? New DD1100 has double the capacity of most machines.

Dubai, UAE, March 05, 2008: In a move that will greatly benefit the regional oil & gas and utilities sectors, Zenath Environmental Engineering Services, part of the ETA Ascon Star Group, has acquired the largest Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) machine in the UAE.

The DD1100 HDD Machine from American Augers has a pulling capacity of 500 tonnes, as against the 250 tonnes capacity the machines that are currently in use in the region have.

The new machine is widely used in the installation of large-diameter pipelines under canals and sea beds, connecting islands and river crossings for the oil and gas industry and other utilities.

Hameed Salahuddin, Director of ETA Ascon Star Group, said: "This machine is one of its kinds in the UAE. Zenath's acquisition of the machine will add great value to the company's innovative techniques and boost its efficiency significantly in executing the contracts it undertakes."

DD1100 is a surface-launched, horizontal directional, fluid-assisted, mechanical drilling system on a tri-axle suspension-mounted thrust frame. The machine is highly useful in the oil and gas industry as well as in utilities sector including water, electricity and telecommunications.

Currently, Zenath is developing a mega rig with American Augers DD 1100 spread for drilling 1800-2500 metres in one drill in Saudi Arabia, UAE and India.

Zenath's major clients in the UAE include Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA), Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) and Nakheel.

J.S.A. Bukhari, Executive Director of Zenath Group, said: "Zenath has always taken pride in being at the forefront in introducing state of the art products and services for the benefit of its clients. The newly acquired DD1100 is yet another testimony to this progressive strategy."

Zenath is involved in a range of activities from waste management, waste water treatment, garbage chute construction to equipment hiring and trading, earthworks, horizontal directional drilling, and also deals in sand and aggregates, diesel, lubricants and foodstuff.

The HDD Division of Zenath Environmental Engineering Services, which was launched in 2004, is ISO 9001 certified and is one of the biggest HDD contractors in the Middle East, having a fleet of 11 rigs in the medium category.

-Ends- 
 
About ETA Ascon Star group:   
ETA Ascon Star Group is a multi-national and diversified group established in 1973 as a joint venture under the UAE's Abdulla Al Ghurair Group. Headquartered in Dubai, ETA Ascon Star Group has built an enviable reputation for quality, excellent service and cost-effective technological capability. The group's network encompasses 140 entities and associate offices in 22 countries and employs more than 58,000 people with consolidated sales in excess of US$ 5 billion. 

Areas of expertise under the ETA Ascon Star Group umbrella include Contracting & Engineering, Trading, Shipping, Manufacturing and Assembly, Facility Management & Environmental, Automobile, Real Estate, Retail, Services, Travel & Leisure, Health Care, Aviation, Learning & Education, Insurance, Hospitality, Oil & Natural Gas.  

For further information, please visit www.etaascon.com

For further information kindly contact
Rohini Rego/ Charlene Rodrigues
Weber Shandwick - MENA
Tel: 04- 3210077
Mobile: 050-3823556 / 050- 2823747
Email: rohini.rego@ws-mena.com/ charlene.rodrigues@ws-mena.com

© Press Release 2008