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Reformat 1 archive link. Wayback Medic 2.5 per WP:USURPURL and JUDI batch #27ai

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{{Short description|Overview of the industry in Jordan}}
[[File:Jordan Oil Shale.JPG|thumb|Jordan oil shale.]]
'''Oil shale in Jordan''' represents a significant resource. [[Oil shale reserves|Oil shale deposits]] in Jordan underlie more than 60% of Jordanian territory. The total resources amounts to 31 billion tonnes of [[oil shale]].<ref name="JordanChinaDeal">{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/09/19/jordan-china-in-25-bn-deal-for-oil-shale-plant/ |title=Jordan, China in $2.5 bn deal for oil-shale plant |publisher=[[Fox News]] |access-date=6 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103213812/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/09/19/jordan-china-in-25-bn-deal-for-oil-shale-plant/ |archive-date=3 November 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The deposits include a high quality [[marinite]] oil shale of [[Late Cretaceous]] to early [[Cenozoic]] age.<ref name=alali/> The most important and investigated deposits are located in west-central [[Jordan]], where they occur at the surface and close to developed infrastructure.<ref name=dyni/><ref name=Jordan/>

Although oil shale was utilized in northern Jordan prior to and during [[World War I]], intensive exploration and studies of Jordan's oil shale resource potential started in the 1970s and 1980s, being motivated by higher oil prices, modern technology and better economic potential. As of 2008, no [[oil shale industry]] exists in Jordan, but several companies are considering both [[shale oil extraction]] and oil shale [[combustion]] for [[thermal power station|thermal power generation]].<ref name=jordantimes2/>

==Reserves==
[[File:Oil shale in Jordan.png|thumb|350px|Oil shale deposits in Jordan]]
Jordan has significant oil shale deposits occurring in 26 known localities. According to the [[World Energy Council]], Jordan has 8th largest oil shale resource in the world.<ref name=wec/> Geological surveys indicate that the existing deposits underlie more than 60% of Jordan's territory. The resource has been estimated to consist of 40 to 70 billion tonnes of oil shale, which may be equivalent to more than 5 million tonnes of [[shale oil]].<ref name=dyni>
{{Cite report
| last = Dyni | first = John R.
| title = Geology and resources of some world oil-shale deposits. Scientific Investigations Report 2005–5294
| publisher = [[United States Department of the Interior]], [[United States Geological Survey]]
| year = 2006
| url = http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2005/5294/pdf/sir5294_508.pdf
| access-date = 2008-10-25
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180413003829/https://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2005/5294/pdf/sir5294_508.pdf
| archive-date = 2018-04-13
| url-status = live}}
</ref><ref name=Jordan/><ref name=wec>
{{cite book
| title = Survey of energy resources
| publisher = [[World Energy Council]]
| year = 2007
| edition = edition 21
| pages = 93–115
| isbn = 978-0-946121-26-7
| citeseerx = 10.1.1.478.9340
}}
</ref><ref name=jordan2>
{{Cite journal
| last1 = Alali | first1 = Jamal
| last2 = Abu Salah | first2 = Abdelfattah
| last3 = Yasin | first3 = Suha M.
| last4 = Al Omari | first4 = Wasfi
| title = Oil Shale in Jordan
| publisher = Natural Resources Authority of Jordan
| year = 2015
| url = http://www.nra.gov.jo/images/stories/pdf_files/Oil_Shale.pdf
| access-date = 2016-05-14}}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
</ref> However, according to a report by World Energy Council in 2010, Jordan had reserves of 34,172 billion tonnes as of the end of 2008.<ref name=WEC2010>
{{cite book
| title = Survey of energy resources
| chapter = Oil Shale
| last = Dyni | first = John R.
| editor1-last = Clarke | editor1-first = Alan W.
| editor2-last = Trinnaman | editor2-first = Judy A.
| publisher = [[World Energy Council|WEC]]
| year = 2010
| edition = 22
| pages = 93–123
| chapter-url = https://www.worldenergy.org/assets/downloads/ser_2010_report_1.pdf
| isbn = 978-0-946121-02-1
| access-date = 2012-04-22
| url-status = live
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120304064924/http://www.worldenergy.org/documents/ser_2010_report.pdf
| archive-date = 2012-03-04}}
</ref> The Jordanian government said in September 2013 that they had reserves of 31 billion tonnes.<ref name="JordanChinaDeal"/>

