Woqod plans to have some 100 fuel stations in Qatar by 2017-18, the company's CEO Ibrahim Jaham al-Kuwari has said.
Currently, Woqod owns some 23 fuel stations across Qatar and by next year, the country will have 40 fuel stations.
In order to cater to Qatar's population, currently estimated at more than 2.1mn, and the increased demand for the various petroleum products, there is an urgent need to expand current stations to meet the needs of the residential, industrial and trade sectors, al-Kuwari said, while revealing Woqod's five-year plan 2014-2018 here yesterday.
Currently, works related to five new stations are in progress at Al Wakrah, Al Wajba, Al Jumailiya, Lusail and Al Thakhira. Some of these are nearing completion, but all of the projects are expected to be in operation by the first quarter of 2015, he said.
Geographic distribution of these fuel stations took into account the "needs of the largest number of residents in each locality as well as that of various industrial complexes and construction projects." Eight projects have been approved for constructing fuel stations in "high traffic areas" where there is a pressing need for these facilities. These are Al Shamal Road, Salwa Road and "Doha's Center". Top priority was given to Al Shamal Road and Salwa Road, to serve the huge construction projects currently underway at Al Khor and its surrounding places.
Qatar's only land border with Saudi Arabia is accessed by Salwa Road and is in "dire need" for additional fuel stations. New projects to meet this, will be set up at Umm Qarn, Al Qutayfiya, Al Mashabiyya, Al Rayyan, Fulaiha, Sudanthel and Bin Derham. Tendering for all projects will be completed by July 2014 and all projects are expected to be operational by 2015.
Projects in the design phase include six fuel stations to cover the needs of Hamad International Airport, New Mesaimeer, Education City, and Smeisma. Two stations are proposed to be constructed at the airport as well as at the Education City. These projects are expected to be completed during 2015.
Some 10 expansion projects are currently in progress at existing fuel stations in order to augment additional facilities including food courts, mosques, stores, car washing sectors and/or houses for workers. These projects are being taken up at fuel stations in Mesaimeer,
Al Hilal, Industrial Area, Wadi Al Banat, Al Gharafa, West Coast, Al Thayen, Muaither, Al
Siliyya and Abu Fseila.
Two vehicle inspection centres to be ready in Q1 2015
Full operation of Fahes Technical Inspection Centres (for vehicles) at Wadi Al Banat and Al Maamoura is expected by the first quarter of 2015, Woqod said yesterday. Also, design works have been completed for new vehicle inspection centres at Barwa Al Baraha, Al Khor, Madinat Al Shamal, and Al Shahaniya. These projects are expected to be completed this year. Unveiling the company's new five-year plan for the 2014-2018 period, Woqod CEO Ibrahim Jaham al-Kuwari said there are plans to increase the points of sale/distribution of Shafaf cylinders in the country. The project to replace all metal cylinders with Shafaf is expected to be completed by end-2017. The new five-year plan also envisages a project to expand the "gas refill station" at the Industrial Area. Additionally, more companies will be accredited to install fixed line tanks. Al-Kuwari said Woqod will invest QR70mn on expansion of bitumen storage facilities at Mesaieed and increase operational capacity to 20,000 tonnes. Bitumen has wide industrial applications as it is used in road projects and other facilities.
© Gulf Times 2014
