DRILLING SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

Abstract

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).

Description

1 / 75 DRILLING SYSTEMS AND METHODS

[0001] This disclosure relates to the operation of drilling rigs and related activities. More specifically, it relates to methods, drilling systems and computer program products for operating drilling systems containing drilling equipment as part of a drilling unit. BACKGROUND

[0002] In drilling operations, such as onshore or offshore oil and gas exploration, several operations are generally performed by highly specialized drilling rigs. The operation of such rigs can be very expensive and represent a substantial part of the cost of installing a well. Due to the high cost, operational efficiency and reliability during these processes are of great importance.

[0003] Furthermore, as regulatory requirements become increasingly stringent, while at the same time oil and gas exploration can occur in more challenging areas (such as deepwater offshore fields or in arctic regions), safety is also a fundamental issue for most stakeholders in the sector. For example, controlling relevant operational and process variables within certain margins is crucial in oil and gas drilling operations to maintain formation stability, avoid drilling fluid loss (commonly known as mud), prevent uncontrolled influx of reservoir fluids into the well, keep equipment within safe operational limits, etc. The sector faces stringent regulatory requirements regarding both personal and environmental safety.

[0004] Documents that may be useful for understanding the field of technology include WO 2020 / 231428, WO 2018 / 203753 A1, WO 20 21 / 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.

[0005] Consequently, there is a continuing need for improved systems and techniques to operate drilling plants efficiently while maintaining a high level of safety. The present disclosure aims to provide systems and methods that may offer advantages over known solutions and techniques in the areas mentioned above or in other areas, or at least provide useful alternatives to the state of the art. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 13 / 118 2 / 75 SUMMARY

[0006] In one example, a drilling system is provided comprising: a plurality of drilling rigs being adapted to construct at least one well; a plurality of rig controllers, each being adapted to control at least one operation of at least one drilling rig; a process controller operationally connected to the plurality of rig controllers and configured to manage and send operational instructions to the plurality of rig 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 rig controllers.

[0007] Other inventive examples and embodiments are presented in the detailed description below and in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The above and other features will become clear from the following description of illustrative and non-restrictive examples, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0009] Figs. 1A, 1B and 1C show an example of a drilling system comprising a drilling unit according to some embodiments.

[0010] Fig. 2 shows an example of a drilling system for operating at least one drilling rig of a drilling unit according to some embodiments.

[0011] Fig. 3 is a flowchart that illustrates example steps of the method according to some realizations.

[0012] Fig. 4 is a signage diagram that illustrates an example of signage according to some embodiments.

[0013] Fig. 5 shows an example illustration of communication exchange between a drilling unit and remote entities to operate at least one drilling rig of the drilling unit according to some embodiments. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 14 / 118 3 / 75

[0014] Figs. 6A, 6B and 6C show example illustrations of drilling equipment operations of a drilling unit according to some embodiments.

[0015] Fig. 7 shows example illustrations of operational monitoring and control layouts for a drilling unit according to some embodiments.

[0016] Fig. 8 shows example illustrations of the use of application modules to evaluate and / or provide input information related to the operations of a drilling unit according to some embodiments.

[0017] Fig. 9 shows example illustrations of the operation of a drilling unit in communication with a remote entity according to some embodiments.

[0018] Fig. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating various components of an exemplary drilling system according to some embodiments.

[0019] Fig. 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating various components of an exemplary drilling system according to some embodiments.

[0020] Fig. 12 shows an example of a computing environment according to some realizations. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Examples of the present disclosure will be described and exemplified more fully below, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The solutions disclosed here may, however, be implemented in many different ways and should not be interpreted as limited to the examples presented here.

[0022] It will be appreciated that when the present disclosure is described in terms of a method, it may also be incorporated into one or more processors and one or more memories coupled to one or more processors, wherein one or more memories store one or more programs that perform the steps, services and functions described herein when executed by one or more processors.

[0023] Figs. 1A, 1B and 1C show an example of a drilling system (90). The drilling system (90) referred to herein may be used for drilling / constructing hydrocarbon wells or for other drilling purposes such as constructing geothermal wells, injection wells or other types. The drilling system (90) may comprise a drilling unit (95), in the example illustrated a vessel of Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 15 / 118 4 / 75 floating drilling, with a drilling rig (80) for well construction. The drilling unit (95) may include, but is not limited to, a floating vessel, a fixed platform or similar, depending on the well to be constructed / drilled.

[0024] In this example, the drilling system (90) comprises an offshore drilling unit (95) and an external land-based entity (89) as represented in Figs. 1A-1C. The drilling unit (95) referred to herein comprises a drilling rig (80) and a plurality of drilling equipment (also called machines) being adapted to construct 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 a land-based location.

[0025] In some examples, the drilling rig (80) operates using an upper unit (81). The upper unit (81) may be operated by a lifting system (82) on a rig structure (83) to suspend a drill string (84) having a drill bit (85) in an underground well (86). The well (86) is developed so that it extends towards and into a reservoir containing hydrocarbon fluids.

[0026] The drilling system (90) further comprises a control system for operating the plurality of drilling equipment (10a-n) (represented in Fig. 2). In some examples, the control system may be located 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 at least one drilling equipment. The at least one operation may include drilling operations performed to construct the well, preparatory operations for the well, or auxiliary operations related to well construction.

[0027] The process controller (20) is connected to the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-n) and is adapted to operate at least one drilling rig by means of 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 more detail below. The process controller Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, p. 16 / 118 5 / 75 (20) and the equipment controllers (50a-n) can form an integrated control system for rig control, controlling herein one or more winches, an upper unit, an iron yard, wedges, pipe handling equipment, pressure control equipment (such as managed pressure drilling control and chokes), sensor systems and other equipment. The process controller (20) can control, execute, measure and / or monitor one or more aspects of well construction performed on the drilling unit (95).

[0028] The drilling automation module(s) may be adapted to enable at least one drilling rig to perform at least one operation automatically. The user interface may be adapted to indicate to a driller (77) (an operator operating the drilling rig (80), see also Fig. 7) the status of at least one operation of at least one drilling rig. In some examples, a user interface (60a) (see Fig. 7) may be provided on a computing device located in the driller's cabin (87) located on the drilling unit (95), as illustrated in Fig. 1B. In some examples, the user interface (60b) may be provided on a computing device located in a service company office (79) located on the drilling unit (95), as shown in Figs. 1B and 7.The driller (77) and other personnel present in the driller's cabin (87) or in the service company's office (79) may monitor and control at least one operation of at least one drilling rig (80). In some examples, the user interface (60a) may comprise a visual display device, such as a screen with a connected input device (60d) (see Fig. 7), such as a keyboard, numeric keypad or joystick and / or a touch screen.

[0029] The land-based external entity (89) referred to herein may be adapted to control the construction of at least one well (86) by communicating with the drilling unit (95), particularly with the process controller (20) on the drilling unit (95). The land-based external entity (89) may be located in a remote location, in this example, in a coastal location. In other examples, such as for land-based rigs, the external entity (89) may also be located in a remote location, such as in a central office that is different from a drilling site. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, p. 17 / 118 6 / 75

[0030] The external entity (89) may comprise a computer / computing device on which application modules (88) may be implemented to control at least one operation of at least one drilling rig in the drilling unit (95). The computer / computing device may be located in the office / remote location. In the embodiments described herein, the computer / computing device and the application modules (88) may be used interchangeably throughout the document, since the application module (88) may form a digital processing unit (such as a CPU with associated memory, storage and software) that is operable to interact with and / or influence the operation of physical systems, such as drilling rig, control hardware or control software in the drilling unit (95).

[0031] In some examples, the application module (88) may be in bidirectional communication with the process controller (20). As shown in Fig. 1A, the application module (88) may be in bidirectional communication with the drilling unit (95) via an intermediate cloud storage (93). In some examples, as shown in Fig. 1B, the application module (88) may be in bidirectional 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 configured to provide repeated intermittent communication. For example, the wireless link (91, 92) enables the process controller (20) and the application module (88) to exchange communication with each other using a communication network (illustrated in Fig. 2).In some examples, the communication network may include, but is 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.

[0032] Alternatively, the application module (88) may be in bidirectional communication with the process controller (20) via a wired network connection.

[0033] The application module (88) can be adapted to provide limitations to the process controller (20) to control at least one operation of at least one drilling equipment (10a-n). The limitations can be a function of operational information and a well plan. In some examples, the operational information indicates Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 18 / 118 7 / 75 to at least one operation of at least one drilling equipment (10a-n). The well plan may be a predefined plan that indicates the operational steps for well construction. The well plan may be stored locally by the application module (88) or by the drilling unit control system (95) (such as the process controller (20)) or by an external system or a combination thereof.

[0034] Providing limitations with greater precision also provides greater operational safety. For example, an employee in an onshore office may include a geologist (normally not present on the drilling unit (95)) or have access to better geological models of the formation in which the well (86) is being drilled, which is not available to the driller on the drilling unit (95). Such geological models, for example, suggest that the drill bit (85) may soon be entering a part of the formation that contains fluid at a higher pressure than previously. In this scenario, it may be advantageous to define an automated sequence executed by the drilling system (90) with an increased fluid pressure in the well (86), in order to minimize the risk of a rupture.Similarly, for example, during automated displacement operations, limitations on displacement speed in different sections of the well (86) may be imposed by the office to avoid damage to the formation.

[0035] In some embodiments, the application module (88) can be configured to repeatedly update the well plan in response to operational data. Both the application module (88) and any local system on the drilling unit (95) can be operable to set the limitations for an application of limitations in order to operate at least one drilling rig (10a-n). Alternatively, or additionally, the application module (88) and one or more drilling automation modules on the drilling unit (95) can operate to set the limitations for operating at least one drilling rig (10a-n). In a case where there are two or more limitations (e.g., two or more operational envelopes for a given drilling rig (10a-n)), the process controller (20) can be configured to apply the narrowest operational envelope.Some exemplary realizations may allow limitations to be applied to automated sequences in the drilling process based on the well plan and operational information. For example, a combination of application module limitations (88) based on a continuously updated well plan and. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 19 / 118 8 / 75 limitations of an Early Chute Detection (EKD) application module can provide a rapid response in the event of a burst risk, as well as optimization of drilling processes based on well plan and reservoir models.

[0036] Therefore, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the drilling system (90) is adapted to enable efficient communication exchange between the process controller (20) and the application module (88) by using the communication network to operate at least one drilling equipment. Thus, at least one drilling equipment (10a-n) can be operated efficiently with a high level of safety.

[0037] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the process controller (20) identifies operational information associated with at least one drilling rig (10a-n). Upon identifying the operational information, the process controller (20) determines that at least some of the operational information is transmitted to the application module (88) via the wireless link (91, 92) provided by the communication network. The process controller (20) may, alternatively or additionally, operate at least one drilling rig (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.

[0038] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the application module (88) includes a digital twin representing at least one drilling rig (10a-n) based on operational information. The digital twin representing at least one drilling rig (10a-n) is illustrated in Fig. 1C. The application module (88) can generate one or more operational commands to operate at least one drilling rig, at least partially based on the digital twin.

[0039] Various embodiments for communication exchange between the process controller (20) and the application module (88) to operate at least one drilling equipment (10a-n) are explained together with figures in later parts of the disclosure.

[0040] Fig. 2 describes the drilling system (90) for operating at least one drilling rig (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 rigs (10a Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 20 / 118 9 / 75 The plurality of drilling equipment (10a-10n) is adapted to perform at least one drilling operation / operation for the construction of at least one well. The control system can be adapted to control at least one operation of the plurality of diameter equipment (10a-10n). As shown in Fig. 2, the control system comprises the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n) and the process controller (20). The equipment controllers (50a-50n) can be individual equipment controllers dedicated to each piece of equipment (10a-n) (e.g., for each machine). The application module (88) can be adapted to provide one or more operational commands to operate the plurality of drilling equipment (10a-10n), for example, operational commands for the process controller (20).Operational commands may include direct commands for the execution of various tasks and / or other types of operational parameters, such as setpoints or operational envelopes for machines (e.g., top drive rpm) and / or for indirectly controlled process variables (e.g., bottom hole pressure). In some examples, the application module (88) may be located in a remote location. In some examples, the application module (88) may be located in the service company's office (79) or in the driller's cabin (87).

[0041] In addition, the drilling system (90) comprises the communication network (30) being adapted to provide the data link (in this example wireless) (represented in Figures 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 is 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 communication from the process controller (20) / application module (88) and transmit the received communication to the application module (88) / process controller (20).Here, communication refers to at least one of the following: operational information associated with at least one drilling rig (10a-10n), one or more operational commands to operate at least one drilling rig (10a-10n), or similar. In some examples, the network node (40). Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, p. 21 / 118 10 / 75 may include, but is not limited to, an evolved node, eNB, a gNodeB, gNB, a local access network, a LAN node, a wireless LAN, WLAN, a Wi-Fi node, or similar. In some instances, the network node (40) may include the Internet supporting one or more communication protocols for communication transmission.

