Jordan Times
Sunday, August 22, 1999
Arab energy experts to meet for discussion of hydrogen exploitation
AMMAN (J.T.) — Energy experts from six Arab countries are gathering in Amman today to discuss the exploitation of hydrogen as an alternative source of energy, with special focus on oil shale found in abundance in Jordan.
Head of the laboratories department at the Natural Resources Authority Fayez Fayez said at the meeting, held under the umbrella of the Arab League, the delegates will review several working papers dealing with the exploitation of hydrogen which is found in organic substances particularly oil shale.
The three-day meeting will be opened by Minister of Energy Suleiman Abu Alim who is expected to outline Jordan's endeavours in alternative and renewable sources of energy, such as oil shale, wind and solar power.
Abu Alim was quoted earlier as saying Jordan, currently relying on Iraq for its oil needs, is striving to become an oil exporter and gas producer within the coming 10 years.
Noting that energy resources remain one of the government's priorities, Abu Alim said Jordan has huge reserves of oil shale and gas which need to be tapped.
According to the minister, the government is currently conducting explorations to produce shale oil at an annual average of 250,000 tonnes by the year 1007. He added that Jordan has an estimated 40 billion tonnes of oil shale which could yield up to four billion tonnes of crude oil — most of which is found in the south and central parts of the country.
Jordan, which has been allowed by the U.N. to obtain oil from Iraq, is currently importing 70,000 barrels of crude oil a day, 40 per cent of which is used to generate electricity with the rest going to domestic consumption.
According to Fayez, several international firms have expressed interest in financing the extraction of oil from the shale on a profit sharing basis with the government.
The three-day meeting will be attended by delegates from Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Iraq and Sudan.