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April 24, 2025 – Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Dr. Saleh Al-Kharabsheh on Thursday sponsored the signing ceremony of a strategic agreement to establish the "National Advanced Natural Gas Company Watani," a partnership between Jordan Petroleum Products Marketing Company (JoPetrol) and Jordan Liquefied Gas Company.

During the event, Al-Kharabsheh emphasized that the establishment of "Watani" aligns with Jordan’s strategic objectives to achieve energy supply security and enhance self-reliance by developing and utilizing national resources. He noted that this project constitutes a key pillar of the national energy strategy.

Al-Kharabsheh explained that the domestically produced natural gas from the Risha Field is one of Jordan’s most prominent energy resources, stressing the importance of turning challenges into opportunities and working to increase production to 418 million cubic feet by 2030, well above the Kingdom’s current needs for electricity generation.

He also highlighted the various projects being implemented by the ministry to deliver natural gas to industrial cities, aiming to lower energy costs for the industrial sector in line with the Economic Modernization Vision.

Al-Kharabsheh pointed out that the ministry is working on extending natural gas to the residential sector, with the first phase of the project set to begin in Amman and Zarqa. This effort is consistent with the ministry’s strategy focused on diversifying energy sources and increasing reliance on local energy to reduce energy costs across all sectors to the lowest levels possible.

For his part, Eng. Khaled Al-Zoubi, Director General of JoPetrol, stated that the establishment of "Watani" represents a strategic step toward building a more efficient and sustainable energy future in Jordan, noting that this initiative reflects the company’s commitment to providing integrated solutions that support the national economy and promote the use of clean energy sources.

Meanwhile, Salah Al-Khazaleh, Director General of Jordan Liquefied Gas Company, described the project as the result of years of dedicated efforts to realize the company’s vision of moving toward sustainable energy and utilizing national resources to serve Jordan’s economy.

Al-Khazaleh stated that the launch of the project serves as a fundamental pillar for economic, social, and environmental security in the Kingdom, aligning with the Economic Modernization Vision and the energy sector’s plans to diversify energy supply sources and boost local investment.

Additionally, Eng. Mohammad Khassawneh, Director General Manager of the National Petroleum Company, affirmed that national efforts are focused on increasing production levels at the Risha Field to serve local communities and strengthen energy security.

From his side, Eng. Ziyad Al-Saaydeh, Chairman of the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission, praised this national partnership aimed at enhancing energy supply security and achieving economic and environmental sustainability.

The "Watani" project embodies the aspirations of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to achieve energy supply security by increasing reliance on local sources. Transporting gas from the Risha Field to economic sectors is considered one of the core pillars of the national energy strategy.

The project enjoys broad support from the Jordanian government, represented by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission, the Ministry of Interior, the Public Security Directorate, the Civil Defense Department, and other relevant government bodies. This support has helped create an appropriate regulatory environment by issuing necessary permits and legislation, overcoming regulatory challenges, and paving the way for the success of this initiative.

This step comes within the framework of the ministry’s efforts to enhance reliance on domestic energy sources and enable economic sectors to access clean, reliable, and efficient energy solutions. "Watani" will be responsible for purchasing, processing, transporting, selling, and supplying natural gas extracted from the Risha Field to serve national industries, the transportation sector, and gas refueling stations for buses operating on natural gas.

"Watani" stands as one of the most prominent national initiatives that reflect the synergy between the public and private sectors to achieve sustainable development and reinforce Jordan’s position as a pioneering model in the region’s transition toward clean and sustainable energy economies, in line with the Economic Modernization Vision 2033.