NO20230127A1

NO20230127A1 - Systems and methods for drilling

Info

Publication number: NO20230127A1
Application number: NO20230127A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Jens Hodne; Søren Øydna; Kim André Evensen; Morten Abusdal; Kai Ådne Kostøl; Luis Pimentel
Original assignee: Mhwirth As
Priority date: 2023-02-08
Filing date: 2023-02-08
Publication date: 2024-08-09
Also published as: WO2024167413A1

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DRILLING

The present disclosure relates to operation of drilling rigs and related activities. More particularly, it relates to methods, drilling systems, and computer program products for operating drilling systems having drilling equipment as part of a drilling unit.

BACKGROUND

In drilling operations, such as onshore or offshore oil & gas exploration, various operations are usually carried out by highly specialized rigs. The operation of such rigs can be very costly and make up a substantial part of the cost of establishing a well. Due to the high cost, operational efficiency and reliability during these processes is of great importance.

Moreover, as regulatory requirements become ever-more stringent, while at the same time oil & gas exploration may take place in more challenging areas (such as deepwater offshore fields or in arctic areas), safety is also a key issue among most stakeholders in the industry. For example, controlling relevant operational and process variables within certain margins is crucial in oil & gas drilling operations in order to maintain the stability of the formation, avoid loss of drilling fluid (commonly known as mud), avoiding uncontrolled influx of reservoir fluids into the wellbore, maintaining the equipment within safe operational limits, etc. The industry faces strict regulatory requirements both in relation to personnel safety and environmental safety.

Documents which may be useful for understanding the field of technology include WO 2020/231428, WO 2018/203753 A1, WO 2021/194349, US 8,397,837; WO 2010/101473; GB 2545088 B; GB 2579366 B; WO 2018/203753, WO 2020/032802, WO 2020/209725, WO 2021/182972, and WO 2013/082498.

There is consequently a continuous need for improved systems and techniques for operating drilling plants efficiently, while maintaining a high level of safety. The present disclosure has the objective to provide systems and methods which can realize advantages over known solutions and techniques in the above-mentioned or other areas, or at least provide useful alternatives to the state of the art.

SUMMARY

In an example, there is provided a drilling system comprising: a plurality of drilling equipment being adapted to construct at least one well; a plurality of equipment controllers, each being adapted to control at least one operation of at least one drilling equipment; a process controller operatively connected to the plurality of equipment controllers and configured for managing and sending operating instructions to the plurality of equipment controllers; a communication network arranged to provide a data link for communication between the process controller and a plurality of application modules, each of the plurality of application modules being adapted to provide operational instructions to a driller and/or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers.

Further inventive examples and embodiments are described in the detailed description below and in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other characteristics will become clear from the following description of illustrative, non-restrictive examples, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figs.1A, 1B, and 1C disclose an example drilling system comprising a drilling unit, according to according to some embodiments.

Fig. 2 discloses an example drilling system for operating at least one drilling equipment of a drilling unit according to some embodiments.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating example method steps according to some embodiments.

Fig. 4 is a signaling diagram illustrating example signaling according to some embodiments.

Fig. 5 discloses an example illustration of exchanging communication between a drilling unit and remote entities to operate at least one drilling equipment of the drilling unit according to some embodiments.

Figs.6A, 6B, and 6C disclose example illustrations of operations of a drilling equipment of a drilling unit according to some embodiments.

Fig. 7 discloses example illustrations of operational monitoring and control arrangement of a drilling unit according to some embodiments.

Fig. 8 discloses example illustrations of employing application modules for accessing and/or providing input information relating to operations of a drilling unit according to some embodiments.

Fig. 9 discloses example illustrations of operating a drilling unit in communication with a remote entity according to some embodiments.

Fig. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating various components of an exemplary drilling system according to some embodiments.

Fig. 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating various components of an exemplary drilling system according to some embodiments.

Fig. 12 discloses an example computing environment according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of the present disclosure will be described and exemplified more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The solutions disclosed herein can, however, be realized in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the examples set forth herein.

It will be appreciated that when the present disclosure is described in terms of a method, it may also be embodied in one or more processors and one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the one or more memories store one or more programs that perform the steps, services and functions disclosed herein when executed by the one or more processors.

Figs.1A, 1B, and 1C disclose an example drilling system 90. The drilling system 90 referred herein may be used for drilling/construction of hydrocarbon wells or for other drilling purposes such as construction of geothermal wells, injection wells, or other types. The drilling system 90 may comprise a drilling unit 95, in the illustrated example a floating drilling vessel, with a drilling rig 80 for constructing the well. The drilling unit 95 may include, but is not limited to, a floating vessel, a fixed platform, or the like, depending on the well to be constructed/drilled.

In this example, the drilling system 90 comprises an offshore drilling unit 95 and an onshore-based external entity 89 as depicted in Figs.1A-1C. The drilling unit 95 referred herein comprises a drilling rig 80 and a plurality of drilling equipment (also be referred to as machines) being adapted to construct the at least one well. In other examples, the drilling unit 95 with the drilling rig 80 and equipment may be arranged on a fixed platform or at an onshore location.

In some examples, the drilling rig 80 operates using a top drive 81. The top drive 81 may be operated by a hoisting system 82 in a rig structure 83 to suspend a drill string 84 having a drill bit 85 into a subterranean wellbore 86. The wellbore 86 is developed so that it extends towards and into a reservoir containing hydrocarbon fluids.

The drilling system 90 further comprises a control system for operating the plurality of drilling equipment 10a-n (depicted in Fig. 2). In some examples, the control system may be arranged in a driller’s cabin 87 proximal to the drilling rig 80. In some examples, the control system comprises a plurality of equipment controllers, a process controller 20, drilling automation modules, and user interface(s). The equipment controllers 50a-n are connected to at least one drilling equipment. The equipment controllers 50a-n are adapted to control at least one operation of the at least one drilling equipment. The at least one operation may include drilling operations performed to construct the well, preparatory operations therefor, or auxiliary operations related to the well construction.

The process controller 20 is connected to the plurality of equipment controllers 50an and is adapted to operate the at least one drilling equipment through the plurality of equipment controllers. The plurality of equipment controllers 50a-n and the process controller 20 are illustrated in detail in relation to Fig. 2 and described in further detail below. The process controller 20 and the equipment controllers 50a-n may form an integrated control system for rig control, hereunder controlling one or more of a drawworks, a top drive, an iron roughneck, slips, pipe handling equipment, pressure control equipment (such as managed pressure drilling control and chokes), sensor systems, and other equipment. The process controller 20 may control, execute, measure, and/or monitor an aspect or multiple aspects of well construction performed at the drilling unit 95.

The drilling automation module(s) may be adapted to enable the at least one drilling equipment to perform the at least one operation automatically. The user interface may be adapted to indicate to a driller 77 (an operator who operates the drilling rig 80, see also Fig.7) a status of the at least one operation of the at least one drilling equipment. In some examples, a user interface 60a (see Fig.7) may be provided on a computing device arranged in the driller’s cabin 87 located at the drilling unit 95, as depicted in Fig. 1B. In some examples, the user interface 60b may be provided on a computing device arranged in a service company office 79 located at the drilling unit 95, as depicted in Figs 1B and 7. The driller 77 and other staff present in the driller’s cabin 87 or the service company office 79 may monitor and control the at least one operation of the at least one drilling equipment of the drilling rig 80. In some examples, the user interface 60a may comprise a visual display apparatus such as screen with a connected input apparatus 60d (see Fig. 7) such as a keyboard, keypad or joystick, and/or a touch screen.

The onshore-based external entity 89 referred herein may be adapted to control construction of the at least one wellbore 86 by communicating with the drilling unit 95, particularly with the process controller 20 at the drilling unit 95. The onshorebased external entity 89 may be arranged in a remote location, in this example at a shore-based location. In other examples, such as for land-based rigs, the external entity 89 may also be arranged in a remote location, such as at a central office location which is different from a drilling site.

The external entity 89 may comprise a computer/computing device on which an application module 88 may be implemented to control the at least one operation of the at least one drilling equipment on the drilling unit 95. The computer/computing device may be located at the office/remote location. In the embodiments described herein, the computer/computing device and the application module 88 may be used interchangeably through the document, as the application module 88 can form a digital processing unit (such as a CPU with associated memory, storage and software) which is operable to interact with and/or influence the operation of physical systems such as drilling equipment, control hardware or control software at the drilling unit 95.

In some examples, the application module 88 may be in bi-directional communication with the process controller 20. As depicted in Fig, 1A, the application module 88 may be in bi-directional communication with the drilling unit 95 via an intermediate cloud storage 93. In some examples, as depicted in Fig.1B, the application module 88 may be in bi-directional communication with the drilling unit 95 via a wireless link/data link 91, 92. In some examples, the wireless link 91, 92 may be a substantially real-time data link. In some examples, the wireless link 91, 92 may be set up to provide repeated intermittent communication. For examples, the wireless link 91, 92 enables the process controller 20 and the application module 88 to exchange communication between each other using a communication network (depicted in Fig.2). In some examples, the communication network may include, but are not limited to, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, Zigbee, Wi-Fi direct, WFD, Ultra-wideband, UWB, infrared data association, IrDA, near field communication, NFC, and so on.

Alternatively, the application module 88 may be in bi-directional communication with the process controller 20 via a wired network connection.

The application module 88 may be adapted to provide limitations to the process controller 20 for controlling the at least one operation of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-n. The limitations may be a function of operational information and a well plan. In some examples, the operational information indicates the at least one operation of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-n. The well plan may be predefined plan indicating operational steps for constructing the well. The well plan may be stored locally by the application module 88 or by the control system of the drilling unit 95 (such as the process controller 20) or by an external system, or a combination thereof.

Providing the limitations with better accuracy further provides enhanced operating safety. For example, a personnel in an onshore office may include a geologist (not normally present at the drilling unit 95) or have access to better geological models of the formation into which the well bore 86 is being drilling which is not available to the driller on the drilling unit 95. Such geological models, for example, suggest that the drill bit 85 may be shortly entering a part of the formation that contains fluid at a higher pressure than previously. In such a scenario, it may be advantageous to set an automated sequence executed by the drilling system 90 with an increased fluid pressure in the well bore 86, in order to minimize the risk of a blowout. Similarly, for example, during automated tripping operations, limitations on a tripping speed in different sections of the wellbore 86 may be imposed from the office in order to avoid damaging the formation.

In some embodiments, the application module 88 may be configured to repeatedly update the well plan in response to the operational data. Both the application module 88 and any local system on the drilling unit 95 may be operable to set the limitations for a limitations application in order to operate the at least one drilling equipment 10a-n. Alternatively, or additionally, the application module 88 and one or more drilling automation module(s) on the drilling unit 95 may operate to set the limitations for operating the at least one drilling equipment 10a-n. In an event that two or more limitations exist (for example, two or more operating envelopes for a given drilling equipment 10a-n), then the process controller 20 may be configured as to apply the narrowest operating envelope. Some exemplary embodiments may allow limitations to automated sequences to be applied on the drilling process based on the well plan and the operational information. For example, a combination of limitations from the application module 88 based on a continuously updated well plan and limitations from an early kick detection (EKD) application module may provide a fast response in the event of a blow-out risk, as well as an optimization of the drilling processes based on the well plan and reservoir models.

Therefore, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the drilling system 90 is adapted for enabling efficient exchange of communication between the process controller 20 and the application module 88 using the communication network to operate the at least one drilling equipment. Thus, the at least one drilling equipment 10a-n may be operated efficiently with a high level of safety.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the process controller 20 identifies operational information associated with the at least one drilling equipment 10a-n. Upon identifying the operational information, the process controller 20 determines at least some of the operational information to be transmitted to the application module 88 over the wireless link 91, 92 provided by the communication network. The process controller 20 may, alternatively or additionally, operate the at least one drilling equipment 10a-n in accordance with one or more operational commands received from the application module 88. The one or more operational commands are generated by the application module 88 based on the operational information.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the application module 88 encompasses a digital twin representing the at least one drilling equipment 10a-n based on the operational information. The digital twin representing the at least one drilling equipment 10a-n is illustrated in Fig.1C. The application module 88 may generate the one or more operational commands for operating the at least one drilling equipment at least partly based on the digital twin.

Various embodiments for exchanging communication between the process controller 20 and the application module 88 to operate the at least one drilling equipment 10a-n are explained in conjunction with figures in later parts of the description.

Fig. 2 discloses the drilling system 90 for operating at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n of the drilling unit 95. The drilling system 90 comprises the drilling unit 95 and the application module 88. The drilling unit 95 comprises the plurality of drilling equipment 10a-10n and the process controller 20. The plurality of drilling equipment 10a-10n is adapted to perform the at least one operation/drilling operation for construction of the at least one well. The control system may be adapted to control the at least one operation of the plurality of drilling equipment 10a-10n. As depicted in Fig.2, the control system comprises the plurality of equipment controllers 50a-50n, and the process controller 20. The equipment controllers 50a-50n may be individual equipment controllers dedicated to each equipment 10a-n (e.g., to each machine). The application module 88 may be adapted to provide one or more operational commands for operating the plurality of drilling equipment 10a-10n, for example operational commands to the process controller 20. The operational commands may include direct commands for executing various tasks, and/or other types of operational parameters such as setpoints or operating envelopes for machines (e.g. top drive rpm) and/or for indirectly controlled process variables (e.g. downhole pressure). In some examples, the application module 88 may be arranged in a remote location. In some examples, the application module 88 may be arranged in the service company office 79 or the driller’s cabin 87.