The Jordanian oil shale is a [[marinite]] of Late Cretaceous ([[Maastrichtian]]) to early Cenozoic era; it lies within the [[Muwaqqar Formation]] and is composed predominantly of [[chalk]] and [[marl]]. The rock is typically brown, gray, or black in color and [[Weathering|weathers]] to a distinctive light bluish-gray. It is characterized by its content of light [[Granularity|fine-grained]] [[Phosphate|phosphatic]] [[Xenolith|xenocrysts]], some of which is accumulated in [[bone bed]]s.<ref name=Jordan/> An uncommon feature of Jordanian oil shale is that the included [[foraminifera]]l shells are filled with [[bitumen]] instead of the usual [[calcite]].<ref name=alali/>

In general, Jordanian oil shales are of high quality, comparable to the western United States oil shale, although their [[sulfur]] content is usually higher. While the sulfur content of the most of oil shales in Jordan varies from 0.3 to 4.3%, the [[Jurf ed-Darawish]] and the Sultani deposits have sulfur content of 8 and 10% respectively.<ref name=dyni/> Sulfur is mostly associated with the organic matter with minor occurrence as [[pyrite]].<ref name=abed>
{{Cite conference
| last1 = Abed | first1 = Abdulkader M.
| last2 = Arouri | first2 = Khaled
| title = Characterization and genesis of oil shales from Jordan
| location = [[Amman]], [[Jordan]]
| conference = International Oil Shale Conference
| url = http://www.sdnp.jo/International_Oil_Conference/rtos-A117.pdf
| date = 2006-11-07
| access-date = 2008-10-25
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080527234121/http://www.sdnp.jo/International_Oil_Conference/rtos-A117.pdf
| archive-date = 2008-05-27
}}
</ref> The moisture content of the oil shale is low (2 to 5.5%). The major mineral components of the Jordanian oil shale are calcite, [[quartz]], [[kaolinite]], and [[apatite]], along with small amounts of [[Dolomite (mineral)|dolomite]], [[feldspar]], [[pyrite]], [[illite]], [[goethite]], and [[gypsum]]. It has also a relatively high metal content.<ref name=dyni/>

The eight most important deposits are located in west-central Jordan within {{convert|20|to|75|km|mi}} east of the [[Dead Sea]]. These deposits are Juref ed Darawish, Sultani, Wadi Maghar, El Lajjun, [[Attarat Umm Ghudran]], Khan ez Zabib, Siwaga, and Wadi Thamad. The best-explored deposits are El Lajjun, Sultani, and Juref ed Darawish, and to some extent Attarat Umm Ghudran.<ref name=dyni/><ref name=Jordan/> They are all classified as shallow and most are suitable for [[Open-pit mining|open-cast mining]], albeit some are underlain by phosphate beds.<ref name=wec/> In addition to the west-central deposits, another important deposit may be the [[Yarmouk River|Yarmouk]] deposit occurring near Jordan's northern border, and where the resource was first developed.<ref name=dyni/><ref name=Jordan>
{{Cite journal
| last1 = Hamarneh | first1 = Yousef
| last2 = Alali | first2 = Jamal
| last3 = Sawaged | first3 = Suzan
| title = Oil Shale Resources Development In Jordan
|location = Amman
| publisher = Natural Resources Authority of Jordan
| year = 2006
| url = http://www.nra.gov.jo/images/stories/pdf_files/Updated_Report_2006.pdf
| access-date = 2008-10-25}}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
</ref> This deposit would be exploitable by underground mining as it reaches some {{convert|400|m|ft|-1}} in thickness.<ref name=wec/> A third oil shale region lies in southern Jordan in the [[Ma'an]] district.<ref name=Jordan/>

