By Abbas Nazil
Jordan inaugurated its first independent compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station on Wednesday in Muwaqar, a project hailed as a landmark in the Kingdom’s efforts to diversify its energy mix and strengthen reliance on domestic resources.
The facility, launched by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Al-Kharabsheh, is designed to serve buses, trucks, and other vehicles using gas produced from the Risha field.
Owned by the National Advanced Natural Gas Company “Watani,” a partnership between Jopetrol and Jordan Liquefied Gas Company, the station specializes in filling vehicles with locally produced compressed natural gas, marking a new phase in Jordan’s energy sector.
According to the Ministry of Energy, this is the first of its kind in the country and represents an important step in integrating domestic gas into the market to reduce reliance on imported fuel.
Al-Kharabsheh said the government is committed to increasing output from the Risha field to 418 million cubic feet per day, following studies that confirmed commercial quantities of natural gas.
He revealed plans for a new tender to drill 80 additional wells as part of the wider strategy to boost production and open a viable domestic market for natural gas that can also serve the industrial sector.
The minister stressed that expanding natural gas use aligns with Jordan’s broader economic modernization and energy diversification goals, while providing attractive opportunities for private investment.
The ministry emphasized that this initiative will not only serve national industries but also strengthen the Kingdom’s energy security and contribute to sustainable development.
Jordan Liquefied Gas Company is the first to establish a station that processes gas from the Risha field, operated by the National Petroleum Company, making it available for multiple economic sectors.
The government sees this effort as part of a wider transformation of the energy sector that includes regulatory reform.
Just last week, the Cabinet approved the draft 2025 Gas Law, which has been referred to the House of Representatives for legislative procedures.
The proposed law sets out a modern framework for managing gas and hydrogen-related activities, aiming to improve national infrastructure and attract investment.
The legislation covers natural gas, biogas, biomethane, and hydrogen, reflecting flexibility to accommodate global trends toward cleaner and more diversified energy sources.
Officials argue that combining regulatory modernization with new projects like the Muwaqar station will place Jordan in a stronger position to meet domestic demand and adapt to the global clean energy transition.
The inauguration of the station is viewed as both a milestone for energy security and a starting point for wider adoption of natural gas in Jordan’s transport and industrial sectors.
By tapping into the Risha field’s reserves and providing direct access to locally produced gas, Jordan is advancing toward greater energy independence while aligning with global sustainability standards.
