AMMAN: Visiting the bustling city of Amman recently, one wonders how Jordan is providing all the energy to drive its economy after being described as one of the energy “have-nots” of the region. Energy consumption is growing rapidly, where, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), energy supply increased from about 2.7 million tons of oil equivalent (mtoe) in 1985 to 7.73-mtoe in 2013, while domestic energy supply was nil in 1985 and only 0.28-mtoe in 2013.
In 2013, oil was the main energy source at 83.3 per cent, gas at 11.8 per cent, coal at 2.8 per cent and renewables at 2 per cent. Therefore, almost 96 per cent of supplies are imported and this adds a strain on the economy and finances. Imports comprised about 6.6-mtoe of oil, 0.213 of coal, 0.795 of gas. Gas production was only 0.111-mtoe and renewables at 0.145.
For many years, oil imports were essentially from Iraq, by trucks from Haditha. But lately this route became unavailable and Jordan is importing via the port of Aqaba and by truck to Zarqa refinery and consumers. With increasing oil consumption and prices internationally, Jordan began seriously to consider reducing its dependence on oil and gas by seeking to develop its vast oil shale resources. Deposits are located in about 60 per cent of the country and with an estimated resource base of 70 billion tons, the fourth largest in the world.