[0042] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n) can be connected to the plurality of drilling equipment (10a-10n). In some examples, the plurality of drilling equipment (10a-10n) may include, but is not limited to, winches, mud pumps, pressure control equipment such as chokes or valves or explosion safety devices, pipe handling equipment, iron carriers, separation equipment such as agitators or centrifuges, lift compensators, dynamic positioning systems, and so on.

[0043] In some examples, each equipment controller (50a-50n) can be connected to a single drilling rig (10a-10n). In some examples, each equipment controller (50a-50n) can be connected to one or more drilling rigs (10a-10n). In some examples, each equipment controller (50a-50n) can be connected to one or more drilling rigs (10a-10n) by using at least one of the following: 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, communication methods certified as OPC, UA or similar. Each equipment controller (50a-50n) connected to at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) can be further connected to the process controller (20) by using at least one of: Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee, WFD, UWB, IrDA, NFC or similar.Due to the connection of all equipment controllers (50a-50n) to the process controller (20), a necessary communication exchange between the equipment controllers (50a-50n) can be conducted via the process controller (20). This connection arrangement simplifies the implementation of the drilling system (90), since no additional communication links are needed between the equipment controllers (50a-50n). In this way, reducing the total computational load on the equipment controllers (50a-50n). Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, p. 22 / 118 11 / 75

[0044] Equipment controllers (50a-50n) are adapted to control at least one operation of at least one drilling rig.

[0045] The equipment controller (50a-50n) can also be adapted to collect operational information associated with at least one drilling rig (10a-10n). The operational information indicates at least one operation of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n). In some examples, the equipment controller (50a-50n) can collect the operational information associated with at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) by using one or more sensors positioned on at least one drilling rig (10a-10n). Examples of sensors may include sensors to monitor temperature, pressure or other fluid characteristics in the well, weight on the drill bit, WOB, rotational speed, RPM, at which mud pumps can pump or stop operating, translational speed and / or acceleration and / or vibration of the drill string, or any other similar characteristics of a formation in which the well is being drilled.

[0046] The equipment controller (50a-50n) can transmit the collected operational information and a status of 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 operate”, “currently operating”, “operation completed”, “state” (e.g., position, grip, open, closed or similar), “operation aborted” and so on.

[0047] In some examples, the equipment controller (50a-50n) may comprise a drilling automation module being adapted to enhance control of at least one operation of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n). The drilling automation module may determine an action that needs to be performed on at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) when at least one operation of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) deviates from at least one configured operation or when there is a change in the well drilling / construction process. In some examples, the drilling automation module may determine an action that needs to be performed on at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) based on operational information and one or more operational commands received from the process controller (20). By determining the action, the Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 23 / 118 The 12 / 75 drilling automation module releases one or more action commands for the equipment controller (50a-50n) to execute the determined action on at least one drilling rig (10a-10n). In some examples, the action may include enabling at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) to perform at least one configured operation. In some examples, the action may include operating at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) to perform the desired change in the well drilling process. In some examples, the drilling automation module may increase control of at least one operation of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) by automating repetitive actions, such as, but not limited to, displacement on a support, operating by reciprocity, performing a friction test, and so on.

[0048] The processor controller (20) referred to herein is adapted to be connected to the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n) to operate at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n).

[0049] To operate at least one drilling rig (10a-10n), the process controller (20) identifies the operational information associated with at least one drilling rig (10a-10n). In some examples, the process controller (20) may identify operational information associated with at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) by receiving operational information from at least one rig controller (50a-50n). Operational information may also be referred to as a state matrix, state information, or similar, comprising one or more of the following: information relating to a state / status of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n), information relating to a behavior of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n), and information collected from one or more sensors fitted to the drilling rig (10a-10n).In some examples, operational information may include a three-dimensional map of at least one drilling rig (10a10n).

[0050] By identifying the operational information, the process controller (20) determines that at least some of the operational information is transmitted to the application module (88) via the wireless link provided by the communication network (30). Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 24 / 118 13 / 75

[0051] In some embodiments, to determine at least some of the operational information to be transmitted, the process controller (20) receives, from the network node (40), scheduling information related to the radio resources available for the transmission of the operational information. In some embodiments, the scheduling information comprises one or more of the following: a time interval between the radio resources available for the transmission of the operational information, a data rate of each radio resource available for the transmission of the operational information, the bandwidth allocation of the radio resource for the transmission of the operational information, the performance of the network node (40), and so on. According to the operational information received, the process controller (20) determines at least some of the operational information to be transmitted to the application module (88).

[0052] In some embodiments, to determine at least some of the operational information to be transmitted, the process controller (20) requests from the network node (40) the radio resources needed for the 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 for transmitting the operational information on the requested radio resources using the scheduling information. The process controller (20) determines if the temporal sampling rate is greater than a predefined sampling rate. When it is determined that the temporal sampling rate is less than the predefined sampling rate, the process controller (20) is operated to transmit the operational information on the requested radio resources.When it is determined that the time sampling rate is greater than the predefined sampling rate, the process controller (20) may determine that at least some of the operational information is not transmitted, that it is transmitted on other radio resources available for the transmission of operational information, or that it is transmitted later.

[0053] The process controller (20) transmits at least some of the determined operational information to the application module (88).

[0054] In some embodiments, for the transmission of at least some of the operational information, the processor controller (20) selects at least one transmission parameter from a set of transmission parameters associated with the Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 25 / 118 14 / 75 minus some of the operational information, according to the scheduling information. The process controller (20) varies at least one selected 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 the transmission of at least some of the operational information, a compression rate of at least some of the operational information, a delay associated with the transmission of at least some of the operational information, and so on.

[0055] In some embodiments, for the transmission of 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 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 defined by the application module (88) or may be pre-determined and incorporated into the process controller (20). The automatic priority rule may include information about the priority assignment to the operational information. The process controller (20) transmits at least some of the prioritized operational information to the application module (88).

[0056] In some embodiments, for the transmission of 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) to provide the higher fidelity required for the radio resources to transmit at least some of the operational information.

[0057] In this way, the process controller (20) determines at least some of the operational information associated with at least one drilling equipment (10a10n) and transmits the determined operational information to the application module (88), according to the scheduling information related to the radio resources available for Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 26 / 118 15 / 75 transmission. In this way, radio resources can be used efficiently to transmit operational information.

[0058] Considering an example scenario, in which the processor 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 process controller (20) transmits at least some of the operational information to the application module (88), prioritizing at least some of the operational information and adjusting the transmission sampling rate of at least some of the operational information.

[0059] Considering another example scenario, in which the process controller (20) determines the bandwidth allocation of radio resources for the transmission of operational information from the scheduling information received from the network node (40). In such a scenario, the process controller (20) transmits at least some of the operational information to the application module (88) by performing one or more prioritizations of at least some of the operational information, (automatic) adjustment of the compression rate of the operational information and / or the sampling rate of the transmission of the operational information, configuration of the delay for the transmission of the operational information, and requesting the network node (40) for higher fidelity for the radio resources available for transmission. Therefore, the prioritized operational information can be efficiently transmitted to the application module (88) when a better bandwidth is allocated.

[0060] Considering another example scenario, in which the process controller (20) unchecks the requested radio resources for transmission and determines that at least some of the operational information be transmitted to the application module (88). In such a scenario, the process controller (20) transmits the operational information to the application module (88) prioritizing the transmission of the operational information on the radio resources with limited bandwidth. Also, during the transmission of the operational information, the process controller (20) disables the adjustment of the sampling rate of the operational information transmission and the adjustment of the compression rate of the operational information.

[0061] In response to the transmission of at least some of the operational information to the application module (88), the process controller (20) receives the Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 27 / 118 16 / 75 or more operational commands from the application module (88) to operate at least one drilling rig (10a-10n). The process controller (20) operates at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) through the associated equipment controller (50a50n) based on one or more operational commands received. The one or more operational commands are generated by the application module (88) based on operational information. In some examples, the one or more operational commands may indicate at least one of the following: new settings for at least one drilling rig (10a-10n), updated settings to update the operation of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) according to a change in the drilling process, a recording command to record information related to the drilling process, and so on.

[0062] For the operation of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n), the process controller (20) can evaluate whether one or more operational commands received from the application module (88) indicate one or more abnormal settings for operating at least one drilling rig (10a-10n).

[0063] When it has been assessed that one or more operational commands indicate one or more abnormal configurations, the process controller (20) performs one or more of the following: generation of an alert notification, operation of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) in safe mode, and synchronization with at least one other drilling rig to operate at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) in safe mode. The alert notification may indicate that one or more operational commands comprise one or more abnormal configurations to operate at least one drilling rig (10a-10n). In some examples, the alert notification may also include at least one of the following: comparison data (e.g., graphical user interface, GUI, data), metadata, or similar, indicating the comparison between the configurations suggested in one or more operational commands and the pre-configured configurations for at least one drilling rig (10a-10n).The safe mode indicates a mode in which at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) can be operated manually (i.e., by the driller) or at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) can be operated according to the pre-set configurations. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 28 / 118 17 / 75 configured / default. Therefore, any third-party attack on the operations of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) can be prevented.

[0064] When it has been assessed that one or more operational commands do not indicate one or more abnormal configurations, the process controller (20) transmits / notifies one or more operational commands (received from the application module (88)) to the drill (77) (see Fig. 7). In response to the notification, the process controller (20) may receive an input from the drill (77) within a predefined time period. In some examples, the input may indicate approval of one or more operational commands. In some examples, the input may indicate rejection of one or more operational commands. The process controller (20) operates at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) based, at least in part, on the input received from the drill.For example, if the process controller (20) receives input from the driller (77) indicating approval of one or more operational commands, the process controller (20) operates at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) in accordance with the one or more approved operational commands. The process controller (20) can transmit the one or more approved operational commands to the respective equipment controller (50a-50n), which then operates at least one associated drilling rig (10a-10n) in accordance with the one or more approved operational commands.If the process controller (20) receives input from the driller (77) indicating the rejection of one or more operational commands, the process controller (20) operates at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) according to the pre-configured / default settings of at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) or allows the driller (77) to operate at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) manually.

[0065] The application module (88) mentioned can be adapted to control at least one operation of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) by providing one or more operational commands and the well plan. The well plan can indicate one or more of the following: configured settings / operations of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n), drilling process steps, etc.

[0066] In some embodiments, in order to provide 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 at least Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 29 / 118 18 / 75 a drilling rig (10a-10n)) received from the process controller (20). The digital twin can be a physical representation (or a mathematical and / or numerical representation) of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n). In some examples, the application module (10a-n) can obtain the digital twin by obtaining the digital twin of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) from a manufacturer of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n). Once the digital twin is obtained, the application module (88) generates one or more operational commands to operate at least one drilling rig (10a-10n), based on the digital twin.

[0067] The application module (88) transmits one or more operational commands generated to the process controller (20) via the wireless link provided by the communication network (30). In some embodiments, the application module (88) can also transmit 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 the following: a transmission sampling rate of the one or more operational commands, a compression rate of the one or more operational commands, etc.

[0068] In some examples, the application module (88) transmits one or more operational commands to the process controller (20) in push messages. In some examples, the application module (88) generates a visual alert in the user interface(s) (60a-c) to indicate one or more operational commands.

[0069] In some embodiments, the application module (88) can also be adapted to simulate the effects of one or more operational commands generated according to the well plan. The simulation can be performed using the digital twin. From the simulation, the application module (88) determines whether one or more operational commands are acceptable. When it is determined that one or more operational commands are acceptable, the application module (88) does not modify the well plan. When it is determined that 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 can be transmitted to the process controller (20) to operate at least one drilling rig (10a-10n). Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 30 / 118 19 / 75

[0070] In some embodiments, the application module (88) can also be adapted to detect an operational state of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n), based on operational information received from the process controller (20). In some examples, the operational state indicates an inactive state, a working state, or similar. If the detected operational state of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) indicates an inactive state, the application module (88) transmits an indication to the driller (77) or to the process controller (20) to deactivate at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) in the inactive state. The application module (88) can also record an inactive time for at least one deactivated drilling rig (10a-10n). In this way, saving energy consumption.

[0071] Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary method steps of a method (300) performed for communication exchange between the process controller and the application module (88) by using the communication network to operate at least one drilling rig. The drilling rig is being connected to at least one equipment controller of the drilling rig. The communication network is being adapted to provide the wireless link for communication between the process controller and the application module.