==History==
Humans have used oil shale as a fuel since prehistoric times, because it generally burns without any processing.<ref>
{{cite conference
|publisher=[[United States Department of Energy]]
|title=Non-synfuel uses of oil shale
|conference=20. oil shale symposium, Golden, CO, USA, 21 Apr 1987
|date=January 1987
|osti = 6567632|last1=Knutson
|first1=C. F.
|last2=Russell
|first2=P. L.
|last3=Dana
|first3=G. F.
}}
</ref> Its occurrence was known in Jordan from ancient times, as evidenced by its use as a building and decorative material from the ancient Greek, Roman, [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]], [[Umayyad Caliphate|Umayyad]] and [[Abbasid Caliphate|Abbasid]] periods. The modern exploitation of Jordanian oil shale began under [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] rule prior to and during World War I, when the [[German Army (German Empire)|German Army]] produced shale oil from the Yarmouk area. The oil shale was processed to operate the [[Hejaz Railway]]. It was mined and processed near the Maqarin station along the Haifa spur of the railroad, which partly follows the [[Yarmouk River]] valley.<ref name=alali>
{{Cite conference
| last = Alali | first = Jamal
| title = Jordan Oil Shale, Availability, Distribution, And Investment Opportunity
| location = [[Amman]], [[Jordan]]
| conference = International Oil Shale Conference
| url = http://www.sdnp.jo/International_Oil_Conference/rtos-A117.pdf
| date = 2006-11-07
| access-date = 2008-10-25
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080527234121/http://www.sdnp.jo/International_Oil_Conference/rtos-A117.pdf
| archive-date = 2008-05-27
}}
</ref><ref name=Jordan/> In addition to the shale oil production, oil shale was also utilized as a mix with coal to fuel locomotives.<ref name=Jordan/>

The German Geological Mission studied the El Lajjun deposit in 1968. In 1979, the Natural Resources Authority of Jordan commissioned a study from the German Federal Institute of Natural Resources and Geosciences to evaluate the Juref ed Darawish, Sultani, El Lajjun, and El Hisa deposits and in 1980 from [[Klöckner]]-[[Lurgi AG|Lurgi]] to evaluate the pre-feasibility of construction of an oil shale retorting complex using [[Lurgi-Ruhrgas process]] and a power plant with 300 MW capacity using Lurgi's Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) combustion process.<ref name=Jordan/><ref name=jordan2/><ref name=Bsieso>
{{Cite conference
| last = Bsieso
| first = Munther S.
| title = Oil Shale Resources Development In Jordan
| conference = 26th Oil Shale Symposium
| location = [[Golden, Colorado]]
| date = 2006-10-16
| url = http://www.ceri-mines.org/documents/Poster14-BsiesoJB2.pdf
| access-date = 2009-05-30
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110725153453/http://www.ceri-mines.org/documents/Poster14-BsiesoJB2.pdf
| archive-date = 2011-07-25
| url-status = usurped }}
</ref> In 1980, the Soviet [[Technopromexport]] company conducted a pre-feasibility study of the 300–400 direct-burning conventional combustion power plant.<ref name=Bsieso/> In 1986, updated and expanded studies were ordered from Klöckner-Lurgi.<ref name=Jordan/><ref name=jordan2/>

In 1985–1986, Chinese oil company [[Sinopec]] carried out a test for processing El Lajjun oil shale utilizing the [[Fushun process|Fushun-type retort]]. Although this process was technically viable, the cooperation with Sinopec was halted due to high operation costs. B.B.C, Lummus/Combustion Eng. and [[Bechtel|Bechtel Pyropower]] carried out the [[Canadian International Development Agency|CIDA]] and [[United States Agency for International Development|USAID]] funded study of utilizing Sultani oil shale for direct combustion in CFB power plants.<ref name=Jordan/><ref name=jordan2/>

