China's first independently developed intelligent drilling system put into operation

China's first independently developed intelligent drilling system, the "Changlong", has been officially put into operation, marking a significant milestone in advancing the digital and intelligent transformation in the country's energy sector, according to China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) on Wednesday.

The "Changlong" intelligent drilling system integrates intelligent drilling rigs, intelligent well sites, and intelligent decision-making platform into one unified system, capable of providing intelligent engineering support for oil and gas exploration at depths of nearly 10,000 meters underground.

The intelligent system enables real-time data exchange between downhole sensor networks and intelligent platform on the ground, automatically executing critical operations including collecting geological parameter, optimizing drilling trajectory, and monitoring equipment status, significantly enhancing both drilling efficiency and operational safety.

"The 'Changlong' intelligent drilling system has achieved drilling operations for the first time in the country, realizing full-process automation control in 'measurement-analysis-decision-execution,' which has replaced manual operations and decision-making with intelligent technology," said Chi Lijun, deputy manager of PetroChina Great Wall Drilling Company.

The system has not only achieved full-process digitalization of drilling operations, but also established internationally advanced oil and gas exploration and development solutions. "The 'Changlong' intelligent drilling system has achieved multiple technological breakthroughs, offering oil and gas exploration and development solutions at an internationally advanced level. It has laid a solid foundation for further exploration of intelligent drilling in the future and provided strong support for the efficient development of inner-earth resources and better safeguarding national energy security," said Yin Jiafeng, general manager assistant of PetroChina Great Wall Drilling Company.

China's first independently developed intelligent drilling system put into operation

Israel will reopen the Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt for pedestrian traffic in both directions on Sunday, an Israeli government-affiliated body announced in a statement on Friday.

Israel's office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories said in the statement that exit from and entry into the Gaza Strip via the Rafah crossing "will be permitted in coordination with Egypt, following prior security clearance of individuals by Israel, and under the supervision of the European Union mission."

In addition to initial identification and screening at the Rafah crossing by the European Union mission, the body said, an "additional screening and identification process" will be conducted at a designated corridor, operated by the Israeli military.

The move is part of a U.S.-proposed Gaza ceasefire plan. Israel said last Sunday that it would reopen the Rafah crossing after recovering the body of the last Israeli hostage in Gaza, which was retrieved from Gaza earlier this week.

According to Israel's official data, some 42,000 Gazans left the strip during the war, the vast majority of them patients seeking medical treatment abroad or dual citizens.

Located at the southernmost tip of Gaza, the Rafah crossing is a vital entry point for people and humanitarian aid into and out of the enclave. Since May 2024, when Israel occupied Rafah, the crossing has remained largely closed, even with the latest ceasefire in place.

Israel says Rafah crossing to reopen Sunday for pedestrians in both directions