Turkey Strengthens Energy Cooperation with Syria as Infrastructure Projects Advance Across the Country
The Turkish Ambassador to Damascus, Nuh Yılmaz, accompanied by a Turkish delegation, conducted a field visit to the Baniyas Refinery, where he toured its facilities and reviewed its operations. He emphasized the refinery’s strategic importance as one of Syria’s key economic assets, highlighting its vital role in securing petroleum products for citizens and supporting the national energy sector.
In a step aimed at enhancing regional energy security, representatives from the energy ministries of Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan held a virtual meeting to follow up on previous ministerial coordination efforts, focusing on moving from planning and technical studies to practical implementation. Discussions centered on completing the technical preparations required to launch gas supplies, advancing electricity interconnection projects to improve grid stability, and finalizing the draft cooperation agreement for official approval.
As part of efforts to develop Syria’s petroleum sector and expand offshore exploration opportunities, the Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC) signed a memorandum of understanding with ConocoPhillips (United States), TotalEnergies (France), and QatarEnergy (Qatar) to explore oil and gas resources in Syria’s territorial waters. The agreement provides for technical studies, preparation of a work program, and the drafting of an exploration contract to pave the way for future offshore operations.
SPC also announced that it had received formal notification from Chevron, in cooperation with UCC Holding, to proceed with the selected offshore block project. Contractual arrangements are expected to be finalized ahead of technical operations scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026, marking a strategic step toward Syria’s first deep-water offshore exploration project.
Meanwhile, the General Director of the General Establishment for Electricity Transmission and Distribution met with a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to review ongoing cooperation and discuss the progress of rehabilitation projects. Discussions covered upgrades to substations in Ain Al-Fijeh, Al-Darbasiyah, and Al-Bawab, as well as electricity supply for water facilities, particularly the Allouk Water Station, in addition to future plans for strengthening Syria’s electricity transmission network.
In the water sector, the Idlib Water Resources Directorate, in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Al-Bunyan Organization, carried out field surveys to identify suitable sites for new water retention dams aimed at improving water resource management and supporting food and water security. Two locations were selected for further studies: one near Wadi Sakhrin in Jabal Al-Zawiya, and another in Salqin.
In Deir ez-Zor, the Public Establishment for Drinking Water and Sanitation launched major sewage rehabilitation projects in the city of Al-Sour and in Al-Takaya Street in the provincial capital. Supported by UNICEF, the projects involve replacing and extending sewage networks that will benefit approximately 10,000 residents in Al-Sour and around 100,000 residents in Deir ez-Zor city.
The Deir ez-Zor Water Resources Directorate also continued maintenance and dredging works on drainage canals within the Fifth Sector irrigation project to reduce soil salinity and improve agricultural productivity.
At the same time, engineers at the Euphrates Dam General Establishment successfully completed the overhaul of the fifth turbine at Tishreen Dam using entirely national expertise and local resources. Following comprehensive mechanical and electrical maintenance, testing, and calibration, the turbine was successfully reconnected to the national power grid, strengthening Syria’s electricity supply.
In Daraa Governorate, the "Abshiri Horan" campaign supported the restoration of the Al-Taawun and Umm Al-Mayathin wells by providing and installing new submersible pumps. In addition, a newly drilled well in Al-Lajat was successfully tested with a production capacity of 30 cubic meters per hour, while drilling operations continue in several towns to improve water availability.