The Krzhizhanovsky Power Engineering Institute (ENIN) conducted processing tests of Jordan oil shale using Galoter technology, finding the technology suitable.<ref name=Bsieso/><ref name=Bsieso2>
{{Cite journal
|last = Bsieso
|first = Munther S.
|title = Jordan's experience in oil shale studies employing different technologies
|journal = [[Oil Shale (journal)|Oil Shale. A Scientific-Technical Journal]]
|publisher = Estonian Academy Publishers
|volume = 20
|issue = 3 Special
|pages = 360–370
|year = 2003
|doi = 10.3176/oil.2003.3S.09
|s2cid = 55086611
|url = http://www.kirj.ee/public/oilshale/10_bsieso_2003_3s.pdf
|issn = 0208-189X
|access-date = 2009-05-30
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090225223823/http://www.kirj.ee/public/oilshale/10_bsieso_2003_3s.pdf
|archive-date = 2009-02-25
|url-status = live}}
</ref> In 1999, [[Suncor Energy]] signed a memorandum of understanding with the Jordanian government to use the Alberta Taciuk Processing technology to exploit the El Lajjun oil shale deposit.<ref name=jaber>
{{Cite journal
| last1= Jaber |first1 = J.O.
| last2= Mohsen |first2= M.S.
| last3= Amr |first3= M.
| title= Where to with Jordanian oil shales
| journal= [[Oil Shale (journal)|Oil Shale. A Scientific-Technical Journal]]
| publisher=Estonian Academy Publishers
| volume=18
| issue=4
| pages=315–334
| year=2001
|doi = 10.3176/oil.2001.4.05
|s2cid = 252637539
| issn=0208-189X| doi-access= free
}}
</ref> However, the project was never implemented.

==Shale oil extraction==
In 2006–2007, the government of Jordan signed four memorandums of understanding for above-ground processing of shale oil and one memorandum for ''[[in-situ]]'' conversion processing. The memorandum of understanding with Estonian energy company [[Eesti Energia]] was signed on 5 November 2006. According to the agreement, Eesti Energia was awarded with the exclusive right to study about one third of the resources of the El Lajjun oil shale deposit.<ref name=liive>
{{Cite journal
| last=Liive | first=Sandor
| title=Oil Shale Energetics in Estonia
| journal=[[Oil Shale (journal)|Oil Shale. A Scientific-Technical Journal]]
| publisher=Estonian Academy Publishers
| volume=24
| issue=1
| pages=1–4
| year=2007
| doi=10.3176/oil.2007.1.01
| url=http://www.kirj.ee/public/oilshale/oil-2007-1-1.pdf
| issn=0208-189X
| access-date=2008-10-25
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121222508/http://www.kirj.ee/public/oilshale/oil-2007-1-1.pdf
| archive-date=2019-01-21
| url-status=live }}
</ref><ref name=EE>{{Cite web
| title=Annual Report 2007/2008
|website=[[Eesti Energia]]
| year=2008
| url=https://www.energia.ee/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=f3259703-9e97-4e0e-8ccb-15551be1a941&groupId=10187
| format=PDF
| access-date=6 November 2013
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101012115/https://www.energia.ee/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=f3259703-9e97-4e0e-8ccb-15551be1a941&groupId=10187
| archive-date=1 January 2011
| url-status=live }}
</ref> Later this right was transferred to cover a block on the Attarat Umm Ghudran oil shale deposit as the shallow aquifer that underlies the El Lajjun deposit provides fresh water to Amman and other municipalities in central Jordan.<ref name=Al-Ayed>
{{cite web
| title = Jordan Oil Shale Project
| publisher = Omar Al-Ayed, Balqa Applied University
| date = 2008-04-29
| url = http://www.jordanoilshale.net/page4.aspx
| access-date = 2008-10-25
| url-status = usurped
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080603231353/http://www.jordanoilshale.net/page4.aspx  |archive-date = 2008-06-03}}</ref> On 29 April 2008, Eesti Energia present a feasibility study to the Government of Jordan. According to the feasibility study, the company's subsidiary the Jordan Oil Shale Energy Company will establish a shale oil plant with capacity of {{convert|36000|oilbbl/d}}.<ref name=jordantimes2>
{{Cite news
|title=Jordan set to tap oil shale potential
|first=Taylor |last=Luck
|newspaper=[[The Jordan Times]]
|date=2008-08-07
|url=http://www.jordantimes.com/index.php?news=9860
|access-date=2008-10-25
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726024607/http://www.jordantimes.com/index.php?news=9860
|archive-date=July 26, 2011 }}
</ref> The shale oil plant will use an [[Galoter process|Enefit processing technology]]. The concession agreement was signed on 11 May 2010 in the presence of Jordanian and Estonian prime ministers [[Samir Rifai|Samir Zaid al-Rifai]] and [[Andrus Ansip]].<ref name=bc120510>
{{Cite news
|title = Eesti Energia signs oil shale concession agreement with Jordan
|first = Juhan |last = Tere
|newspaper = The Baltic Course
|date = 2010-05-12
|url = http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=26802
|access-date = 2013-01-05
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130630072326/http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=26802
|archive-date = 2013-06-30
|url-status = live}}
</ref>

