CATS fuels the green revolution.

When it comes to environmental improvements, the BP Central Area Transmission System is a star performer. And the site's green endeavours have now been rewarded ( earning it a duo of top business awards in recognition of its achievements.

Making great strides in a number of areas saw the team lift the Environmental Award at the recent Tees Valley Business Awards, organised by the Evening Gazette and its sister paper The Journal.

The team then went on to lift the overall regional title.

It was crowned the cream of the North-East crop at the awards' grand final ( beating off competition from other firms stretching from North Yorkshire to Northumberland.

And it's not the first time the site has scored success.

In 2004 it took the Environmental Award at the awards before going on to be a runner-up at the grand regional North-East final.

The Central Area Transmission System (CATS) terminal at Seal Sands is operated by BP.

The site processes natural gas from the North Sea and extracts natural gas liquids (NGLs) from the gas, before it is passed on to the National Transmission System. Natural gas liquids are propane and butane which are used in the bottled gas and aerosol markets.

The site is owned by a group of companies as part of a co-venture. They are BP, British Gas, Amerada Hess, Total Fina Elf, ConocoPhillips and ENI.

Judges named BP CATS as the award winner after being impressed by the terminal's efforts to improve environmental targets on a number of fronts.

These have led to carbon dioxide emissions to the air and liquid waste being reduced by almost a fifth, solid waste to landfill cut by 64pc and all waste produced at the site being recycled.

Another focus was the development and installation of an advanced control system, which has led to greater accuracy in controlling the terminal and which in turn has seen the energy requirements of the operation reduce significantly.

The team also established a biodiversity action plan in conjunction with INCA ( Industry Nature Conservation Association.

After successfully completing its targets for 2005, two larger projects are under way for this year.

Although it was wildlife itself that halted work on the plan last summer. A pair of stonechats was found to be nesting on the site and successfully raised two young.

BP CATS has also forged links with Durham University which has included a PhD student conducting hydrocarbon and glycol absorption trials with effluent treatment reed beds.

And the terminal has shared its best practice and expertise across the BP Group, when it comes to the use of reed beds for waste water treatment.

"We didn't just look at one individual project, when it came to environmental improvement," said Dave Stobbs, site manager at BP Cats.

"We've tackled the issue on a number of fronts ( and used new technology to achieve it."

The achievements have also created a positive benefit for the company.

Costs have been reduced by pounds 18,000 in waste removal due to better waste segregation and reduction in the amount of liquid waste being produced. BP Cats has continued to strive for improved performance on the environmental front.

Its Green Team was set up a number of years ago as an integral part of BP CATS' work towards maintaining the environmental management standard, ISO 14001.

And to ensure its waste management performance is at the highest level, the site has its own three Rs ( Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

But it's not just about green thinking among the site's staff and operations. The environmental message goes further ( into the local community.

BP CATS has a partnership with the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, based at Seal Sands.

And as well as supporting the organisation financially, it holds an employee team building day, carrying out refurbishments of local hides and footpaths.

Last year staff helped out at the Teesmouth National Nature Reserve run by English Nature, which takes in Seal Sands and North Gare.

Their hard work saw improved facilities for local bird watchers.

Work completed by a 30-strong team included the restoration of two bird hides which involved replacing broken hinges, coating the timber in a special preservative and painting the entrance ramps with a high-visibility paint for easy access by wheelchair users.

Staff also helped clear vegetation that was obstructing the walkway. CATS' employees and families are also able to enjoy a day at the TVWT centre to find out more about the biodiversity of the local area.

Local pupils also regularly visit the site to find out more about the environment and see the site's reed beds in action.

Pupils from Northgate Junior School in Guisborough recently took a nature trip with a difference when they paid a visit and were able to see the terminal's wildlife sanctuary. The field trip was co-ordinated by the Chemical Industry Education Centre, based at York University, as part of its Children Challenging Industry (CCI) project.

The programme, which was started in 1996, aims to improve children's perceptions of the chemical and allied industry through science activities in the classroom, culminating in a visit to a local company.

BP CATS is a member of INCA, the Tees Estuary Management Plan and works closely with the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust and the education authority to raise environmental awareness in the community.

And even small projects can reap big rewards for the environment. Staff have laid pebbles between the terminal's inner and outer fences to encourage plovers to nest in the area. Kestrel boxes have been placed on top of some of the site's tall structures to encourage nesting.

And CATS has donated a bird hide to the Tees Estuary ( where enthusiasts can view more than 20,000 birds that visit the site each year.

Recently the terminal was also given the ministerial seal of approval. Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks toured the site as part of his visit to the region and was shown the site's development plans for the future.

"CATS is proof that economic growth and environmental protection work hand in had in Teesside," said Mr Stobbs.

"But none of this would be possible without the continued effort of our CATS employees and contractors.

"We would not have achieved this success or reduced our environmental impact without them.

"With plans to continue to develop the system further, CATS is set to contribute to the economic and natural well being of Teesside in the 21st Century."