Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Prime Minister, Hani al-Mulki, on Sunday, patronized the signing of two agreements between the Jordan Petroleum Refinery Company (JPRC) and two U.S. oil companies, specializing in oil and refineries' design, to kick-start the JRPC's fourth expansion project, estimated at a total cost of about $1.6 billion.

The two agreements were signed by JRPC's CEO, Abdel Karim Alawin, U.S. Honeywell-UOP President and CEO, Rebecca Liebert, and Refining Technology, KBR, Vice President, Doug Kelly.

The two agreements pertain to granting the necessary licenses for implementing the JRPC's fourth expansion project from relevant authorities concerned with technological matters and basic engineering designs required for the project.

Alawin said the signing is related to licensing activities, designs, equipment, assisting factors and services with costs exceeding $115 million.

He explained that the activities will take about 8 months to complete. The project will improve the quality of products, increase the profitability of refining activity and significantly contribute to preserving the environment.

Liebert said Honeywell-UOP has started to operate in Jordan since the fifties, by granting licenses and designs when the JRPC was established, and specializes in the field of oil and refineries design.

She expressed pleasure to participate in implementing of the fourth expansion project, which contributes to the improvement of oil derivatives and economic development in Jordan.

Kelly also said KBR, a Texas-based company, specializes in the field of oil- and refinery-related technologies, adding that he was looking forward to working with the JRPC to make the fourth expansion project a success.