Plasma Powder Hardfacing Technology for Drill String Stabilizers
In modern oil and gas drilling, stabilizers play a critical role in maintaining wellbore trajectory and protecting the drill string. However, under long-term all-weather and high-load horizontal drilling conditions, stabilizers are exposed to severe abrasion and impact, leading to rapid wear and frequent replacement.
To address this challenge, FNS Pipeline Technology Co., Ltd. applies advanced plasma powder hardfacing technology to stabilizers, delivering a durable, repairable, and cost-efficient surface solution that significantly extends service life in demanding drilling environments.
Wear-resistant stabilizer after plasma hardfacing treatment in oilfield application
Field-Proven Performance in Oilfield Operations
After one year of continuous use in conventional horizontal well drilling, a petroleum tools manufacturer in Xi’an conducted a full technical evaluation of stabilizers treated with plasma powder hardfacing. The results confirmed outstanding wear resistance and structural integrity.
The evaluation highlighted that wear occurred primarily as uniform surface abrasion, with no delamination or peeling of the plasma hardfacing layer. Even after multiple repair cycles using plasma powder hardfacing, the stabilizer’s performance was restored close to its original condition, greatly simplifying maintenance and reducing lifecycle costs.
Thicker Hardfacing Layer, Longer Service Life
Compared with conventional stabilizer coating processes, plasma powder hardfacing enables a thicker and more robust wear-resistant layer, typically in the range of 2–4 mm. In actual drilling operations, a single hardfacing cycle allowed stabilizers to achieve over 1,000 operating hours, more than three times the service life of standard products.
After multiple reuse cycles, the final failure mode was identified as fatigue of the metal substrate, rather than coating failure—demonstrating the excellent bonding strength and reliability of the plasma hardfacing layer.
Customer Feedback: Lower Drilling Cost, Higher Reliability
One of FNS’s oilfield customers in Xi’an provided a comprehensive assessment, stating that plasma powder hardfaced stabilizers are easy to maintain, offer extended service life, and significantly reduce overall drilling costs. In practical use, their overall performance and durability surpassed HF3000 and HF4000 series stabilizers.
The technology has already been successfully applied in 25 drilling wells, expanding the application scope of HF-series stabilizers. Based on the proven results, the customer plans to fully promote this solution and gradually replace existing stabilizer products across future drilling projects.
Why Choose FNS Plasma Hardfacing Solutions?
At FNS Pipeline Technology Co., Ltd., plasma powder hardfacing is not just a surface treatment—it is a complete engineering solution tailored for oilfield tools. Our advantages include:
- Strong metallurgical bonding with no coating peeling
- Multiple repair capability without performance degradation
- Extended stabilizer service life and reduced downtime
- Lower total cost of ownership for drilling operations
By combining field-proven technology with oil and gas application expertise, FNS helps customers improve drilling efficiency and achieve long-term cost savings.
- Plasma powder hardfacing applied to drill string stabilizer for enhanced wear resistance
- Wear-resistant stabilizer after plasma hardfacing treatment in oilfield application
