Oil shale is possibly the most abundant natural energy resource in Jordan although it is not yet fully explored. The responsible exploration and development of Jordan’s oil shale resources are an integral part of the country’s energy master plan.

The Jordan Oil Shale Company (“JOSCo”) is a company registered in Jordan in 2009 to explore for and, if successful, develop and produce from, those oil shale resources under the country’s surface.

With the long-term aim of utilising proprietary ICP technology, JOSCo will focus on the deeper layers of Jordanian oil shale that would not otherwise be viable using currently available oil shale technologies such as surface retort or direct combustion.

Our aspired presence in Jordan is long-term with the initial Assessment period forming only the first step towards a full-scale commercial project. If the project were successful through all its periods it would mark not only a significant advance in the development of the oil shale industry in Jordan but also an expansion of local expertise and economic growth.

Each project period is dependant on the success of the previous period and aims to answer questions vital to the success of a full-scale project such as the quantity and richness of the oil shale, impact of any development on the immediate and extended environment and the commercial and technical viability of such a project.

At the end of each period, JOSCo will evaluate the findings to arrive at a decision whether to continue to the next period. The Government must approve the start of each project period before JOSCo commences work in such period. Even assuming success in each period, a decision to invest in a commercial project is unlikely before the late 2020s.

JOSCo is a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc and as such has access to experts world-wide providing invaluable technical know-how, operational expertise, cutting edge research capabilities and global commercial insight.

One of the most important factors in the project will be the successful development and application of Shell’s proprietary In situ Conversion Process (“ICP”) technology in Jordan.