[0072] In step (302), method (300) comprises identifying operational information associated with at least one drilling rig. In some examples, the process controller may identify operational information by receiving operational information and the status associated with at least one drilling rig from at least one equipment controller. In some embodiments, operational information comprises one or more of the following: information related to the state of at least one drilling rig, information related to the behavior of at least one drilling rig, and information collected from one or more sensors fitted to at least one drilling rig.

[0073] In step (304), method (300) comprises determining at least some of the operational information to be transmitted from the process controller to the application module. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 31 / 118 20 / 75

[0074] In some embodiments, step (304) of determining at least some of the operational information to be transmitted comprises receiving scheduling information related to radio resources available for transmission from the network node and determining at least 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 the following: a time interval between radio resources available for transmission of the operational information, a data rate of each radio resource available for transmission of the operational information, bandwidth allocation of the radio resource for transmission of the operational information, and a network node performance.

[0075] In some embodiments, the method further comprises selecting at least one transmission parameter from a set of transmission parameters associated with at least some of the operational information, according to the scheduling information. In some examples, the transmission parameters may comprise one or more of the following: a sampling rate associated with the 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 the transmission of at least some of the operational information. By selecting 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.

[0076] In some embodiments, the method also includes prioritizing at least some of the operational information and transmitting the prioritized operational information from the process controller to the application module.

[0077] In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining, by using scheduling information, the highest fidelity 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 that the network node provide the highest fidelity required for the radio resources to transmit at least some of the operational information. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 32 / 118 21 / 75

[0078] Optionally, step (304) of determining at least part of the operational information to be transmitted may comprise requesting the network node (40) to have radio resources transmit the operational information. The method may comprise detecting a time sampling rate for transmitting the operational information using the requested radio resources. After detecting the time sampling rate, the method may comprise determining that the time sampling rate is greater than a predefined sampling rate. After determining that the time sampling rate is greater than the predefined sampling rate, the method may comprise unchecking the requested radio resources and determining that at least some part of the operational information to be transmitted is on other radio resources available for transmitting the operational information.

[0079] In step (306), method (300) may comprise the operation of at least one drilling equipment in accordance with one or more operational commands generated by the application module based on operational information.

[0080] In some embodiments, the (306) operation step of at least one drilling rig may comprise assessing whether one or more operating commands received from the application module indicate one or more abnormal settings for operating at least one drilling rig. When it is assessed that one or more operating commands do not indicate one or more abnormal settings, the method may comprise operating at least one drilling rig in accordance with one or more operating commands.When it is assessed that one or more operational commands indicate one or more abnormal configurations, the method may comprise performing one or more of the following: generating an alert notification indicating that one or more operational commands indicate one or more abnormal configurations for the operation of at least one drilling rig, operating at least one drilling rig in a safe mode, and synchronizing with at least one other drilling rig to operate at least one drilling rig in safe mode.

[0081] In some embodiments, the operating step of at least one drilling rig may comprise the transmission of one or more operating commands to a driller (77) and the receipt, by the driller, of an input indicating approval. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 33 / 118 22 / 75 or rejection of one or more operational commands within a predefined time period. The method may comprise the operation of at least one drilling rig based on input received from the driller.

[0082] In some embodiments, the step of generating one or more operational commands may comprise obtaining a digital twin representing at least one drilling rig, based on operational information. In some examples, the digital twin may be obtained by obtaining the digital twin of at least one drilling rig from a manufacturer of at least one drilling rig. The method may further comprise generating one or more operational commands to operate at least one drilling rig based on the digital twin.

[0083] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise simulating one or more operational commands according to a defined well plan to operate at least one drilling rig. The method may comprise determining that one or more operational commands are invalid from the simulation. By determining that one or more operational commands are invalid, the method may comprise modifying the well plan to be transmitted from the application module to the process controller to operate at least one drilling rig.

[0084] Fig. 4 is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of signaling for the operation of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) of the drilling rig. The drilling system comprises the drilling rig with the plurality of drilling rigs (10a-10n) being adapted to construct at least one well and the application module (88) being adapted to control the construction of at least one well. The plurality of drilling rigs (10a-10n) can be connected to the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n), each being connected to the process controller (20). The process controller (20) can be connected to the application module (88) via the data link provided by the communication network (30).

[0085] As represented in Fig. 4, the process controller (20) identifies (402) the operational information associated with at least one drilling rig (10a-10n). In some examples, the operational information may comprise one or more of the following: information related to a state of at least one drilling rig Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, p. 34 / 118 23 / 75 (10a-10n), information related to the behavior of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) and information collected from at least one sensor fitted to at least one drilling rig (10a-10n).

[0086] Once the operational information has been identified, the process controller (20) receives (403) scheduling information related to the radio resources available for transmitting the operational information. In some examples, the scheduling information may comprise one or more of the following: a time interval between the radio resources available for transmitting the operational information, a data rate for each radio resource available for transmitting the operational information, a bandwidth allocation of radio resources for transmitting the operational information, and a network node performance.

[0087] The process controller (20) determines (404) at least some of the operational information to be transmitted to the application module (88) according to the scheduling information. The process controller (20) transmits (404a) the determined operational information to the application module (88). In some examples, the process controller (20) may transmit 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 the 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 the 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 transmit the prioritized operational information to the application module (88). In some examples, the process controller (20) may request higher fidelity from the network node (40) so that the radio resources transmit at least some of the operational information.

[0088] Upon receiving the operational information, the application module (88) generates (405) one or more operational commands to operate at least one drilling rig (10a-10n). In some examples, the application module (88) obtains the digital twin representing at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) from the information. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 35 / 118 24 / 75 operational. The application module (88) generates one or more operational commands based on the digital twin. The application module (88) transmits (405a) the one or more generated operational commands to the process controller (20) to operate at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n). In some embodiments, the application module (88) can transmit one or more operational commands to the process controller (20) according to the scheduling information received from the network node (40) about the radio resources available for transmission (which is similar to the transmission of operational information from the process controller (20) to the application module (88).

[0089] Upon receiving one or more operational commands, the process controller (20) operates (406) at least one drilling rig (10a-10n). In some examples, to operate at least one drilling rig (10a-10n), the process controller (20) transmits one or more operational commands to the driller. The process controller (20) receives input from the driller (77) indicating approval or rejection of one or more operational commands. The process controller (20) operates at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) based on the input received from the driller. For example, if the process controller (20) receives input from the driller (77) indicating approval of one or more operational commands, the process controller (20) operates at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) according to the one or more approved operational commands.If the process controller (20) receives input from the driller (77) indicating the rejection of one or more operational commands, the process controller (20) operates at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) according to the pre-configured / default settings of at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) or allows the driller (77) to operate at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) manually.

[0090] Fig. 5 presents an example illustration of communication exchange between the drilling rig (80) and the application module to operate at least one drilling rig (80) during well construction.

[0091] The drilling rig (80) may comprise a plurality of drilling equipment, each adapted to perform at least one drilling operation for the construction of the well. In some examples, the plurality of drilling equipment (10a-10n) may include, but is not limited to, winches, mud pumps, drilling rigs. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, p. 36 / 118 25 / 75 pressure control, such as chokes, valves or explosion-proof safety devices, pipe handling equipment, iron stocks, separation equipment such as agitators or centrifuges, lift compensators, dynamic positioning systems, etc. Some of the exemplary drilling equipment and related activities are illustrated in Figs. 6A, 6B and 6C. As illustrated in Fig. 6A, a driller inside a driller's cabin (87) can monitor and control at least one operation of the drilling equipment. Examples of drilling equipment are represented in Figs. 6B (mud pump (10b)) and 6C (drilling machine (upper unit) (10c) and hydraulic wrench (iron roughneck) (10a).

[0092] The drilling equipment can be connected to the process controller by means of an equipment controller (50a-n). The process controller can be in bidirectional communication with one or more external entity application modules (89) on the communication network (30), which provides a wireless link for communication.

[0093] The process controller transmits the operational information associated with at least one drilling equipment to at least one application module of the external entity (89), according to the scheduling information related to the radio resources available for transmission. The process controller can receive the scheduling information from the network node on the communication network.

[0094] Upon receiving the operational information, at least one application module of the external entity (89) obtains the digital twin based on the operational information associated with at least one drilling rig. The digital twin can provide an electronic / digital representation of at least one drilling rig. At least one application module (88) generates one or more operational commands to operate at least one drilling rig of the drilling rig (80) based on the digital twin.

[0095] In some examples, at least one application module transmits one or more operational commands to the process controller (20) to operate at least one drilling equipment of the drilling unit (95).

[0096] In some examples, at least one application module transmits one or more operational commands and / or the digital twin to at least one of: the driller (77) present in the drilling cabin (87), an operator / user present in Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 37 / 118 26 / 75 service company office (79), a user / administrator present at the onshore office (i.e., at a remote location) or similar. For example, a graphical representation of the digital twin provided for at least one of: the driller (77) present in the drilling cabin and / or the user / administrator present at the service company office (79) is shown in Fig. 7. In this way, at least one drilling rig (80) can be operated or supported from any location with a high level of security.

[0097] Fig. 8 presents example illustrations of how to provide an exemplary drilling application for different organizations to access information about the operation of at least one drilling rig of the drilling unit (95). In some embodiments, the application module provides a drilling application that can be accessed by different organizations / companies to check at least some 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 drilling company, a logistics company or similar.In some examples, information related to the drilling unit (95) may include, but is not limited to, 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) according to the well plan, simulation results of the operational commands according to the well plan, modified well plan, etc. Based on the accessed information related to the drilling unit (95), organizations can determine at least one of the following: the well construction status, the operations of the drilling unit (95), and so on, and can provide feedback for the operation of the drilling unit (95).In this way, the drilling unit (95) can be operated efficiently while maintaining a high level of safety.

[0098] Fig. 9 shows example illustrations of monitoring and / or support for 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 one or more application modules (88) of the external entity (89). The plurality of units Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 38 / 118 27 / 75 drilling (95a-c) can be connected to one or more application modules (88) via the data link provided by the communication network. Alternatively, one or more application modules (88) can be in bidirectional communication with the plurality of drilling units (95a-c) via an intermediate cloud storage.

[0099] Several team members (75) may be present in the external entity (89), which may be an onshore entity. For example, geologists, simulation specialists, operational planning team (such as logistics), equipment / machinery specialists, etc., may be present in the entity (89) and have access to view information and / or provide information to the drilling unit(s) (95a-c). This may, for example, be done via an interface (60c), as described further below.

[0100] Each of the drilling units (95a-c) comprises one or more drilling rigs (10a-10n) to perform one or more operations for the construction of a well. One or more drilling rigs (10a-10n) can be connected to the process controller (20) by means of the equipment controller(s) (50a-n). The process controller (20) can be adapted to operate one or more drilling rigs (10a-10n).

[0101] One or more application modules (88) may be a computer / computing device. Alternatively, one or more application modules (88) may be an application implemented on the computer / computing device.

[0102] Operational information relating to the drilling unit(s) (95a-c) can be shared with one or more application modules (88) via the data link. In addition, an application programming interface, API, can be used, which enables an application to be run on one or more drilling units (95ac) / drilling unit processing controllers (20) (95a-c) to transmit the operational information to one or more application modules (88).

[0103] One or more application modules (88) may generate one or more operational commands or operational settings to operate the drilling unit(s) (95ac) based on operational information. One or more application modules (88) may also provide the drilling application, which may include at least one of: Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 39 / 118 28 / 75 tasks / operations being performed by the plurality of drilling equipment (10a-10n), data insights, analyses, dashboards indicating the current operations of the plurality of drilling equipment (10a-10n), etc. In this way, organizations / entities accessing the drilling application can gain knowledge of the complete operation of the drilling unit(s) (95a-c).

[0104] Fig. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating various components of an exemplary drilling system for operating a drilling unit. As represented in Fig. 10, the drilling system comprises one or more intelligent adapters (1002), one or more intelligent 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 recorder (1018), a user interface (1020), and a digital twin simulator (1024). The components mentioned above can be run on the drilling unit process controller (95) and / or the application module (88).

[0105] The access controller (1008) can be connected to at least one SM (1004), at least one PLC (1006), a third-party module, and a drilling display module. In some examples, the access controller (1008) can be connected to the SM (1004) and the PLC using a user datagram protocol, UDP. In some examples, the access controller (1008) can be connected to the SM using an Open Platform Communications United Architecture, OPC UA protocol. In some examples, the access controller can be connected to the drilling display module using an S7 protocol.

[0106] The access controller (1008) can be adapted to transmit functions, limits to the PLCs (1006) and transmit information to at least one SM (1004), one edge module and one leadership module. The access controller (1008) can also be adapted to perform access control of the PLCs (1006) and the SM (1004). The access controller (1008) can be adapted to facilitate the start and stop of the SM (1004) from the main module, the third-party module and the SA (1002).