On 24 February 2007, a memorandum of understanding was signed with Brazil's [[Petrobras]] awarding with the exclusive right to study a block at the Attarat Umm Ghudran deposit. The development will be carried out in the cooperation with [[Total S.A.]] The company will present a feasibility study at the beginning of 2009 and it will use the [[Petrosix]] technology.<ref name=jordantimes2/>

In June 2006, a memorandum of understanding was signed with [[Royal Dutch Shell]] to test its ''in-situ'' conversion processing in the Azraq and Al-Jafr blocks of central Jordan. A formal agreement was concluded in February 2009 by which Shell's subsidiary Jordan Oil Shale Company committed to begin commercial operations within 12–20 years.<ref name=jordantimes250209>
{{Cite news
|title = Kingdom set to sign oil shale deal with Shell
|first = Hani |last = Hazaimeh
|newspaper = [[The Jordan Times]]
|date = 2009-02-25
|url = http://www.jordantimes.com/index.php?news=14593
|access-date = 2009-04-19
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110617025250/http://www.jordantimes.com/index.php?news=14593
|archive-date = 2011-06-17
|url-status = live}}
</ref> According to the company a decision to invest in a commercial project is unlikely before the late 2020s.<ref name=josco>
{{Cite web
| title = JOSCO's Journey
| publisher = The Jordan Oil Shale Energy Company
| url = http://www.josco.jo/joscos-journey.html
| access-date = 2011-10-31
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120414204249/http://www.josco.jo/joscos-journey.html
| archive-date = 2012-04-14
}}
</ref> It is expected to start production in 2022.<ref name=jordantimes020313/>

