Abstract: Methods for producing substantially round, spherical and sintered particles from a slurry of a calcined, uncalcined or partially calcined raw material having an alumina content of more than 55% by weight, and a mullite growth promoter in an amount of from about 2 to about 10% dry weight of the total solids in the slurry. Methods for using such substantially round, spherical and sintered particles in hydraulic fracturing operations.

Abstract: Provided herein is a sight base useful to render military-style rifles equipped with battle sights to be retrofitted with telescopic rifle scopes. Use of a device according to the invention provides sporting use and accuracy to rifles originally conceived as weapons of war, in a quick and convenient method. A sight base according to the invention is readily attached and detached from a rifle, and provides surprising accuracy owing to the rigid means by which a scope may be affixed to a rifle through use of the scope base provided herein.

Abstract: Sintered, spherical composite pellets or particles comprising alumina fines, at least one of clay and bauxite and optionally a sintering aid, are described, along with a process for their manufacture. The use of such pellets in hydraulic fracturing of subterranean formations and in grinding is also described.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for transporting fluids in containers are provided. Such improved systems and methods include floatable container vessels having one or more fluid containers and self-propelled marine transportation vessels that are adapted to be ballasted downwardly to permit the floatable container vessels to be floated onto or off of the marine transportation vessels, and are adapted to be deballasted so as to raise the floatable container vessels out of the water for transportation to another location.

Abstract: Provided herein is a sight base useful to render military-style rifles equipped with battle sights to be retrofitted with telescopic rifle scopes. Use of a device according to the invention provides sporting use and accuracy to rifles originally conceived as weapons of war, in a quick and convenient method. A sight base according to the invention is readily attached and detached from a rifle, and provides surprising accuracy owing to the rigid means by which a scope may be affixed to a rifle through use of the scope base provided herein.

Abstract: This invention provides a production riser system that enables fluid communication in a deepwater drilling environment through the use of a variable buoyancy device supporting both a hybrid riser tower and an steel catenary riser (SCR) system. Fluid communication is enabled between a surface production facility or unloading buoy and local and remote subsea (or remote non-subsea) production and export systems.

Abstract: A method of conducting operations to an offshore field from multiple separated drill centers using a floating vessel having a turret-mounted mooring element and a workstation separate from the mooring element in which the vessel is moored at a central mooring element location and operations are sequentially carried out at separate drill centers associated with the mooring element location by allowing the vessel to weathervane to a heading associated with a subsequent drill center once operations have been completed at a first drill center.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for transporting fluids in containers are provided. Such improved systems and methods include floatable container vessels having one or more fluid containers and self-propelled marine transportation vessels that are adapted to be ballasted downwardly to permit the floatable container vessels to be floated onto or off of the marine transportation vessels, and are adapted to be deballasted so as to raise the floatable container vessels out of the water for transportation to another location.

Abstract: A method of conducting operations to an offshore field from multiple separated drill centers using a floating vessel having a turret-mounted mooring element and a workstation separate from the mooring element in which the vessel is moored at a central mooring element location and operations are sequentially carried out at separate drill centers associated with the mooring element location by allowing the vessel to weathervane to a heading associated with a subsequent drill center once operations have been completed at a first drill center.

Abstract: A method for preparing a suspension for coating a substrate with particles which includes determining a pH range in which the heterostability ratio of the substrate and the particles: ##EQU1## is less than 10.sup.10, the homostability ratio of the substrate: ##EQU2## is greater than 10.sup.10, and the homostability ratio of the particles: ##EQU3## is greater than 10.sup.10, wherein a.sub.1 is the radius of the substrate, a.sub.2 is the radius of the particles, V.sub.T is the total potential energy of the interaction between component i and component j, wherein i and j are the consecutive subscripts of the stability ratio being considered, T is temperature, k is Boltzmann's constant, and r is distance which varies from (a.sub.i +a.sub.j) to infinity. The suspension is useful for coating the substrate with the suspended particles by exposing the substrate to the suspension.