With A number of new oil and gas projects coming up in Abu Dhabi, the next three to four years looks likely to be very good for business, according to a leading Abu Dhabi executive.

''We are excited by the opportunities arising in the next three to four years,'' Hasan Ali Darwish, vice chairman of Emdad, the oil and gas business unit of Abu Dhabi-based Al Bawardi Enterprises, told Oil & Gas News in an interview.

''There are many projects being launched by Adnoc (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) and Adweer (Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority) which are likely to provide good prospects,'' he explained.

Indeed, with projects such as the Onshore Gas Development, an unleaded gas project at Ruwais refinery, an LPG train at Adgas and the upcoming Dolphin scheme, Darwish has every right to feel optimistic.

Emdad's divisions cover Drilling and Production (Emdad is the UAE agent for leading international manufacturers of rockbits, wellheads and chemicals), Projects and Contracts (Emdad represents engineering and contracting firms in oil, gas and power sectors), Engineering Products (mechanical, electrical and control products), Services (such as refinery maintenance, cathodic protection, protective coatings etc) and Commodities (trading of urea and ammonia).

Much of Emdad's evolution has stemmed from providing leading-edge services to Adnoc, and Emdad has consistently benefited from the Abu Dhabi state oil company's 'smart' investment programmes.

''Adnoc's projects are not driven by oil prices,'' Darwish pointed out. ''They are driven by production enhancement and market requirements,'' he explained.

But Emdad is now looking beyond its close relationship with Adnoc.

''Over the years we have been able to consistently satisfy the high demands of Adnoc. We now have a responsibility to expand to also satisfy the requirements of other major companies in the region,'' he explained.

Emdad has positioned itself, in particular, to serve the needs of a new era of enhanced oil recovery as production in some of the oilfields in Abu Dhabi and the Gulf starts to decline with age.

''Old facilities need upgrading and Emdad has positioned itself to provide required support for this new era,'' he said.

Emdad's business structure has also entered a new era, following its transformation from a family-run business as Al Bawardi Oil & Gas to Emdad through a capital raise which has seen thirteen UAE national investors take a stake in the company.

The move away from a family-run operation to a more institutionalised structure is expected to have long term benefits to the company, its customers and partners.

''For our customers and partners, the transformation provides the continuity and sustainability of an institution, while the company itself can benefit from a larger base of shareholders and their ability and desire to invest in an existing and profitable operation,'' said Darwish.

''And for the shareholders themselves, the new structure means that we address succession issues,'' he added.

The broad shareholder interest in the company also provides a competitive edge to Emdad, said Darwish, enabling it to leapfrog over and ahead of other family-run businesses in Abu Dhabi.

Darwish foresees changes in the way businesses will operate in Abu Dhabi, the Gulf and the Middle East at large.

In particular, he expects acquisitions to be an increasingly common feature of the Gulf's corporate landscape in years to come, in line with global developments.

''I hope that there will be regional mergers. With the evolution of the capital market and investment climate, people are now looking at wealth creation through regional alliances and mergers,'' he said.

And Darwish does not rule out acquisitions for Emdad as the company strives to become the private equity investment company in oil and gas.

''We are looking at acquisition opportunities in the field of services and distribution of oil and gas products in the Gulf region,'' Darwish told OGN.

''We hope that we can replicate the success and knowhow of processes we have developed in the UAE in other countries in the region,'' he added.

Darwish also sees Emdad expanding its geographical coverage throughout the Gulf, North Africa, the Levant and Iran.

''With globalisation, regionalisation will become more apparent,'' he explained.

''The UAE has several advantages in the creation of regionalised business,'' Darwish added, citing the close relationships between the UAE government and neighbouring countries.

''We already have an advanced business climate in the UAE,'' he said.

''Capital wealth is available in Abu Dhabi, the emirate is financially strong and has a good infrastructure for the oil and gas industries,'' he stressed, adding that the UAE as a whole was also a hub for product distribution.

As an Abu Dhabi-based company Emdad is looking to further leverage the competitive advantages offered by the emirate.

Abu Dhabi also has a growing reputation as a regional conference and exhibition centre, which will continue to provide good opportunities for the emirate to showcase its infrastructure potential.

''For instance, the ADIPEC 2000 oil show was a very strong event, and we will be increasing our participation at ADIPEC 2002,'' said Darwish.