Oil Shale—An Alternative Energy Source for Jordan

Abstract

Oil shale presents the only available fossil fuel in Jordan besides limited reserves of natural gas. Jordanian oil shale—with a proven amount of about 5 × 10¹⁰ tons—is of quite good quality. It has relatively low ash and moisture content, gross calorific value of 7.5 MJ/kg, and oil yield of 8–12%. The reserves should be sufficient to satisfy the county's energy requirements for centuries. Therefore, more attention should be directed toward exploration, and harnessing more economically, this energy resource. This article presents an updated assessment of the viability of developing oil shale as an alternative energy source in Jordan, giving the history of oil shale in Jordan, Jordan's oil shale deposits, and suggests future courses of action in order to attain their maximum utilization potential.

Keywords:

• energy sources
• Jordan
• oil shale