What component of a cable tool drill string helps to retrieve cuttings?

The component that helps retrieve cuttings in a cable tool drill string is the stem. The stem is a series of pipe sections that connect the drill bit to the surface machinery. As the drilling operation progresses, cuttings produced by the drill bit are brought to the surface through the annulus between the drill string and the borehole wall.

The effectiveness of the stem in this process lies in its capacity to allow the return of the cutting debris when the drilling tool is raised. When the drill bit makes contact with the formation, the cuttings accumulate in the borehole. As the stem and associated cable tool are lifted, the cuttings are carried upward through this system, facilitating their retrieval.

While jars, drill collars, and drill bits play critical roles in the drilling operation—such as providing additional weight or enabling impact delivery—the primary function of retrieving the cuttings rests with the stem's design and operation in conjunction with the overall drilling mechanism.