Systems and methods of operating directional drilling rigs

A method of operating a plurality of directional drilling rigs at different locations under the supervision of a single off-site system navigator, comprising:

• activating, at the location of the off-site system navigator, a communications system that connects the off-site system navigator to at least the following:
• a first directional drilling rig located at a first location to perform a first drilling job;
• and
• a second directional drilling rig located at a second location to perform a second drilling job;
• collecting, at the first location, preliminary site data relating to the first drilling job to be performed by the first directional drilling rig;
• collecting, at the second location, preliminary site data relating to the second drilling job to be performed by the second directional drilling rig;
• transferring to the off-site system navigator the preliminary site data for at least one of the first and second drilling jobs;
• preparing at least one of the first and second directional drilling rigs for the respective first and second drilling jobs;
• loading data relating to at least one of the first and second drilling jobs into a navigation system operatively associated with the first and second directional drilling rigs;
• commencing the first drilling job;
• transferring steering patterns from the off-site system navigator to an on-site drilling operator for the first drilling job;
• operating the directional drilling rig for the first drilling job in accordance with the transferred steering patterns;
• sending in-process directional drilling rig operation data, drill head location-tracking data, and on-site drilling operator communications from the first drilling job to the off-site system navigator;
• monitoring, at the location of the off-site system navigator, the activity of the first drilling job;
• transferring (1) updated steering patterns relating to the in-process first drilling job, and (2) off-site system navigator communications, from the off-site system navigator to the on-site drilling operator of the first drilling job;
• operating the directional drilling rig for the first drilling job in accordance with the transferred updated steering patterns and under the continued supervision of the off-site system navigator;
• while simultaneously:
• commencing the second drilling job;
• transferring steering patterns from the off-site system navigator to an on-site drilling operator for the second commenced drilling job;
• operating the directional drilling rig for the second drilling job in accordance with the transferred steering patterns;
• sending in-process directional drilling rig operation data, drill head location-tracking data, and on-site drilling operator communications from the second drilling job to the off-site system navigator;
• monitoring, at the location of the off-site system navigator, the activity of the second drilling job;
• transferring (1) updated steering patterns relating to the in-process second drilling job, and (2) off-site system navigator communications, from the off-site system navigator to the on-site drilling operator of the second drilling job;
• and
• operating the directional drilling rig for the second drilling job in accordance with the transferred updated steering patterns and under the continued supervision of the off-site system navigator.