Syria and Saudi Arabia sign oil and gas development agreements

Syria and Saudi Arabia have solidified economic ties with the signing of multiple agreements focused on the oil and gas sector. The state-run Syrian Petroleum Company finalized four deals with Saudi companies at the Energy Ministry in Damascus on Tuesday, aiming to provide technical support and develop hydrocarbon fields across the war-affected nation.

Focus on technical support and field development

According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the agreements cover "technical support services and the development of oil and gas fields in Syria." While the specific Saudi companies involved were not named, the signings represent a tangible expansion of economic cooperation between Damascus and Riyadh, aligning with the new Syrian government's efforts to attract foreign investment for reconstruction.

Building on recent gas discoveries

The development pacts follow the recent announcement by Syrian Petroleum Company CEO Youssef Qaballawi of five new gas field discoveries in the western Sahel region last November. Syria holds proven gas reserves of approximately 8.5 trillion cubic feet, according to 2015 estimates. Prior to the conflict, the country's daily non-associated gas production was around 250 million cubic meters, accounting for the majority of its total gas output.

A strategic push for post-war economic recovery

The administration of President Ahmad al-Sharaa is actively pursuing partnerships to rehabilitate Syria's critical energy infrastructure, which suffered heavily during the 14-year civil war. Securing technical expertise and investment from regional partners like Saudi Arabia is viewed as a strategic priority to fuel national reconstruction, enhance energy self-sufficiency, and lay the groundwork for broader economic stabilization.