Abstract: The current subject matter relates to compliant variable tension risers to connect deep-water subsea wellheads to a single floating platform in wet tree or dry try systems. The variable tension risers allow several subsea wellheads, in water depths from 1220 to 3050 meters, at lateral offsets from one-tenth to twice the depth or more, to tie back to a single floating platform. Also, the current subject matter relates to methods to counter buoyancy and install variable tension risers using a weighted chain ballast line.

Abstract: Disclosed are compliant variable tension risers (106) to connect deep-water subsea wellheads (102) to a single floating platform (104) in wet tree or dry try systems. The variable tension risers (106) allow several subsea wellheads (102), in water depths from 1220 to 3050 meters, at lateral offsets from one-tenth to twice the depth or more, to tie back to a single floating platform (104). Also disclosed are methods to counter buoyancy and install variable tension risers using a weighted chain ballast line (228, 230).

Abstract: An internal drum scanning system comprising a cylinder with an imaging surface, a laser source for generating a first and a second laser beam, a rotating deflector for deflecting the beams towards said imaging surface, a focussing lens for focussing the laser beams onto respective positions on said imaging surface, and a controllable optical elements which, during operation, is positioned such that its optical axis is displaced from the optical axis of the focussing lens, and which is adapted to direct the second laser beam onto said focussing leans at a varying incident angle causing the focussing lens to image the second laser beam onto the imaging surface such that, during relative rotation between the deflector and the cylinder, the focussing spot of the second laser beam is fixed relative to the optical axis.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for improving the yield of potato crops. The arrangement includes a bed, a plurality of pairs of parallel rows of potato plants, and a drip irrigation tape. The bed is provided for multiple rows of potato plants. The plurality of pairs of parallel rows of potato plants in the bed have an inter-row gap between the rows in each pair of rows spaced from one another sufficiently to provide a moisture permeable agronomic soil corridor between the rows in each pair of rows to provide a supply of water to a root zone of each row within each pair of rows of potato plants while maintaining aerated soil within and above the agronomic soil corridor to reduce excessively wet conditions adjacent the crop canopy and a solar light corridor provided between adjacent pairs of rows to provide increased solar energy to the potato plants.

Abstract: Disclosed are compliant variable tension risers (106) to connect deep-water subsea wellheads (102) to a single floating platform (104). The variable tension risers (106) allow several subsea well-heads (102), in water depths from 4,000 to 10,000 feet, at lateral offsets from one-tenth to one-half of the depth, to tie back to a single floating dry tree semi-submersible platform (104). Also disclosed are methods to counter buoyancy and install variable tension risers using a weighted chain ballast line (228, 230).

Abstract: A punch pad with a multi-layer design that combines both an impact resistant layer and a rigid layer. The impact resistant layer has a mixture of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. Particularly, the impact resistant layer has between 10-90% polycarbonate, 10-90% acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and 1-4% colorant. The rigid layer may be aluminum; however, any type of metal that bonds to the impact resistant layer is acceptable. An adhesive layer bonds the impact resistant layer and the rigid layer together. The rigid layer may be between about 0.040-0.25 inches thick and the impact resistant layer may be approximately 0.10 inches thick. The rigid layer may be anodized and may include a scratch preventative bottom side to prevent scratching underlying surfaces. The impact resistant layer may be injection molded to surround side portions of the rigid layer, or the entire rigid layer.