Drilling Rig Gateway Control for Multi-Vendor System Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in the difficulty of interfacing different rig control systems from various manufacturers due to varying implementations, hindering automation system integration without extensive customization.

Innovation Solution

A control system architecture that includes a supervisory system and rig control system, utilizing a gateway to translate standardized message-based commands into system-specific commands, enabling seamless communication and automation across diverse rig components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different rig control systems from various manufacturers are used, then manufacturing versatility and choice are improved, but system integration complexity and customization requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different rig control systemsVSAvoidcustomization effort for automation system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a universal standardized interface that can communicate with multiple different rig control systems from various manufacturers. The automation system is designed with multi-functional capability to handle different command protocols and system architectures through a common standardized interface, eliminating the need for extensive customization for each manufacturer's system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

A standardized interface acts as an intermediary layer between the automation system and diverse rig control systems. This mediator translates and adapts communications between different protocols and systems, enabling seamless integration without requiring the automation system to be heavily customized for each specific manufacturer's control architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If extensive customization is performed to interface with different rig control systems, then system compatibility is improved, but implementation time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface compatibilityVSAvoidcustomization time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The standardized interface is designed with universal compatibility features that enable it to work with multiple rig control systems out-of-the-box. The system incorporates pre-configured support for different manufacturers' protocols and architectures, significantly reducing the time required for customization and deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary configuration and compatibility setup in advance through pre-defined standardized protocols. By preparing the interface with pre-configured support for multiple manufacturers' systems before deployment, the need for time-consuming on-site customization is minimized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple specialized control systems are used for different rig components, then control precision for each component is improved, but overall system integration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent control precisionVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains segmented specialized control modules for different rig components (drawworks, mud pumps, top drive, etc.), each optimized for its specific function. The standardized interface segments the integration complexity by providing a uniform communication layer that connects these specialized modules without requiring complex interconnections between them.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized interface provides a universal communication framework that can handle multiple component types and control protocols through a single unified system. This multi-functional interface reduces integration complexity by eliminating the need for separate specialized integration solutions for each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4115049B1Drilling rig control system and method
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SERVICES PETROLIERS SCHLUMBERGER SA
  • EP4115049B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4115049B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4115049B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method for controlling a drilling rig, of which the method includes receiving a first message-based command from a supervisory system at a first gateway, determining a first system-specific command based on the first message-based command using the first gateway, and transmitting the first system-specific command from the first gateway to a first system-specific controller. The first system-specific controller is configured to execute the first system-specific command by controlling first rig equipment, but is not configured to execute the first message-based command.