Abstract: A process of forming a confectionery product includes heating a confectionery mixture comprising a sweetened milk product and fat while stirring until the confectionery mixture reaches a predetermined consistency. The process also includes forming the confectionery product upon cooling of the confectionery mixture. The confectionery product has a water activity of about 0.59 or greater, has a sugar content of about 87 degrees Brix or less, and has a shelf life of about three months or greater. A confectionery product includes a confectionery mixture. The confectionery product includes a sweetened milk product, butter, cocoa powder, a sweetener, and a preservative. The sweetener is corn syrup, inulin, tapioca syrup, maltodextrin, pear puree, and/or a combination thereof. The confectionery mixture has a water activity of about 0.59 or greater, has a sugar content of about 87 degrees Brix or less, and has a shelf life of about three months or greater.

Abstract: A shear ram system includes an upper block positioned to transition from a first location outside a bore to a second location within the bore, the upper block including a blade control arm having a first contact surface. The shear ram system includes a lower block positioned to transition from the first location outside the bore to the second location within the bore, the lower block including a second contact surface proximate the first contact surface. The shear ram system includes a progressive gap between the first contact surface and the second contact surface larger at a first end than at a second end such that a first gap distance at the first end is greater than a second gap distance the second end.

Abstract: A blind shear ram includes an upper carrier including an upper blade and a lower carrier including a lower blade. The upper carrier and the lower carrier are positionable in a first position in which the upper carrier and the lower carrier are spaced apart and a second position in which the upper carrier and the lower carrier seal a wellbore. The upper blade and the lower blade are configured to cut at least one pipe and at least one cable when the upper carrier and the lower carrier move between the first position and the second position. At least one of the upper blade and the lower blade includes a textured surface configured to induce friction between the at least one cable and the blade.

Abstract: A shear ram system includes an upper block positioned to transition from a first location outside a bore to a second location within the bore, the upper block including a blade control arm having a first contact surface. The shear ram system includes a lower block positioned to transition from the first location outside the bore to the second location within the bore, the lower block including a second contact surface proximate the first contact surface. The shear ram system includes a progressive gap between the first contact surface and the second contact surface larger at a first end than at a second end such that a first gap distance at the first end is greater than a second gap distance the second end.

Abstract: A blowout preventer (BOP) includes a pressure driven operator that is equipped with a balancing circuit to offset pressure inside the BOP. The operator, which is used to drive a ram, includes a piston, coupled to the ram by an operator arm, and a balance arm on a side of the piston opposite the operator arm. Pressure from inside the BOP communicates to an end of the balance arm opposite the piston and exerts a force to drive the ram radially inward.

Abstract: A blind shear ram includes an upper carrier including an upper blade and a lower carrier including a lower blade. The upper carrier and the lower carrier are positionable in a first position in which the upper carrier and the lower carrier are spaced apart and a second position in which the upper carrier and the lower carrier seal a wellbore. The upper blade and the lower blade are configured to cut at least one pipe and at least one cable when the upper carrier and the lower carrier move between the first position and the second position. At least one of the upper blade and the lower blade includes a textured surface configured to induce friction between the at least one cable and the blade.

Abstract: A piston rod subassembly for use in a blowout preventer operator assembly includes a piston rod having a rod threaded interface and a rod shoulder on an outer diameter of the piston rod. A preload ring has a ring threaded interface for engaging the rod threaded interface to couple the piston rod to the preload ring. A protruding end surface of the piston rod protrudes past an end face of the preload ring when the piston rod is coupled to the preload ring and the rod shoulder engages a ring shoulder of the preload ring. A piston has a pocket for receiving the preload ring. Preload ring fasteners couple the preload ring to the piston to form a piston rod connection between the piston rod and the piston, such that the protruding end surface engages an interior surface of the pocket and a preload is induced in the piston rod connection.

Abstract: A shear ram assembly for use in a BOP stack. The shear ram assembly includes a ram block disposed within the shear ram housing and having a forward end facing the bore, the ram block movable between an open position, in which the ram block is retracted away from the bore, and a closed position, in which the ram block is extended toward the bore. The blade has a forward surface, a rear surface, a lower shearing edge, and an upper edge, the blade attached to the forward face of the ram block by fasteners extending at an angle relative to an upper surface of the ram block through a portion of the ram block and into the rear surface of the blade, the rear surface of the blade angled so that it is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fasteners.

Abstract: A blowout preventer (BOP) includes a pressure driven operator that is equipped with a balancing circuit to offset pressure inside the BOP. The operator, which is used to drive a ram, includes a piston, coupled to the ram by an operator arm, and a balance arm on a side of the piston opposite the operator arm. Pressure from inside the BOP communicates to an end of the balance arm opposite the piston and exerts a force to drive the ram radially inward.

Abstract: A blowout preventer (BOP) includes a pressure driven operator that is equipped with a balancing circuit to offset pressure inside the BOP. The operator, which is used to drive a ram, includes a piston, coupled to the ram by an operator arm, and a balance arm on a side of the piston opposite the operator arm. Pressure from inside the BOP communicates to an end of the balance arm opposite the piston and exerts a force to drive the ram radially inward.

Abstract: A shear ram assembly for use in a BOP stack. The shear ram assembly includes a ram block disposed within the shear ram housing and having a forward end facing the bore, the ram block movable between an open position, in which the ram block is retracted away from the bore, and a closed position, in which the ram block is extended toward the bore. The blade has a forward surface, a rear surface, a lower shearing edge, and an upper edge, the blade attached to the forward face of the ram block by fasteners extending at an angle relative to an upper surface of the ram block through a portion of the ram block and into the rear surface of the blade, the rear surface of the blade angled so that it is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fasteners.

Abstract: A piston rod subassembly for use in a blowout preventer operator assembly includes a piston rod having a rod threaded interface and a rod shoulder on an outer diameter of the piston rod. A preload ring has a ring threaded interface for engaging the rod threaded interface to couple the piston rod to the preload ring. A protruding end surface of the piston rod protrudes past an end face of the preload ring when the piston rod is coupled to the preload ring and the rod shoulder engages a ring shoulder of the preload ring. A piston has a pocket for receiving the preload ring. Preload ring fasteners couple the preload ring to the piston to form a piston rod connection between the piston rod and the piston, such that the protruding end surface engages an interior surface of the pocket and a preload is induced in the piston rod connection.

Abstract: A blowout preventer (BOP) includes a pressure driven operator that is equipped with a balancing circuit to offset pressure inside the BOP. The operator, which is used to drive a ram, includes a piston, coupled to the ram by an operator arm, and a balance arm on a side of the piston opposite the operator arm. Pressure from inside the BOP communicates to an end of the balance arm opposite the piston and exerts a force to drive the ram radially inward.