Energy Minister Announces New Diesel Categories and Subsidized Heating Fuel in Joint Press Conference with Syrian Petroleum Company CEO

Energy Minister Eng. Mohammed Al-Bashir and the CEO of the Syrian Petroleum Company, Eng. Youssef Qablawi, held a joint press conference in Damascus. They presented new measures to regulate the petroleum products market, necessitated by current global conditions and the suspension of operations at the Baniyas refinery for comprehensive maintenance.
The Minister explained that rising global prices and declining international production coincided domestically with the shutdown of the Baniyas refinery, requiring a temporary price adjustment to ensure a continuous supply.
He noted that following discussions, studies, and a meeting with the President of the Republic, Mr. Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the Ministry approved new categories of diesel based on usage. These include a subsidized type priced at 115 Lira per liter—intended for heating, agriculture, and eligible groups—and a type priced at 150 Lira per liter imported from brotherly Arab nations, alongside the continued availability of standard diesel at 175 Lira per liter.
He also announced the reactivation of a group of refineries with a capacity of 35,000 barrels per day under the supervision of the Syrian Petroleum Company, aiming to ensure the availability and organized distribution of subsidized diesel across the governorates.
For his part, Eng. Youssef Qablawi confirmed that the company has finalized the implementation plan for these measures. Operations are set to begin in the coming days, subject to technical and procedural readiness, with further details regarding implementation to be announced successively. During the conference, the Minister and the CEO of the Syrian Petroleum Company listened to questions from the audience regarding the Ministry’s and the company’s vision for the future of the oil and gas sector. They addressed inquiries concerning the Ministry’s reform timeline, as well as plans to boost production capacity, improve refining operations, enhance supply sustainability, and tackle current and future challenges facing the sector.