Ultra-hard drilling stabilizer

1. A drilling stabilizer comprising:

a tungsten carbide matrix body having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal bore extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the tungsten carbide matrix body is formed substantially entirely from a matrix of tungsten carbide and one or more metal alloys;

a plurality of tungsten carbide matrix blades integrally formed with said tungsten carbide matrix body and formed substantially entirely from the matrix of tungsten carbide and one or more metal alloys; and

a metal tube disposed within the longitudinal bore, wherein the metal tube comprises a first connection disposed at the first end, a second connection disposed at the second end, and bore extending from the first connection to the second connection,

wherein the tungsten carbide matrix body is adapted for withstanding compressive longitudinal forces along the axis, and wherein the metal tube is adapted for withstanding tensile forces along the axis.

2. The drilling stabilizer according to claim 1 , wherein said matrix body and said matrix blades are formed in a graphite mold from tungsten carbide particles and a metal binder heated to allow the molten binder to flow into the interstitial spaces between the tungsten carbide particles.

3. The drilling stabilizer according to claim 1 , wherein the first connection comprises a threaded box end and the second connection comprises a threaded pin end.

4. The drilling stabilizer according to claim 3 , wherein the metal tube comprises a steel tube positioned within the interior of said body, with the box end and the pin end being at the opposite ends of said tube.

5. The drilling stabilizer according to claim 4 , wherein said steel tube is super-cooled prior to being inserted within the interior of said body, and then allowed to warm up and thereby expand to cause the steel tube to be locked in place within the interior of said body.

6. The drilling stabilizer according to claim 1 , comprising in addition thereto, a plurality of PDC cutters mounted on at least one of said blades to allow said stabilizer to be used to ream upwardly as the stabilizer is being pulled upwards in an earth borehole.

7. A drilling stabilizer, comprising:

a body formed substantially entirely from a matrix material comprising particles of tungsten carbide and at least one metal alloy, wherein the body comprises a plurality of blades extending therefrom and integral therewith, wherein the plurality of blades are formed substantially entirely from the matrix material, and wherein the body is adapted for withstanding compressive forces;

a bore extending longitudinally through the body; and

a metal tube disposed within the bore, wherein the metal tube comprises a length greater than the length of the body, thereby defining a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end comprise threaded connections for engaging adjacent components, and wherein the metal tube is adapted for withstanding tensile forces.

8. The drilling stabilizer of claim 7 , further comprising at least one cutter element mounted on at least one of the blades to enable the drilling stabilizer to be used to ream as the drilling stabilizer is pulled through a borehole.

9. The drilling stabilizer of claim 7 , wherein the threaded connections comprise a first male threaded connection at the first end and a second male threaded connection at the second end.

10. The drilling stabilizer of claim 7 , wherein the threaded connections comprise a first female threaded connection at the first end and a second female threaded connection at the second end.

11. The drilling stabilizer of claim 7 , wherein the threaded connections comprise a male threaded connection at the first end and a female threaded connection at the second end.

12. The drilling stabilizer of claim 7 , wherein the threaded connections comprise a female threaded connection at the first end and a male threaded connection at the second end.

13. A drilling stabilizer produced by a powdered metal infiltration casting process comprising the steps of:

providing particles of tungsten carbide into a mold comprising a void having the shape of a drilling stabilizer body with a plurality of blades extending therefrom;

providing into the mold a metal rod or a metal tube having a bore filled with a solid material;

providing at least one binding metal in fluid communication with the mold;

heating the mold, the particles, and said at least one binding metal, wherein said at least one binding metal is melted and flows into spaces between the particles of tungsten carbide to form a tungsten carbide matrix material;

permitting the tungsten carbide matrix material to cool to form a drilling stabilizer body with a plurality of blades extending therefrom disposed within the void of the mold, wherein the drilling stabilizer body is adapted to resist compressive forces;

removing the drilling stabilizer body with the plurality of blades extending therefrom from the mold; and

providing a bore through the metal rod or the metal tube, wherein the metal tube is adapted to resist tensile forces.

14. The drilling stabilizer of claim 13 , wherein the metal rod or metal tube is positioned within the void such that heating of the mold and said at least one binding metal and permitting the tungsten carbide matrix material to cool defines a space for providing a longitudinal bore through the drilling stabilizer body, wherein the metal rod or metal tube comprises a length greater than the length of the drilling stabilizer body, and wherein the metal rod or metal tube is provided with threaded connections for engaging adjacent components.

15. The drilling stabilizer of claim 13 , wherein at least one cutter element is provided to at least one of the blades to enable the drilling stabilizer to be used to ream as the drilling stabilizer is pulled through a borehole.

16. The drilling stabilizer of claim 13 , wherein the drilling stabilizer is provided with a length less than or equal to fifteen feet.