Further, the drilling system 90 comprises the communication network 30 being adapted to provide the (in this example wireless) data link (depicted in Figs.1A-1C) for communication between the drilling unit 95 / process controller 20 and the application module 88. In some examples, the communication network may include, but are not limited to, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, Zigbee, Wi-Fi direct, WFD, Ultra-wideband, UWB, infrared data association, IrDA, near field communication, NFC, and so on. The communication network 30 comprises a network node 40. The network node 40 may be a radio node adapted to receive the communication from the process controller 20 / the application module 88 and transmit the received communication to the application module 88 / process controller 20. Herein, the communication refers to at least one of: the operational information associated with the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n, the one or more operational commands for operating the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n, or the like. In some examples, the network node 40 may include, but are not limited to, an evolved node, eNB, a gNodeB, gNB, a local access network, LAN node, a wireless LAN, WLAN, node, a Wi-Fi node, or the like. In some examples, the network node 40 may include the Internet supporting one or more communication protocols for transmission of the communication.

As depicted in Fig.2, the plurality of equipment controllers 50a-50n may be connected to the plurality of drilling equipment 10a-10n. In some examples, the plurality of drilling equipment 10a-10n may include, but are not limited to, draw works, mud pumps, pressure control equipment such as chokes or valves or blowout preventers, pipe handling equipment, iron roughnecks, separating equipment such as shakers or centrifuges, heave compensators, dynamic positioning systems, and so on.

In some examples, each equipment controller 50a-50n may be connected to a single drilling equipment 10a-10n. In some examples, each equipment controller 50a-50n may be connected to one or more drilling equipment 10a-10n. In some examples, each equipment controller 50a-50n may be connected to the one or more drilling equipment 10a-10n using at least one of: a wired network, a cellular network, a wireless local area network, LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, Zigbee, WFD, UWB, IrDA, NFC, PLC communication method, certified communication methods such as OPC, UA, or the like. Each equipment controller 50a-50n connected to the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n may be further connected to the process controller 20 using at least one of: Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, Zigbee, WFD, UWB, IrDA, NFC, or the like. By virtue of connecting all the equipment controllers 50a-50n to the process controller 20, a required communication exchange between the equipment controllers 50a-50n may be carried out via the process controller 20. Such a connection arrangement simplifies implementation of the drilling system 90, as additional communication links between the equipment controllers 50a-50n are not required. Thus, reducing total computational load on the equipment controllers 50a-50n.

The equipment controllers 50a-50n are adapted to control at least one operation of the at least one drilling equipment.

The equipment controller 50a-50n may also be adapted to collect the operational information associated with the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n. The operational information indicates the at least one operation of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n. In some examples, the equipment controller 50a-50n may collect the operational information associated with the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n using one or more sensors positioned on the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n. Examples of the sensors may include sensors for monitoring temperature, pressure or other characteristics of fluid in the well, weight on bit, WOB, rotational speed, RPM, at which mud pumps may be pumped or stopped operating, translational velocity and/or acceleration and/or vibration of the drilling string, or any other similar characteristics of a formation into which the well is being drilled.

The equipment controller 50a-50n may transmit the collected operational information and a status of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n to the process controller 20. In some examples, the status may indicate at least one of, but not limited to, “ready to run/operate”, “currently operating”, “finished operating”, “state” (for example, position, grip, open, closed, or the like), “operation aborted”, and so on.

In some examples, the equipment controller 50a-50n may comprise a drilling automation module being adapted to enhance controlling of the at least one operation of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n. The drilling automation module may determine an action which needs to be performed on the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n, when the at least one operation of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n deviates from at least one configured operation or when there is a change in a drilling/construction process of the well. In some examples, the drilling automation module may determine an action which needs to be performed on the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n based on the operational information and the one or more operational commands received from the process controller 20. Upon determining the action, the drilling automation module releases one or more action commands for the equipment controller 50a-50n to perform the determined action on the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n. In some examples, the action may include enabling the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n to perform the at least one configured operation. In some examples, the action may include operating the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n to bring about the desired change in the drilling process of the well. In some examples, the drilling automation module may enhance controlling of the at least one operation of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n by automating repetitive actions such as, but are not limited to, tripping in a stand, operating by reciprocation, carrying out a friction test, and so on.

The processor controller 20 referred herein is adapted to be connected to the plurality of equipment controllers 50a-50n for operating the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n.

For operating the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n, the process controller 20 identifies the operational information associated with the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n. In some examples, the process controller 20 may identify the operational information associated with the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n on receiving the operational information from the at least one equipment controller 50a-50n. The operational information can also be referred to as state matrix, state information, or the like, comprising one or more of: information related to a state/status of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n, information related to a behavior of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n, and information collected from the one or more sensors equipped on the drilling equipment 10a-10n. In some examples, the operational information may comprise a three-dimensional map of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n.

Upon identifying the operational information, the process controller 20 determines at least some of the operational information to be transmitted to the application module 88 over the wireless link provided by the communication network 30.

In some embodiments, for determining at least some of the operational information to be transmitted, the process controller 20 receives, from the network node 40, scheduling information related to radio resources available for transmission of the operational information. In some embodiments, the scheduling information comprises one or more of: a time interval between the radio resources available for transmission of the operational information, a data rate of each radio resource available for transmission of the operational information, radio resource allocation bandwidth for transmission of the operational information, a performance of the network node 40, and so on. In accordance with the received operational information, the process controller 20 determines at least some of the operational information to be transmitted to the application module 88.

In some embodiments, for determining at least some of the operational information to be transmitted, the process controller 20 requests the network node 40 for the radio resources required for transmission of the operational information. The process controller 20 receives the scheduling information related to the requested radio resources from the network node 40. The process controller 20 detects a temporal sampling rate of transmission of the operational information on the requested radio resources using the scheduling information. The process controller 20 determines whether the temporal sampling rate is higher than a pre-defined sampling rate. When it has been determined that the temporal sampling rate is lesser than the pre-defined sampling rate, the process controller 20 is operated to transmit the operational information on the requested radio resources. When it has been determined that the temporal sampling rate is higher than the pre-defined sampling rate, the process controller 20 may determine at least some of the operational information not to be transmitted, to be transmitted on other radio resources available for transmission of the operational information, or to be transmitted at a later time.

The process controller 20 transmits the determined at least some of the operational information to the application module 88.

In some embodiments, for transmitting the at least some of the operational information, the process controller 20 selects at least one transmission parameter from a set of transmission parameters associated with the at least some of the operational information, in accordance with the scheduling information. The processor controller 20 varies the selected at least one transmission parameter, while transmitting at least some of the operational information to the application module 88. In some examples, the transmission parameters may include, but are not limited to, a sampling rate associated with transmission of at least some of the operational information, a compression rate of at least some of the operational information, a delay associated with transmission of at least some of the operation information, and so on.

In some embodiments, for transmitting the at least some of the operational information, the process controller 20 prioritizes at least some of the operational information. In some examples, the process controller 20 prioritizes at least some of the operational information by transmitting a manual request to the application module 88 and receiving the priority for the operational information. In some examples, the process controller 20 prioritizes at least some of the operational information using an automatic priority rule. The priority rule may be set by the application module 88 or may be pre-determined and embedded into the process controller 20. The automatic priority rule may include information about assigning priority to the operational information. The process controller 20 transmits the prioritized at least some of the operational information to the application module 88.

In some embodiments, for transmitting the at least some of the operational information, the process controller 20 determines that a higher fidelity is required for the radio resources to transmit at least some of the operational information, using the scheduling information. The process controller 20 requests the network node 40 for providing the required higher fidelity for the radio resources to transmit at least some of the operational information.

Thus, the process controller 20 determines at least some of the operational information associated with the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n and transmits the determined at least some of the operational information to the application module 88, in accordance with the scheduling information related to the available radio resources for transmission. Thus, the radio resources may be efficiently used to transmit the operational information.

Consider an example scenario, wherein the process controller 20 determines the performance of the network node 40 from the scheduling information received from the network node 40. In such a scenario, the processor controller 20 transmits at least some of the operational information to the application module 88 by prioritizing at least some of the operational information and adjusting sampling rate of transmission of at least some of the operational information.

Consider another example scenario, wherein the process controller 20 determines the radio resource allocation bandwidth for transmission of the operational information from the scheduling information received from the network node 40. In such a scenario, the processor controller 20 transmits at least some of the operational information to the application module 88 by performing one or more of: prioritizing at least some of the operational information, adjusting (automatically) the compression rate of the operational information and/or the sampling rate of transmission of the operational information, configuring the delay for transmission of the operational information, and requesting the network node 40 for higher fidelity for the radio resources available for transmission. Therefore, prioritized operational information may be efficiently transmitted to the application module 88 when better bandwidth is allocated.

Consider another example scenario, wherein the process controller 20 deselects the requested radio resources for transmission and determines at least some of the operational information to be transmitted to the application module 88. In such a scenario, the process controller 20 transmits the operational information to the application module 88 by prioritizing transmission of the operational information on the radio resources with limited bandwidth. Also, while transmitting the operational information, the process controller 20 disables adjusting of the sampling rate of transmission of the operational information and adjusting of the compression rate of the operational information.

In response to transmitting at least some of the operational information to the application module 88, the process controller 20 receives the one or more operational commands from the application module 88 for operating the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n. The processor controller 20 operates the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n through the associated equipment controller 50a-50n based on the received one or more operational commands. The one or more operational commands are generated by the application module 88 based on the operational information. In some examples, the one or more operational commands may indicate at least one of: new settings for the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n, updated settings for updating the operation of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n in accordance with a change in the drilling process, a write command to write information related to the drilling process, and so on.

For operating the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n, the process controller 20 may evaluate whether the one or more operational commands received from the application module 88 indicate one or more abnormal settings for operating the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n.

When it has been evaluated that the one or more operational commands indicate one or more abnormal settings, the process controller 20 performs one or more of: generating a warning notification, operating the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n in a secure mode, and synchronizing with at least one other drilling rig to operate the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n in the secure mode. The warning notification may indicate that the one or more operational commands comprise the one or more abnormal settings for operating the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n. In some examples, the warning notification may also include at least one of: a comparison data (for example, graphical user interface, GUI, data), a metadata, or the like indicating comparison between the settings suggested in the one or more operational commands and settings pre-configured for the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n. The secure mode indicates a mode in which the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n may be operated manually (i.e., by the driller) or the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n may be operated according to the preconfigured/default settings. Therefore, any third party attack on the operations of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n may be prevented.

When it has been evaluated that the one or more operational commands do not indicate the one or more abnormal settings, the process controller 20 transmits/notifies the one or more operational commands (received from the application module 88) to the driller 77 (see Fig.7). In response to notifying, the process controller 20 may receive an input from the driller 77 within a pre-defined time period. In some examples, the input may indicate approval of the one or more operational commands. In some examples, the input may indicate rejection of the one or more operational commands. The process controller 20 operates the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n based at least partly on the input received from the driller. For example, if the process controller 20 receives the input from the driller 77 indicating the approval of the one or more operational commands, the process controller 20 operates the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n in accordance with the approved one or more operational commands. The process controller 20 may transmit the approved one or more operational commands to the respective equipment controller 50a-50n, which further operates the associated at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n in accordance with the approved one or more operational commands. If the process controller 20 receives the input from the driller 77 indicating the rejection of the one or more operational commands, the process controller 20 operates the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n in accordance with the pre-configured/default settings of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n or allow the driller 77 to operate the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n manually.

The application module 88 referred herein may be adapted to control the at least one operation of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n by providing the one or more operational commands and the well plan. The well plan may indicate one or more of: configured settings/operations of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n, steps of the drilling process, etc.

In some embodiments, for providing the one or more operational commands, the application module 88 obtains a digital twin based on the operational information/at least some of the operational information (associated with the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n) received from the process controller 20. The digital twin may be a physical representation (or a mathematical and/or numerical representation) of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n. In some examples, the application module 10a-10n may obtain the digital twin by obtaining the digital twin of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n from a manufacturer of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n. Once the digital twin is obtained, the application module 88 generates the one or more operational commands for operating the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n, based on the digital twin.

The application module 88 transmits the generated one or more operational commands to the process controller 20 over the wireless link provided by the communication network 30. In some embodiments, the application module 88 may also transmit the one or more operational commands to the process controller 20 by varying at least one transmission parameter associated with the one or more operational commands. In some examples, the at least one transmission parameter may comprise one or more of: a sampling rate of transmission of the one or more operational commands, a compression rate of the one or more operational commands, etc.

In some examples, the application module 88 transmits the one or more operational commands to the process controller 20 in push messages. In some examples, the application module 88 generates a visual alert on the user interface(s) 60a-c to indicate the one or more operational commands.

In some embodiments, the application module 88 may also be adapted to simulate the effects of the generated one or more operational commands according to the well plan. The simulation can be performed using the digital twin. From the simulation, the application module 88 determines whether the one or more operational commands are acceptable. When it has been determined that the one or more operational commands are acceptable, the application module 88 does not modify the well plan. When it has been determined that the one or more operational commands are not acceptable, the application module 88 modifies the well plan. A new simulation can be performed, and, if acceptable, a modified well plan may be transmitted to the process controller 20 for operating the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n.

In some embodiments, the application module 88 may also be adapted to detect an operating state of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n, based on the operational information received from the process controller 20. In some examples, the operating state indicate an idle state, a working state, or the like. If the detected operating state of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n indicates the idle state, the application module 88 transmits an indication to the driller 77 or the process controller 20 for deactivating the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n in the idle state. The application module 88 may further log an inactive time for the deactivated at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n. Thus, saving energy consumption.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating example method steps of a method 300 performed for exchanging communication between the process controller and the application module 88 using the communication network to operate the at least one drilling equipment. The drilling equipment is being connected to the at least one equipment controller of the drilling rig. The communication network is being adapted to provide the wireless link for the communication between the process controller and the application module.

