Abstract: An annular isolation device for managed pressure drilling includes a first housing portion coupled to a second housing portion; a packing element at least partially disposed in the first housing portion; a penetrator coupled to the first housing portion; and a carrier coupled to the second housing portion, wherein the carrier is configured to receive a portion of the penetrator.

Abstract: A free-standing riser system connects a subsea source to a surface structure. The system includes a concentric free-standing riser comprising inner and outer risers defining an annulus there between. A lower end of the riser is fluidly coupled to the subsea source through a lower riser assembly (LRA) and one or more subsea flexible conduits. An upper end of the riser is connected to a buoyancy assembly and the surface structure through an upper riser assembly (URA) and one or more upper flexible conduits, the riser also mechanically connected to a buoyancy assembly that applies upward tension to the riser. The riser may be insulated for flow assurance, either by a flow assurance fluid in the annulus, insulation of the outside of the outer riser, or both. The system may include a hydrate inhibition system and/or a subsea dispersant system. The surface structure may be dynamically positioned.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods for securely storing data are provided. In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage module is provided for securely storing data. A storage-side processor is provided for selectively granting access to the stored data on the computer-readable storage module. A user-side memory for storing an output generation record is also provided. A user-side processor configured to provide a password receiving module for receiving a password candidate, an output generation module for using the password candidate received to attempt to access the output generation record and for generating an output based on whether the attempt to access the output generation record is successful, and an output communication module for communicating the output generated by the output generation module to the storage-side processor are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for initializing one or more components of a system, the system comprising an integrated circuit that comprises at least one processor, are disclosed. A method includes initializing at least one component of the system, determining a temperature of the integrated circuit using a temperature sensing device embedded on the integrated circuit, comparing the determined temperature to a predetermined suitable temperature operating range of at least one additional component to yield a comparison result, and initializing the at least one additional component based on the comparison result. The at least one additional component may be initialized on the condition that the determined temperature of the integrated circuit is within the predetermined suitable temperature operating range of the at least one additional component.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for initializing one or more components of a system, the system comprising an integrated circuit that comprises at least one processor, are disclosed. A method includes initializing at least one component of the system, determining a temperature of the integrated circuit using a temperature sensing device embedded on the integrated circuit, comparing the determined temperature to a predetermined suitable temperature operating range of at least one additional component to yield a comparison result, and initializing the at least one additional component based on the comparison result. The at least one additional component may be initialized on the condition that the determined temperature of the integrated circuit is within the predetermined suitable temperature operating range of the at least one additional component.

Abstract: A system for transferring fluids from a free-standing riser to a surface vessel comprises a first valve assembly including a first valve spool and a first isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the first valve spool. In addition, the system comprises a second valve assembly releasably coupled to the first valve assembly with a hydraulically actuated connector. The second valve assembly includes a second valve spool and a second isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the second valve spool. Further, the system comprises a deployment/retrieval rigging coupled to the first valve assembly and configured to suspend the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly from the surface vessel. Each isolation valve has an open position allowing fluid flow therethrough and a closed position restricting fluid flow therethrough, and each isolation valve is biased to the closed position.

Abstract: A free-standing riser system connects a subsea source to a surface structure. The system includes a concentric free-standing riser comprising inner and outer risers defining an annulus there between. A lower end of the riser is fluidly coupled to the subsea source through a lower riser assembly (LRA) and one or more subsea flexible conduits. An upper end of the riser is connected to a buoyancy assembly and the surface structure through an upper riser assembly (URA) and one or more upper flexible conduits, the riser also mechanically connected to a buoyancy assembly that applies upward tension to the riser. The riser may be insulated for flow assurance, either by a flow assurance fluid in the annulus, insulation of the outside of the outer riser, or both. The system may include a hydrate inhibition system and/or a subsea dispersant system. The surface structure may be dynamically positioned.

Abstract: A free-standing riser system connects a subsea source to a surface structure. The system includes a concentric free-standing riser comprising inner and outer risers defining an annulus there between. A lower end of the riser is fluidly coupled to the subsea source through a lower riser assembly (LRA) and one or more subsea flexible conduits. An upper end of the riser is connected to a buoyancy assembly and the surface structure through an upper riser assembly (URA) and one or more upper flexible conduits, the riser also mechanically connected to a buoyancy assembly that applies upward tension to the riser. The riser may be insulated for flow assurance, either by a flow assurance fluid in the annulus, insulation of the outside of the outer riser, or both. The system may include a hydrate inhibition system and/or a subsea dispersant system. The surface structure may be dynamically positioned.

Abstract: A lower riser assembly connects a riser to a seabed mooring and to a subsea hydrocarbon fluid source. The assembly includes sufficient intake ports to accommodate flow of hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon fluid source, as well as optional flow assurance fluid. The upper end of the member has a profile suitable for fluidly connecting to the riser. The lower end of the member includes a connector suitable for connecting to the seabed mooring. An upper riser assembly connects the riser to a near-surface subsea buoyancy device and to a surface structure. The assembly includes sufficient outtake ports to accommodate flow of hydrocarbons from the riser through a subsea flexible conduit to the surface structure. The upper end of the member includes a connector for connecting to a subsea buoyancy device. The lower end of the member comprises a profile suitable for fluidly connecting to the riser.

