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Ammon News -

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Dr. Saleh Kharabsheh, on Thursday launched an oil exploration project in Sarhan and Jafer field, and was briefed on the necessary preparations to start drilling operations in the area.

This announcement came during Kharabsheh's visit to the field, which is 170km south of Azraq district in the central Zarqa governorate, according to a ministry statement.

Kharabsheh also visited Hamza oil field and checked on the progress of work in the area, east of Azraq area.

In a press statement, he said the ministry, in cooperation with Jordan National Petroleum Company (NPC), recently analyzed the two- and three-dimensional seismic surveys in the Hamza oil field area.

Authorities today stressed the need to re-test Sarhan 8 well, which was drilled by the Natural Resources Authority (NRA) in 1989, and light oil was discovered in it, with the aim of increasing its production, the statement added.

Kharabsheh noted the project comes within the framework of the ministry's interest in exploring opportunities that would contribute to providing local energy sources, including oil and gas.

NPC will carry out drilling and development works in the Sarhan area, he noted, adding that drilling of the first well is expected to be completed before June of 2022.

Touring Hamza oil field, he said that the ministry is following up the production from two wells, adding that oil is delivered to Jordan Petroleum Refinery Company (JPRC).

The ministry, through its technical arm, the NPC, is currently studying identifying 3 deep wells to be drilled by the end of 2022, and next year, , he noted.

Work is underway to assess the results of three-dimensional seismic surveys by 3 international companies to set the oil model of the field, he pointed out.

With regard to other open areas in the Kingdom, Kharabsheh said the ministry is currently preparing its technical information to be presented to international oil companies that have expressed interest in investing in oil and gas exploration.