At step 302, the method 300 comprises identifying operational information associated with the at least one drilling equipment. In some examples, the process controller may identify the operational information upon receiving the operational information and the status associated with the at least one drilling equipment from the at least one equipment controller. In some embodiments, the operational information comprises one or more of: information related to the state of the at least one drilling equipment, information related to the behavior of the at least one drilling equipment, and the information collected from the one or more sensors equipped on the at least one drilling equipment.

At step 304, the method 300 comprises determining at least some of the operational information to be transmitted from the process controller to the application module.

In some embodiments, the step 304 of determining at least some of the operational information to be transmitted comprises receiving the scheduling information related to the radio resources available for transmission from the network node and determining at least one some of the operational information to be transmitted in accordance with the scheduling information. In some examples, the scheduling information comprises one or more of: a time interval between the radio resources available for transmission of the operational information, a data rate of each radio resource available for transmission of the operational information, radio resource allocation bandwidth for transmission of the operational information, and a performance of the network node.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises selecting at least one transmission parameter from a set of transmission parameters associated with the at least some of the operational information, in accordance with the scheduling information. In some examples, the transmission parameters may comprise one or more of: a sampling rate associated with transmission of at least some of the operational information, a compression rate of at least some of the operational information; and a delay associated with transmission of at least some of the operational information. Upon selecting the at least one transmission parameter, the method comprises varying the selected at least one transmission parameter when at least some of the operational information is to be transmitted to the application module.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises prioritizing at least some of the operational information and transmitting the prioritized at least some of the operational information from the process controller to the application module.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining, using the scheduling information, that higher fidelity is required for the radio resources to transmit at least some of the operational information from the process controller to the application module. The method further comprises requesting the network node to provide the required higher fidelity for the radio resources to transmit at least some of the operational information.

Optionally, the step 304 of determining at least some part of the operational information to be transmitted may comprise requesting, the network node 40, for the radio resources to transmit the operational information. The method may comprise detecting a temporal sampling rate of transmission of the operational information using the requested radio resources. After detecting the temporal sampling rate, the method may comprise determining that the temporal sampling rate is higher than a pre-defined sampling rate. Upon determination that the temporal sampling rate is higher than the pre-defined sampling rate, the method may comprise deselecting the requested radio resources and determining at least some part of the operational information to be transmitted on other radio resources available for transmission of the operational information.

At step 306, the method 300 may comprise operating the at least one drilling equipment in accordance with one or more operational commands generated by the application module based on the operational information.

In some embodiments, the step 306 of operating the at least one drilling equipment may comprise evaluating whether the one or more operational commands received from the application module indicate one or more abnormal settings for operating the at least one drilling equipment. When it has been evaluated that the one or more operational commands do not indicate the one or more abnormal settings, the method may comprise operating the at least one drilling equipment in accordance with the one or more operational commands. When it has been evaluated that the one or more operational commands indicate the one or more abnormal settings, the method may comprise performing one or more of: generating a warning notification indicating that the one or more operational commands indicate one or more abnormal settings for operating the at least one drilling equipment, operating the at least one drilling equipment in a secure mode, and synchronizing with at least one other drilling rig to operate the at least one drilling equipment in the secure mode.

In some embodiments, the step of operating the at least one drilling equipment may comprise transmitting the one or more operational commands to a driller 77 and receiving, from the driller, an input indicating approval or rejection of the one or more operational commands within a pre-defined time period. The method may comprise operating the at least one drilling equipment based on the input received from the driller.

In some embodiments, the step of generating the one or more operational commands may comprise obtaining a digital twin representing the at least one drilling equipment of the drilling rig, based on the operational information. In some examples, the digital twin may be obtained by obtaining the digital twin of the at least one drilling equipment from a manufacturer of the at least one drilling equipment. The method may further comprise generating the one or more operational commands for operating the at least one drilling equipment based on the digital twin.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise simulating the one or more operational commands according to a well plan defined for operating the at least one drilling equipment. The method may comprise determining that the one or more operational commands are not valid from the simulation. Upon determination that the one or more operational commands are not valid, the method may comprise modifying the well plan to be transmitted from the application module to the process controller for operating the at least one drilling equipment.

Fig. 4 is a signaling diagram illustrating example signaling for operating the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n of the drilling rig. The drilling system comprises the drilling rig with the plurality of drilling equipment 10a-10n being adapted to construct at least one well and the application module 88 being adapted to control construction of the at least one well. The plurality of drilling equipment 10a-10n may be connected to the plurality of equipment controllers 50a-50n, each being connected to the process controller 20. The process controller 20 may be connected to the application module 88 over the data link provided by the communication network 30.

As depicted in Fig.4, the process controller 20 identifies (402) the operational information associated with the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n. In some examples, the operational information may comprise one or more of: information related to a state of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n, information related to a behavior of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n, and information collected from at least one sensor equipped on the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n.

Once the operational information is identified, the process controller 20 receives (403) scheduling information related to radio resources available for transmission of the operational information. In some examples, the scheduling information may comprise one or more of: a time interval between the radio resources available for transmission of the operational information, a data rate of each available radio resource for transmission of the operational information, radio resource allocation bandwidth for transmission of the operational information, and a performance of the network node.

The process controller 20 determines (404) at least some of the operational information to be transmitted to the application module 88 in accordance with the scheduling information. The process controller 20 transmits (404a) the determined at least some of the operational information to the application module 88. In some examples, the process controller 20 may transmit the at least some of the operational information to the application module 88 by selecting and varying at least one transmission parameter associated with at least some of the operational information. Examples of the transmission parameter may include, but are not limited to, a sampling rate associated with transmission of at least some of the operational information, a compression rate of at least some of the operational information, a delay associated with transmission of at least some of the operational information. In some examples, the process controller 20 may prioritize at least some of the operational information and transmits the prioritized at least some of the operational information to the application module 88. In some examples, the process controller 20 may request the network node 40 for higher fidelity for the radio resources to transmit at least some of the operational information.

On receiving the operational information, the application module 88 generates (405) the one or more operational commands for operating the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n. In some examples, the application module 88 obtains the digital twin representing the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n from the operational information. The application module 88 generates the one or more operational commands based on the digital twin. The application module 88 transmits (405a) the generated one or more operational commands to the process controller 20 for operating the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n. In some embodiments, the application module 88 may transmit the one or more operational commands to the process controller 20 in accordance with the scheduling information received from the network node 40 about the radio resources available for transmission (which is similar to transmission of the operational information from the process controller 20 to the application module 88.

Upon reception of the one or more operational commands, the process controller 20 operates (406) the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n. In some examples, for operating the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n, the process controller 20 transmits the one or more operational commands to the driller. The process controller 20 receives an input from the driller 77 indicating approval or rejection of the one or more operational commands. The process controller 20 operates the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n based on the input received from the driller. For example, if the process controller 20 receives the input from the driller 77 indicating the approval of the one or more operational commands, the process controller 20 operates the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n in accordance with the approved one or more operational commands. If the process controller 20 receives the input from the driller 77 indicating the rejection of the one or more operational commands, the process controller 20 operates the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n in accordance with the pre-configured/default settings of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n or allow the driller 77 to operate the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n manually.

Fig. 5 discloses an example illustration of exchanging communication between the drilling rig 80 and the application module to operate at least one drilling equipment of the drilling rig 80, while constructing a well.

The drilling rig 80 may comprise the plurality of drilling equipment, each being adapted to perform at least one drilling operation for construction of the well. In some examples, the plurality of drilling equipment 10a-10n may include, but are not limited to, draw works, mud pumps, pressure control equipment such as chokes or valves or blowout preventers, pipe handling equipment, iron roughnecks, separating equipment such as shakers or centrifuges, heave compensators, dynamic positioning systems, etc. Some of the exemplary drilling equipment and the related activities are depicted in Figs.6A, 6B, and 6C. As depicted in Fig.6A, a driller inside a driller’s cabin 87 can monitor and control the at least one operation of the at least one drilling equipment. Examples of drilling equipment is depicted in Figs 6B (mud pump 10b) and 6C (drilling machine (top drive) 10c and power tong (iron roughneck) 10a).

The drilling equipment may be connected to the process controller through an equipment controller 50a-n. The process controller may be in bi-directional communication with the one or more application modules of the external entity 89 over the communication network 30, which provides a wireless link for communication.

The process controller transmits the operational information associated with the at least one drilling equipment to the at least one application module of the external entity 89, in accordance with scheduling information related to radio resources available for transmission. The process controller may receive the scheduling information from the network node in the communication network.

Upon receiving the operational information, the at least one application module of the external entity 89 obtains the digital twin based on the operational information associated with the at least one drilling equipment. The digital twin may provide an electronic/digital representation of the at least one drilling equipment. The at least one application module 88 generates the one or more operational commands for operating the at least one drilling equipment of the drilling rig 80 based on the digital twin.

In some examples, the at least one application module transmits the one or more operational commands to the process controller 20 for operating the at least one drilling equipment of the drilling unit 95.

In some examples, the at least one application module transmits the one or more operational commands and/or the digital twin to at least one of, the driller 77 present in the driller cabin 87, an operator/user present in the service company office 79, a user/administrator present in the shore-based office (i.e., in a remote location), or the like. For example, a graphical representation of the digital twin provided to at least one of, the driller 77 present in the driller cabin, and the user/administrator present in the service company office 79 is depicted in Fig.7. Therefore, the at least one drilling equipment of the drilling rig 80 may be operated or supported from any location with high-level of safety.

Fig. 8 discloses example illustrations of providing an exemplary drilling application to different organizations for accessing information about operating of at least one drilling equipment of the drilling unit 95. In some embodiments, the application module provides a drilling application, which may be accessed by different organizations/companies to check at least some of information related to the drilling unit 95. In some examples, the organizations may include, but are not limited to, an oil company, a service company, a drill company, a logistics company, or the like. In some examples, the information related to the drilling unit 95 may include, but are not limited to, the operational information of the drilling unit 95 /drilling equipment of the drilling unit 95, the status of the drilling equipment of the drilling unit 95, a status of the drilling process, the well plan, the operational commands generated to operate the drilling equipment of the drilling unit 95 in accordance with the well plan, simulation results of the operational commands in accordance with the well plan, modified well plan, etc. Based on the accessed information related to the drilling unit 95, the organizations may determine at least one of, the status of construction of the well, the operations of the drilling unit 95, and so on and may provide feedback for operating the drilling unit 95. Thus, the drilling unit 95 may be operated efficiently, while maintaining high-level security.

Fig. 9 discloses example illustrations of monitoring and/or supporting the operation of at least one drilling unit 95a-c from a remote location. The drilling system 90 comprises the plurality of drilling units 95a-c and the one or more application modules 88 of the external entity 89. The plurality of drilling units 95a-c may be connected to the one or more application modules 88 over the data link provided by the communication network. Alternatively, the one or more application modules 88 may be in bi-directional communication with the plurality of drilling units 95a-c via an intermediate cloud storage.

Various personnel 75 may be present at the external entity 89, which may be an onshore entity. For example, geologists, simulation experts, operational (such as logistics) planning staff, equipment/machine experts, etc. may be present at the entity 89 and have access to view information from and/or provide input to the drilling unit(s) 95a-c. This may, for example, be done via an interface 60c and as described further below.

Each of the drilling units 95a-c comprises one or more drilling equipment 10a-10n to perform one or more operations for constructing a well. The one or more drilling equipment 10a-10n may be connected to the process controller 20 through the equipment controller(s) 50a-n. The process controller 20 may be adapted to operate the one or more drilling equipment 10a-10n.

The one or more application modules 88 may be a computer/computing device. Alternatively, the one or more application modules 88 may be an application implemented on the computer/computing device.

The operational information related to the drilling unit(s) 95a-c may be shared with the one or more application modules 88 over the data link. Further, an application programming interface, API may be used, which enables an application being executed on the one or more drilling units 95a-c / process controllers 20 of the drilling units 95a-c to transmit the operational information to the one or more application modules 88.

The one or more application modules 88 may generate the one or more operational commands or operational settings for operating the drilling unit(s) 95a-c based on the operational information. The one or more application modules 88 may also provide the drilling application, which may include at least one of: tasks/operations being performed by the plurality of drilling equipment 10a-10n, data insights, analytics, dashboards indicating the current operations of the plurality of drilling equipment 10a-10n, etc. Thus, the organizations/entities who access the drilling application may gain knowledge of complete operation of the drilling unit(s) 95a-c.

Fig. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating various components of an exemplary drilling system for operating a drilling unit. As depicted in Fig.10, the drilling system comprises one or more smart adapters 1002, one or more smart managers 1004, one or more programmable logic controllers, PLC, 1006, an access controller 1008, an operation controller 1010, a connection controller 1012, a write approver 1014, a data hub 1016, a rig logger 1018, a user interface 1020, and a digi-twin simulator 1024. The above-said components may be executed on the process controller of the drilling unit 95 and/or the application module 88.

The access controller 1008 may be connected to the at least one SM 1004, the at least one PLC 1006, a third party module, and a drill view module. In some examples, the access controller 1008 may be connected to the SM 1004 and the PLC using a user datagram protocol, UDP. In some examples, the access controller 1008 may be connected to the SM using an Open Platform Communications United Architecture, OPC UA protocol. In some examples, the access controller may be connected to the drill view module using a S7 protocol.

The access controller 1008 may be adapted to transmit function, limits to PLCs 1006, and transmit information to the at least one SM 1004, an edge module, and a lead module. The access controller 1008 may also be adapted to perform access control of the PLCs 1006 and the SM 1004. The access controller 1008 may be adapted to facilitate start and stop of the SM 1004 from the lead module, the third party module, and the SA 1002.