[0107] The connection controller (1012) can be adapted to connect all equipment / drilling equipment controllers locally in the unit of Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 40 / 118 29 / 75 drilling by automation. Also, the connection controller (1012) can be adapted to connect the drilling unit to the cloud (93) for analysis, information sharing and collection of an application module input. In some examples, the input may include at least one of the following: the operational commands to operate the drilling unit, the well plan and so on.

[0108] The operating controller (1010) can be adapted to orchestrate the drilling of well sections. The operating controller (1010) uses automatic functions (if available) and guides the driller (77) to manually organize the drilling of well sections.

[0109] In some examples, the operating controller (1010) may also be adapted to collect operational data from the drilling unit from sensors (e.g., vibration sensors, shock sensors or similar) fitted to the drilling unit and transmit the operational data to the application module. In some examples, the transmission of operational data includes at least one of the following: transmission of raw data collected from the sensors, transmission of processed raw data, transmission of information integrated with measurements and calculations of third-party conditions, or similar.

[0110] In some instances, the operation controller (1010) may store the operational commands received to operate the containerized drilling unit. The operation controller (1010) may also store metadata associated with the operational commands. In some instances, the metadata may include at least one of the following: units, location, fault codes, maximum / minimum change rate, and maximum values ​​related to drilling unit operations.

[0111] In some examples, the operations controller (1010) may allow different organizations to access information related to the drilling unit (e.g., current drilling unit operations, historical information related to the drilling unit, or similar) based on the subscription provided by the organizations. For example, the operations controller (1010) may report on the access / use of information related to the drilling unit by the organizations, charge per hour of access to the information, and subscribe to the information for a cost. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 41 / 118 30 / 75

[0112] In some examples, the operating controller (1010) may comprise an automatic feature matching / information model. The automatic feature matching / information model may allow the driller / operator (77) to query at least one of the following: available features of the drilling unit's drilling equipment, a version of the information related to the drilling unit, information related to the drilling unit's drilling equipment capabilities, and so on.

[0113] In some examples, the operating controller (1010) may include a rollback capability function, which enables the drilling unit (95) / process controller (20) to revert to the last / previous valid settings for controlling the drilling equipment operations.

[0114] The drilling rig recorder (1018) can be adapted to maintain at least one of the following: a drilling unit operations event, time series data related to drilling unit operations, operational information, count, structured data, alarm for event occurrence, SNMP / diagnostic data or similar.

[0115] The data hub (1016) can store a drilling visualization or information about the drilling unit. The data hub (1016) can provide the drilling visualization or information about the drilling unit to an administrator located at the service company office (79) located onshore at the drilling unit. In some examples, the drilling visualization can be a synchronized three-dimensional visualization. In some examples, one or more operations, such as, but not limited to, respond, pause, stop, advance, or similar, can be performed on the drilling visualization. In some examples, an onshore button can be provided along with the drilling visualization for the administrator, which can be used to transmit the raw data timeframe related to the drilling unit operations to the application module or to the cloud (93).

[0116] The write approver (1014) can be adapted to allow the puncher / administrator / user to access (read, write, query or similar) operational commands / operational information based on defined user roles. The write approver (1014) can also be adapted to provide the following functions: Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 42 / 118 31 / 75 - Data ownership function management: the write approver (1014) provides shared access from multiple data owners to the puncher / administrator / user based on ownership rights and shared access only to the administrator data that the puncher / administrator / user owns; - Change in the owner's role: for example, changing from a previous oil company to a new one or a new service provider; - Security function: the write approver (1014) encrypts operational commands / operational information, IDS (detecting suspicious activities and generating alerts), authentication and Open Web Application Security Project, OWASP, to produce freely accessible articles, methodologies, documentation, tools and technologies in the area of ​​network application security; - Write approval function: the write approver (1014) enables the separation of automation / operational commands from information / analysis based on the write approval required by the connection controller (1012) for the access controller (1008); - Offshore operational command function approval: the write approver (1014) records who approved the operational commands received from the application module and which drilling unit values / configurations were approved. The write approver (1014) also records the rejections of operational commands and which drilling rig values / configurations were denied. The write approver (1014) also records the approval matrix / operational information and records who approved the approval matrix; - notification on land; the write approver (1014) generates a notification when operational commands are denied, approved, or no response is provided; - Write function: The write approver (1014) records operational information / operational commands in a secure data area. The operational information / operational commands in the secure data area can be accessed with human approval.

[0117] The cloud (93) being connected to the drilling unit and the application module can be adapted to collect operational information and operational commands. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 43 / 118 32 / 75

[0118] The cloud (93) may comprise an authentication module, an analysis module, and a supervision module. The authentication module may be adapted to authenticate operational information, operational commands, and so forth. The analysis module may be adapted to generate data analyses based on operational information and operational commands, and to provide the data analyses for at least one entity. In some examples, the at least one entity may include one or more of the following: the drilling unit process controller, 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 also exist as a standalone module. The wellMaster™ module provides adapters for connection to different well plans.The wellMaster™ module edits the well plan at drilling moisture and enables the drilling rig to adapt to the edited well plan.

[0119] Any appropriate steps, methods, features, functions, or benefits disclosed herein may be implemented by means of one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual appliances. Each virtual appliance may comprise several such functional units. These functional units may be implemented by means of processing circuits, which may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include digital signal processors, DSPs, special-purpose digital logic, and the like. The processing circuit may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or more types of memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory, RAM, cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc.The program code stored in memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunication and / or data communication protocols, as well as instructions for executing one or more of the techniques described herein. In some implementations, the processing circuit may be used to cause the respective functional unit to perform corresponding functions in accordance with one or more of the embodiments of this disclosure. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, p. 44 / 118 33 / 75

[0120] Fig. 12 illustrates an example of a computational environment (1400) implementing a drilling method and system, as described in Fig. 3. As illustrated in Fig. 12, the computational 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 network devices (1408) and a plurality of input and output devices, I / O devices (1410), a memory (1412), a storage (1414). The data processing module (1406) can be responsible for implementing the method described in Fig. 3. For example, the data processing module (1406) can, in some embodiments, be equivalent to the processor of the process / application controller module described above in conjunction with 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) to perform its processing. In addition, any logical and arithmetic operations involved in the execution of the instructions are computed with the aid of the ALU (1404).

[0121] The computer program can be loaded into the data processing module (1406), which may, for example, be contained in an electronic device (such as a control system comprising a process controller and an application module). When loaded into the data processing module (1406), the computer program can be stored in the memory (1412) associated with or contained in the data processing module (1406). According to some embodiments, the computer program can, when loaded and executed by the data processing module (1406), cause the execution of method steps according to, for example, any of the methods illustrated in Fig. 3 or otherwise described herein.

[0122] The general computing environment (1400) may consist of multiple homogeneous and / or heterogeneous cores, multiple CPUs of different types, special media and other accelerators. Furthermore, the plurality of data processing modules (1406) may be located on a single chip or on multiple chips.

[0123] The algorithm, comprising the instructions and code necessary for implementation, is stored in memory (1412) or in storage (1414), or in both. At runtime, the instructions can be retrieved from memory (1412) Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 45 / 118 34 / 75 and / or in storage (1414) corresponding and executed by the data processing module (1406).

[0124] In the case of any hardware implementations, several network devices (1408) or external I / O devices (1410) can be connected to the computing environment to support the implementation through the network devices (1408) and I / O devices (1410).

[0125] The realizations disclosed here can be implemented by means of at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the elements.

[0126] The elements shown in Figure 12 include blocks that can be at least one hardware device or a combination of hardware device and software module.

[0127] Other inventive aspects and achievements are described 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 the construction of at least one well, wherein the drilling unit (95) comprises: a plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n), each adapted to control at least one operation of at least one drilling equipment (10a10n); and a process controller (20) connected to the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n) and adapted to: identify operational information associated with at least one drilling rig (10a-10n); determine at least some of the operational information to be transmitted to the application module (88) via the data link (91), (92); and Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 46 / 118 35 / 75 operate 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 one or more operational commands are generated based on operational information. A2. The drilling system (90) in accordance with any previous clause, wherein the data link is a wireless data link. A3. The drilling system (90) in accordance with any previous clause, wherein the process controller (20) is adapted to determine at least some of the operational information to be transmitted by: reception, from a network node (40) in the communication network (30), of scheduling information related to the radio resources available for transmission of operational information via the data link (91, 92); and determination of at least some of the operational information to be transmitted according to the scheduling information. A4. The drilling system (90) in accordance with any previous clause, wherein the scheduling information comprises one or more of the following: a time interval between the radio resources available for transmitting operational information; a data rate for each radio resource available for transmitting operational information; allocation of radio resource bandwidth for transmission of operational information; or a network node performance (40). A5. The drilling system (90) in accordance with any previous clause, in which the process controller (20) is further adapted for: select at least one transmission parameter from a set of transmission parameters associated with at least some of the operational information, according to the scheduling information; and vary the selected at least one transmission parameter when at least some of the operational information must be transmitted to the application module (88). Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 47 / 118 36 / 75 A6. The drilling system (90) in accordance with any preceding clause, wherein at least one transmission parameter comprises one or more of the following: a sampling rate associated with the 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 the transmission of at least some of the operational information. A7. The drilling system (90) in accordance with any previous clause, in which the process controller (20) is further adapted for: prioritize at least some of the operational information; and transmit at least some of the prioritized operational information to the application module (88). A8. The drilling system (90) in accordance with any previous clause, wherein the process controller (20) is adapted to prioritize at least some of the operational information based on a signal from the application module (88). A9. The drilling system (90) in accordance with any previous clause, in which the process controller (20) is further adapted for: determine, by using the scheduling information, that higher fidelity is required for the radio resources to transmit at least some of the operational information; and request the network node (40) to provide the higher fidelity required for the radio resources to transmit at least some of the operational information. A10. The drilling system (90) in accordance with any previous clause, wherein the process controller (20) is adapted to determine at least some of the operational information to be transmitted by: request to the network node (40) the radio resources for transmission of operational information; detection of a temporal sampling rate for transmitting operational information using the requested radio resources; Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 48 / 118 37 / 75 determination that the temporal sampling rate is greater than a predefined sampling rate; Upon determining that the temporal sampling rate is greater than the predefined sampling rate, uncheck the requested radio resources; and determine at least some of the operational information to be transmitted on other radio resources available for transmitting the operational information. A11. The drilling system (90) according to any previous clause, wherein the operational information associated with at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) comprises one or more of: information relating to the condition of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n); information related to the behavior of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n); and information collected from at least one sensor fitted to at least one drilling rig (10a-10n). A12. The drilling system (90) according to any previous clause, wherein the process controller (20) is adapted to operate at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) by: assessment of whether one or more operational commands received from the application module (88) indicate one or more abnormal settings for the operation of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n); and when it is assessed that one or more operational commands do not indicate one or more abnormal settings, operate at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) in accordance with one or more operational commands. A13. The drilling system (90) in accordance with any previous clause, whereby when it is assessed that one or more operating commands indicate one or more abnormal configurations, the process controller (20) is further adapted to execute one or more of the following: Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 49 / 118 38 / 75 generation of an alert notification indicating that one or more operational commands indicate one or more abnormal configurations for the operation of at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n); operation of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) in a safe mode; and synchronization with at least one other drilling rig to operate at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) in safe mode. A14. The drilling system (90) according to any previous clause, wherein the process controller (20) is adapted to operate at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) according to one or more operational commands by: transmission of one or more operational commands to a drill (77); receipt, from the driller (77), of an input indicating approval or rejection of one or more operational commands within a predefined time period; and operation of at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) based on the input received from the driller. A15. The drilling system (90) according to any previous clause, wherein the application module (88) is adapted to generate one or more operational commands by: obtaining a digital twin representing at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) of the drilling rig (80), based on at least some of the operational information; and generating one or more operational commands for operating at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) based on the digital twin. A16. The drilling system (90) in accordance with any previous clause, in which the application module (88) is adapted to obtain the digital twin by: obtaining the digital twin of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) from a manufacturer of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n). A17. The drilling system (90) according to any previous clause, wherein the application module (88) is further adapted for: simulate one or more operational commands according to a well plan defined for the operation of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n); Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 50 / 118 39 / 75 determination that one or more operational commands are not valid in the simulation; and modification of the well plan to be transmitted to the process controller (20) for the operation of 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) by using a communication network (30) to operate at least one drilling rig (10a-10n), wherein at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) is connected to at least one equipment controller (50a-50n) of an analysis 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: identification (302, 402) of operational information associated with at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n); determination (304, 404) of at least some of the operational information to be transmitted from the process controller (20) to the application module (88) via the data link (91), (92); and operation (306, 406) of 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 to 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: reception, from a network node (40) in the communication network (30), scheduling information related to the radio resources available for transmission of operational information; and determination of at least some of the operational information to be transmitted according to the scheduling information. A20. The method (300) in accordance with any previous clause, wherein the scheduling information comprises one or more of the following: Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 51 / 118 40 / 75 is a time interval between radio resources; a data rate for each of the radio resources; and allocation of bandwidth from radio resources for transmission of operational information. A21. The method (300) in accordance with any previous clause, further comprising: select at least one transmission parameter from a set of transmission parameters associated with at least some of the operational information, according to the scheduling information; and vary the selected at least one transmission parameter when at least some of the operational information must be transmitted to the application module (88). A22. The (300) method in accordance with any preceding clause, wherein at least one transmission parameter comprises one or more of the following: a sampling rate associated with the 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 the transmission of at least some of the operational information. A23. The method (300) in accordance with any previous clause, further comprising: prioritize at least some of the operational information; and transmit at least some of the prioritized operational information from the process controller (20) to the application module (88). A24. The method (300) in accordance with any previous clause, further comprising: determine, by using the scheduling information, that greater 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 Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 52 / 118 41 / 75 request the network node (40) to provide the required higher fidelity so that the radio resources transmit at least some of the operational information. A25. The method (300) in accordance with any preceding clause, wherein the step of determining at least some part of the operational information to be transmitted comprises: request, to the network node (40), for radio resources for transmission of operational information; detection of a temporal sampling rate for transmitting operational information using the requested radio resources; determining that the temporal sampling rate is greater than a predefined sampling rate; After determining that the temporal sampling rate is greater than the predefined sampling rate, uncheck the requested radio resources; and determining that at least some of the operational information be transmitted on other radio resources available for transmitting operational information. A26. The method (300) in accordance with any preceding clause, wherein the operational information associated with at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) comprises one or more of the following: information relating to the status of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n); information related to the behavior of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n); and information collected from at least one sensor fitted to at least one drilling rig (10a-10n). A27. The method (300) according to any previous clause, wherein the step (306) of operating at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) comprises: assess whether one or more operational commands received from the application module (88) indicate one or more abnormal configurations for the operation of at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n); and Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 53 / 118 42 / 75 when it is assessed that one or more operating commands do not indicate one or more abnormal configurations, operate at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) in accordance with one or more operating commands. A28. Method (300) in accordance with any preceding clause, whereby when it is assessed that one or more operational commands indicate one or more abnormal configurations, method (300) comprises executing one or more of the following: generation of an alert notification indicating that one or more operational commands indicate one or more abnormal configurations for the operation of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n); operation of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) in a safe mode; and synchronization with at least one other drilling unit (95) to operate at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) in safe mode. A29. The method (300) according to any previous clause, wherein the operation step of at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n) comprises: transmission of one or more operational commands to a drill; receipt, from the driller, of an input indicating approval or rejection of one or more operational commands within a predefined time period; and operation of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) based on the input received from the driller. A30. The method (300) according to any previous clause, in which the step of generating one or more operational commands comprises: obtaining a digital twin representing at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) of the drilling unit (95), based on operational information; and generating one or more operational commands for the operation of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) based on the digital twin. A 31. The method (300) in accordance with any previous clause, wherein the digital twin acquisition step comprises: obtaining the digital twin of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n) from a manufacturer of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n). Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 54 / 118 43 / 75 A32. The method (300) in accordance with any previous clause, further comprising: simulate one or more operational commands according to a well plan defined for the operation of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n); determine that one or more operational commands are not valid from the simulation; and modify the well plan to be transmitted from the application module (88) to the process controller (20) for operation of at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n), based on the determination. A33. A computer program product comprising a non-transient, computer-readable medium containing within itself a computer program comprising program instructions. The computer program may be loaded into a data processing unit and configured to cause the execution of the method in accordance with any preceding clause when the computer program is executed by the data processing unit.

