JORDAN OIL TERMINALS
FUELLING JORDAN’S DIVERSE ENERGY NEEDS
Powered by Inside Oil & Gas
insideoilandgas.com
JORDAN OIL TERMINALS
I PROFILE
Jordan Oil Terminals Company (JOTC) has continued to forge a name for itself as Jordan’s lynchpin for fuel storage, handling, and transportation services. Five years after transitioning to become a state-owned commercial operator, it is striding confidently ahead by diversifying its operations. General Manager Eng, Kholoud Mahasneh brought Andy Probert up to date about the company’s rapid expansion and future plans.
92 Inside oil & gas
olar, Hydrogen, LNG, Gasoline and
S
JOTC operates three facilities, including the
other petroleum products are all
state-of-the-art Amman Strategic Terminal
competing concerns for Jordan Oil
for Petroleum Products (ASTPP). Opened in
Terminals Company (JOTC), a government-
2018, it holds the kingdom’s biggest inde-
owned commercial entity responsible for
pendent reservoir of petroleum products,
sustaining both the security of fuel supply
permanently retaining on average 30 days
and economic activities of the Hashemite
of reserves to meet the country’s demands.
Kingdom of Jordan.
The Aqaba Oil Terminal (AOT) in the Gulf
Created in 2015, JOTC became opera-
of Aqaba is Jordan’s gateway for gasoline,
tional three years later to oversee fuel
diesel and LPG imports. The third facility is
storage, handling, and transportation
a Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) storage terminal
services following a government restruc-
at Aqaba.
turing. Although state-owned, it operates independently, without subsidy, and its
Rapid expansion
infrastructure and services are open to
“Over the last three years JOTC has
licensed operators who wish to benefit
experienced rapid expansion, and is
from these services.
recognised as one of the leading oil and
General Manager Eng. Kholoud Mahasneh.
Inside oil & gas 93
JORDAN OIL TERMINALS I PROFILE
gas storage providers in Jordan,” said Eng
Infrastructure accomplishments
Kholoud Mahasneh, General Manager.
JOTC has also invested substantially in IT
“We have demonstrated robust perfor-
infrastructure, software and systems to
mance, marked by steady revenue and
remain at the forefront of technological
profit growth due to extensive efforts to
advancement. Highlights include imple-
increase our market share.”
menting Spider Impact to effectively
While currently utilising 90% storage
track and manage its strategic plan and
capacity at the Aqaba Oil Terminal, JOTC
launching an e-learning academy to sup-
has also introduced inland transportation
port employees’ professional growth.
services to clients through partnerships
Storage capacity was expanded by
with local transportation firms that
constructing three LPG spheres at ASTPP,
adhere to the highest safety and tech-
with a total capacity of 6,000 tonnes, and
nical standards.
pipeline installations for kerosene and LPG.
To broaden its service offerings, JOTC
JOTC’s decision to store kerosene repre-
established a successful partnership with
sented a strategic initiative to address
Bureau Veritas to build and operate a new
increasing demand in Jordan, according
oil and gas laboratory in Aqaba dedicated
to Eng Mahasneh: “This step aligns with our
to testing, analysing and certifying
strategy to diversify our product portfolio
petroleum product samples.
and cater to changing energy needs.”
“At an operational level, we have con-
In March 2021, JOTC initiated the
sistently maintained our facilities in line
receipt and transfer of government-owned
with best international practices and the
kerosene to the ASTPP terminal, aiming to
highest benchmarks for safety, health,
preserve a strategic stock for the kingdom.
security and environmental considerations,” Eng Mahasneh explained.
