John Crane, Hughes Christensen sign joint development agreement

Offshore staff

LONDON-- John Crane has signed a joint development agreement with Baker Hughes’ Hughes Christensen product line. The deal covers the development of new sealing technologies and products for use on the Tricone range of rock drilling bits manufactured by Baker Hughes. John Crane has also signed a similar ‘back-to-back’ agreement with international composite component manufacturer Greene Tweed & Co, whose products may be incorporated into future development work.

The umbrella agreement between John Crane and Baker Hughes defines the parameters under which the two companies will begin a series of development projects. These will focus on various areas, such as the creation of improved seal designs, lower friction sealing elements, and a replacement for the traditional O-ring seal used on larger rock bits.

10/30/2009