Doha: Qatar is poised to become the GTL capital of the world by 2011.
At a time when environmentalists are crying themselves hoarse about how vehicular pollution is depleting the ozone layer, GTL fuel is like a breath of fresh air.
It is an ultra clean alternative fuel, made from natural gas, which can be used in conventional diesel engines. It is a colourless, odourless liquid with easy handling features of diesel fuel, can be used as a stand alone fuel, or blended with diesel.
GTL is also non-toxic, biodegradable, and contains remarkably low amounts of nitrogen and sulphur.
To educate the public at large, and school children in particular, Qatar Petroleum, Shell and Sasol Chevron organised a GTL fuel exhibition at the City Centre Mall.
The GTL capital of the world campaign was designed to showcase to the people of Qatar, vehicles that have demonstrated how GTL, the most exciting development in the transport fuel industry today.
"This exhibition shows all sides and capabilities of GTL. For the rough terrain we have the Oryx vehicle, which is one of the five vehicles that took part in the trans Africa/ trans Arabia, Sasol Chevron GTL challenge. This vehicle has already been seen on Doha's roads and will now stay in Qatar, continuously running on 100 percent GTL fuel. The GTL challenge was the single longest journey undertaken on 100 percent pure GTL fuel taking 46 days and passing through seven countries," informed Pat Butcher, Sasol Chevron country manager.
Recently Qatar Petroleum and its partners Sasol Chevron and Shell launched 10 gas to liquids ( GTL) fuelled school buses at an event at the Al Falah girls school. All these are part of an awareness generation campaign to showcase Qatar's position as the "GTL capital of the world"
© The Peninsula 2006
