UAE Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announces unleaded gasoline changeover

The complete phase out of leaded gasoline by 2003 came in response to a resolution by the Higher Council of Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council in December 1998 in their meeting in Abu Dhabi. In July of this year, the UAE Cabinet Decree (#339/39, 2002) mandated the complete phase out of leaded gasoline in the UAE by the prescribed date.

In support of this UAE government initiative, Nasser Al Sharan outlined details of a comprehensive public awareness campaign, entitled UAE Goes Green, which has been created to provide an estimated 750,000 UAE motorists with details on the vehicles' compatibility with unleaded gasoline and give general guidelines to assist motorists on the changeover.

In a unanimous show of support, ministerial and other government departments, non-government organisations, and representatives from all UAE oil companies attended. Oil companies were represented by Mr. Jamal Al Dharif, General Manager of ADNOC Distribution, Mr. Rashid Al Shamsi, General Manager of Emarat, Mr. Tayyeb Al Mulla, Chief Executive of ENOC International Refining & Marketing, Mr. Sultan A. Al Mehairi, Manager of the Refined Products Division at ADNOC, and Mr. Ahmed O. Abdullah, Umm Al Nar, Refinery Division Manager at Takreer.

"The phase out of leaded gasoline and the move to unleaded gasoline on January 1, 2003 will be recorded as a landmark date in the history of the UAE. We are very proud to be a part of this initiative. It is a fact that almost every car in the UAE can run on unleaded gasoline, so we anticipate a very smooth transition, " said Nasser Al Sharan.

"The UAE Goes Green public awareness programme provides all guidelines necessary on the forthcoming changeover. More than one million pieces of printed material will be distributed to motorists at UAE service stations nationwide later this week. In addition motorists can access a specially developed website at www.uaegoesgreen.com or call the toll-free green line 8006999 telephone information service," Al Sharhan concluded

The enormous logistical challenges involved in the conversion of over 500 service stations nationwide were also highlighted. Each company has had to make a substantial investment in order to develop their facilities to facilitate the production of unleaded gasoline. The oil companies' efforts at the refineries and service stations were recognised. Oil company representatives also mentioned that service station staff have been trained and are now prepared to give advice to motorists who want to know more about the changeover in order to ensure a smooth transition for their customers.

In addition to providing motorists with practical information on the changeover, the UAE Goes Green campaign also focuses on the many positive effects the move to unleaded gasoline will have on the UAE environment. The Committee on Public Awareness for the Introduction of Unleaded Gasoline's chairman, Dr. Said Al Numairy, Environmental Advisor for the Federal Environmental Agency, outlined his feelings on the changeover by saying, "By phasing out leaded and moving to unleaded gasoline, a better environment is a reality for not only this but future generations of UAE residents. The government of the UAE's aim at all times is to safeguard, and where possible improve, both personal and environmental health. This is a vital step in the right direction."

The UAE government initiative regarding the obligatory inclusion of catalytic converters in all new cars from 2002 is another positive step for the environment. The use of unleaded gasoline with catalytic converters in all UAE automobiles is forecast to dramatically reduce harmful emissions. After the UAE cabinet decree in 2002, catalytic converters have become standard in all new cars sold in the UAE.

Today, the UAE joins a growing number of environmentally responsible countries that have already made the move to unleaded gasoline.

ends