Altostratus cloud size again. During the sampling of one cloud, the scientists noted a halo while flying near the top of the cloud, which indicated that the ice crystals were hexagonal near the top. However, farther down, the ice crystals became more conglomerated. Altostratus tends to form ahead of a warm or occluded front, the altostratus gradually thickening into rain bearing nimbostratus. However it can also occur together with cumulus congestus or cumulonimbus at a cold front. "Velum" This is considered a type of cumulonimbus cloud so it is not listed. Altostratus cloud Altostratus is a middle altitude cloud genus belonging to
Normally unmanned installation Normally unmanned installation A Normally Unmanned Installation (NUI) is a type of automated offshore Oil/Gas platform designed to be primarily operated remotely, without the constant presence of personnel. These generally were characterized by their small size, often consisting of just a well bay with a helipad on top. They are often a compromise of providing the convenience of surface wellheads, which are easier to build and maintain, while avoiding the high operating costs of a full production platform. They are generally only used in shallower water, where constructing many small NUIs is a relatively easy and cheap option as compared