Zarqa refinery expansion agreement signed by Honeywell UOP, JPRC

AMMAN — Honeywell UOP on Tuesday announced the signing of an agreement with the Jordan Petroleum Refinery Company (JPRC) to facilitate a $1.6 billion expansion of its refinery in Zarqa.

The expansion will increase the capacity of the facility to 120,000 barrels per day and allow JPRC to upgrade the quality of its product to meet Euro V emissions specifications, according to a  statement from Honeywell UOP. 

The signing ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Hani Mulki, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Ibrahim Saif, as well as representatives from JPRC and Honeywell UOP.

“The expansion of the Zarqa refinery is a very important project because, in addition to improving the quality of products, it will grow its capacity to 120,000 barrels per day,” said JPRC CEO Abdul Karim Alaween. 

“It will help us meet the rising demand for fuel, which is growing at an average of 3 per cent every year.”

As part of the project, which is the fourth such expansion of the JPRC refinery, Honeywell UOP will provide manager licensing services, technology licensing, front-end engineering design consultancy services and basic engineering design. It will also provide catalysts and process equipment, and training and start-up services. 

 “Honeywell UOP has worked with JPRC since it was established in 1956, beginning with design services and technology licensing and the subsequent construction of its first refinery,” said Honeywell UOP’s Liebert. “We are especially grateful to be involved in the expansion of the Zarqa refinery, which will increase its volume and upgrade the quality of its petroleum products and support the further economic development of Jordan.” 

The JPRC is Jordan’s sole oil refining company and is publicly traded on the Amman Stock Exchange, with headquarters in Amman and a refinery in Zarqa.

 The company manufactures a variety of fuels and refinery derivatives, and wholly owns a subsidiary oil marketing company. Moreover, JPRC operates a lube oil blending facility, three LPG bottling stations and LPG storage facilities in Amman, Zarqa and Irbid, 80km north of Amman.

The company also owns and operates an oil terminal and storage facilities in the port city of Aqaba, 330km south of the capital, according to the statement.