Syrian–Emirati Agreement to Assess Redevelopment of Damaged Gas Fields

UAE-based Dana Gas announced on Wednesday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Syrian Petroleum Company to evaluate opportunities for the redevelopment of existing gas fields, following extensive damage to Syria’s energy sector during the country’s 13-year-long conflict.

The company — headquartered in Sharjah and listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange — said that under the MoU, it will conduct a comprehensive technical assessment of several gas fields in central Syria, including the Abu Rabah field, one of the largest discoveries in the country, according to Reuters.

Dana Gas stated that the project aims to support the Syrian government’s efforts to boost domestic gas production, thereby improving electricity generation capacity and reviving the energy sector.

Company CEO Richard Hall said in a statement:

“The fields identified under this memorandum have the potential to make a real difference in Syria’s domestic gas production, strengthening the country’s energy security and supporting local communities across various regions.”

Hall also noted the possibility of leveraging the company’s operational experience in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to implement similar projects in Syria.

Official estimates indicate that Syria’s natural gas production declined to 3 billion cubic meters in 2023, down from 8.7 billion cubic meters in 2011, forcing the country to rely increasingly on gas imports from Iran.