ADNOC Expands Natural Gas for Vehicles (NGV) Project

Following the successful opening of its first public Natural Gas Filling Station in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates, Adnoc Distribution has plans to expand its Natural Gas for Vehicles (NGV) project.

The NGV Pilot Project includes conversions to a limited number of gasoline driven vehicles to run on both Natural Gas and gasoline. So far, 30 cars have been converted including taxis and vehicles belonging to local government departments and institutions. The number of converted vehicles is expected to reach 200 during the next few months.

Following the positive results and feedback from the NGV Pilot Project in Abu Dhabi, Adnoc Distribution has plans to expand its future NGV program throughout the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, in line with the decision of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi Emirate to expand the use of natural gas as an alternative fuel for vehicles.

Also, contacts have been made with vehicle manufacturers who are currently producing new bi-fuel vehicles that run on both Natural Gas and gasoline to encourage them to supply these models to the UAE market in the near future.

In the initial phase, Adnoc Distribution will set up abut 10 Filling Stations to offer NGV filling services in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Plans are also under way to set-up about three centers to carry out conversions to gasoline driven vehicles to run on both Natural Gas and gasoline. This project will be executed in cooperation with speci alist international companies at selected strategically located sites in the Abu Dhabi Emirate and will extend to some of the Northern Emirates in near future.

Natural gas offers a real alternative to the economic and environmental issues associated with operating traditional gasoline- and diesel-based vehicles. In fact, the use of natural gas in vehicles dates back to the 1930’s, but tremendous strides in technology and engine efficiency over the past 20 years has helped to bring Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV) into widespread use and popularity.

Today, operating natural gas vehicles typically costs 30 percent less than the same vehicle using gasoline. Engine maintenance costs for NGV’s are also significantly lower than traditional gasoline vehicles, and the life of motor oils and spark plugs is extended.

Natural gas vehicles operate cleaner, and produce fewer emissions than traditional gasoline-based vehicles, and because natural gas is primarily methane (a molecule found naturally in the environment), it contains fewer harmful compounds than gasoline. In fact, natural gas is second only to hydrogen, in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide produced when burned, and offers the promise of meeting or exceeding even the toughest environmental emissions standards.

NG Vehicles operate and perform much like traditional gasoline-based vehicles, and the transformation is subtle and unobtrusive. The engine fuel intake is modified, and a reinforced compressed fuel tank is added, while still allowing easy access for refueling. With over three million Natural Gas Vehicles in operation in over 50 countries worldwide, the popularity and availability of NGV’s continues to grow. NGV filling stations operate on the same ‘drive-through’ principle as a traditional station, and globally, there are nearly 7,000 in operation.

The use of natural gas in vehicles presents an exciting opportunity to minimize the impact on the environment through the reduction of emissions. In addition to feeling good about minimizing their environmental footprints, NGV drivers benefit from a less expensive, readily available fuel source.

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