Abstract: A system for transferring fluids from a free-standing riser to a surface vessel comprises a first valve assembly including a first valve spool and a first isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the first valve spool. In addition, the system comprises a second valve assembly releasably coupled to the first valve assembly with a hydraulically actuated connector. The second valve assembly includes a second valve spool and a second isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the second valve spool. Further, the system comprises a deployment/retrieval rigging coupled to the first valve assembly and configured to suspend the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly from the surface vessel. Each isolation valve has an open position allowing fluid flow therethrough and a closed position restricting fluid flow therethrough, and each isolation valve is biased to the closed position.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation including emplacing in a wellbore a fluid, comprising an oleaginous continuous phase, a non-oleaginous discontinuous phase, an emulsifier, at least one degradable material, and at least one bridging material, and contacting the formation with the fluid. A method and apparatus related to an invert emulsion fluid loss pill including an oleaginous continuous phase, a non-oleaginous discontinuous phase, an emulsifier, at least one degradable material, wherein the degradable material hydrolyzes to release an organic acid, and at least one bridging material.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation including emplacing in a wellbore a fluid, comprising an oleaginous continuous phase, a non-oleaginous discontinuous phase, an emulsifier, at least one degradable material, and at least one bridging material, and contacting the formation with the fluid. A method and apparatus related to an invert emulsion fluid loss pill including an oleaginous continuous phase, a non-oleaginous discontinuous phase, an emulsifier, at least one degradable material, wherein the degradable material hydrolyzes to release an organic acid, and at least one bridging material.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation includes pumping into a cased, perforated wellbore that intersects the formation an invert emulsion kill fluid, the invert emulsion kill fluid comprising: an oleaginous continuous phase; a non-oleaginous discontinuous phase; an emulsifier; at least one degradable material; and at least one bridging material; contacting the formation with the kill fluid; and allowing the degradable material to at least partially degrade.

Abstract: A free-standing riser system connects a subsea source to a surface structure. The system includes a concentric free-standing riser comprising inner and outer risers defining an annulus there between. A lower end of the riser is fluidly coupled to the subsea source through a lower riser assembly (LRA) and one or more subsea flexible conduits. An upper end of the riser is connected to a buoyancy assembly and the surface structure through an upper riser assembly (URA) and one or more upper flexible conduits, the riser also mechanically connected to a buoyancy assembly that applies upward tension to the riser. The riser may be insulated for flow assurance, either by a flow assurance fluid in the annulus, insulation of the outside of the outer riser, or both. The system may include a hydrate inhibition system and/or a subsea dispersant system. The surface structure may be dynamically positioned.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for initializing one or more components of a system, the system comprising an integrated circuit that comprises at least one processor, are disclosed. A method includes initializing at least one component of the system, determining a temperature of the integrated circuit using a temperature sensing device embedded on the integrated circuit, comparing the determined temperature to a predetermined suitable temperature operating range of at least one additional component to yield a comparison result, and initializing the at least one additional component based on the comparison result. The at least one additional component may be initialized on the condition that the determined temperature of the integrated circuit is within the predetermined suitable temperature operating range of the at least one additional component.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus and computer program product for extending test coverage in a simulated multiple core integrated circuit. The simulator applies at a first time a first test vector on the simulated multiple core integrated circuit, the first test vector having a duration. The simulator may also apply a second test vector at a second time before the duration but substantially after the first time. The simulator can collect a response from the multiple core integrated circuit based on the first test vector and the second test vector.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation includes pumping into a cased, perforated wellbore that intersects the formation an invert emulsion kill fluid, the invert emulsion kill fluid comprising: an oleaginous continuous phase; a non-oleaginous discontinuous phase; an emulsifier; at least one degradable material; and at least one bridging material; contacting the formation with the kill fluid; and allowing the degradable material to at least partially degrade.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation including emplacing in a wellbore a fluid, comprising an oleaginous continuous phase, a non-oleaginous discontinuous phase, an emulsifier, at least one degradable material, and at least one bridging material, and contacting the formation with the fluid. A method and apparatus related to an invert emulsion fluid loss pill including an oleaginous continuous phase, a non-oleaginous discontinuous phase, an emulsifier, at least one degradable material, wherein the degradable material hydrolyzes to release an organic acid, and at least one bridging material.

Abstract: A method and system for providing encryption are provided, involving a) transmitting a request from a sender to a database for a public key for a selected recipient, the database being configured to store for each member in a plurality of members a member public key for encrypting electronic data; b) determining if the selected recipient is in the plurality of members, and; c) if the selected recipient is in the plurality of members, then executing a member procedure, the member procedure comprising transmitting from the database to the sender the member public key stored in the database for the selected recipient; d) if the selected recipient is not in the plurality of members, then executing a non-member procedure, the non-member procedure comprising determining if at least one predetermined criterion is met, and, if the at least one predetermined criterion is met, generating a non-member public key for encrypting electronic data and a non-member private key for decrypting the electronic data encrypted usin

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for detecting fraud in financial records of a network subscriber. Financial records are received and impersonal data are extracted. Financial record data are processed to conform to a normalized format. Normalized records can be correlated into groups linked to respective sources such as, for example, an individual, a business entity, or a healthcare practitioner. Digits contained in this data are analyzed to determine a pattern that is indicative of fraud. An alert, to the fact that fraud has been detected with respect to an identified plurality of records if such determination has been made, is then generated.