A method and apparatus for providing a local response to a local condition in an oil well are disclosed. A sensor is provided to detect a local condition in a drill string. A controllable element is provided to modulate energy in the drill string. A controller is coupled to the sensor and to the controllable element. The controller receives a signal from the sensor, the signal indicating the presence of said local condition, processes the signal to determine a local energy modulation in the drill string to modify said local condition, and sends a signal to the controllable element to cause the determined local energy modulation.