By : JD News Desk
Jordan Daily – National Petroleum Company (NPC) has signed a strategic agreement with Kuwait Drilling Company (KDC) to drill 80 new wells in the Risha gas field at a total cost of $174 million, under a turnkey contract to be completed within four years, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said on Thursday.
The agreement was signed under the patronage of Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Dr. Saleh Kharabsheh, by NPC General Manager Mohammad Al-Khasawneh and KDC Chairman Dr. Abdul Azeez Al-Rashed, the Ministry said in a statement received by Jordan Daily.
Kharabsheh said the project marks a key milestone in Jordan’s economic development and supports the goals of the national Economic Modernization Vision. He added that exploration and drilling efforts are expanding across nine of the kingdom’s 12 designated zones, aiming to boost domestic energy output and reduce reliance on imports.
Al-Rashed thanked the Jordanian government for its trust, saying the deal reflects the strong ties between Jordan and Kuwait and expressing hope for further cooperation in future energy projects.
NPC Chairman Laith Al-Qassem said the agreement builds on ongoing efforts to develop the Risha gas field, following the successful drilling of 10 wells by KDC under a previous contract. The new phase aims to enhance gas production and improve drilling success rates.
NPC is also upgrading its production infrastructure to accommodate the expected increase in gas output. The company has signed several gas sales agreements with local firms that compress and transport liquefied gas from Risha to industrial users across the country, expanding the domestic gas market and supporting local industries.
The project will be financed through NPC’s gas sales revenues and a government contribution of JD 87 million ($122 million). It is part of NPC’s strategy to boost local gas production and increase the share of indigenous gas in Jordan’s energy mix, with the long-term goal of achieving self-sufficiency and strengthening energy security.
The company also aims to attract petrochemical, industrial, and mining investments that rely on natural gas as a primary energy source, creating added value for the national economy.
Kuwait Drilling Company won the contract after ranking first technically and financially in a competitive tender process, according to the ministry.
