System and Methodology for Use In Borehole Applications

Abstract

A technique facilitates the dependable, long-lasting use of a downhole component coupled into a drill string. In some applications, the downhole component comprises a stabilizer having a plurality of blades extending outwardly from a body, e.g. sleeve. Various features of the downhole component enhance the usefulness and dependability of the downhole component. Examples of such features comprise uniquely shaped surfaces; materials with a desired hardness, toughness, and impact strength; and/or wear protection elements incorporated into the downhole component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for stabilizing a drilling string, comprising:
 a drill string having a collar and a stabilizer mounted on the collar, the stabilizer comprising:
 a body having an interior surface and an exterior surface; and 
 a plurality of blades extending outwardly from the exterior surface of the body, the plurality of blades being separated by flow channels, the plurality of blades establishing a leading face and a trailing face, at least one of the leading face and the trailing face having a shallow slope of 45° or less relative to the exterior surface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body has the structure of a sleeve, the sleeve being formed of a material comprising a tungsten carbide matrix, a plurality of wear protection elements being mounted on the sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the trailing face has the shallow slope and the leading face has a relatively steeper slope. 
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein both the trailing face and the leading face have the shallow slope. 
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the shallow slope is less than 30°. 
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the interior surface comprises an internal profile which abuts against a corresponding shoulder of the collar when the stabilizer is mounted on the collar. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of wear protection elements comprises polycrystalline diamond compacts. 
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of wear protection elements comprises thermally stable polycrystalline components. 
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the shallow slope is no greater than 45° and the relatively steeper slope is no less than 70°. 
     
     
         10 . A system, comprising:
 a downhole component deployed in a drill string;   a sleeve coupled to the downhole component and formed of a material comprising a tungsten carbide matrix, the sleeve employing a plurality of wear protection elements.   
     
     
         11 . The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of wear protection elements comprises polycrystalline diamond compacts mounted on the sleeve. 
     
     
         12 . The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of wear protection elements comprises thermally stable polycrystalline components mounted on the sleeve. 
     
     
         13 . The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the downhole component comprises a stabilizer. 
     
     
         14 . The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the downhole component comprises a measurement-while-drilling tool. 
     
     
         15 . The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the downhole component comprises a logging-while-drilling tool. 
     
     
         16 . The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the downhole component comprises an impeller. 
     
     
         17 . The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the downhole component comprises a rotary valve. 
     
     
         18 . A method of drilling a wellbore, comprising:
 providing a stabilizer having: a body with an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a plurality of blades extending outwardly from the exterior surface of the body;   forming the blades to establish a leading face and a trailing face with at least one of the leading face and the trailing face having a shallow slope relative to the exterior surface; and   mounting the stabilizer on a drill string collar of a drill string.   
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein providing comprises forming the body with a sleeve constructed of a material comprising a tungsten carbide matrix, a plurality of wear protection elements being mounted on the sleeve. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 19 , wherein providing comprises forming the plurality of wear protection elements as polycrystalline diamond compacts.