[0128] 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 schematically illustrated in Fig. 8. Each application module (88a-e) may be operationally 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 land-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 communication network to which the process controller (20) is also operationally connected.

[0129] Application modules (88a-e) may, for example, be application modules operated by an oil company that commissioned the well construction; a technology or services company that provides technical assistance in one or more aspects related to well construction; a drilling company responsible for operating the drilling system (90); a logistics company responsible for supplying components Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 55 / 118 44 / 75 or materials for well construction; and / or an equipment or plant supplier, such as the drilling equipment manufacturer(s) (10a-n).

[0130] 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 pressure clamp (10a), adapted to construct at least one well. Each piece of equipment (10a-n) is operationally connected to an equipment controller (50a-50n) adapted to control at least one operation of at least one piece of drilling equipment (10a-10n). The equipment controller (50a-n) may, for example, be PLC controllers.

[0131] A process controller (20) is operationally connected to the equipment controllers (50a-50n) and configured to manage and send operational instructions to the equipment controllers (50a-50n). The operational instructions may, for example, be operational commands from the drill (77) provided by means of an input device (60d) (see Fig. 7), such as a joystick, keyboard, panel or touch screen.

[0132] A communication network (30), schematically illustrated 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 coastal location (see, for example, Fig. 1a and 1c).

[0133] 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 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, may be used to continuously provide setpoint recommendations for relevant operational parameters, such as weight on the drill bit, vertical pipe pressure, circulation rate, etc., for optimal drilling plant operation. The user interface (60a) located in a drilling cabin (87) may be operationally connected to the controller of Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 56 / 118 45 / 75 process (20) and configured to allow the application module (88, 88a-e) to provide operating instructions to the punch (77) via the user interface (60a). Alternatively, or additionally, the application modules (88, 88a-e) can provide direct operating instructions to the equipment controllers (50a-n) via the process controller (20). In this way, an application module (88, 88a-e) can, for example, execute a sequence of actions. The provision of direct operating instructions from an application module (88, 88a-e) can be conditional upon approval by the punch (77), for example, requiring an action via an input device to approve its commencement and / or repeated approval of sequential steps in a sequence initiated by an application module (88, 88a-e).

[0134] In any of the embodiments herein, each of the plurality of application modules (88, 88a-e) can 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), including, for example, actual operational parameters for the equipment (10a-n) and measured operational parameters that are external to the drilling system (90), such as measured bottomhole conditions.

[0135] The process controller (20) can be configured to determine or receive a determined status indicator based on a plurality of operating parameters of the drilling system (90) and / or the well, such that the status indicator represents an operating state of the drilling system (90). The status indicator can be determined in real time or, for example, based on a set of historical operating data, such as data collected over a period of a few minutes. An example of the various ways of calculating a status indicator is described in the GB 2545088 B document mentioned above. The status indicator can optionally be a value entered manually, for example, by the driller (77).

[0136] The status indicator is indicative of an operational state of the drilling system (90). In particular, the status indicator is indicative of what type of operation or activity is being performed at a given time. In any of the embodiments described herein, the status indicator may comprise at least the possible states (i) drilling and (ii) displacement. The states may, for example, comprise: (i) drilling, (ii) drilling connection, (iii) displacement inward and (iv) displacement Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 57 / 118 46 / 75 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 inactive in the same state. Other states, and therefore more granularity, may be included, such as one or more of the following: enlargement, reverse enlargement, single unit inlet displacement, single unit outlet displacement, run coating, cementing, mud pump ramp, reciprocating, friction test or other activities that may be indicative of an operational state of the detection unit (95). (See, for example, WO 2018 / 203753 A1 document mentioned above).

[0137] The status indicator can be determined based on, for example, the instantaneous operational status or activity of the equipment (10a-n) and, at least partially, on an operational parameter measured external to the drilling system (90), for example, parameters measured in the well or on the drilling unit (95). The status indicator can also be determined based, at least in part, on a climatic impact acting on the drilling unit (95) that is part of the drilling system (90). The climatic impact may, for example, comprise (projected, calculated or measured) wind and / or wave load(s). In this way, the status indicator can convey information related, for example, to the dynamic movement of the drilling unit (95), the risk of drift, etc.This information can be used by the process controller (20) and / or the application module(s) (88, 88a-e), for example, to provide recommended or automatically employed operating settings, safety limits, etc. If, for example, the drilling unit (95) is subjected to large lifting movements, the safety limits may be more stringent or greater manual attention from the driller (77) may be required, as there may be a greater risk of, for example, formation damage.

[0138] The process controller (20) can be configured to select, based on the status indicator, which application modules (88, 88a-e) from among the plurality of application modules (88, 88a-e) to provide operational instructions to the drill (77) and / or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n).

[0139] If the status indicator includes information on climate impact, the process controller (20) may use the status indicator, including this information on climate impact, to select the application module (88, 88a-e) that is most Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 58 / 118 47 / 75 suitable for the conditions in question or known to provide better operational assistance under these conditions. This could be, for example, an application module (88, 88ae) that includes additional models to take into account the effects of the vessel's lifting motion or that has additional safety functionality incorporated.

[0140] The process controller (20) can be configured to automatically activate one or more selected application modules (88, 88a-e) to provide operating instructions for the drill (77) and / or to automatically provide operating instructions for one or more equipment controllers (50a-50n) in the plurality and to prevent another application module (88, 88a-e), among the plurality of application modules (88, 88a-e), from providing operating instructions for the drill (77) and / or for one or more equipment controllers (50a-50n). Such automatic activation can, for example, be based on the status indicator. For example, the process controller (20) can be configured to automatically provide operational suggestions or recommendations for a given operation (e.g., drilling) when the status changes.

[0141] Optionally, the process controller (20) can be configured to display on the user interface (60a) relevant information relating to the activation or deactivation of the application module (88, 88a-e) to provide operational instructions to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n), i.e., for an application module (88, 88a-e) to take control of parts of the drilling system operation (95), and receive an input from a driller (77) indicating approval or rejection of the instruction to activate or deactivate the application module (88, 88a-e).Thus, an application module (88, 88a-e) that is capable of supporting the operation, for example, performing tasks or sequences of tasks using the equipment (10a-e) can be suggested to the punch (77), however, the punch (77) is required to actively approve and give control to the 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).

[0142] The application module(s) (88, 88a-e) can be configured to automatically propose their activation or deactivation to the drill (77). For example, an application module (88, 88a-e) can, based on the status indicator, identify that it can provide Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 59 / 118 48 / 75 assistance to the driller (77) for the operation being performed and, based on this, propose the activation of the application module (88, 88a-e). (Or propose deactivation, if this is no longer the case). The application module (88, 88a-e) can then automatically provide this information to the process controller (20). The process controller (20) can, in response to receiving such a proposal, display this information to the driller (77) via the user interface (60a) and request / receive information from the driller (77) with the approval or rejection of the proposal. In this way, the final decision on whether the assistance of the application module (88, 88a-e) should be activated, and particularly whether an application module (88, 88a-e) should be allowed access to the equipment controllers (50a-e), rests with the driller (77).

[0143] In this way, the application module (88, 88a-e) can provide assistance to the driller (77), for example, by providing relevant information and / or allowing it to take control of individual equipment or sets of equipment and automatically control operations. The latter can, for example, be beneficial in the case of repeated sequences being executed, such as a displacement sequence. The proposed application module (88, 88a-e) can, for example, comprise a catalog of models, where each model comprises instructions to execute an automated series of instructions for the equipment controllers (10a-n). The application module (88, 88a-e) can then be proposed to the driller (77) together with the information that a model is available for the operation in question.

[0144] Alternatively to this automatic activation or deactivation proposal by the application module (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) in 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 could be, for example, an application module (88, 88a-e) that provides assistance regarding the optimal operating parameters that can be used (e.g., weight on the drill bit, target penetration rate, 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 as potentially beneficial. The person (76), for example, a specialist from a service company or a land-based geologist, may, for example, Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 60 / 118 49 / 75 for example, base such a suggestion on knowledge of the formation, on experience from other comparable wells and / or on historical operational data received from the same well, which are used to continually update such recommendations by the person (76).

[0145] Information relating to the activation or deactivation of an application module (88, 88a-e) may, advantageously, in such a case, include information indicative of an identity (e.g., the specific name of the person) and / or a role (e.g., their technical function, hierarchical level, or business affiliation) of the person (76) who suggested the use of the application module (88, 88a-e). This information may be presented to the puncher (77) together with the proposal to activate the application module (88, 88a-e). In this way, the puncher (77) may base their decision to accept or reject the proposal also on the source of the proposal.

[0146] 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 may also be done in conjunction with the status indicator. The well plan may, for example, include information relating to well sections (86) that have specific requirements and for which the process controller (20) may activate one or more application modules (88, 88a-e) for operational assistance.

[0147] In some cases, the drilling system (90) may comprise more than one application module (88, 88a-e), which may perform the same task. For example, more than one application module (88, 88a-e) may be able to provide operational recommendations to the driller (77) based on reservoir and / or well simulation models. In this case, the process controller (20) may be configured to display, in the user interface (60a), a selection of application modules (88, 88a-e) that are capable of performing the task in question, and request / receive an input from the driller (77), via the input device (60d), indicating a manual selection, by the driller (77), of which application module (88, 88a-e) will be used. In response, the process controller (20) can activate the selected application module (88, 88a-e) to provide operational instructions to the drill (77) and / or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n).

