Which of the following contributes to a small annular clearance?

A small annular clearance in drilling refers to the space between the drill string and the wellbore. Using improperly sized stabilizers directly contributes to a reduced annular clearance because when stabilizers are too large for the wellbore, they can fit tightly against the walls, minimizing the space available in the annular region. This can lead to increased friction and difficulty in operations.

In contrast, drilling with a larger diameter bit would typically increase the overall diameter of the wellbore, which can lead to a larger annular clearance, while a longer bottom hole assembly does not inherently affect the annular clearance but may change the dynamics in the wellbore. Maintaining equilibrium pressure is crucial for well control but does not influence the size of the annular clearance itself. These contextual details emphasize the correctness of the chosen response regarding how stabilizers impact the annular spacing during drilling operations.