The connection controller 1012 may be adapted to connect all the equipment controllers/drilling equipment locally at the drilling unit for automation. Also, the connection controller 1012 may be adapted to connect the drilling unit to the cloud 93 for analytics, information sharing, and collecting an input from the application module. In some examples, the input may include at least one of: the operational commands for operating the drilling unit, the well plan, and so on.

The operation controller 1010 may be adapted to orchestrate drilling of well sections. The operation controller 1010 uses automatic functions (if available) and guide the driller 77 for manually arranging drilling of well sections.

In some examples, the operation controller 1010 may also be adapted to collect the operational data of the drilling unit from the sensors (for example, vibration sensors, shock sensors, or the like) equipped on the drilling unit and transmit the operational data to the application module. In some examples, transmitting the operational data includes at least one of: transmitting raw data collected from the sensors, transmitting processed raw data, transmitting information integrated with third party condition measurements and calculations, or the like.

In some examples, the operation controller 1010 may store the operational commands received for operating the drilling unit in containers. The operational controller 1010 may also store metadata associated with the operational commands. In some examples, the metadata may include at least one of, units, location, fault codes, max/min and max rate of change of values related to operations of the drilling unit.

In some examples, the operation controller 1010 may allow the different organizations to access the information related to the drilling unit (for example, the current operations of the drilling unit, historical information related to the drilling unit, or the like) based on subscription availed by the organizations. For example, the operation controller 1010 may report access/use of the information related to the drilling unit by the organizations, charge by the hour of access of the information, and subscribe to the information at a cost.

In some examples, the operation controller 1010 may comprise automatic feature matching/information model. The automatic feature matching/information model may allow the driller/operator 77 for querying at least one of: available features of the drilling equipment of the drilling unit, a version of the information related to the drilling unit, information related to capabilities of the drilling equipment of the drilling unit, and so on.

In some examples, the operation controller 1010 may include a rollback possibility function, which enables the drilling unit 95 / process controller 20 to go back to the last/previous good settings for controlling the operations of the drilling equipment.

The rig logger 1018 may be adapted to maintain at least one of: an event of operations of the drilling unit, time series data related to the operations of the drilling unit, the operational information, tally, structured data, alarm for occurrence of the event, SNMP/diagnostic data, or the like.

The data hub 1016 may store a drill view or information about the drilling unit. The data hub 1016 may provide the drill view or the information about the drilling unit to an administrator present in the service company office 79 located at an onshore of the drilling unit. In some examples, the drill view may be a synchronized threedimensional view. In some examples, one or more operations such as, but are not limited to, reply. Pause, stop, fast forward, or the like, may be performed on the drill view. In some examples, an onshore-button may be provided along with the drill view to the administrator, which may be used for transmission of time frame of raw data related to the operations of the drilling unit to the application module or the cloud 93.

The write approver 1014 may be adapted to allow the driller/administrator/user to access (read, write, query, or the like) the operational commands/operational information based on defined user roles. The write approver 1014 may also be adapted to provide the following functions:

− manage data ownership function: the write approver 1014 provides multi data owner- share access to the driller/administrator/user based on owner rights and share access to only administrator data that the driller/administrator/user owns; − change owner function: for example changing from previous to new oil company, or new service provider;

− security function: the write approver 1014 encrypts the operational commands/operational information, IDS (detecting suspicious activities and generating alerts), authentication, and Open Web Application Security Project, OWASP, for producing freely-available articles, methodologies, documentation, tools, and technologies in the field of web application security;

− write approval function: the write approver 1014 enables separation of automation/operational commands from the information/analytics based on write approval required from the connection controller 1012 to the access controller 1008; − approval of offshore operational command function: the write approver 1014 logs who approved the operational commands received from the application module, and what values/settings of the drilling unit are approved. The write approver 1014 also logs denials of the operational commands and what values/settings of the drilling rig are denied. The write approver 1014 also logs the approval matrix/operational information and logs who approved the approval matrix;

− notification onshore function; the write approver 1014 generates a notification once the operational commands are denied, approved or no response is provided; − writing function: the write approver 1014 writes the operational information/operational commands to a secure data area. The operational information/operational commands from the secure data area may be accessed by human approval.

The cloud 93 being connected to the drilling unit and the application module may be adapted to collect the operational information and the operational commands.

The cloud 93 may comprise an authentication module, an analytics module, and a supervision module. The authentication module may be adapted to authenticate the operational information, the operational commands, and so on. The analytics module may be adapted to generate data analytics based on the operational information, and the operational commands and to provide the data analytics to at least one entity. In some examples, the at least one entity may include one or more of: the process controller of the drilling unit, the driller/operator 77, and the application module. The supervision module may be adapted to supervise the information/commands stored in the cloud 93. In some examples, the supervision module may comprise a wellMaster™ module. It should be noted that the wellMaster™ module may exist as an independent module also. The wellMaster™ module provides adapters for connecting to different well plans. The wellMaster™ module edits the well plan at the drilling unit and enables the drilling rig to adapt to the edited well plan.

Any appropriate steps, methods, features, functions, or benefits disclosed herein may be performed through one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual apparatuses. Each virtual apparatus may comprise a number of these functional units. These functional units may be implemented via processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessor or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include digital signal processors, DSPs, specialpurpose digital logic, and the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory, RAM, cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc. Program code stored in memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and/or data communications protocols as well as instructions for carrying out one or more of the techniques described herein. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause the respective functional unit to perform corresponding functions according one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 12 illustrates an example computing environment 1400 implementing a method and the drilling system, as described in Fig.3. As depicted in Fig.12, the computing environment 1400 comprises at least one data processing module 1406 that is equipped with a control module 1402 and an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) 1404, a plurality of networking devices 1408 and a plurality Input output, I/O devices 1410, a memory 1412, a storage 1414. The data processing module 1406 may be responsible for implementing the method described in Fig.3. For example, the data processing module 1406 may in some embodiments be equivalent to the processor of the process controller/application module described above in conjunction with the Fig. 2. The data processing module 1406 is capable of executing software instructions stored in memory 1412. The data processing module 1206 receives commands from the control module 1402 in order to perform its processing. Further, any logical and arithmetic operations involved in the execution of the instructions are computed with the help of the ALU 1404.

The computer program is loadable into the data processing module 1406, which may, for example, be comprised in an electronic apparatus (such as a control system comprising a process controller, and application module). When loaded into the data processing module 1406, the computer program may be stored in the memory 1412 associated with or comprised in the data processing module 1406. According to some embodiments, the computer program may, when loaded into and run by the data processing module 1406, cause execution of method steps according to, for example, any of the method illustrated in Fig.3 or otherwise described herein.

The overall computing environment 1400 may be composed of multiple homogeneous and/or heterogeneous cores, multiple CPUs of different kinds, special media and other accelerators. Further, the plurality of data processing modules 1406 may be located on a single chip or over multiple chips.

The algorithm comprising of instructions and codes required for the implementation are stored in either the memory 1412 or the storage 1414 or both. At the time of execution, the instructions may be fetched from the corresponding memory 1412 and/or storage 1414, and executed by the data processing module 1406.

In case of any hardware implementations various networking devices 1408 or external I/O devices 1410 may be connected to the computing environment to support the implementation through the networking devices 1408 and the I/O devices 1410.

The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the elements. The elements shown in Fig.12 include blocks which can be at least one of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device and software module.

Further inventive aspects and embodiments are outlined in the following numbered clauses:

A1. A drilling system (90) comprising:

a drilling unit (95) comprising a plurality of drilling equipment (10a-10n) being adapted to construct at least one well; and

a communication network (30) being adapted to provide a data link (91, 92) for communication between the drilling unit (95) and an application module (88) being adapted to control construction of the at least one well, wherein the drilling unit (95) comprises:

a plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n), each being adapted to control at least one operation of at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n); and

a process controller (20) connected to the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n) and adapted for:

identifying operational information associated with the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n);

determining at least some of the operational information to be transmitted to the application module (88) via the data link (91, 92); and operating the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) in accordance with one or more operational commands received from the application module (88) via the data link (91, 92), wherein the one or more operational commands are generated based on the operational information.

A2. The drilling system (90) according to any preceding clause, wherein the data link is a wireless data link.

A3. The drilling system (90) according to any preceding clause, wherein the process controller (20) is adapted to determine at least some of the operational information to be transmitted by:

receiving, from a network node (40) in the communication network (30), scheduling information related to radio resources available for transmission of the operational information via the data link (91, 92); and determining at least some of the operational information to be transmitted in accordance with the scheduling information.

A4. The drilling system (90) according to any preceding clause, wherein the scheduling information comprises one or more of:

a time interval between the radio resources available for transmission of the operational information;

a data rate of each radio resource available for transmission of the operational information;

radio resource allocation bandwidth for transmission of the operational information; or

a performance of the network node (40).

A5. The drilling system (90) according to any preceding clause, wherein the process controller (20) is further adapted for:

selecting at least one transmission parameter from a set of transmission parameters associated with the at least some of the operational information, in accordance with the scheduling information; and

varying the selected at least one transmission parameter when at least some of the operational information is to be transmitted to the application module (88).

A6. The drilling system (90) according to any preceding clause, wherein the at least one transmission parameter comprises one or more of:

a sampling rate associated with transmission of at least some of the operational information;

a compression rate of at least some of the operational information; and

a delay associated with transmission of at least some of the operational information.

A7. The drilling system (90) according to any preceding clause, wherein the process controller (20) is further adapted for:

prioritizing at least some of the operational information; and transmitting the prioritized at least some of the operational information to the application module (88).

A8. The drilling system (90) according to any preceding clause, wherein the process controller (20) is adapted for prioritizing at least some of the operational information based on a signal from the application module (88).

A9. The drilling system (90) according to any preceding clause, wherein the process controller (20) is further adapted for:

determining, using the scheduling information, that higher fidelity is required for the radio resources to transmit at least some of the operational information; and

requesting the network node (40) to provide the required higher fidelity for the radio resources to transmit at least some of the operational information.

A10. The drilling system (90) according to any preceding clause, wherein the process controller (20) is adapted to determine at least some of the operational information to be transmitted by:

requesting the network node (40) for the radio resources to transmit the operational information;

detecting a temporal sampling rate of transmission of the operational information using the requested radio resources;

determining that the temporal sampling rate is higher than a predefined sampling rate;

upon determination that the temporal sampling rate is higher than the pre-defined sampling rate, deselecting the requested radio resources; and determining at least some of the operational information to be transmitted on other radio resources available for transmission of the operational information.

A11. The drilling system (90) according to any preceding clause, wherein the operational information associated with the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) comprises one or more of:

information related to a state of the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n);

information related to a behaviour of the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n); and

information collected from at least one sensor equipped on the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n).

A12. The drilling system (90) according to any preceding clause, wherein the process controller (20) is adapted to operate the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) by:

evaluating whether the one or more operational commands received from the application module (88) indicate one or more abnormal settings for operating the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n); and

when it has been evaluated that the one or more operational commands do not indicate the one or more abnormal settings, operating the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) in accordance with the one or more operational commands.

A13. The drilling system (90) according to any preceding clause, wherein when it has been evaluated that the one or more operational commands indicate the one or more abnormal settings, the process controller (20) is further adapted for performing one or more of:

generating a warning notification indicating that the one or more operational commands indicate the one or more abnormal settings for operating the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n);

operating the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) in a secure mode; and

synchronizing with at least one other drilling rig to operate the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) in the secure mode.

A14. The drilling system (90) according to any preceding clause, wherein the process controller (20) is adapted to operate the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) in accordance with the one or more operational commands by:

transmitting the one or more operational commands to a driller (77); receiving, from the driller (77), an input indicating approval or rejection of the one or more operational commands within a pre-defined time period; and

operating the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) based on the input received from the driller.

A15. The drilling system (90) according to any preceding clause, wherein the application module (88) is adapted to generate the one or more operational commands by:

obtaining a digital twin representing the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) of the drilling rig (80), based on at least some of the operational information; and

generating the one or more operational commands for operating the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) based on the digital twin.

A16. The drilling system (90) according to any preceding clause, wherein the application module (88) is adapted to obtain the digital twin by:

obtaining the digital twin of the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) from a manufacturer of the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n).

A17. The drilling system (90) according to any preceding clause, wherein the application module (88) is further adapted for:

simulating the one or more operational commands according to a well plan defined for operating the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n);

determining that the one or more operational commands are not valid from the simulation; and

modifying the well plan to be transmitted to the process controller (20) for operating the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n), based on the determination.

A18. A method (300) for exchanging communication between a process controller (20) and an application module (88) using a communication network (30) to operate at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n), the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) being connected to at least one equipment controller (50a-50n) of a drilling unit (95), the communication network (30) being adapted to provide a data link (91, 92), such as a wireless data link, for communication between the process controller (20) and the application module (88), the method comprising:

identifying (302, 402) operational information associated with the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n);

determining (304, 404) at least some of the operational information to be transmitted from the process controller (20) to the application module (88) over the data link (91, 92); and

operating (306, 406) the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) in accordance with one or more operational commands generated by the application module (88) based on the operational information.

A19. The method (300) according any preceding clause, wherein the step (304) of determining at least some of the operational information to be transmitted from the process controller (20) to the application module comprises:

receiving, from a network node (40) in the communication network (30), scheduling information related to radio resources available for transmission of the operational information; and

determining at least some of the operational information to be transmitted in accordance with the scheduling information.

A20. The method (300) according to any preceding clause, wherein the scheduling information comprises one or more of:

a time interval between the radio resources;

a data rate of each of the radio resources; and

radio resource allocation bandwidth for transmission of the operational information.

