Doha, October 2009 - Qatar Fuel (WOQOD) was commended at the 2009 Qatar Today Green Award (QTGA), the nation’s first and only environmental awards, which is now in its second year and has become a key advocate of broad environmental activism across Qatar.

WOQOD was the runner up in the category demonstrating “Environmental Vision in the Energy Sector”. Nominees in this category must have made innovative contributions in the implementation of energy efficient equipment and systems that lead to more efficient use of resources and reduce the overall impact of any of these activities on the environment.

WOQOD was commended for its use of advanced technology to recover hydrocarbon vapour during truck loading at the Doha Depot. This minimises vapour emissions to the atmosphere.

Mr. Mohamed Khalifa Turki Al-Sobai, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of WOQOD said in a statement: “I would like to thank the QTGA for recognising WOQOD’s contribution to protecting the environment, and I hope these awards will encourage both individuals and institutions to make small but positive changes that can help us preserve our environment.”

WOQOD’s service stations are also designed to minimise the overall impact of the company’s activities on the environment. In addition to vapour recovery systems the company also employs a wide range of technologies that help minimise the impact on the environment.

The service stations utilise systems that recycle nearly 90% of the water used for washing cars. WOQOD also uses double-skinned storage tanks with advanced automated leak detection systems that prevent any direct leakage into the air or soil.

In addition to these, over the last year WOQOD has been at the forefront of the campaign for a greener and healthier Qatar through the free distribution of 20,000 Sidra tree saplings to some schools and the general public at various environmental forums.

The Qatar Today Green Awards were instituted by Qatar Today magazine, the flagship publication of Oryx Advertising Co. and saw over 100 nominations in eight categories in 2009, a significant jump from last years figures, which itself was a clear indication of greater awareness in Qatar on environmentalism.