[0148] The process controller (20) may, in these cases, additionally display, in the user interface (60a), the two or more application modules (88, 88a-e) suitable for Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 61 / 118 50 / 75 the execution of the task in question, for selection by the driller (77), together with a recommendation of which one to use. The recommendation may be generated by the process controller (20) or provided to the process controller (20) based on the status indicator, for example, so that the application module (88, 88a-e) that is expected to provide the best performance based on the current state of the drilling system (90) is recommended to the driller (77).

[0149] Other inventive aspects and achievements are outlined in the following numbered clauses: 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 adapted to control at least one operation of at least one drilling equipment (10a-10n); a process controller (20) operationally connected to the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n) and configured to manage and send operational 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 for the drill (77) and / or for 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 drill cabin (87) and operationally connected to the process controller (20), and the process controller (20) is configured to allow the plurality of application modules (88, 88a-e) to provide operational instructions to the drill (77) via the user interface (60a). B3. The drilling system of any previous clause, in which the process controller (20) is configured to determine or receive a status indicator, the status indicator being determined based on a plurality of operational parameters of Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 62 / 118 51 / 75 drilling system (90) and / or well and representative of an operational state of the drilling system (90) and in which the process controller (20) is configured to select which application modules (88, 88a-e) from 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 partially, on the status 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 operating instructions to the drill (77) and / or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n) and to prevent another application module (88, 88a-e) among the plurality of application modules (88, 88a-e) from providing operating instructions to the drill (77) and / or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n). B5. The drilling system of any previous clause, in which 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 previous clause, where the status indicator is determined at least partially based on a measured operational parameter that is external to the drilling system (90). B7. The drilling system of any previous clause, in which the status indicator is determined at least partially based on: a condition measured in a well hole (86), or a climatic impact acting on a floating drilling unit (95) forming part of the drilling system (90). B8. The drilling system of any previous clause, in which the process controller (20) is configured to: display in a user interface (60a) a selection of at least two application modules (88, 88a-e) from among the plurality of application modules (88, 88a-e), Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 63 / 118 52 / 75 receive an input from a drill (77) by means of an input device (60d) indicating a manual selection by the drill (77) of one of at least two application modules (88, 88a-e), upon receiving the input, activate the selected application module (88, 88a-e) to provide operating instructions to the drill (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 in the user interface (60a) a selection of at least two application modules (88, 88a-e) from 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 status indicator. B10. The drilling system of any previous clause, in which the process controller (20) is configured to: display in a user interface (60a) information relating to a proposal to activate or deactivate an application module (88, 88a-e) to provide operational instructions for one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-n), receive an input from a punch (77) by means of an input device (60d) indicating an approval or rejection of the proposal to activate or deactivate the application module (88, 88a-e), activate or deactivate the second application module (88, 88a-e) if approved by the punch (77). B11. The drilling system of any preceding clause, wherein at least one application module (88, 88a-e) is configured to, based on the status indicator, automatically provide the process controller (20) with information relating to a proposed activation or deactivation of the application module (88, 88a-e) to provide operating 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 Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 64 / 118 53 / 75 deactivation of the application module (88, 88a-e) received from the application module (88, 88a-e), and (ii) receive input from a punch (77) via the input device (60d) indicating approval or rejection of the proposal to activate or deactivate the application module (88, 88a-e). B12. The drilling system of any preceding clause, wherein the proposed application module (88, 88a-e) comprises a catalog of models, each model comprising instructions for executing a series of instructions for the equipment controllers (10a-n). B13. The perforation system of any preceding clause, wherein the information relating to the activation or deactivation of the application module (88, 88a-e) comprises information indicating an identity and / or function of a person (76) who suggested the activation or deactivation of the 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).

[0150] In other examples, a method of operating a drilling system (90) is provided comprising an offshore drilling unit (95) having a drilling rig (80) and a plurality of drilling equipment (10a-n) arranged thereon, wherein the drilling rig (80) and the drilling equipment (10a-n) form an operationally arranged drilling plant for constructing at least one well. The drilling equipment (10a-n) may, for example, be one or more of a winch, an overhead unit, an iron roughneck, wedges, pipe handling equipment, pressure control equipment (such as managed pressure drilling control and chokes) and sensor systems.

[0151] The method involves receiving imported data from one or more data sources, the imported data being representative of the drilling plant. The data may, for example, include data relating to construction characteristics, design, operational capabilities, energy consumption, dynamic characteristics, or other characteristics relating to the drilling plant. Advantageously, the data includes a Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 65 / 118 54 / 75 granular representation of each of the plurality of drilling equipment (10a-n), together with their operational configurations and interconnections.

[0152] The method further comprises generating a digital twin model of the drilling plant in a land-based application module (88) (see Fig. 1C) based on the imported data. The land-based application module (88) may be an application module running on a land-based computer system. An interface (60c) may be provided to display the digital twin model and / or parts or parameters thereof to operators on land. Input devices may also be provided, suitable for changing or updating the digital twin model and for sending or receiving data to the offshore drilling unit (95) (described in more detail below).

[0153] A communication network (30) is provided to connect the ground-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 may be operationally connected to equipment controllers (50a-n) to control the drilling equipment (10a-n) in the same manner described above.

[0154] The process controller (20) can also be connected to sensors in the drilling plant and, in this way, be operable to read the status of one or more operational parameters in the drilling plant. The sensors can read, for example, parameters associated with the state of individual drilling equipment (10a-n) (such as the operational state) and / or parameters associated with the process, such as fluid pressures in the well (86). The sensors can be sensors in the drilling unit (95), sensors in the drill string (84) or sensors located elsewhere.

[0155] The method further comprises receiving operational data from the process controller (20) in the land-based application module (88). The operational data may comprise sensor data, data from the process controller (20) itself (e.g., relating to the current state of the drilling plant), manual input data from the driller (77) or other personnel on the drilling unit (95), and / or data from the application module (88a-e) operationally connected to the process controller (20).

[0156] The digital twin model is then updated based on the received operational data. In this way, an updated representation of the drilling plant and its Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 66 / 118 55 / 75 current status is provided for the employee (75) at the land location, such as the entity (89), which may, for example, be an office where support staff are located.

[0157] The steps of receiving operational data and updating the digital twin model are advantageously performed repeatedly and substantially continuously while the drilling unit (95) is in operation. For example, data can be transferred to update the digital twin model every few minutes, more frequently. In this way, the employee (75) on the ground site can access an updated representation, in some examples substantially in real time, of the drilling plant (95).

[0158] In some examples, the offshore drilling unit (95) may be a drilling unit (95) and the operational data may comprise a climate impact acting on the drilling unit (95). The climate impact may be a parameter, or a set of parameters, that is / are provided as part of the operational data. In particular, the climate impact may include one or more parameters indicative of the impact of wind and / or waves on the drilling unit (95), which causes the drilling unit to move relative to the well (86). The climate impact parameter(s) may, in this case, be an indication of the float lift movement, such as frequency and distance of the lift movement. The climate impact may, as such, be determined (as measured or calculated) indirectly, for example, by measuring the lift movement of the drilling unit, and provided as a parameter that forms part of the operational data.

[0159] Operational data may, in some instances, comprise information relating to a three-dimensional representation of a physical environment on the drilling unit (95). The physical environment may comprise the drilling unit deck and / or locations around or adjacent to the drilling deck. For example, the three-dimensional representation may comprise positional data of one or more drilling equipment (10a-n), one or more workers in the physical environment and / or one or more temporary structures on the drilling unit (95). The latter may, for example, be equipment or structures erected for temporary purposes, such as non-routine operations, maintenance, repairs or the like. In these cases, the temporary structure may be relevant for planning future operations, for safety on the platform (for Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 67 / 118 56 / 75 example, in relation to escape routes) etc. Workers identified in the physical environment may be an indication of this, for example, that non-routine work is being carried out in a particular location. This information may be useful to personnel (75) at the land entity (89) to assist in operational planning of the drilling unit (95), for example, to update a well plan.

[0160] The three-dimensional representation can be reproduced on a display interface (60c) operationally connected to the land-based application module (88) and located on an external land-based entity (89). The reproduction can be a digital, visual, two-dimensional reproduction of the three-dimensional representation. It can be interactive, so that personnel (75) on the entity (89) can modify the reproduction, for example, by zooming in, changing the perspective, etc. Alternatively, or additionally, the main features of the three-dimensional representation can be displayed or otherwise presented on the land-based entity (89), for example, in tables, numbers, or similar.

[0161] The three-dimensional representation may be provided by the process controller (20) based, for example, on feedback signals from the equipment controllers (50an) relating to the position of individual machines at a given point in time, on sensor signals representing the physical location of items in the drilling plant (95) and / or may comprise a scan of the physical environment, for example, by LIDAR, camera or other means of visual identification.

[0162] 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 can be that which is generated based on existing data available in the land-based application module (88), i.e., the presumed state of the drilling plant (95) based on information known by the application module (88) at this point in time. By comparison, discrepancies can be identified, for example, in view of operations on the drilling plant (95) that occurred in the recent past and / or current operations. By comparison, the employee (75) in the entity (89) can be alerted if the three-dimensional representation received as part of the operational data differs from that expected based on information known by the application module (88) or by the land-based employee (75) at this point in time. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, p. 68 / 118 57 / 75

[0163] Based on knowledge obtained from operational data, the method may include operating the land-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 (e.g., a well blowout (86) or a risk of equipment overload or excessive wear). The land-based application module (88) or the employee (75) may additionally use models, such as reservoir and process simulation models, when determining the safety parameter. Recommended changes, for example, to the well plan or 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, the identification of a (current or future) blockage 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 low-risk operations, there may be more flexible HSE requirements and it may be acceptable, for example, that maintenance work be carried out in a location relevant to the escape route simultaneously with a low-risk operation on the drilling platform, whereas for other types of operations there may be an absolute requirement for unobstructed escape routes and limitations for workers in certain locations on the drilling unit (95). The method may, for this purpose, comprise the assessment of a work plan and the assessment of safety in view of the operations planned in the work plan.

[0164] The digital twin model can also be used to simulate future operations on a well plan and to update the well plan based on the simulation. The simulation can include simulations of individual equipment (e.g., based on models of this equipment), simulations of the reservoir and / or fluids in the well (86), and high-level simulation of the interaction between different parts of the drilling unit (95), well (86), and reservoir. The simulation can be used to update the well plan if potential for improvement can be identified through the simulation. This can be done automatically by the application module (88) and / or manually by the employee (75) at the land entity (89). Potential for improvement may, for example, relate to improved operational efficiency, enhanced operational safety, or lower consumption. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 69 / 118 58 / 75 of energy, to reducing machine load / wear, to more optimized equipment use, or to other areas.

[0165] The well plan may include instructions relating to the operational steps for well construction, for example, one or more of the following: settings / operations of at least one drilling rig (10a-10n), limitations (e.g., maximum / minimum values) for use by the process controller (20) relating to operational variables, a sequence of steps to be performed, etc.

[0166] The updated well plan may subsequently be sent to the drilling unit (95) via the communication network (30) and replace the well plan currently used as the basis for operations. An approval request for the new well plan may be required from the driller (77) or other offshore professional.

[0167] The use of the digital twin model to simulate future operations in a well plan can advantageously include the use of a measured and / or predicted climate impact acting on the drilling unit (95). In this way, an updated well plan can be created taking into account also the potential climate impact on operations, for example, due to the lifting movement of the drilling unit (95), which can influence, for example, the accuracy of pressure control and the flow dynamics in the well (86).

[0168] 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 in a user interface (60a) on the drilling unit (95), such as in a driller's cabin (87) (see, for example, Fig. 7). An input from an operator on the drilling unit (95), such as the driller (77), may be requested and received by means of an input device (60d), where the input indicates the operator's (driller's) approval or rejection of the updated well plan.

[0169] The process controller (20) can be configured to evaluate the input and, if the input indicates approval, replace the existing well plan with the updated well plan. In this way, the operator / driller (77) receives the final approval authority for the changes to the well plan.

[0170] The display of information relating to the updated well plan in the user interface (60a) may comprise a differential view of an existing well plan and of Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, pages 70 / 118 59 / 75 updated well plan, wherein the differential view indicates, for example, by highlighting, the differences between the updated well plan and the existing well plan. The differential view may, for example, be a direct side-by-side comparison or of another type between the existing and updated well plans, in order to provide the operator / driller (77) with a direct indication of the relevant proposed changes.

