The development of Abu Dhabi's extensive gas resources is continuing to provide a valuable source of business for John Crane Middle East.

''The company is the prime seal and coupling supplier on the Onshore Gas Development (OGD) phases 1 and 2, and is currently providing commissioning and service support for the start-up of OGD-2,'' said Mike West, regional sales director.

With the massive Dolphin project looming on the horizon - whereby up to two million cu ft per day of gas will be shipped from Qatar's North Field to Abu Dhabi - prospects continue to look bright.

John Crane is the acknowledged leader and world's largest designed, manufacturer and supplier of engineered sealing systems, solutions and associated products. It provides a complete selection of engineered mechanical seals, dry gas seals, mechanical packings and control monitoring systems, complemented by power transmission couplings and centralised lubrication systems.

John Crane personnel understand rotating equipment, seals and sealing. They apply technology and service to solve problems and satisfy needs in a world of sealing applications. They create sealing systems for individual industries and individual installations. They develop service programmes to meet customers' specific needs, which complement their product leadership position. This application-specific approach and tailored service offering provides the right solution for any given condition.

''More specifically for Adnoc, John Crane provides service contracts, gas seal repair and testing and commissioning of new plants from its facility in the UAE,'' said West. Adnoc facilities to have benefitted from John Crane's service include Ruwais Refinery, Borouge petrochemical plant, Gasco's OGD-2 development at Habshan and the Asab gas plant.

Now the company is looking to build on its reputation by expanding its range of products and services.

''John Crane is now promoting its LaserFace technology for marginal vapour face applications. It is also introducing Performance Based Reliability contracts on major plants,'' said West.

LaserFace - which is said to represent a significant breakthrough in seal face technology - incorporates unique seal face structures which enhance performance in difficult seal applications. LaserFace will be supplied to users on a reliability or performance-related basis as part of an innovative marketing policy.

LaserFace will enable greater reliability as a result of reduced friction and wear. Full interface lubrication is provided where low vapour pressures are encountered.

These seals also greatly reduce the necessary complexities of conventional systems and associated equipment. The technology minimises the leakage of volatile organic compounds and, as such, is ideal for use in process applications such as petrochemicals, chemicals, oil and gas. LaserFace also reduces seal power consumption by up to 50 per cent, according to the company.

With particular benefit to the oil and gas industry, LaserFace maintains excellent performance and reliability in low pressure, temperature margins, a persistent industry problem when sealing light hydrocarbon-based products.

''In a highly competitive environment,'' said West, ''John Crane can provide an added edge thanks to the quality of its employees in the Middle East and the close relationships that exist between its sales and service managers and staff and its customers.''

Add these attributes to the ISO9001:2000-certified company's modern service repair and test facility in Dubai - which targets the oil and gas, petrochemical, power and water and general industrial markets in the Middle East - as well as its diverse products range, competitive prices and reliable deliveries, and John Crane is a true market leader.

John Crane has been actively involved in the Middle East since 1962. Headquartered in the UK, the company says it is the recognised world leader in sealing systems and couplings and employs more than 9,000 staff in more than 200 facilities in 47 countries.

The company has been further reinforced by its incorporation into the Smiths Group, a leading multi-disciplined international company.

FTSE100-listed, Smiths has sales of $4.5 billion and employs 38,000 people.