Apparatus and methods to optimize fluid flow and performance of downhole drilling equipment

A stabilizer comprising:

• a first end and a second end with a longitudinal passageway extending through the stabilizer from the first end to the second end;
• a plurality of blades spaced from each other and disposed on exterior portions of the stabilizer;
• each blade having a respective interior fluid flow path extending therethrough;
• each interior fluid flow path defined in part by an interior surface of the respective blade;
• each interior flow path further defined by associated exterior portions of the stabilizer;
• a respective contact surface formed on an exterior portion of each blade adjacent to an uphole edge of the associated blade;
• each respective contact surface having an enlarged exterior surface as compared with the adjacent exterior surface of the associated blade;
• and
• each contact surface operable to function as a fulcrum during directional drilling of a wellbore.

A bottom hole assembly including a stabilizer and a rotary drill operable to form a wellbore comprising:

• at least one component of the bottom hole assembly operable to direct movement of the rotary drill to form a directional wellbore;
• the stabilizer including a generally cylindrical body having a first end and a second end with a longitudinal passageway extending through the generally cylindrical body from the first end to the second end;
• at least three blades spaced from each other and disposed on exterior portions of the generally cylindrical body;
• each blade having a respective auxiliary fluid channel extending therethrough;
• each auxiliary fluid channel defined in part by an interior surface of the respective blade;
• each auxiliary fluid channel further defined by associated exterior portions of the generally cylindrical body;
• the rotary drill bit releasably engaged with the second end of the stabilizer;
• and
• a respective pad formed on an exterior portion of each blade adjacent to an uphole edge of the associated blade;
• each respective pad having an enlarged exterior surface as compared with the adjacent exterior surface of the associated blade;
• and
• wherein the pad is operable to function as a fulcrum during directional drilling of a wellbore.

A near bit stabilizer comprising:

• a generally cylindrical body having a first end and a second end with a longitudinal passageway extending through the generally cylindrical body;
• a plurality of blades disposed on an exterior surface of the generally cylindrical body;
• the blades spaced from each other to form respective fluid flow paths between adjacent blades;
• each blade having an exterior surface spaced radically from adjacent portions of the generally cylindrical body;
• at least one blade having at least one channel extending through the blade to accommodate fluid flow therethrough;
• a respective contact surface formed on the exterior surface of at least one blade adjacent to an uphole portion of the at least one blade;
• and
• each respective contact surface having an enlarged surface area as compared with the adjacent exterior surface of the at least one blade.

A method of manufacturing a well tool comprising:

• forming the well tool with a first end and a second end with a longitudinal passageway extending through the well tool from the first end to the second end;
• forming a plurality of blades disposed on and extending from exterior portions of the well tool with the blades spaced from each other to form respective primary fluid flow paths disposed therebetween so that respective primary fluid flow paths extend along opposite sides of each blade;
• forming each blade with a respective uphole portion and a respective downhole portion;
• forming a fluid inlet disposed between adjacent downhole portions of each blade and forming a first fluid outlet disposed between adjacent uphole portions of each blade;
• forming at least one blade with an auxiliary fluid flow path extending therethrough to allow communication of fluid flow between the respective primary fluid flow path disposed on one side of the at least one blade and the respective primary fluid flow path disposed on the other side of the at least one blade;
• forming at least a second fluid outlet extending through the uphole portion of the at least one blade;
• forming an internal fluid passageway within the at least one blade operable to communicate fluid flow from the auxiliary fluid flow path with the second fluid outlet extending through the uphole portion thereof;
• and
• forming an enlarged contact surface on the uphole portion of at least one of the blades.