[0171] The operator who is required 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 function is required to approve changes to the well plan, or changes of a specific nature to the well plan. A two-level approval may be used, whereby a relevant operator is required to approve first, before final approval is given by the driller (77). The driller's (77) final approval may, in appropriate cases, be a denial option, i.e., where the driller (77) is notified of a change that will be implemented, but has the option to deny and reject it within a specified time period.

[0172] In some examples, the method may include simulating the consequences of a new configuration (or configurations) contained in an updated well plan. The simulation may involve, for example, simulating the next steps of a drilling operation and their consequences, considering, for example, the conditions in the well (86), the loads / use of the equipment 10a-n, the safety parameters in the drilling unit (95) (e.g., safe operating envelopes for process variables) etc.

[0173] The simulation may involve operating an application module (88a-e) locally on the drilling unit (95) to simulate at least part of the drilling plant operation using the updated well plan received from the onshore entity (89), before receiving input from a driller (77) or other operator on the drilling unit (95) with approval or rejection of the updated well plan. The application module (88ae) may comprise simulation models for, for example, reservoir conditions and well fluid dynamics (86), and the simulation may include evaluating the effects of reservoir conditions and well fluid dynamics of new operational configurations or planned operational sequences for the equipment (10a-n). Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 71 / 118 60 / 75

[0174] Based on the simulation, the application module (88) can determine whether the settings associated with the updated well plan are acceptable, or the application module can present the simulation results to the employee (e.g., the driller (77) and / or another person (76)) at the drilling unit (95) to determine whether the updated well plan is acceptable.

[0175] Performing a simulation on the drilling unit (95) before approving an updated well plan ensures verification that the updated well plan contains safe instructions and can identify, for example, corrupted information in the updated well plan and / or a situation where the updated well plan has been tampered with by external agents. For example, if the onshore entity’s computer systems (89) or the communication network (30) have been compromised, a malicious external agent may attempt to issue new abnormal or dangerous settings to the process controller (20). By requiring a simulation and approval locally on the drilling unit (95), such situations can be identified and mitigated before operational changes are made to the drilling plant.

[0176] The method may include issuing a notification in the user interface (60a), for example, to the driller (77), indicating that such a simulation of at least part of a drilling plant operation using the updated well plan has been performed, and the result of the simulation. The driller (77) (or another employee in the drilling unit (95)) may use this information to support the decision as to whether a new updated well plan should be accepted or rejected.

[0177] Alternatively, or additionally, the application module (88a-e) can assess whether the updated well plan involves abnormal or hazardous configurations (e.g., by comparing simulation results with predefined safe operating envelopes for different variables) and issue a warning in the user interface (60a) if abnormal or hazardous configurations are identified.

[0178] The method may include sending a report to the land-based application module (88), which is indicative of an approval or rejection of the updated well plan. The report may be provided as a signal transmitted over the communication network (30). In this way, the drilling unit (95) provides a report back to land of whether the proposed updated well plan has been accepted or not, and the operator on land Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 72 / 118 61 / 75 (75) can thus know which version of the well plan is active. Optionally, the report may contain information indicating the identity of the operator on the drilling unit (95) that provided the input. Thus, the onshore operator (75) can obtain information about who accepted or rejected the updated well plan. Additional information may also be transmitted, such as the reason for rejecting a proposed updated well plan.

[0179] The step of receiving imported data and generating the digital twin model of the drilling plant can advantageously involve receiving imported data from a drilling equipment manufacturer (10a-n) and incorporating the manufacturer's data 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 and used in the digital twin model.

[0180] In one example, the method may comprise the operation of the digital twin model to simulate an operation that is being performed or that has been performed on the drilling unit (95). For example, the digital twin model may be updated based on a current data stream relevant to an operation being performed or based on historical data from an operation that has been performed in the past. Logged data may be received from the process controller (20) for this purpose.

[0181] The actual recorded data can then be compared with corresponding simulated operational data based on the simulation of the digital twin model operating in the same or substantially the same settings and conditions in which the actual data were connected.

[0182] By comparing actual performance and performance simulated by the digital twin model, it is possible to identify a performance discrepancy between the recorded data and the simulated operational data.

[0183] The performance discrepancy may be a performance discrepancy for one or more drilling equipment (10a-n), i.e., at the equipment or component level, or it may be a higher-level performance discrepancy, for example, for subprocesses involving different equipment and / or operating parameters or for the overall drilling process or overall operation of the drilling unit (95). Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, p. 73 / 118 62 / 75

[0184] The method may comprise issuing a performance discrepancy notification to the driller (77), to another operator on the drilling unit (95) or to the employee (75) on the land entity (89). The notification may, for example, be issued on the user interface (60a) and / or on the display interface (60c). By determining a performance discrepancy that reflects a difference in actual performance compared with predicted performance (through the digital twin model), it is possible to identify potential problems or improvements that would otherwise be difficult to identify.For example, a problem (such as a deterioration in the performance of an individual machine) may be difficult to identify manually or by other means, as the machine may exhibit 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. Through the digital twin model, a more accurate identification of such performance discrepancies can be achieved.

[0185] Performance discrepancy may be used to identify one or more drilling equipment (10a-n), such as a machine, that require maintenance or repair. A notification or instruction to drilling unit personnel (95) or ground entity personnel (89) may be issued indicating the need for maintenance or repair. In response, maintenance or repair on the drilling equipment (10a-n) identified as requiring maintenance or repair may be carried out.

[0186] Inventive aspects and further achievements are described in the following numbered clauses: C1. A method of operating a drilling system (90) comprising an offshore drilling unit (95) featuring a drilling rig (80) and a plurality of drilling equipment (10a-n) arranged thereon, the drilling rig (80) and the drilling equipment (10a-n) forming a drilling plant operationally arranged to construct at least one well, the method comprising: receiving imported data from one or more data sources, the imported data being representative of the drilling plant, generating a digital twin model of the drilling plant in a land-based application module (88) based on the imported data, Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 74 / 118 63 / 75 connection of the land-based application module (88) to a drilling plant process controller (20) via a communication network (30), receiving operational data from the process controller (20) in the land-based application module (88), updating the digital twin model based on the received operational data. C2. The method of any previous clause, in which the steps of receiving operational data and updating the digital twin model are performed 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 comprise a measured climate impact acting on the floating drilling unit (95). C4. The method of any previous clause, where operational data comprise information relating to a three-dimensional representation of a physical environment in the drilling unit (95). C5. The method of any previous clause, in which the three-dimensional representation comprises positional data of: one or more of the drilling equipment (10a-n), one or more workers in the physical environment and / or one or more temporary structures on the drilling unit (95). C6. The method of any preceding clause, comprising reproduction of the three-dimensional representation in a display interface (60c) operationally connected to the land-based application module (88) and located in an external land-based entity (89). C7. The method of any previous clause, in which the three-dimensional representation comprises a scan of the physical environment. C8. The method of any preceding clause, further comprising the comparison of 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 previous clause, further comprising the operation of the land-based application module (88) to evaluate at least one safety parameter related to the drilling unit (95). Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 75 / 118 64 / 75 C10. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the assessment step of at least one safety parameter comprises the assessment of a work plan and the assessment of safety in view of the operations planned in the work plan. C11. The method of any previous clause, also including the steps: use of the digital twin model to simulate future 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 previous clause, wherein the step of using the digital twin model to simulate future operations in a well plan comprises the use of a measured climate impact and / or a predicted climate impact acting on the drilling unit (95). C13. The method of any previous clause, further including: display in a user interface (60a) of information relating to the updated well plan, receiving an input from an operator in the drilling unit (95), such as a driller (77), by means of an input device (60d), the input indicating an approval or rejection of the updated well plan, operation of 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 user interface display step (60a) of 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, the differences between the updated well plan and the existing well plan. C15. The method of any preceding clause further comprising the operation of an application module (88a-e) locally on the drilling unit (95) to simulate at least part of a drilling plant operation by using the updated well plan before receiving input indicating an approval or rejection of the updated well plan. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 76 / 118 65 / 75 C16. The method of any preceding clause, comprising, before receiving input indicating an approval or rejection of the updated well plan, issuing a notification in the user interface (60a) indicating: that a simulation of at least part of the drilling plant operation using the updated well plan was performed, and the result of the simulation. C17. The method of any preceding clause, comprising the operation of the application module (88a-e) to assess whether the updated well plan involves abnormal or hazardous configurations, and issuing a warning in the user interface (60a) if abnormal or hazardous configurations are identified. C18. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the user interface (60a) is a user interface (60a) disposed in a driller's cabin (87) located in the drilling unit (95). C19. The method of any preceding clause, further including: sending, via the communication network (30), a report signal to the land-based application module (88) indicating which well plan is active on the drilling unit (95). C20. The method of any preceding clause, further including: sending, via the communication network (30), a report signal to the ground application module (88), the report signal indicating an approval or rejection of the updated well plan. C21. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the report signal comprises indicative information of an operator’s identity on the drilling unit (95) that provided approval or 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 drilling equipment manufacturer (10an) and incorporating the manufacturer's data into the digital twin model. C23. The method of any previous clause, also including: operation of the digital twin model to simulate an operation that is being performed or has been performed on the drilling unit (95), Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 77 / 118 66 / 75 reception, as part of the operational data of the process controller (20), of the recorded data of the operation, comparison of the recorded data with the corresponding simulated operational data, identification of a performance discrepancy between the recorded 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 part or all of a drilling operation performed by the drilling unit (95). C26. The method of any previous clause, further including the provision of a notification of the performance discrepancy to the driller (77), to another operator in the drilling unit (95), or to the employee (75) in the external entity (89). C27 The method of any previous clause, comprising based on the performance discrepancy, identifying one or more drilling equipment (10a-n) that require maintenance or repair, issuing a notification or instruction to the drilling unit personnel (95) or the entity (89) indicating the need for maintenance or repair. C28. The method of any preceding clause, comprising carrying out a maintenance or repair activity on one or more drilling equipment (10a-n) that require maintenance or repair.

[0187] In other examples, according to the present disclosure, methods are provided for data communication between a drilling unit (95) and a remote entity 89 by using a communication network (30). The drilling unit (95) may be a drilling unit (95) as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, and the remote entity may be a terrestrial entity (89), for example, according to one or more of the examples described above. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, p. 78 / 118 67 / 75

[0188] A network node (40) controls data transfer on 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 on the remote entity (89). The network node (40) controls data transfer between the process controller (20) on the drilling unit (95) and an application module (88) on the remote entity (89).

[0189] The data may comprise a plurality of operational readings of the drilling unit (95), including one or more of: (i) recorded sensor data associated with a drilling process being performed by the drilling unit (95), (ii) an operational status of one or more pieces of equipment (10a-n) on the drilling unit (95) or in a well (86), and / or (iii) operational settings of a process controller (20) and / or one or more equipment controllers (50a-n) on the drilling unit (95).

[0190] The recorded sensor data associated with the drilling process may be, for example, a pressure measured in the well, measured fluid flow rates (e.g., mud flow and return), measured penetration rate, etc.

[0191] Operational states can, for example, be an indicative parameter of whether a machine is active or not, what operation is being performed by the machine and / or operational variables associated with the machines, such as the delivery rate of a mud pump / rpm, drilling machine rpm, machine loads or energy consumption.

[0192] The operational setting can be, for example, a demand signal for a specific machine (e.g., a demanded rpm) or a target operational variable at the local or system level, such as a target well pressure, penetration rate, or mud circulation rate.

[0193] In any of the examples or embodiments described herein, the operational readings contained 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 with a maximum of five minutes, a maximum of four minutes, a maximum of three minutes, a maximum of two minutes, or a maximum of one minute. The readings may be direct (raw) sensor readings or may be processed, for example, smoothed. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 79 / 118 68 / 75

[0194] Alternatively, the communication network (30) can be operated to transfer historical readings and / or parameters calculated based on operational readings from the drilling unit (95). Historical readings can be operational readings that extend back in time, for example, sensor data readings recorded from a number of minutes or a number of hours back in time. Calculated parameters can be parameters that are based on multiple operational readings, for example, based on more than one sensor reading. This can include, for example, fused sensor signals, where sensor fusion is used to create an enhanced signal for a given operational variable.

[0195] Optionally, a combination of real-time or substantially real-time readings and historical readings and / or calculated parameters can be transferred.

[0196] In one example, the resolution of one or more of the operational plurality readings contained in the data is adjusted in response to the available bandwidth on the wireless network link (9, 92). The network node (40) and / or the process controller (20) can be adapted to determine the available bandwidth, i.e., the transmission capacity available 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, the resolution of a non-critical operational reading can be reduced so as not to overload the wireless network link (91, 92). Similarly, the resolution can be increased (again) if and when a larger bandwidth becomes available.

