Amman, July 21 (Petra) -- Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh on Tuesday signed an agreement with Enppi (Engineering for the Petroleum & Process Industries) to prepare tender documents for a natural gas supply project serving King Hussein Bin Talal Development Area (KHBTDA) in Mafraq.

The project supports goals of Jordan's Economic Modernization Vision and advances the national program to extend natural gas infrastructure to industrial cities across the Kingdom.

Signed during a meeting between the ministry's project team and KHBTDA's representatives, the agreement reviewed progress on the national natural gas expansion program, including projects covering the King Hussein Development Areas, Al Muwaqar Industrial Estate ( MIE) and Al Rawda Industrial Estate.

According to a ministry statement issued Tuesday, the project will provide manufacturers with a lower-cost fuel source, helping improve "competitiveness" of Jordanian industries in domestic and international markets.

The enterprise is also projected to create new jobs, reduce carbon emissions, and improve air quality.

The ministry said the project is funded by Abu Dhabi Fund for Development after completing technical and preparatory studies.

This process will include the proposed gas pipeline route, an assessment of demand in the King Hussein Bin Talal Development Area, and approval from the Ministry of Environment to proceed with a comprehensive environmental impact assessment.

The project houses facilities to connect the development area to the Arab Gas Pipeline, a 20-kilometer branch transmission pipeline, and an integrated pressure reduction and metering station.

As for its role, the appointed consultant will prepare the tender documents ahead of inviting bids from contractors and consultants, paving the way for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) phase, with commercial operations scheduled to begin in 2029.

//Petra// NQ