded to the outer surface of the elongate body at the pin end portion. 
     
     
         14 . The drill rod of  claim 13 , wherein the pin end portion defines a second end of the elongate body, wherein the plurality of wear strips are within 15 cm of the second end of the elongate body, and wherein the drill rod does not comprise stabilizing projections within 40 cm of the first end of the elongate body. 
     
     
         15 . The drill rod of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of stabilizing projections are a first set of stabilizing projections, wherein the drill rod further comprises a second set of stabilizing projections that are longitudinally spaced from the first plurality of stabilizing projections along the central axis, wherein the second set of stabilizing projections comprises a second plurality of stabilizing projections are spaced about the circumference of the elongate body. 
     
     
         16 . A drill string comprising:
 a plurality of drill rods, wherein each drill rod of the plurality of drill rods has a central axis and comprises:
 an elongate body having a box end portion defining a first end of the elongate body and an opposing pin end portion, the elongate body having an outer surface that defines a circumference of the elongate body, wherein the elongate body is hollow; and 
 a plurality of stabilizing projections that extend outwardly from the circumference of the elongate body, wherein the plurality of stabilizing projections are spaced from the first end by at least 40 cm, wherein the plurality of stabilizing projections are spaced about the circumference of the elongate body, and 
   wherein the plurality of drill rods are coupled together end-to-end to form the drill string.   
     
     
         17 . The drill string of  claim 16 , wherein the drill string does not comprise couplings at joints between sequential drill rods of the plurality of drill rods. 
     
     
         18 . The drill string of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of stabilizing projections of each drill rod of the plurality of drill rods comprise cladding. 
     
     
         19 . The drill string of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of stabilizing projections of each drill rod of the plurality of drill rods comprise wear strips that are bonded to the outer surface of the elongate body of said drill rod in a helical orientation. 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 advancing a drill string within a formation, the drill string comprising a plurality of drill rods coupled end-to-end, wherein each drill rod of the plurality of drill rods has a central axis and comprises:
 an elongate body having a box end portion defining a first end of the elongate body and an opposing pin end portion, the elongate body having an outer surface that defines a circumference of the elongate body, wherein the elongate body is hollow; and 
 a plurality of stabilizing projections that extend outwardly from the circumference of the elongate body, wherein the plurality of stabilizing projections are spaced from the first end by at least 40 cm, wherein the plurality of stabilizing projections are spaced about the circumference of the elongate body.