A21. The method (300) according to any preceding clause, further

comprising:

A22. The method (300) according to any preceding clause, wherein the at least one transmission parameter comprises one or more of:

a compression rate of at least some of the operational information; and

A23. The method (300) according to any preceding clause, further comprising:

prioritizing at least some of the operational information; and transmitting the prioritized at least some of the operational information from the process controller (20) to the application module (88).

A24. The method (300) according to any preceding clause, further comprising:

determining, using the scheduling information, that higher fidelity is required for the radio resources to transmit at least some of the operational information from the process controller (20) to the application module (88); and

A25. The method (300) according to any preceding clause, wherein the step of determining at least some part of the operational information to be transmitted comprises:

requesting, the network node (40), for the radio resources to transmit the operational information;

upon determination that the temporal sampling rate is higher than the pre-defined sampling rate, deselecting the requested radio resources; and determining at least some part of the operational information to be transmitted on other radio resources available for transmission of the operational information.

A26. The method (300) according to any preceding clause, wherein the operational information associated with the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) comprises one or more of:

A27. The method (300) according to any preceding clause, wherein the step (306) of operating the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) comprises:

A28. The method (300) according to any preceding clause, wherein when it has been evaluated that the one or more operational commands indicate the one or more abnormal settings, the method (300) comprises performing one or more of:

generating a warning notification indicating that the one or more operational commands indicate one or more abnormal settings for operating the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n);

operating the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) in a secure mode; and

synchronizing with at least one other drilling unit (95) to operate the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) in the secure mode.

A29. The method (300) according to any preceding clause, wherein the step of operating the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) comprises: transmitting the one or more operational commands to a driller; receiving, from the driller, an input indicating approval or rejection of the one or more operational commands within a pre-defined time period; and operating the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) based on the input received from the driller.

A30. The method (300) according to any preceding clause, wherein the step of generating the one or more operational commands comprises:

obtaining a digital twin representing the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) of the drilling unit (95), based on the operational information; and generating the one or more operational commands for operating the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) based on the digital twin.

A31. The method (300) according to any preceding clause, wherein the step of obtaining the digital twin comprises:

A32. The method (300) according to any preceding clause, further comprising:

simulating the one or more operational commands according to a well plan defined for operating the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n); determining that the one or more operational commands are not valid from the simulation; and

modifying the well plan to be transmitted from the application module (88) to the process controller (20) for operating the at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n), based on the determination.

A33. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium, having thereon a computer program comprising program instructions. The computer program is loadable into a data processing unit and configured to cause execution of the method according to any preceding clause when the computer program is run by the data processing unit.

In other examples, which may be used individually or in conjunction with those described above, the drilling system 90 comprises a plurality of application modules 88a-e, as illustrated schematically in Fig.8. Each application module 88a-e can be operatively connected to the process controller 20 via a communication network 30, as illustrated in Fig.2. The communication network 30 may be wired or wireless, for example a wireless connection to a shore-based entity 89 as described above, and/or a wired connection 78 as illustrated in Fig.7. The wired connection 78 may for example be used if the service company office 79 is located on the drilling unit 95 and can connect to a local data communications network to which the process controller 20 is also operatively connected.

Application modules 88a-e can, for example, be application modules operated by an oil company having commissioned the construction of the well; a technology or service company providing technical assistance in one or more aspects related to the well construction; a drilling company responsible for the operation of the drilling system 90; a logistics company responsible for the supply of components or materials for the construction of the well; and/or an equipment or plant supplier such as manufacturer(s) of the drilling equipment 10a-n.

The drilling system 90 comprises a plurality of drilling equipment 10a-10n, such as a drilling machine 10c, one or more mud pumps 10b and a power tong 10a, being adapted to construct at least one well. Each equipment 10a-n is operatively connected to an equipment controller 50a-50n adapted to control at least one operation of at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n. The equipment controller 50a-n can, for example, be PLC controllers.

A process controller 20 is operatively connected to the equipment controllers 50a-50n and configured for managing and sending operating instructions to the equipment controllers 50a-50n. The operating instructions may, for example, be operational commands from the driller 77 provided via an input apparatus 60d (see Fig. 7), such as a joystick, keyboard, panel or touchscreen.

A communication network 30, illustrated schematically in Fig.8, is arranged to provide a data link for communication between the process controller 20 and a plurality of application modules 88,88a-e. The application modules 88,88a-e may be application modules located locally on the drilling unit 95, and/or application modules located remotely, such as at a shoreside location (see e.g. Fig.1a and 1c).

Each of the plurality of application modules 88,88a-e is adapted to provide operational instructions to a driller 77 and/or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers 50a-50n. The operational instructions may, for example, be a recommendation provided to the driller 77 for suitable operational settings in a given operational scenario. In such an example, an application module 88a-e comprising for example a well or reservoir simulation model can be used to continuously provide setpoint recommendations for relevant operational parameters, such as weight-on-bit, standpipe pressure, circulation rate, etc., for optimal operation of the drilling plant. The user interface 60a located in a driller cabin 87 can be operatively connected to the process controller 20 and configured to permit the application modules 88,88a-e to provide operational instructions to the driller 77 via the user interface 60a. Alternatively, or additionally, the application modules 88,88a-e can provide direct operational instructions to the equipment controllers 50a-n via the process controller 20. In this manner, an application module 88,88a-e may, for example, execute a sequence of actions. The provision of direct operational instructions from an application module 88,88a-e can be made conditional on an approval by the driller 77, for example by requiring an action via an input apparatus to approve the start thereof and/or repeated approval of sequential steps in a sequence initiated by an application module 88,88a-e.

In any of the embodiments here, each of the plurality of application modules 88,88ae may be connected to the process controller 20 and arranged to continuously receive live operational data from the drilling system 90 via the communication network 30, hereunder for example actual operational parameters for equipment 10a-n and measured operational parameters which are external to the drilling system 90, such as measured downhole conditions.

The process controller 20 may be configured to determine or receive a state indicator determined on the basis of a plurality of operational parameters of the drilling system 90 and/or the well, such that the state indicator represents an operational state of the drilling system 90. The state indicator may be determined in real time, or it may for example be determined based on a set of historical operational data, such as data collected over a period of a few minutes back in time. An example of various ways to calculate a state indicator is described in abovementioned GB 2545088 B. The state indicator may, optionally, be a manually inputted value, for example by the driller 77.

The state indicator is indicative of an operational state of the drilling system 90. In particular, the state indicator is indicative of which type of operation or activity is being carried out at a given time. In any of the embodiments described here, the state indicator may comprise at least the possible states (i) drilling and (ii) tripping. The states may, for example, comprise: (i) drilling, (ii) drilling connection, (iii) trip in and (iv) trip out. A set of equipment 10a-n (such as machines) may be active in a given state, while some other equipment 10a-n may be idle in the same state.

Further states, and thereby more granularity, may be included, such as one or more of: reaming, back reaming, trip in singles, trip out singles, run casing, cementing, mud pump ramp-up, reciprocation, friction test, or other activities which may be indicative of an operational state of the drilling unit 95. (See e.g. the abovementioned WO 2018/203753 A1.)

The state indicator can be determined based on, for example, the instantaneous operational state or activity of equipment 10a-n, and at least partly on the basis of a measured operational parameter which is external to the drilling system 90, for example measured parameters downhole or at the drilling unit 95. The state indicator may also be determined based at least partly on a weather impact acting on a floating drilling unit 95 forming part of the drilling system 90. The weather impact may, for example, comprise (projected, calculated or measured) wind and/or wave load(s). In this manner, the state indicator may convey information relating to, for example, the dynamic movement of the drilling unit 95, the risk of drift-off, etc.

Such information may be used by the process controller 20 and/or the application module(s) 88,88a-e for example to provide recommended or automatically employed operational settings, safety limits, etc. If, for example, the drilling unit 95 is subjected to large heave motion, safety limits may be tightened or increased manual attention from the driller 77 may be required, in that a higher risk of, for example, formation damage may be present.

The process controller 20 can be configured to select, based on the state indicator, which application module 88,88a-e among the plurality of application modules 88,88a-e to provide operational instructions to the driller 77 and/or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers 50a-50n.

If the state indicator includes weather impact information, the process controller 20 may use the state indicator including such weather impact information to select application modules 88,88a-e which are more suitable for the conditions at hand or which are known to provide better operational assistance under such conditions. This can, for example, be an application module 88,88a-e which includes additional models to take into account effects of vessel heave motion or which has built-in additional safety functionality.

The process controller 20 may be configured to automatically activate one or more selected application module(s) 88,88a-e to provide operational instructions to the driller 77 and/or to automatically provide operational instructions to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers 50a-50n and to prevent other application modules 88,88a-e among the plurality of application modules 88,88a-e from providing operational instructions to the driller 77 and/or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers 50a-50n. Such automatic activation may, for example, be based on the state indicator. For example, the process controller 20 may be configured to automatically provide operational suggestions or advice for a given operation (e.g. drilling) when the state changes.

Optionally, the process controller 20 can be configured to display on the user interface 60a relevant information relating to the activation or de-activation of an application module 88,88a-e for providing operational instructions to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers 50a-50n, i.e. for an application module 88,88ae to take control of parts of the drilling system 95 operation, and to receive an input from a driller 77 indicative of an approval or a rejection of the instruction to activate or de-activate the application module 88,88a-e. In this manner, an application module 88,88a-e which is capable of supporting the operation for example by carrying out tasks or sequences of tasks using the equipment 10a-e may be suggested to the driller 77, however where the driller 77 is required to actively approve and give control to application module 88,88a-e in question before the process controller 20 gives the application module 88,88a-e access to instruct any equipment controller 50a-e.

The application module(s) 88,88a-e can be configured to automatically propose their activation or de-activation to the driller 77. For example, an application module 88,88a-e may, based on the state indicator, identify that it can provide assistance to the driller 77 for the operation currently being carried out, and based on this propose activation of the application module 88,88a-e. (Or propose de-activation if this is no longer the case.) The application module 88,88a-e may then automatically provide this information to the process controller 20. The process controller 20 may, in response to receiving such a proposal, display this information to the driller 77 via the user interface 60a and request/receive input from the driller 77 with a approval or a rejection of the proposal. In this manner, the final decision as to whether assistance from the application module 88,88a-e should be activated, and particularly whether an application module 88,88a-e should be permitted access to equipment controllers 50a-e, lies with the driller 77.

In this manner, an application module 88,88a-e can provide assistance to the driller 77, for example by providing relevant information and/or being permitted to take over control over individual equipment or sets of equipment and automatically control operations. The latter may, for example, be beneficial in the event that repeated sequences are being carried out, such as a tripping sequence. The proposed application module 88,88a-e can, for example, comprise a catalogue of templates, where each template comprises instructions to execute an automated series of instructions to the equipment controllers 10a-n. The application module 88,88a-e may then be proposed to the driller 77 along with information that there is a template available for the operation in question.

Alternatively to such automatic proposal for activation or de-activation by the application modules 88,88a-e, a person 76 other than the driller 77, may identify that an application module 88,88a-e can assist the driller 77 for a given operation, and propose the use of the application module 88,88a-e, which may be approved or rejected by the driller 77. This may, for example, be an application module 88,88a-e which provides assistance in relation to optimal operational parameters which can be used (e.g. weight-on-bit, target rate-of-penetration, circulation fluid rates/pressures, etc.) when drilling through a given section of the reservoir. In another example, a high-risk state may be identified, in which additional assistance to the driller 77 is identified to be potentially beneficial. The person 76, e.g. a service company expert or a shore-based geologist, may for example base such a suggestion on knowledge of the formation, experience from other, comparable wells, and/or based on received historic operational data from the same well which is used to continuously update such recommendations from the person 76.

The information relating to the activation or de-activation of an application module 88,88a-e may advantageously in such a case comprise information indicative of an identity (e.g. the specific name of the person) and/or a role (e.g. their technical role, hierarchical level, or company affiliation) of the person 76 which has suggested the use of the application module 88,88a-e. This information can be presented to the driller 77 together with the proposal to activate the application module 88,88a-e. In this manner, the driller 77 can base a decision on whether to accept or reject the proposal also on the source of the proposal.

The process controller 20 may, additionally or alternatively, be configured to automatically activate a selected application module 88,88a-e based on a well plan. This can also be done in conjunction with the state indicator. The well plan may, for example, include information relating to sections of the wellbore 86 which have particular requirements, and for which the process controller 20 may activate one or more application modules 88,88a-e for operational assistance.

In some cases, the drilling system 90 may comprise more than one application module 88,88a-e which can carry out the same task. For example, more than one application module 88,88a-e may be capable of providing operational recommendations to the driller 77 based on reservoir and/or well simulation models. In such a case, the process controller 20 can be configured to display, on the user interface 60a, a selection of application modules 88,88a-e which are capable of carrying out the task in question, and request/receive an input from the driller 77 via the input apparatus 60d indicative of a manual selection by the driller 77 of which application module 88,88a-e is to be used. In response, the process controller 20 may activate the selected application module 88,88a-e to provide operational instructions to the driller 77 and/or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers 50a-50n.

The process controller 20 can in such cases further display, on the user interface 60a, the two or more application modules 88,88a-e suitable for carrying out the task at hand for selection by the driller 77, together with a recommendation for which one to use. The recommendation can be generated by the process controller 20 or provided to the process controller 20 based on the state indicator, for example such that the application module 88,88a-e expected to provide the best performance based on the current state of the drilling system 90 is recommended to the driller 77.

B1. A drilling system (90) comprising:

a plurality of drilling equipment (10a-10n) being adapted to construct at least one well;

a plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n), each being adapted to control at least one operation of at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n); a process controller (20) operatively connected to the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n) and configured for managing and sending operating instructions to the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n); a communication network (30) arranged to provide a data link for communication between the process controller (20) and a plurality of application modules (88,88a-e), each of the plurality of application modules (88,88a-e) being adapted to provide operational instructions to a driller (77) and/or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n). B2. The drilling system of any preceding clause, further comprising a user interface (60a) located in a driller cabin (87) and operatively connected to the process controller (20), and the process controller (20) is configured to permit the plurality of application modules (88,88a-e) to provide operational instructions to the driller (77) via the user interface (60a).

