Jordan's National Petroleum Corporation has discovered promising quantities of natural gas in a new well in the Risha field on the country's eastern border with Iraq, Jordanian Energy Minister Hala Zawati announced on Sunday.
Results from drilling operations in the new well, among several wells in the Risha field, were promising but according to Zawati, the final exploratory outcome will become clearer by the year-end.
A 10-year energy plan revealed last year aims to ensure nearly half of the country's electricity generation is from domestic energy sources, compared to the current 15%, Zawati said.
'This was part of efforts to diversify domestic energy sources by expanding investments in renewable energy and shale oil to reduce costly foreign fuel imports,' she explained.
The Risha field produces about 5% of the Kingdom's natural gas consumption of about 350 million cubic feet per day to generate electricity.
It is expected that exploration and drilling operations in the Risha field will lead to a new discovery of huge gas reserves, which will help reduce dependence on oil imports to feed the electricity sector and industries in Jordan.
Importing more than 93% of total energy provisions, Jordan spends $3.5 billion annually on energy, including nearly 8% of the country's gross domestic product, putting pressure on its economy.
By Busranur Begcecanli
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr