Abstract: A system is provided for the production of heavy crude oil from an undersea reservoir, and for the treatment of the crude oil to facilitate its transport. A floating body (12) which produces the heavy crude oil, carries a hydrocarbon cracking station (32) that cracks the heavy crude into light liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons, and that uses heat resulting from the cracking to produce pressured steam. The pressured steam is used to drive a steam-powered engine (72) (with pistons or a turbine) that drives an electrical generator (74) whose electricity powers the system.

Abstract: A vessel for producing hydrocarbons, the vessel being adapted to be connected to at least one riser for transport of the hydrocarbons from a well on the seabed towards the vessel, wherein the vessel includes a separation station for separation of the hydrocarbons into gaseous hydrocarbons and non-gaseous hydrocarbons, storing elements for storing the hydrocarbons and processing elements for processing at least part of the hydrocarbons. The vessel further includes a positioning system for controlling the position and orientation of the vessel with respect to the seabed, wherein the positioning system includes a Dynamic Positioning (DP) system allowing the control of the position and the orientation of the vessel with respect to the seabed without the use of mooring lines, wherein the DP system is adapted to be driven by at least a portion of the gaseous part of the hydrocarbons separated in the separation station.

Abstract: A system is provided for the production of heavy crude oil from an undersea reservoir, and for the treatment of the crude oil to facilitate its transport. A floating body (12) which produces the heavy crude oil, carries a hydrocarbon cracking station (32) that cracks the heavy crude into light liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons, and that uses heat resulting from the cracking to produce pressured steam. The pressured steam is used to drive a steam-powered engine (72) (with pistons or a turbine) that drives an electrical generator (74) whose electricity powers the system.

Abstract: A system comprises a memory operable to store a master index that is based at least in part on a separately managed account (SMA) index, a market index, a first weight associated with the SMA index, and a second weight associated with the market index. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to update the first weight based at least in part on the market index. The processor is further operable to update the second weight based at least in part on the SMA index. The processor is further operable to update the master index based at least in part on the SMA index, the market index, the updated first weight, and the updated second weight. The processor is further operable to store the updated master index in a memory.

Abstract: A system comprises a memory operable to store market data. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to buy a plurality of index futures. The plurality of index futures are held as long positions in a trust, and a particular index future is publicly traded on a commodity exchange. The processor is further operable to issue a plurality of trust receipts associated with the trust, wherein the plurality of trust receipts are publicly traded on at least one security exchange. The processor is further operable to post a margin with a futures commission merchant (FCM), wherein the margin is based at least in part on the plurality of index futures and the FCM makes at least one interest payment associated with the plurality of index futures.

Abstract: A system comprises a memory operable to store market data. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to buy a plurality of index futures. The plurality of index futures are held as long positions in a trust, and a particular index future is publicly traded on a commodity exchange. The processor is further operable to issue a plurality of trust receipts associated with the trust, wherein the plurality of trust receipts are publicly traded on at least one security exchange. The processor is further operable to post a margin with a futures commission merchant (FCM), wherein the margin is based at least in part on the plurality of index futures and the FCM makes at least one interest payment associated with the plurality of index futures.

Abstract: A system comprises a memory operable to store a master index that is based at least in part on a separately managed account (SMA) index, a market index, a first weight associated with the SMA index, and a second weight associated with the market index. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to update the first weight based at least in part on the market index. The processor is further operable to update the second weight based at least in part on the SMA index. The processor is further operable to update the master index based at least in part on the SMA index, the market index, the updated first weight, and the updated second weight. The processor is further operable to store the updated master index in a memory.

Abstract: Production of oxygen-enriched gas streams is disclosed herein. Air streams contact an oxygen-selective mixed conductor particularly a perovskite material whereby oxygen is retained or adsorbed on the perovskite and can be employed in a variety of processes such as in combusting a fuel gas, heat recovery and boiler related operations.