FOLLOWING EXTENSIVE preparations, Saudi Aramco's domestic refineries at Ras Tanura, Riyadh, Jeddah and Yanbu finally began the transition from leaded to unleaded fuel production at the beginning of this year.

The move to unleaded was implemented a year ahead of a target date set by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

During the course of this year leaded fuel is being flushed from Saudi Aramco's storage facilities and pipelines and replaced with unleaded.

Saudi Aramco has replaced the lead compounds in the gasoline with safer octane-enhancing additives which will keep the fuel's octane rating at its traditional level of 95 RON, according to the company.