On 9 March 2011, the government of Jordan signed a concession agreement with Karak International Oil, a subsidiary of [[Jordan Energy and Mining]], a project company established for Jordan's oil shale activities. [[Karak International Oil]] (KIO) will build a {{convert|15000|oilbbl/d}} shale oil plant in a {{convert|35|km2|adj=on}} area of El Lajjun in [[Karak Governorate]] by 2015.<ref name=wsj090311>
{{cite news
|agency = [[Dow Jones Newswires]]
|newspaper = [[The Wall Street Journal]]
|title = UK's JEML Clinches Oil-Shale Deal With Jordan
|first = Hassan |last = Hafidh
|url = https://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110309-707935.html
|date = 2011-03-09
|access-date = 2011-03-09
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110314094155/http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110309-707935.html
|archive-date = 2011-03-14
|url-status = live}}
</ref><ref name=forbes090311>
{{cite news
|agency= [[Associated Press]]
|newspaper= [[Forbes]]
|title= Jordan, U.K. company ink oil shale deal
|url= https://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/03/09/business-ml-jordan-oil-shale_8346241.html
|date= 2011-03-09
|access-date= 2011-03-09
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110312091534/http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/03/09/business-ml-jordan-oil-shale_8346241.html
|archive-date= 2011-03-12
}}</ref><ref name=jordantimes051011>{{Cite news
| title = Oil shale extraction agreement with UK firm approved
| newspaper = [[The Jordan Times]]
| date = 2011-10-05
| url = http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=41980
| access-date = 2011-10-25
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111005190907/http://jordantimes.com/?news=41980
| archive-date = 2011-10-05
| url-status = live }}
</ref> The company plans to use the [[Alberta Taciuk Process]]ing technology.<ref name=Al-Ayed/><ref name=Bsieso3>{{Cite conference
| last = Bsieso
| first = Munther S.
| title = Jordan's Commercial Oil Shale Exploitation Strategy
| conference = 27th Oil Shale Symposium
| location = [[Golden, Colorado]]
| date = 2007-10-15
| url = http://www.costar-mines.org/oss/27/papers-pdf/MA%2002-3%20Bsieso%20-%20Jordan%27s%20oil%20shale%20strategy.pdf
| access-date = 2011-10-29
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151010170118/http://www.costar-mines.org/oss/27/papers-pdf/MA%2002-3%20Bsieso%20-%20Jordan's%20oil%20shale%20strategy.pdf
| archive-date = 2015-10-10
| url-status = live }}
</ref><ref name=JEML>
{{cite web
|publisher = Jordan Energy and Mining Limited
|title = Main project description
|url = http://www.jeml.co.uk/keyprojects/processingtechnology/
|access-date = 2008-10-25
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090923231053/http://www.jeml.co.uk/keyprojects/processingtechnology/
|archive-date = 2009-09-23
}}</ref>

On 5 November 2006, [[Saudi Arabian International Corporation for Oil Shale Investment]] (INCOSIN) signed a memorandum of understanding for evaluation of El Lajjun deposit and Attarat Umm Ghudran resources.<ref name=Bsieso3/><ref name=jordantimes131008>{{Cite news
| title = Company to study viability of oil shale area
| newspaper = [[The Jordan Times]]
| date = 2008-10-13
| url = http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?storyid=1093215586
| access-date = 2011-10-29
}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The concession agreement was approved by the Jordanian government on 3 March 2013. The company cooperates with Russian [[Atomenergoproekt]] to utilize the Galoter (UTT-3000) process to build a {{convert|30000|oilbbl/d}} shale oil plant.<ref name=Blokhin>{{Cite conference
| last1 = Blokhin
| first1 = Alexander
| last2 = Golmshtok
| first2 = Edouard
| last3 = Petrov
| first3 = Mikhail
| last4 = Kozhitsev
| first4 = Dmitriy
| last5 = Salikhov
| first5 = Ruslan
| last6 = Thallab
| first6 = Hashim
| title = Adaptation of Galoter Technology for High Sulfurous Oil Shale in Arid Region
| conference = 28th Oil Shale Symposium
| location = [[Golden, Colorado]]
| date = 2008-10-15
| url = http://www.ceri-mines.org/documents/28thsymposium/abstracts08/ABS_20-22_BLOKHIN_Alexander.pdf
| access-date = 2011-10-29
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120425112449/http://www.ceri-mines.org/documents/28thsymposium/abstracts08/ABS_20-22_BLOKHIN_Alexander.pdf
| archive-date = 2012-04-25
| url-status = usurped }}
</ref><ref name=jordantimes030313>
{{Cite news
|title = Cabinet approves deals for shale oil distillation, oil exploration
|agency = [[Jordan News Agency|Petra]]
|newspaper = [[The Jordan Times]]
|date = 2013-03-03
|url = http://jordantimes.com/cabinet-approves-deals-for-shale-oil-distillation-oil-exploration
|access-date = 2013-03-06
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130306042854/http://jordantimes.com/cabinet-approves-deals-for-shale-oil-distillation-oil-exploration
|archive-date = 2013-03-06}}
</ref> It plans to start production in 2019.<ref name=jordantimes020313>{{Cite news
| title = 2018 will be turning point in Jordan's energy sector — minister
| first = Mohammad | last = Ghazal
| newspaper = [[The Jordan Times]]
| date = 2014-03-02
| url = http://jordantimes.com/2018-will-be-turning-point-in-jordans-energy-sector----minister
| access-date = 2014-03-08
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140306041511/http://jordantimes.com/2018-will-be-turning-point-in-jordans-energy-sector----minister
| archive-date = 2014-03-06
| url-status = live }}
</ref>

