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Zarqa Petroleum Refinery
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Industrial site
The Zarqa Petroleum Refinery, operated by the Jordan Petroleum Refinery Company (JPRC), is Jordan's sole oil refinery and a vital component of the nation's energy security. Established in the late 1950s in the industrial city of Zarqa, the facility was designed to reduce the country's dependence on imported refined petroleum products. The refinery processes crude oil into various essential products, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for domestic consumption. Over the decades, the plant has undergone several phases of expansion and modernization to meet growing energy demands and adhere to stricter environmental standards. Connected to a network of pipelines and storage facilities, the refinery plays a central role in supplying fuel to power plants and the transportation sector. As one of Jordan's largest industrial employers, JPRC is a major pillar of the local economy in the Zarqa Governorate.
- Location: Jordan
- Top sights: Khirbat Wadaah · Al Ruhayl · Khirbet al-Batrawy
- Nearby: Zarqa (6 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Sep, Oct.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 8 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 21 | 14 | 9 |
| Rain mm | 44 | 43 | 23 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 18 | 35 |
📋 Practical info
What is this place?
Serving as Jordan's sole oil refinery, this massive industrial complex plays a fundamental role in supplying the entire country with essential energy resources. It is a critical hub for processing crude oil into usable fuels.
Visiting
As a highly secure and strategic national asset, the refinery is strictly closed to the general public and casual tourists. Access is usually granted only to authorized personnel and specialized industry professionals on official business.
Where to view it
Travelers can safely observe the vast scale of the facility, including its towering smokestacks and sprawling storage tanks, from a safe distance along the major highways passing near Zarqa. The impressive nighttime illumination makes it particularly striking from afar.
Local products
While there are no direct consumer goods or tourist markets associated with this heavy industrial site, its output directly fuels the transportation networks that distribute Jordanian agricultural products and handicrafts across the nation.
Active season
The refinery operates continuously, running around the clock, twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week, to maintain a steady flow of energy. The external activity of transport trucks is most visible during standard daylight business hours.
Nearby
A glimpse of this industrial backbone can be combined with a visit to the nearby historical city of Zarqa, or as a contrasting modern sight while traveling en route from Amman towards the ancient desert castles in the eastern badia.
Geography
Facts
- Jordan's only oil refinery, established in 1956 and operational since 1961.
- The refinery has a production capacity of approximately 4.5 million tons per year.
- It provides nearly all of the country's requirement for asphalt and LPG.
- Strategically located in Zarqa to serve the industrial heartland of Jordan.
- Currently undergoing its fourth major expansion to increase capacity and quality.
- Listed on the Amman Stock Exchange as Jordan Petroleum Refinery Co.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
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Sights in the town Zarqa Petroleum Refinery (8)
Dhul-Nurayn Mosque⛪ religious
A modern mosque in Zarqa characterized by its slender minaret and geometric prayer hall design.
🌐 awqaf.gov.jo🕒 24/7
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
What is the Zarqa Petroleum Refinery?
Jordan's only petroleum refinery, meeting most of the national fuel needs.
Can you visit the refinery?
As an industrial facility, it is not open to the general public.
Where exactly is it located?
It is located in the industrial area of Al-Hashimiyah, north of Zarqa.
What products are manufactured there?
Gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and LPG for the Jordanian market.
Are there attractions nearby?
The ancient site of Qasr Al-Hallabat is about 20 km east of it.
Zarqa Petroleum Refinery: where is it located?
Zarqa Petroleum Refinery is located in Jordan.
Zarqa Petroleum Refinery: what is there to see?
Highlights include Khirbat Wadaah, Al Ruhayl, Khirbet al-Batrawy.
Zarqa Petroleum Refinery: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Sep, Oct.
Zarqa Petroleum Refinery: why is it worth visiting?
The Zarqa Petroleum Refinery, operated by the Jordan Petroleum Refinery Company (JPRC), is Jordan's sole oil refinery and a vital component of the nation's energy security.
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Nearby cities
Zarqa
Zarqa is the primary industrial center of Jordan.
Russeifa
Russeifa connects the cities of Amman and Zarqa into a massive metropolitan area.
Azraq
Azraq is an oasis town deep in the eastern desert of Jordan.
Al-Hashimiyah
Al-Hashimiyah is an emerging city in the Zarqa region.
Mafraq
Mafraq serves as the gateway to the Jordanian desert.
Sahab
Sahab is located southeast of the capital and serves as a major logistics hub.
Al-Muwaqqar
Al-Muwaqqar was a magnificent desert palace in early Islamic times.
Ain Basha
Ain Basha is located on the edge of the capital on fertile land.
Fuheis
Fuheis is a picturesque town northwest of Amman, inhabited almost exclusively by Jordanian Christians.
Mahis
Mahis is situated on the hills above the Jordan Valley.
Ar-Ramtha
Ar-Ramtha is situated right on the Syrian border.
Al-Jiza
Al-Jiza forms the southern gateway to the Greater Amman area.
Al-Husn
Al-Husn is one of the most traditional towns in the north.
Daraa
Daraa is located in southern Syria near the Jordanian border and is a historically significant agricultural center.
History & landmarks
King Abdullah I Mosque
A distinctive landmark of Amman, known for its magnificent blue mosaic dome.
Arch of Hadrian
This massive triumphal arch was erected in honor of the visit of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in 129 AD at the southern entrance of Jerash.
Qasr al-Mushatta
The ruin of the largest Umayyad desert castle in Jordan.
Qasr al-Abd
A Hellenistic palace near Iraq al-Amir, built from huge stone blocks.
Nature
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A desert castle built from black basalt, famously used by T.E.
Azraq Wetland Reserve
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Mafraq Development Area
A special economic zone designed as a logistics and industrial center to promote investments.