94 Inside oil & gas
A significant accomplishment, in partnership with Next Renewable Energy
Company (Millennium Energy Industries), was to design, install and operate the world’s first solar heating project for two heavy fuel oil storage tanks at Aqaba’s Heavy Fuel Oil terminal. “This ground-breaking project utilises solar energy to heat fossil fuels,” said Eng Mahasneh. “The goal is to improve operational efficiency by accelerating the heating and transfer of heavy fuels to export vessels, while reducing its environmental footprint.” With a 1.2 MWt capacity, the system is estimated to yield 2,213 MWh/year, saving 380,000 litres of diesel and mitigating 1,017 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. “This initiative signifies the potential of using clean energy in traditional energy facilities,” Eng Mahasneh continued. “It showcases our dedication to environmental sustainability and reducing our
Inside oil & gas 95
JORDAN OIL TERMINALS
I PROFILE
carbon footprint while enhancing
tanks at Aqaba for various high-demand
operational efficiency.
petroleum products while introducing
“We are highly committed to eco-friendly
services such as green hydrogen and
practices across all our terminals. We have
asphalt storage facilities, in addition
successfully implemented a solar power
to ship bunkering.”
generation project at ASTPP and are now installing PV Solar Systems at AOT.”
The strategic three-year plan also involves diversifying services beyond storage, exploring chemical storage,
Adapting to change
pursuing new investment opportunities,
JOTC’s diversification plans continue to
entering new markets and embracing
evolve, with it actively engaging in dis-
innovative technologies.
cussions with the government regarding
To maintain momentum, JOTC is focused
enhancing Jordan’s petroleum infrastruc-
on expanding storage capacities, increasing
ture. It is also assessing the feasibility of
strategic reserves and establishing stronger
implementing a pipeline system between
domestic and international partnerships.
AOT and ASTPP for transporting petroleum
It remains steadfast in prioritising sustain-
products and expanding its strategic
ability, governance, social responsibility
stock by adding more LPG spheres.
and environmental preservation.
“These actions highlight our commitment to contributing to the development and
Challenges ahead
long-term sustainability of the country’s
“While we have achieved significant
energy infrastructure, and we are enthusi-
milestones, it’s important to acknowledge
astic about the prospects for growth and
the challenges we face,” Eng Mahasneh
collaboration,” said Eng Mahasneh: “we
explained. These challenges include
are considering the conversion of HFO
competition from existing facilities that
96 Inside oil & gas
may not meet the same safety standards
the well-being of its employees, visitors
we adhere to, and the limited local market
and the wider community. These accom-
for such services.
plishments enabled JOTC to win the BIZZ
“The oil and gas sector faces significant challenges, including the continuous global
Award in Business Excellence from the WORLDCOB Organisation.
energy shift, rising expenses and geopolit-
“JOTC remains deeply committed to
ical uncertainties,” she continued. “However,
sustainability and is actively investing in
JOTC is proactively addressing them through
eco-friendly technologies, energy-efficient
investments in innovative technologies,
processes and emissions reduction strate-
market exploration and the enhancement
gies,” said Eng Mahasneh, in conclusion“.
of partnerships with customers.”
We want to align our operations with global
Transparency, reliability, trust and open
sustainability goals, reduce our carbon
communication remain JOTC’s core values
footprint, and support responsible practices
in fostering long-term relationships with
in our industry. This is evident in our invest-
suppliers and clients. These include
ments that enhance operational efficiency
Manaseer Oil & Gas, Total Energies Jordan,
and contribute to a greener world.
Unigaz, Progaz, JOPetrol, Jordan Petroleum
“Dedication to innovation, sustainability,
Refinery Company, Rum Industrial Gases
governance and strategic partnerships
and MEI. Diverse pricing models and collab-
will remain at the forefront of JOTC’s
oration with regulators further demonstrate
journey towards continued success. Our
JOTC's commitment to addressing
performance over the past three years
customer needs and demands in the
has also been marked by resilience and
petroleum industry.
a commitment to excellence.
In 2022, JOTC achieved certifications
“We eagerly anticipate contributing
in ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 45001.
to a sustainable and prosperous energy
It also prioritises Quality, Health, Safety,
future for Jordan and positioning our-
Security and Environment principles,
selves as a key player in the region’s
aiming for zero accidents and ensuring
energy landscape.”
n Inside oil & gas 97