[0197] The resolution can be advantageously adjusted in response to an operational state of the drilling unit (95). As discussed above, the operational state may comprise at least the following possible states (i) drilling and (ii) displacement. The states may, for example, comprise: (i) drilling, (ii) drilling connection, (iii) incoming displacement and (iv) outgoing displacement. A set of equipment (10a-n) (such as machines) may be active in a given state, while some other equipment (10a-n) may be inactive in the same state. Additional states, and thus more granularity, may be included, such as one or more of the following: reaming, reverse reaming, single unit incoming displacement, single unit outgoing displacement, casing run, cementing, Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, pp. 80 / 118 69 / 75 mud pump ramp, reciprocating, friction test or other activities that may be indicative of an operational state of the drilling unit (95). (See, for example, WO 2018 / 203753 A1 mentioned above.).

[0198] Each operational state can be advantageously associated with a predetermined set of operational readings to be transferred via the wireless network link (91, 92) to the specific operational state. The process controller (20), network node (40) or application module (88) can be operated to select, based on the operational state of the drilling unit (95), a predetermined set of operational readings from a group of predetermined sets to be part of the transferred data. The different predetermined sets may comprise different types of operational readings and / or operational readings with different resolutions.

[0199] Predetermined sets can, 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 predetermined set for (i) drilling might, for example, comprise operational readings for (a) mud flow return measured at high resolution, (b) downhole pressure measured at low resolution, (c) lift system position at high resolution, while the predetermined set for (ii) drilling connection might comprise operational readings for (a) mud flow return measured at high resolution, (b) downhole pressure measured at high resolution, (c) lift system position at low resolution. There might also be operational readings that are included in the predetermined set for (i) but not included in the data transferred to (ii), and vice versa.The discerning reader will understand that the above is intended only as an illustration of principle, and that other combinations of operational readings may be used. In practice, a large number of operational variables may be included in each set.

[0200] In some examples, a subsequent data filling may be performed when the appropriate bandwidth is available. In this case, it is possible to operate the process controller (20), the 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 Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 81 / 118 70 / 75 may comprise one or more of: (i) recorded sensor data associated with the drilling process being performed by the drilling unit (95), (ii) an operational status of one or more pieces of equipment (10a-n) on the drilling unit (95) or in the well (86), and / or (iii) operational settings of the process controller (20) and / or one or more of the equipment controllers (50a-n) on the drilling unit (95). Such subsequent data filling may enable the application module (88) and / or personnel at the remote entity (89) to perform relevant post-processing and analysis of operational data from the drilling unit (95).

[0201] Subsequent data filling can, for example, be performed repeatedly during pauses in the drilling process, such as during connection, displacement or casing execution sequences. This can be beneficial for providing detailed operational data of the drilling process to the remote entity (89) for post-processing, since the bandwidth requirement for real-time operational readings may be lower during such connection or displacement sequences than during drilling.

[0202] In some examples, the remote entity (89) may request a higher resolution for a specific operational reading or several operational readings, for example, higher fidelity or increased data quality through reduced data compression. In this example, the process controller (20) may be operated to receive a demand signal from the application module (88), which indicates a request for higher resolution for one or more of the several operational readings. In response to the demand signal, the resolution of one or more operational readings transmitted over the wireless network link (91, 92) is increased to a higher resolution and / or to the requested resolution.

[0203] The request for higher resolution may be temporary. This may, for example, be used to perform detailed assessments at the remote entity (89). In this case, personnel at the remote entity (89) may operate the application module (88) to send a request signal requesting higher resolution for relevant operational readings needed for the assessment. Alternatively, or additionally, the application module (88) may be configured to request higher resolution automatically, for example, if irregularities are detected in the operation or performance of the individual equipment (10an), or in measured signals or calculated process variables. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 82 / 118 71 / 75

[0204] In response to such a demand signal, the resolution of the relevant operational reading(s) transmitted via the wireless network link (91, 92) may be increased to the requested resolution for a pre-determined time period, or for a time period specified in the demand signal.

[0205] In some examples, the remote entity (89) may request a specific operational reading or several specific operational readings. In these examples, the process controller (20) may be operated to receive a demand signal from the application module (88), which indicates a request for a specific operational reading from the drilling unit (95) to be included in the plurality of operational readings transferred as part of the data.

[0206] This can, for example, be used to perform detailed assessments at the remote entity (89). In this case, the personnel at the remote entity (89) can operate the application module (88) to send a demand signal requesting a specific operational reading, or several specific operational readings, necessary for the assessment. Alternatively, or additionally, the application module (88) can be configured to automatically request a specific operational reading, or several specific operational readings, for example, in the case of irregularities in the operation or performance of the individual equipment (10a-n), or in measured signals or calculated process variables, being detected.

[0207] The specified operational readings can, in response, be added to the data and transmitted via the wireless network link (91, 92).

[0208] In some examples, inactive equipment, such as machines, can be detected and the operational readings of these machines can be excluded from the data or transferred with reduced resolution. In these examples, a piece of equipment (10a-n) in the drilling unit (95) or in a well (86) that is in an inactive state can be detected, and the process controller (20), network node (40) or application module (88) can be operated to transfer the data via the wireless network link (91, 92) without operational readings associated with the identified equipment (10a-n), or with reduced 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. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, p. 83 / 118 72 / 75

[0209] In the examples described above, the resolution of an operational reading may be related to the sampling rate / fidelity of the reading and / or the compression rate of the digital representation of the reading. Adjusting, increasing, or decreasing the resolution of one or more of the operational readings may therefore involve adjusting, increasing, or decreasing (respectively) the sampling rate / fidelity of one or more of the operational readings. Alternatively, or additionally, adjusting, increasing, or decreasing the resolution of one or more of the operational readings may involve adjusting, increasing, or decreasing (respectively) the data compression rate of one or more of the operational readings. To increase the resolution, a data stream representing the operational readings may, for example, be provided in raw format or with lossless compression.

[0210] These data communication methods can be advantageously used in conjunction with the other systems and methods described above.

[0211] Other inventive aspects and achievements are described in the following numbered clauses: D1. A method for data communication between a drilling unit (95) and a remote entity (89) by means of a communication network (30), the method comprising: operation of a network node (40) in the communication network (30) to control data transfer on 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 land-based entity (89). D4. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the network node operation step (40) comprises the control of data transfer between a process controller (20) in the drilling unit (95) and an application module (88) in the remote entity (89). D5. The method of any previous clause, wherein the data comprise a plurality of operational readings of the drilling unit (95), the operational readings Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 84 / 118 73 / 75 comprising one or more of: (i) recorded sensor data associated with a drilling process being carried out by the drilling unit (95), (ii) an operational state of one or more pieces of equipment (10a-n) on the drilling unit (95) or in a well (86) and / or (iii) operational settings of 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 reads 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 the adjustment of a resolution of one or more of the plurality of operational readings comprised in the data based at least in part on an operational state of the drilling unit (95). D8. The method of any preceding clause, comprising: operation of the process controller (20), network node (40) or 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, where the different pre-determined sets in the group of pre-determined sets comprise different types of operational readings and / or operational readings with different resolution. D9. The method of any preceding clause, comprising: identification of an available bandwidth capacity on the network data link (91, 92), and transmission of historical data comprising operational readings of the drilling unit (95), the operational readings comprising one or more of: (i) recorded sensor data associated with a drilling process being carried out by the drilling unit (95), (ii) an operational status of one or more pieces of equipment (10a-n) on the drilling unit (95) or in a well (86), and / or (iii) operational settings of 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: Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 85 / 118 74 / 75 reception, in the process controller (20), of a demand signal from an application module (88) in the remote entity (89), the demand signal indicating a request for higher resolution for one or more of the operational readings of the plurality, and in response to the demand signal, an increase in the resolution of one or more of the operational readings transmitted through the network data link (91,92) to a higher resolution 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 operational plurality readings for a temporary period, and the method comprises: in response to the demand signal, increase the resolution of one or more of the operational readings transmitted over the network data link (91, 92) to the requested resolution for a pre-determined temporary period of duration or for a temporary period of duration specified in the demand signal. D12. The method of any preceding clause, comprising: reception, in the process controller (20), of a demand signal from an application module (88) in the remote entity (89), the demand signal indicating a request for a specified operational reading from the drilling unit (95) to be included in the plurality of operational readings, and addition of the specified operational reading to the plurality of operational readings transmitted through the network data link (91, 92). D13. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the specified operational reading is one of the following: (i) recorded sensor data associated with a drilling process being carried out by the drilling unit (95), (ii) an operational state of one or more pieces of equipment (10a-n) on the drilling unit (95) or in a well (86), and / or (iii) operational settings of 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: identification of equipment (10a-n) in the drilling unit (95) or in a well (86) that is in an inactive state; Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 86 / 118 75 / 75 operation of the process controller (20), network node (40) or application module (88) for: data transfer via network data link (91, 92) without operational readings associated with the identified equipment (10a-n), or reduction of the resolution of the operational readings associated with the identified equipment (10a-n) transferred via network data link (91, 92) as part of the data. D15. The method of any preceding clause, in which the step of adjusting, increasing or decreasing the resolution of one or more of the operational readings comprises adjusting, increasing or decreasing (respectively) a sampling rate of one or more of the operational readings. D16. The method of any preceding clause, in which the step of adjusting, increasing, or decreasing the resolution of one or more of the operational readings comprises adjusting, increasing, or decreasing (respectively) a data compression rate of one or more of the operational readings. Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, page 87 / 118

Claims

1 / 4 CLAIMS 1. Drilling system (90) characterized in that it comprises: 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) operationally connected to the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n) and configured to manage and send operational 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 for a punch (77) and / or for one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n).

2. Drilling system according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a user interface (60a) located in a drilling cabin (87) and operationally connected to the process controller (20), and the process controller (20) is configured to allow the plurality of application modules (88, 88a-e) to provide operational instructions to the drill (77) via the user interface (60a).

3. Drilling system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the process controller (20) is configured to determine or receive a status indicator, the status indicator being determined based on a plurality of operating parameters of the drilling system (90) and / or the well, and representative of an operating state of the drilling system (90), and in that the process controller (20) is configured to select which application module (88, 88a-e) from among the plurality of application modules (88, 88a-e) to provide operating instructions to the driller (77) and / or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n) based, at least partially, on the status indicator.

4. Drilling system according to claim 3, characterized in that the process controller (20) is configured to automatically activate the selected application module (88, 88a-e) to provide operational instructions to the drill (77) and / or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n) and to prevent other application modules (88, 88a-e) from providing operational instructions to the drill (77) and / or to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n).

5. Drilling system according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the process controller (20) is configured to automatically activate the selected application module (88, 88a-e) based on a well plan.

6. Drilling system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the status indicator is determined at least partially based on a measured operating parameter that is external to the drilling system (90).

7. Drilling system according to claim 6, characterized in that the status indicator is determined at least partially based on: a condition measured in a well hole (86), or a climatic impact acting on a floating drilling unit (95) forming part of the drilling system (90).

8. Drilling system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the process controller (20) is configured to: display on a user interface (60a) a selection of at least two application modules (88, 88a-e) from among the plurality of application modules (88, 88a-e), receive an input from a drill (77) by means of an input device (60d) indicating a manual selection by the drill (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 drill (77) and / or one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-50n). Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, p. 89 / 118 3 / 4 9. Drilling system according to any previous claim, characterized in that the process controller (20) is configured to display on the user interface (60a) a selection of at least two application modules (88, 88a-e) from 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 status indicator.

10. Drilling system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the process controller (20) is configured to: display on a user interface (60a) information relating to a proposed activation or deactivation of an application module (88, 88a-e) to provide operating instructions to one or more of the plurality of equipment controllers (50a-n), receive an input from a drill (77) by means of an input device (60d) indicating an approval or rejection of the proposed activation or deactivation of the application module (88, 88a-e), and activate or deactivate the second application module (88, 88a-e) if approved by the drill (77).

11. Drilling system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one application module (88, 88a-e) is configured to, based on the status indicator, automatically provide the process controller (20) with information relating to a proposed activation or deactivation of the application module (88, 88a-e) to provide operating 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 deactivation of the application module (88, 88a-e) received from the application module (88, 88a-e), and (ii) receive input from a drill (77) via the input device (60d) indicating approval or rejection of the proposed activation or deactivation of the application module (88, 88ae).

12. Drilling system according to claim 11, characterized in that the proposed application module (88, 88a-e) comprises a catalog of models, each model comprising instructions for executing a series of instructions for the equipment controllers (10a-n).

13. Drilling system according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the information relating to the activation or deactivation of an application module (88, 88a-e) comprises information indicating an identity and / or a function of a person (76) who suggested the activation or deactivation of the application module (88, 88a-e).

14. Drilling system according to any previous claim, characterized in that 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). Petition 870250068036, dated 04 / 08 / 2025, pp. 91 / 118

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