In March 2009, the government of Jordan approved a memorandum of understanding on oil shale extraction with Russian company [[Inter RAO UES]] and [[Aqaba Petroleum Company]].<ref name=jordantimes010409>{{Cite news
| title = Russian, Jordanian firms to explore oil shale potential
| first = Taylor | last = Luck
| newspaper = [[The Jordan Times]]
| date = 2009-04-01
| url = http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=15522
| access-date = 2009-04-19
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110617025230/http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=15522
| archive-date = 2011-06-17
| url-status = live
}}</ref> Also the [[Abu Dhabi National Energy Company]] (TAQA) has shown interest to invest into Jordan's oil shale extraction sector.<ref name=jordantimes130109>{{Cite news
| title = Abu Dhabi firm expresses interest in investing in oil shale sector
| newspaper = [[The Jordan Times]]
| date = 2009-01-13
| url = http://www.jordantimes.com/index.php?news=13454
| access-date = 2009-04-19
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110617025348/http://www.jordantimes.com/index.php?news=13454
| archive-date = 2011-06-17
| url-status = live }}
</ref> The memorandum of understanding for exploration in Wadi Al Naadiyeh is ready for signing with the [[Fushun Mining Group]].<ref name=jordantimes070114>{{Cite news
| title = Chinese company to explore for oil shale in central region
| newspaper = [[The Jordan Times]]
| first = Mohammad | last = Ghazal
| date = 2014-01-07
| url = http://jordantimes.com/chinese-company-to-explore-for-oil-shale-in-central-region
| access-date = 2014-03-08
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140220025247/http://jordantimes.com/chinese-company-to-explore-for-oil-shale-in-central-region
| archive-date = 2014-02-20
| url-status = live
}}</ref> In 2014, a memorandum of understanding was signed with Al Qamar for Energy and Infrastructure Company.<ref name=jordantimes051114>{{Cite news
| title = Planned oil shale project to produce up to 40,000 barrels per day
| newspaper = [[The Jordan Times]]
| first = Mohammad
| last = Ghazal
| date = 2014-11-05
| url = http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/planned-oil-shale-project-produce-40000-barrels-day
| access-date = 2016-05-14
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160603042636/http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/planned-oil-shale-project-produce-40000-barrels-day
| archive-date = 2016-06-03
| url-status = live }}
</ref>