B3. The drilling system of any preceding clause, wherein the process controller (20) is configured to determine or receive a state indicator, the state indicator being determined on the basis of a plurality of operational parameters of the drilling system (90) and/or the well and representative of an operational state of the drilling system (90),

and wherein the process controller (20) is configured to select which application module (88,88a-e) among the plurality of application modules (88,88a-e) to provide operational instructions to the driller (77) and/or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n) based at least partly on the state indicator.

B4. The drilling system of any preceding clause, wherein the process controller (20) is configured to automatically activate the selected application module (88,88a-e) to provide operational instructions to the driller (77) and/or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n) and to prevent other application modules (88,88a-e) among the plurality of application modules (88,88a-e) from providing operational instructions to the driller (77) and/or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n). B5. The drilling system of any preceding clause, wherein the process controller (20) is configured to automatically activate the selected application module (88,88a-e) based on a well plan.

B6. The drilling system of any preceding clause, wherein the state indicator is determined at least partly on the basis of a measured operational parameter which is external to the drilling system (90).

B7. The drilling system of any preceding clause, wherein the state indicator is determined at least partly on the basis of:

a measured condition in a wellbore (86) of the well, or

a weather impact acting on a floating drilling unit (95) forming part of the drilling system (90).

B8. The drilling system of any preceding clause, wherein the process controller (20) is configured to:

- display on a user interface (60a) a selection of at least two application modules (88,88a-e) among the plurality of application modules (88,88ae),

- receive an input from a driller (77) via an input apparatus (60d) indicative of a manual selection by the driller (77) of one of the at least two application modules (88,88a-e),

- upon receiving the input, activate the selected application module (88,88a-e) to provide operational instructions to the driller (77) and/or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n).

B9. The drilling system of any preceding clause, wherein the process controller (20) is configured to display on the user interface (60a) a selection of at least two application modules (88,88a-e) among the plurality of application modules (88,88a-e) together with a recommendation, the recommendation being generated by the process controller (20) or provided to the process controller (20) based on the state indicator.

B10. The drilling system of any preceding clause, wherein the process controller (20) is configured to:

- display on a user interface (60a) information relating to a proposed activation or de-activation of an application module (88,88a-e) for providing operational instructions to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-n),

- receive an input from a driller (77) via an input apparatus (60d) indicative of an approval or a rejection of the proposed activation or de-activation of the application module (88,88a-e),

- activate or de-activate the second application module (88,88a-e) if approved by the driller (77).

B11. The drilling system of any preceding clause, wherein

at least one application module (88,88a-e) is configured to, based on the state indicator, automatically provide to the process controller (20) information relating to a proposed activation or de-activation of the application module (88,88a-e) for providing operational instructions to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-n), and

the process controller (20) is configured to (i) automatically display on the user interface (60a) the information relating to the proposed activation or de-activation of the application module (88,88a-e) received from the application module (88,88a-e), and (ii) receive the input from a driller (77) via the input apparatus (60d) indicative of the approval or a rejection of the proposed activation or de-activation of the application module (88,88a-e). B12. The drilling system of any preceding clause, wherein the proposed application module (88,88a-e) comprises a catalogue of templates, each template comprising instructions to execute a series of instructions to the equipment controllers (10a-n).

B13. The drilling system of any preceding clause, wherein the information relating to the activation or de-activation of an application module (88,88a-e) comprises information indicative of an identity and/or a role of a person (76) which has suggested the activation or de-activation of an application module (88,88a-e).

B14. The drilling system of any preceding clause, wherein each of the plurality of application modules (88,88a-e) is connected to the process controller (20) and arranged to continuously receive live operational data via the communication network (30).

In other examples, there is provided a method of operating a drilling system 90 comprising an offshore drilling unit 95 having a drilling rig 80 and a plurality of drilling equipment 10a-n arranged thereon, where the drilling rig 80 and drilling equipment 10a-n form a drilling plant operatively arranged to construct the at least one well. The drilling equipment 10a-n may, for example, be one or more of a drawworks, a top drive, an iron roughneck, slips, pipe handling equipment, pressure control equipment (such as managed pressure drilling control and chokes), and sensor systems.

The method comprises receiving imported data from one or more data sources, where the imported data is representative of the drilling plant. The data may, for example, comprise data relating to the constructional features, design, operational capacities, power consumption, dynamic characteristics, or other features relating to the drilling plant. Advantageously, the data comprises a granular representation of each of the plurality of drilling equipment 10a-n, along with their operational configurations and interconnections.

The method further comprises generating a digital twin model of the drilling plant on a shore-based application module 88 (see Fig.1C) based on the imported data. The shore-based application module 88 may be an application module run on a shorebased computer system. An interface 60c can be provided to display the digital twin model and/or parts or parameters thereof to operators at the shore-based location. Input devices can also be provided, suitable for amending or updating the digital twin model and for sending or receiving data to the offshore drilling unit 95 (described in further detail below).

A communication network 30 is provided to connect the shore-based application module 88 to a process controller 20 of the drilling plant. The process controller 20 may be a process controller 20 according to any of the embodiments described above. The process controller can be operatively connected to equipment controllers 50a-n to control the drilling equipment 10a-n in the same way as described above.

The process controller 20 may further be connected to sensors in the drilling plant and in this manner be operable to read a status of one or more operational parameters in the drilling plant. The sensors may read for example parameters associated with the state of individual drilling equipment 10a-n (such as the operating state) and/or parameters associated with the process, such as fluid pressures in the wellbore 86. The sensors may be sensors at the drilling unit 95, sensors at the drill string 84, or sensors arranged elsewhere.

The method further comprises receiving operational data from the process controller 20 at the shore-based application module 88. The operational data may comprise data from the sensors, data from the process controller 20 itself (for example relating to the current state of the drilling plant), manually input data from the driller 77 or other personnel at the drilling unit 95, and/or data from application modules 88a-e operatively connected to the process controller 20.

The digital twin model is then updated based on the received operational data. In this manner, an up-to-date representation of the drilling plant and its current state is provided to personnel 75 at the land-based location, such as entity 89, which may, for example, be an office in which support personnel are located.

The steps of receiving operational data and updating the digital twin model are advantageously carried out repeatedly and substantially continuously while the drilling unit 95 is operating. For example, data may be transferred to update the digital twin model every few minutes, more frequently. In this manner, personnel 75 at the land-based location can access a up-to-date, in some examples a substantially real-time, representation of the drilling plant 95.

In some examples, the offshore drilling unit 95 may be a floating drilling unit 95 and the operational data may comprise a weather impact acting on the floating drilling unit 95. The weather impact may be a parameter, or a set of parameters, which is/are provided as part of the operational data. Particularly, the weather impact may include one or more parameters indicative of the wind and/or wave impact on the drilling unit 95, which causes movement of the drilling unit relative to the wellbore 86. The weather impact parameter(s) may, in such a case, be an indication of heave motion of the floater, such as frequency and heave motion distance. The weather impact may, as such, be determined (such as measured or calculated) indirectly, by for example measuring the heave motion of the drilling unit, and provided as a parameter which forms part of the operational data.

The operational data may in some examples comprise information relating to a three-dimensional representation of a physical environment on the drilling unit 95. The physical environment can comprise the drill floor of the drilling unit and/or locations around or adjacent the drill floor. For example, the three-dimensional representation may comprise positional data of one or more of the drilling equipment 10a-n, one or more worker in the physical environment, and/or one or more temporary constructions on the drilling unit 95. The latter may, for example, be rigged-up equipment or constructions for temporary purposes, such as non-routine operations, maintenance, repairs, or the like. In such cases, the temporary construction may have relevance for planning of future operations, for safety on the rig (e.g., relating to escape routes), etc. Identified workers in the physical environment may be an indication of the same, for example that non-routine work is being carried out at a given location. This information can be useful for personnel 75 at the shore-based entity 89 for assisting in operational planning for the drilling unit 95, for example for updating a well plan.

The three-dimensional representation can be reproduced at a display interface 60c operatively connected to the shore-based application module 88 and located at an onshore-based external entity 89. The reproduction may be a digital, visual, twodimensional reproduction of the three-dimensional representation. It may be interactive, so that personnel 75 at the entity 89 can modify the reproduction, for example by zooming, changing perspective, etc. Alternatively, or additionally, key features of the three-dimensional representation can be displayed or otherwise presented at the shore-based entity 89, for example in tables, numbers, or the like.

The three-dimensional representation can be provided by the process controller 20 based for example on feedback signals from the equipment controllers 50a-n relating to the position of individual machines at a given point in time, on sensor signals representative of the physical location of items on the drilling plant 95, and/or it may comprise a scan of the physical environment, for example by lidar, camera or other visual identification means.

Advantageously, the three-dimensional representation received as part of the operational data can be compared with a predicted three-dimensional representation generated by the digital twin model. The predicted representation may be one which is generated based on existing data available at the shore-based application module 88, i.e. the assumed state of the drilling plant 95 based on the information known to the application module 88 at that point in time. By the comparison, discrepancies can be identified, for example in view of operations at the drilling plant 95 which have taken place in the recent past and/or current operations taking place. By means of the comparison, personnel 75 at the entity 89 may be alerted if the threedimensional representation received as part of the operational data differs from one which is expected based on the information known to the application module 88 or the shore-based personnel 75 at that point in time.

Based on the knowledge obtained from the operational data, the method may include operating the shore-based application module 88 to evaluate at least one safety parameter for the drilling unit 95. The safety parameter may, for example, be a process-related safety parameter, such as an estimated risk of an undesirable event (for example, a blow-out from the wellbore 86 or a risk of equipment overload or excessive wear). The shore-based application module 88 or shore-based personnel 75 may additionally use models, such as reservoir and process simulation models, when determining the safety parameter. Recommended changes to e.g. the well plan or to operational settings for individual operations may then be identified. Alternatively, or additionally, the safety parameter may be a health-and-safety (HSE) related safety parameter, for example identification of a (current or future) blocking of mandatory escape routes. The safety parameter may be determined in view of the actual or planned operations of the drilling unit 95; for example, for certain lowrisk operations there may be laxer HSE requirements and one may accept e.g. maintenance work being carried out at an escape route relevant location concurrently with a low-risk drill floor operation, whereas for other types of operations there may be an absolute requirement of free escape routes and limitations on workers in certain locations on the drilling unit 95. The method may for this purpose comprise evaluating a work plan and evaluating safety in view of planned operations in the work plan.

The digital twin model may further be used to simulate upcoming operations in a well plan and to update the well plan based on the simulation. The simulation may include simulations of individual equipment (e.g. based on models of such equipment), simulations of the reservoir and/or fluids in the wellbore 86, and toplevel simulation of the interaction between different parts of the drilling unit 95, wellbore 86 and reservoir. The simulation may be used to update the well plan if improvement potential can be identified via simulation. This may be carried out automatically by the application module 88, and/or manually by personnel 75 at the shore-based entity 89. An improvement potential may, for example, be in relation to improved operational efficiency, enhanced operational safety, lower energy usage, reduced machine loads/wear, more optimal utilization of equipment, or relate to other areas.

The well plan may include instructions relating to operational steps for constructing the well, for example one or more of: configured settings/operations of the at least one drilling equipment 10a-10n, limitations (e.g. max/min values) for use by the process controller (20) relating to operational variables, a sequence of steps to be carried out, etc.

The updated well plan may thereafter be sent to the drilling unit 95 via the communication network 30 and replace the well plan currently forming the basis for operations. A request for approval of the new well plan by the driller 77 or other offshore personnel may be required.

Using the digital twin model to simulate upcoming operations in a well plan may advantageously include using a measured weather impact and/or a forecasted weather impact acting on the floating drilling unit 95. In this manner, an updated well plan can be created in view also of potential weather impact on operations, for example due to heave motion of the floating drilling unit 95, which can influence e.g. pressure control accuracy and flow dynamics in the wellbore 86.

In any of the examples described herein, when generating and providing an updated well plan, the method may comprise displaying information relating to the updated well plan on a user interface 60a at the drilling unit 95, such as in a driller’s cabin 87 (see e.g. Fig.7). An input from an operator on the drilling unit 95, such as the driller 77, may be requested and received via an input apparatus 60d, where the input is indicative of the operator’s (driller’s) approval or a rejection of the updated well plan.

The process controller 20 can be configured to evaluate the input and, if the input indicates an approval, replace the existing well plan with the updated well plan. In this manner, the operator / driller 77 is given the final approval authority for changes to the well plan.

The displaying of information relating to the updated well plan on the user interface 60a may comprise a differential view of an existing well plan and the updated well plan, the differential view indicating, such as highlighting, differences between the updated well plan and the existing well plan. The differential view may, for example, be a side-by-side or other type of direct comparison between the existing and updated well plans, such as to provide the operator / driller 77 with a direct indication of relevant proposed changes.

The operator who is requested to approve an updated well plan may be different from the driller 77, or may be a person in addition to the driller 77. For example, the drilling unit 95 may have an approval matrix specifying which person or role is required to approve changes in the well plan, or changes of a specific nature in the well plan. A two-level approval may be used, such that a relevant operator is requested to approve first, before final approval is given by the driller 77. The final approval from the driller 77 may, in appropriate cases, be a deny possibility, i.e. wherein the driller 77 receives notification of a change which will be implemented but has an option to deny and reject this within a given time period.

