Petroleum giant BP has made a major breakthrough in the fight against petrol sniffing in remote Aboriginal communities.

It has developed a new unleaded fuel that will not make sniffers high.

The product will be available in Aboriginal communities from January.

BP says the new fuel will be called Opal Unleaded.

It will be more expensive than regular unleaded, but the Federal Government has agreed to subsidise it.

Company representatives are in Alice Springs today and tomorrow to discuss the development with Aboriginal communities and social workers.

The breakthrough is expected to dramatically reduce the problem of petrol sniffing which has plagued Indigenous communities across the country.

The company is holding similar meetings in Darwin and Cairns.