==Power generation==
For dealing with increasing power consumption, Jordan plans to utilize oil shale combustion for the power generation. On 30 April 2008, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Jordan, the [[National Electricity Power Company]] of Jordan, and Eesti Energia signed an agreement, according to which, Eesti Energia will have the exclusive right to develop the construction of an oil shale-fired power plant with capacity of 460 MW.<ref name=jordantimes>{{Cite news
| title = Jordan's first oil shale power plant expected in 7 years
| newspaper = [[The Jordan Times]]
| date = 2008-05-01
| url = http://www.jordantimes.com/index.php?news=7553
| access-date = 2008-10-25
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110617023720/http://www.jordantimes.com/index.php?news=7553
| archive-date = 2011-06-17
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref name=bbn>{{Cite news
| title = Eesti Energia signed an exclusive contract with Jordan
| first = Sandra
| last = Taimre
| publisher = Baltic Business News
| date = 2008-04-30
| url = http://bbn.ee/Default2.aspx?ArticleID=0d384ae3-a6b1-4d8a-be73-a743fa935797
| access-date = 2008-10-25
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120211194721/http://bbn.ee/Default2.aspx?ArticleID=0d384ae3-a6b1-4d8a-be73-a743fa935797
| archive-date = 2012-02-11
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref name=baltic/> It is called [[Attarat Power Plant]] and is expected to be operational by 2017, revised to 2021.<ref name=petra300612>
{{Cite news
| title = Enefit consortium starts tendering process for Jordan oil shale fired power plant
| agency = [[Jordan News Agency]]
| date = 2012-06-30
| url = http://www.petra.gov.jo/Public_News/Nws_NewsDetails.aspx?Site_Id=1&lang=2&NewsID=76248&CatID=13&Type=Home&GType=1
| access-date = 2012-06-30
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120701145045/http://petra.gov.jo/Public_News/Nws_NewsDetails.aspx?Site_Id=1&lang=2&NewsID=76248&CatID=13&Type=Home&GType=1
| archive-date = 2012-07-01
}}</ref> It will be among the largest power stations in Jordan (the largest being [[Aqaba Thermal Power Plant]]), and the largest oil shale-fired power plant in the world after [[Narva Power Plants]] in Estonia.<ref name=baltic>
{{Cite news
| title = Estonia to build oil shale plant in Jordan
| newspaper = The Baltic Times
| date = 2008-05-08
| url = http://www.tgplegal.ee/upload/doc/ee/BT,%208-14mai08.pdf
| access-date = 2008-10-25
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110720130142/http://www.tgplegal.ee/upload/doc/ee/BT,%208-14mai08.pdf
| archive-date = 2011-07-20
}}
</ref><ref name=arabianbusiness>
{{Cite news
| title = Jordan orders oil shale plant
| first = Elizabeth
| last = Bains
| publisher = ArabianBusiness.com
| date = 2008-06-01
| url = http://www.arabianbusiness.com/520830-jordan-orders-oil-shale-plant
| access-date = 2008-10-25
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080602082613/http://www.arabianbusiness.com/520830-jordan-orders-oil-shale-plant
| archive-date = 2008-06-02
}}</ref>

Inter RAO is planning to build an oil shale-fired power plant with capacity of 90–150 MW.<ref name=interfax130211>
{{Cite news
| title = Inter RAO may join oil shale project in Jordan
| agency = [[Interfax]]
| date = 2011-02-13
| url = http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=222024
| access-date = 2011-10-29
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120402101507/http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=222024
| archive-date = 2012-04-02
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

On 29 September 2013, Jordan and China made a deal to build an oil shale-fired power plant in [[Al Karak|Karak]] for $2.5 billion.<ref name="JordanChinaDeal"/> It will be built by [[SEPCO3|Shandong Electric Power Construction Corporation]] (SEPCO III), HTJ Group and Al-Lajjun Oil Shale Company.<ref name="JordanChinaDeal"/> The capacity is 900 MW.<ref name="JordanChinaDeal"/>

==Cement production==
In November 2005, a memorandum of understanding was signed with the Jordan Cement Factories Company (JCFC). According to this memorandum, JCFC will utilize El Lajjun oil shale from Karak Governorate for cement production.<ref name=jordantimes3>
{{Cite news
| title = Jordan Cement takes first step to use oil shale in production
| publisher = Jordan Times
| author = Khaled Nuaimat
| date = 2005-11-29
| url = http://www.jordanembassy.nl/news/NOV/id291105c3.htm
| access-date = 2008-10-25
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110716111420/http://www.jordanembassy.nl/news/NOV/id291105c3.htm
| archive-date = 2011-07-16
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{Portal|Jordan|Energy}}
{{Asia topic|Oil shale in}}

[[Category:Oil shale in Jordan| ]]

Oil shale in Jordan - Revision history

imported>GreenC bot: Reformat 1 archive link. Wayback Medic 2.5 per WP:USURPURL and JUDI batch #27ai