Abstract: A concrete section of an offshore platform substructure comprises a concrete body with a central opening and at least one guidepost hole extending through a height of the concrete body, wherein a width of the concrete body is greater than the height. An offshore platform substructure comprises a base portion resting on the ocean floor, and a plurality of concrete support sections stacked one on top of another on the base portion. A method of assembling an offshore platform with a concrete substructure comprises locating a guidepost in the ocean floor at a well site, towing a plurality of concrete sections to the well site, sequentially engaging each of the plurality of concrete sections with the guidepost, and sequentially sinking each of the plurality of concrete sections, thereby forming a stack of concrete sections on the ocean floor.

Abstract: A concrete section of an offshore platform substructure comprises a concrete body with a central opening and at least one guidepost hole extending through a height of the concrete body, wherein a width of the concrete body is greater than the height. An offshore platform substructure comprises a base portion resting on the ocean floor, and a plurality of concrete support sections stacked one on top of another on the base portion. A method of assembling an offshore platform with a concrete substructure comprises locating a guidepost in the ocean floor at a well site, towing a plurality of concrete sections to the well site, sequentially engaging each of the plurality of concrete sections with the guidepost, and sequentially sinking each of the plurality of concrete sections, thereby forming a stack of concrete sections on the ocean floor.

Abstract: Raman spectrometers are employed in a hydrocarbon processing plant for online measurement of at least one compositional property of a hydrocarbon stream. The Raman spectrometers can be used to control separations equipment, determine energy content, and/or determine flow rate. The Raman spectrometers are especially advantageous when employed in a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant to determine properties of cooled natural gas streams.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for improving the efficiency of an open-cycle cascaded refrigeration process. Process efficiency is improved by the manner in which the compressed recycle stream is combined with the main process stream in the open refrigeration cycle.

Abstract: A process, apparatus and control methodology for transferring loads between drivers in adjacent refrigeration cycles in a cascaded refrigeration process has been developed thereby enabling more efficient driver operation. Load transfer is effected by cooling the higher boiling point refrigerant liquid prior to flashing via an indirect heat transfer with the lower boiling point refrigerant vapor in a adjacent cycle prior to compression of said stream.

Abstract: A process for the liquefaction of natural gas having a pressure above atmospheric pressure, is disclosed in which a feed gas is cooled to sequentially lower temperatures, by passing the gas through a plurality of cooling stages, in heat exchange with at least three refrigerants, until the gas is substantially completely condensed in the last of the cooling stages. The pressure of the feed gas is reduced to near atmospheric pressure during the cooling of the feed gas by the use of hydraulic expanders which extract work during pressure reduction. Additionally, pressure reduction of the refrigerants within the refrigerant cycles is performed by similar hydraulic expanders. The work extracted by said hydraulic expanders is used to provide power to the liquefaction process, such as by helping to power compressors or pumps used in the liquefaction process.