In some examples, the method may include simulating the consequences of a new setting (or new settings) comprised within an updated well plan. The simulation may involve, for example, simulating next steps in a drilling operation and the consequences thereof in view of e.g. conditions in the wellbore 86, loads/utilisation of the equipment 10a-n, safety parameters at the drilling unit 95 (e.g. safe operating envelopes for process variables), etc.

The simulation may involve operating an application module 88a-e locally on the drilling unit 95 to simulate at least a part of an operation of the drilling plant using the updated well plan received from the onshore entity 89, prior to receiving the input from a driller 77 or another operator at the drilling unit 95 with the approval or rejection of the updated well plan. The application module 88a-e may comprise simulation models for e.g. reservoir conditions and fluid dynamics in the wellbore 86, and the simulation may include evaluating the effects of reservoir conditions and wellbore fluid dynamics of new operational settings or operational sequences planned for the equipment 10a-n.

From the simulation, the application module 88 may determine whether the settings associated with the updated well plan are acceptable, or the application module may present simulation results to personnel (e.g. the driller 77 and/or other person 76) at the drilling unit 95 to make a determination as to whether the updated well plan is acceptable.

Performing a simulation at the drilling unit 95 prior to approving an updated well plan provides verification that the updated well plan comprises instructions which are safe, and can identify e.g. corrupt information in the updated well plan and/or a situation where the updated well plan has been tampered with by externals. For example, if computer systems at the shore-based entity 89 or the communication network 30 has been compromised, a malevolent external may attempt to issue abnormal or dangerous new settings to the process controller 20. By requiring a simulation and approval locally at the drilling unit 95, such situations can be identified and mitigated before operational changes are made to the drilling plant.

The method may include issuing a notification on the user interface 60a, e.g. to the driller 77, indicating that such a simulation of at least a part of an operation of the drilling plant using the updated well plan has been carried out, and the result of the simulation. The driller 77 (or other personnel at the drilling unit 95) may use this information for decision support in relation to whether a new, updated well plan should be accepted or rejected.

Alternatively, or additionally, the application module 88a-e may evaluate whether the updated well plan involves abnormal or dangerous settings (for example, by comparing the simulation results to pre-defined safe operating envelopes for different variables), and issue a warning on the user interface 60a if abnormal or dangerous settings are identified.

The method may include sending a report to the shore-based application module 88 which is indicative of an approval or a rejection of the updated well plan. The report can be provided as a signal transmitted via the communication network 30. In this manner, the drilling unit 95 provides a report back to shore of whether the proposed updated well plan has been accepted or not, and onshore personnel 75 can thereby know which version of well plan is active. Optionally, the report can comprise information indicative of an identity of the operator on the drilling unit 95 who provided the input. Thereby, personnel 75 onshore can get information about who accepted or rejected the updated well plan. Further information may also be transmitted, such as a reason for rejecting a proposed updated well plan.

The step of receiving imported data and generating the digital twin model of the drilling plant may advantageously comprise receiving imported data from a manufacturer of a drilling equipment 10a-n and incorporating the data from the manufacturer into the digital twin model. This can allow more detailed submodels of individual equipment, such as machines like those shown in Figs 6A-6C, to be imported into and used in the digital twin model.

In one example, the method may comprise operating the digital twin model to simulate an operation being carried out or having been carried out at the drilling unit 95. For example, the digital twin model can be updated based on a current data stream relevant for an operation being carried out, or based on historical data for an operation having been carried out in the past. Logged data can be received from the process controller 20 for this purpose.

The actual logged data can then be compared with corresponding simulated operational data based on the digital twin model simulation operating at the same or substantially the same settings and conditions as the actual data was connected under.

By comparing an actual performance and a performance simulated by the digital twin model, a performance discrepancy between the logged data and the simulated operational data can be identified.

The performance discrepancy may be a performance discrepancy for one or more of the drilling equipment 10a-n, i.e. at equipment or component level, or it may be a higher-level performance discrepancy, for example for sub-processes involving different equipment and/or operational parameters or for the overall drilling process or overall operation of the drilling unit 95.

The method may comprise issuing a notification of the performance discrepancy to the driller 77, to another operator on the drilling unit 95, or to personnel 75 at the onshore entity 89. The notification may, for example, be issued on the user interface 60a and/or the display interface 60c. By determining a performance discrepancy which reflects a difference in actual performance compared with predicted performance (via the digital twin model), one may identify issues or potential improvements which would otherwise be difficult to identify. For example, an issue (such as a performance deterioration in an individual machine) may be difficult to identify manually or by other means, as the machine can have different operational and performance characteristics in different states or for different types of operation, which may be influenced by a number of other operational variables in the drilling plant. A problem with the machine may therefore not be easy to identify. By means of the digital twin model, a more accurate identification of such performance discrepancies may be obtained.

The performance discrepancy may be used to identify one or more of the drilling equipment 10a-n, such as a machine, in need of maintenance or repair. A notification or an instruction to personnel at the drilling unit 95 or at the onshore entity 89 may be issued, indicative of the need for maintenance or repair. In response, a maintenance or repair on the identified drilling equipment 10a-n in need of maintenance or repair can be carried out.

C1. A method of operating a drilling system (90) comprising an offshore drilling unit (95) having a drilling rig (80) and a plurality of drilling equipment (10a-n) arranged thereon, the drilling rig (80) and drilling equipment (10a-n) forming a drilling plant operatively arranged to construct the at least one well, the method comprising:

receiving imported data from one or more data sources, the imported data representative of the drilling plant,

generating a digital twin model of the drilling plant on a shore-based application module (88) based on the imported data,

connecting the shore-based application module (88) to a process controller (20) of the drilling plant via a communication network (30), receiving operational data from the process controller (20) at the shore-based application module (88),

updating the digital twin model based on the received operational data.

C2. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the steps of receiving operational data and updating the digital twin model are carried out repeatedly.

C3. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the offshore drilling unit (95) is a floating drilling unit (95), and wherein the operational data comprises a measured weather impact acting on the floating drilling unit (95).

C4. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the operational data comprises information relating to a three-dimensional representation of a physical environment on the drilling unit (95).

C5. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the three-dimensional representation comprises positional data of:

- one or more of the drilling equipment (10a-n),

- one or more worker in the physical environment, and/or

- one or more temporary constructions on the drilling unit (95).

C6. The method of any preceding clause, comprising

reproducing the three-dimensional representation at a display interface (60c) operatively connected to the shore-based application module (88) and located at an onshore-based external entity (89).

C7. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the three-dimensional representation comprises a scan of the physical environment.

C8. The method of any preceding clause, further comprising comparing the three-dimensional representation received as part of the operational data with a predicted three-dimensional representation generated by the digital twin model.

C9. The method of any preceding clause, further comprising operating the shorebased application module (88) to evaluate at least one safety parameter related to the drilling unit (95).

C10. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the step of evaluating at least one safety parameter comprises evaluating a work plan and evaluating safety in view of planned operations in the work plan.

C11. The method of any preceding clause, further comprising the steps:

using the digital twin model to simulate upcoming operations in a well plan,

updating the well plan, and

sending the updated well plan to the drilling unit (95).

C12. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the step of using the digital twin model to simulate upcoming operations in a well plan comprises using a measured weather impact and/or a forecasted weather impact acting on the floating drilling unit (95).

C13. The method of any preceding clause, further comprising:

displaying on a user interface (60a) information relating to the updated well plan,

receiving an input from an operator on the drilling unit (95), such as a driller (77), via an input apparatus (60d), the input indicative of an approval or a rejection of the updated well plan,

operating the process controller (20) to evaluate the input and, if the input indicates an approval, replace an existing well plan with the updated well plan.

C14. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the step of displaying on the user interface (60a) information relating to the updated well plan comprises displaying a differential view of an existing well plan and the updated well plan, the differential view indicating, such as highlighting, differences between the updated well plan and the existing well plan.

C15. The method of any preceding clause further comprising operating an application module (88a-e) locally on the drilling unit (95) to simulate at least a part of an operation of the drilling plant using the updated well plan prior to receiving the input indicative of an approval or a rejection of the updated well plan.

C16. The method of any preceding clause, comprising, prior to receiving the input indicative of an approval or a rejection of the updated well plan, issuing a notification on the user interface (60a) indicating:

that the simulation of at least a part of an operation of the drilling plant using the updated well plan has been carried out, and

the result of the simulation.

C17. The method of any preceding clause, comprising operating the application module (88a-e) to evaluate whether the updated well plan involves abnormal or dangerous settings, and issue a warning on the user interface (60a) if abnormal or dangerous settings are identified.

C18. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the user interface (60a) is a user interface (60a) arranged in a driller’s cabin (87) located at the drilling unit (95).

C19. The method of any preceding clause, further comprising:

sending, via the communication network (30), a report signal to the shore-based application module (88) indicative of which well plan is active on the drilling unit (95).

C20. The method of any preceding clause, further comprising:

sending, via the communication network (30), a report signal to the shore-based application module (88), the report signal indicative of an approval or a rejection of the updated well plan.

C21. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the report signal comprises information indicative of an identity of the operator on the drilling unit (95) who provided the approval or a rejection of the updated well plan. C22. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the step of receiving imported data and generating a digital twin model of the drilling plant comprises receiving imported data from a manufacturer of a drilling equipment (10a-n) and incorporating the data from the manufacturer into the digital twin model.

C23. The method of any preceding clause, further comprising:

operating the digital twin model to simulate an operation being carried out or having been carried out at the drilling unit (95),

receiving, as part of the operational data from the process controller (20), logged data for the operation,

comparing the logged data with corresponding simulated operational data,

identifying a performance discrepancy between the logged data and the simulated operational data.

C24. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the step of identifying a performance discrepancy comprises identifying a performance discrepancy for one or more of the drilling equipment (10a-n).

C25. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the step of identifying a performance discrepancy comprises identifying a performance discrepancy for a part of or an entire drilling operation carried out by the drilling unit (95).

C26. The method of any preceding clause, further comprising providing a notification of the performance discrepancy to the driller (77), to another operator on the drilling unit (95), or to personnel (75) at the onshore entity (89).

C27. The method of any preceding clause, comprising

based on the performance discrepancy, identifying one or more of the drilling equipment (10a-n) in need of maintenance or repair,

issuing a notification or an instruction to personnel at the drilling unit (95) or at the entity (89) indicative of the need for maintenance or repair. C28. The method of any preceding clause, comprising carrying out a maintenance or repair activity on the one or more of the drilling equipment (10a-n) in need of maintenance or repair.

In other examples according to the present disclosure, there is provided methods for communicating data between a drilling unit 95 and a remote entity 89 using a communication network 30. The drilling unit 95 may be a drilling unit 95 as illustrated in Figs 1-3, and the remote entity may be a shore-based entity 89, for example according to one or more of the examples described above.

A network node 40 controls the transfer of data in a wireless network link 91,92 between the drilling unit 95 and the remote entity 89. The node 40 may be a node 40 as described above. It may be located on the drilling unit 95 or at the remote entity 89. The network node 40 controls the transfer of data between the process controller 20 on the drilling unit 95 and an application module 88 at the remote entity 89.

The data may comprise a plurality of operational readings from the drilling unit 95, including one or more of: (i) logged sensor data associated with a drilling process being carried out by the drilling unit 95, (ii) an operational state of one or more equipment 10a-n on the drilling unit 95 or in a wellbore 86, and/or (iii) operational settings from a process controller 20 and/or one or more equipment controllers 50an on the drilling unit 95.

Logged sensor data associated with the drilling process may, for example, be a measured downhole pressure, measured fluid flow rates (e.g. mud flow and return), measured rate-of-penetration, etc.

Operational states may, for example, be a parameter indicative of whether a machine is active or not, which operation is being carried out by the machine, and/or operational variables associated with machines, such as a mud pump delivery rate / rpm, drilling machine rpm, machine loads or power consumption.

Operational setting may, for example, be a demand signal to a particular machine (e.g. a demanded rpm) or a target operational variable at local or system level, such as a target downhole pressure, rate-of-penetration or mud circulation rate.

In any of the examples or embodiments described here, the operational readings comprised in the data and transmitted via the wireless network link 91,92 may be real-time readings or substantially real-time readings. Substantially real-time readings may, for example, be readings which are not more than five minutes, not more than four minutes, not more than three minutes, not more than two minutes, or not more than one minute old. The readings may be direct (raw) sensor readings, or they may be processed, e.g. smoothed.

Alternatively, the communication network 30 may be operated to transfer historical readings and/or calculated parameters based on operational readings from the drilling unit 95. Historical readings may be operational readings extending back in time, for example readings of logged sensor data from a number of minutes or a number of hours back in time. Calculated parameters may be parameters which are based on several operational readings, for example based on more than one sensor reading. This may include, for example, fused sensor signals, where sensor fusion is used to create an enhanced signal for a given operational variable.

Optionally, a combination of real-time or substantially real-time readings and historical readings and/or calculated parameters may be transferred.

In one example, the resolution of one or more of the plurality of operational readings comprised in the data is adjusted in response to an available bandwidth on the wireless network link 91,92. The network node 40 and/or process controller 20 may be adapted to determine the available bandwidth, i.e. the available transmission capacity on the wireless network link 91,92, and adjust the resolution (e.g., the sampling rate or fidelity of the signal representing the reading) according to the determined available bandwidth. For example, if a limited bandwidth is determined, a resolution of a non-critical operational reading may be reduced in order not to overload the wireless network link 91,92. Similarly, the resolution may be increased (again) if-and-when an increased bandwidth is available.

The resolution may advantageously be adjusted in response to an operational state of the drilling unit 95. As discussed above, the operational state may comprise at least the possible states (i) drilling and (ii) tripping. The states may, for example, comprise: (i) drilling, (ii) drilling connection, (iii) trip in and (iv) trip out. A set of equipment 10a-n (such as machines) may be active in a given state, while some other equipment 10a-n may be idle in the same state. Further states, and thereby more granularity, may be included, such as one or more of: reaming, back reaming, trip in singles, trip out singles, run casing, cementing, mud pump ramp-up, reciprocation, friction test, or other activities which may be indicative of an operational state of the drilling unit 95. (See e.g. the abovementioned WO 2018/203753 A1.)

Each operational state may advantageously be associated with a pre-determined set of operational readings to be transferred via the wireless network link 91,92 for that particular operational state. The process controller 20, network node 40 or the application module 88 may be operated to select, based on the operational state of the drilling unit 95, one pre-determined set of operational readings from a group of pre-determined sets to form part of the transferred data. The different predetermined sets can comprise different types of operational readings, and/or operational readings having different resolution.

Pre-determined sets may, for example, be defined for one or more of the possible states in the example above, for example for (i) drilling and (ii) drilling connection. The pre-determined set for (i) drilling may, as an example, comprise operational readings (a) measured mud flow return at high resolution, (b) measured downhole pressure at low resolution, (c) hoisting system position at high resolution, while the pre-determined set for (ii) drilling connection may comprise operational readings (a) measured mud flow return at high resolution, (b) measured downhole pressure at high resolution, (c) hoisting system position at low resolution. There may also be operational readings which are included in the pre-determined set for (i), but not included in the transferred data at all for (ii), and vice versa. The skilled reader will understand that the above is meant as an illustration-of-principle only, and that other combinations of operational readings may be used. In practice, a large number of operational variables may be included in each set.

In some examples, an afterfill of data may be carried out when appropriate bandwidth is available. In such a case, one may operate the process controller 20, network node 40 and/or the application module 88 to identify an available bandwidth capacity on the wireless network link 91,92 and to transmit historical data comprising operational readings from the drilling unit 95 to the application module 88. As above, these operational readings may comprise one or more of: (i) logged sensor data associated with the drilling process being carried out by the drilling unit 95, (ii) an operational state of one or more equipment 10a-n on the drilling unit 95 or in the wellbore 86, and/or (iii) operational settings from the process controller 20 and/or one or more of the equipment controllers 50a-n on the drilling unit 95. Such afterfill of data may permit the application module 88 and/or personnel at the remote entity 89 to carry out post-processing and relevant analyses of operational data from the drilling unit 95.

Afterfill of data may, for example, be carried out repeatedly during pauses in the drilling process, such as during connection, tripping or running casing sequences. This may be beneficial in order to provide detailed operational data from the drilling process to the remote entity 89 for post-processing, as the bandwidth requirement for real-time operational readings may be lower during such connection or tripping sequences than during drilling.

In some examples, the remote entity 89 may request a higher resolution for a particular operational reading or several operational readings, for example higher fidelity or increased data quality through reduced data compression. In such an example, the process controller 20 may be operated to receive a demand signal from the application module 88 which is indicative of a request for higher resolution for one or more of the plurality of operational readings. In response to the demand signal, the resolution of one or more operational readings transmitted via the wireless network link 91,92 is increased to a higher and/or to the requested resolution.

The request for higher resolution may be for a temporary period. This may, for example, be used to carry out detailed evaluations at the remote entity 89. In such a case, personnel at the remote entity 89 may operate the application module 88 to send a demand signal requesting higher resolution for relevant operational readings required for the evaluation. Alternatively, or additionally, the application module 88 may be arranged to automatically request higher resolution for example in the case that irregularities in the operation or performance of individual equipment 10a-n, or in measured signals or calculated process variables, are detected.

In response to such a demand signal, the resolution of the relevant operational reading(s) transmitted via the wireless network link 91,92 can be increased to the requested resolution for a pre-determined temporary period, or for a temporary period specified in the demand signal.

In some examples, the remote entity 89 may request a specific operational reading, or several specific operational readings. In such examples, the process controller 20 may be operated to receive a demand signal from the application module 88 which is indicative of a request for a specified operational reading from the drilling unit 95 to be included in the plurality of operational readings transferred as part of the data.

This may, for example, be used to carry out detailed evaluations at the remote entity 89. In such a case, personnel at the remote entity 89 may operate the application module 88 to send a demand signal requesting a specific operational reading, or several specific operational readings, required for the evaluation. Alternatively, or additionally, the application module 88 may be arranged to automatically request a specific operational reading, or several specific operational readings, for example in the case that irregularities in the operation or performance of individual equipment 10a-n, or in measured signals or calculated process variables, are detected.

The specified operational reading(s) can in response be added to the data and transmitted via the wireless network link 91,92.

In some examples, idle equipment, such as machines, can be detected and operational readings from such machines excluded from the data or transferred with a reduced resolution. In such examples, an equipment 10a-n on the drilling unit 95 or in a wellbore 86 which is in an idle state may be detected, and the process controller 20, network node 40 or the application module 88 operated to transfer the data via the wireless network link 91,92 without operational readings associated with the identified equipment 10a-n, or decreasing a resolution of the operational readings associated with the identified equipment 10a-n transferred via the wireless network link 91,92 as part of the data.

In the examples described above, the resolution of an operational reading can relate to the sampling rate / fidelity of the reading, and/or to the compression rate of the digital representation of the reading. Adjusting, increasing or decreasing the resolution of the one or more of the plurality of operational readings may hence comprise adjusting, increasing or decreasing (respectively) a sampling rate / fidelity of the one or more of the plurality of operational readings. Alternatively, or additionally, adjusting, increasing or decreasing the resolution of the one or more of the plurality of operational readings may comprise adjusting, decreasing or increasing (respectively) a data compression rate of the one or more of the plurality of operational readings. To increase resolution, a data stream representing the operational readings may for example be provided in raw format or with lossless compression.

These methods for communicating data may advantageously be used in conjunction with the other systems and methods described above.

D1. A method for communicating data between a drilling unit (95) and a remote entity (89) using a communication network (30), the method comprising: operating a network node (40) in the communication network (30) to control transfer of data in a network data link (91,92) between the drilling unit (95) and the remote entity (89).

D2. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the data link (91,92) is a wireless data link.

D3. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the drilling unit (95) is an offshore drilling unit (95) and the remote entity (89) is a shore-based entity (89).

D4. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the step of operating the network node (40) comprises controlling transfer of data between a process controller (20) on the drilling unit (95) and an application module (88) at the remote entity (89).

D5. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the data comprises a plurality of operational readings from the drilling unit (95), the operational readings comprising one or more of: (i) logged sensor data associated with a drilling process being carried out by the drilling unit (95), (ii) an operational state of one or more equipment (10a-n) on the drilling unit (95) or in a wellbore (86), and/or (iii) operational settings from a process controller (20) and/or one or more equipment controllers (50a-n) on the drilling unit (95).

D6. The method of any preceding clause, comprising adjusting a resolution of one or more of the plurality of operational readings comprised in the data in response to an available bandwidth on the network data link (91,92).

D7. The method of any preceding clause, comprising adjusting a resolution of one or more of the plurality of operational readings comprised in the data based at least partly on an operational state of the drilling unit (95).

D8. The method of any preceding clause, comprising:

operating the process controller (20), network node (40) or the application module (88) to select, based on the operational state of the drilling unit (95), a pre-determined set of operational readings from a group of pre-determined sets to form part of the data,

wherein the different pre-determined sets in the group of predetermined sets comprises

− different types of operational readings, and/or

− operational readings having different resolution.

D9. The method of any preceding clause, comprising:

identifying an available bandwidth capacity on the network data link (91,92), and

transmitting historical data comprising operational readings from the drilling unit (95), the operational readings comprising one or more of: (i) logged sensor data associated with a drilling process being carried out by the drilling unit (95), (ii) an operational state of one or more equipment (10an) on the drilling unit (95) or in a wellbore (86), and/or (iii) operational settings from a process controller (20) and/or one or more equipment controllers (50a-n) on the drilling unit (95).

D10. The method of any preceding clause, comprising:

receiving, at the process controller (20), a demand signal from an application module (88) at the remote entity (89), the demand signal indicative of a request for higher resolution for one or more of the plurality of operational readings, and

in response to the demand signal, increasing a resolution of the one or more of the plurality of operational readings transmitted via the network data link (91,92) to a higher and/or to a requested resolution.

D11. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the demand signal indicates a request for higher resolution for one or more of the plurality of operational readings for a temporary period, and the method comprises: in response to the demand signal, increasing a resolution of the one or more of the plurality of operational readings transmitted via the network data link (91,92) to the requested resolution for a temporary period of predetermined length or for a temporary period having a length specified in the demand signal.

D12. The method of any preceding clause, comprising:

receiving, at the process controller (20), a demand signal from an application module (88) at the remote entity (89), the demand signal indicative of a request for a specified operational reading from the drilling unit (95) to be included in the plurality of operational readings, and

adding the specified operational reading to the plurality of operational readings transmitted via the network data link (91,92).

D13. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the specified operational reading is one of: (i) logged sensor data associated with a drilling process being carried out by the drilling unit (95), (ii) an operational state of one or more equipment (10a-n) on the drilling unit (95) or in a wellbore (86), and/or (iii) operational settings from a process controller (20) and/or one or more equipment controllers (50a-n) on the drilling unit (95).

D14. The method of any preceding clause, comprising:

identifying an equipment (10a-n) on the drilling unit (95) or in a wellbore (86) which is in an idle state;

operating the process controller (20), network node (40) or the application module (88) to:

− transfer the data via the network data link (91,92) without operational readings associated with the identified equipment (10a-n), or

− decreasing a resolution of the operational readings associated with the identified equipment (10a-n) transferred via the network data link (91,92) as part of the data.

D15. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the step of adjusting, increasing or decreasing the resolution of the one or more of the plurality of operational readings comprises adjusting, increasing or decreasing

(respectively) a sampling rate of the one or more of the plurality of operational readings.

D16. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the step of adjusting, increasing or decreasing the resolution of the one or more of the plurality of operational readings comprises adjusting, decreasing or increasing (respectively) a data compression rate of the one or more of the plurality of operational readings.

Claims

1. A drilling system (90) comprising:

a plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n), each being adapted to control at least one operation of at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n); a process controller (20) operatively connected to the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n) and configured for managing and sending operating instructions to the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n); a communication network (30) arranged to provide a data link for communication between the process controller (20) and a plurality of application modules (88,88a-e), each of the plurality of application modules (88,88a-e) being adapted to provide operational instructions to a driller (77) and/or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n).

2. The drilling system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface (60a) located in a driller cabin (87) and operatively connected to the process controller (20), and the process controller (20) is configured to permit the plurality of application modules (88,88a-e) to provide operational instructions to the driller (77) via the user interface (60a).

3. The drilling system of any preceding claim, wherein the process controller (20) is configured to determine or receive a state indicator, the state indicator being determined on the basis of a plurality of operational parameters of the drilling system (90) and/or the well, and representative of an operational state of the drilling system (90),

4. The drilling system of claim 3, wherein the process controller (20) is configured to automatically activate the selected application module (88,88ae) to provide operational instructions to the driller (77) and/or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n) and to prevent other application modules (88,88a-e) among the plurality of application modules (88,88a-e) from providing operational instructions to the driller (77) and/or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n).

5. The drilling system of any of claims 3 or 4, wherein the process controller (20) is configured to automatically activate the selected application module (88,88a-e) based on a well plan.

6. The drilling system of any of claims 3-5, wherein the state indicator is determined at least partly on the basis of a measured operational parameter which is external to the drilling system (90).

7. The drilling system of claim 6, wherein the state indicator is determined at least partly on the basis of:

a measured condition in a wellbore (86) of the well, or

8. The drilling system of any preceding claim, wherein the process controller (20) is configured to:

display on a user interface (60a) a selection of at least two application modules (88,88a-e) among the plurality of application modules (88,88a-e), receive an input from a driller (77) via an input apparatus (60d) indicative of a manual selection by the driller (77) of one of the at least two application modules (88,88a-e), and

upon receiving the input, activate the selected application module (88,88a-e) to provide operational instructions to the driller (77) and/or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n).

9. The drilling system of any preceding claim, wherein the process controller (20) is configured to display on the user interface (60a) a selection of at least two application modules (88,88a-e) among the plurality of application modules (88,88a-e) together with a recommendation, the recommendation being generated by the process controller (20) or provided to the process controller (20) based on the state indicator.

10. The drilling system of any preceding claim, wherein the process controller (20) is configured to:

display on a user interface (60a) information relating to a proposed activation or de-activation of an application module (88,88a-e) for providing operational instructions to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-n),

receive an input from a driller (77) via an input apparatus (60d) indicative of an approval or a rejection of the proposed activation or deactivation of the application module (88,88a-e), and

activate or de-activate the second application module (88,88a-e) if approved by the driller (77).

11. The drilling system of any preceding claim, wherein

the process controller (20) is configured to (i) automatically display on the user interface (60a) the information relating to the proposed activation or de-activation of the application module (88,88a-e) received from the application module (88,88a-e), and (ii) receive the input from a driller (77) via the input apparatus (60d) indicative of the approval or a rejection of the proposed activation or de-activation of the application module (88,88a-e).

12. The drilling system of claim 11, wherein the proposed application module (88,88a-e) comprises a catalogue of templates, each template comprising instructions to execute a series of instructions to the equipment controllers (10a-n).

13. The drilling system of claim 11 or 12, wherein the information relating to the activation or de-activation of an application module (88,88a-e) comprises information indicative of an identity and/or a role of a person (76) which has suggested the activation or de-activation of an application module (88,88ae).

14. The drilling system of any preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of application modules (88,88a-e) is connected to the process controller (20) and arranged to continuously receive live operational data via the communication network (30).