Damascus: Five new zones along Syria's coast have been identified for natural gas exploration, an energy official announced. The state-run Syrian Petroleum Co. is actively working to expand its existing petroleum fields and explore new ones, as stated by CEO Youssef Qablawi during his appearance on the state-run TV channel Al-Ikhbariya.
According to Anadolu Agency, Qablawi revealed that Syria anticipates doubling its gas production in the near future, with the company aiming to significantly increase natural gas output before the year 2030. He noted that engineers have developed domestic exploration plans for areas located south of Damascus without the involvement of foreign intermediaries. While five new coastal exploration blocks have been designated, their specific locations remain undisclosed.
Qablawi emphasized Syria's potential to become an important hub for gas distribution to Europe, adding that the company's development plans are expected to raise income levels for its citizens. He also highlighted the company's "high-level expertise" and its intention to transform Syrian Petroleum Co. into a global operator capable of investing abroad.
In a recent development, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with US-based ConocoPhillips on Tuesday. This agreement aims to expand cooperation on gas development and exploration and involves the exchange of technical expertise.
Government figures from 2025 revealed that Syria's proven natural gas reserves totaled approximately 8.5 trillion cubic feet. The daily output of non-associated gas averaged around 250 million cubic meters, which accounted for 58% of the country's total gas production. Associated gas, which is produced alongside crude oil, represents 28% of the national output, with most of it extracted east of the Euphrates River.
In recent years, the Syrian government has been actively seeking to improve the country's energy supply by signing agreements and memorandums of understanding with foreign states and companies. These efforts aim to bolster basic services and enhance living standards.
The political landscape in Syria experienced a significant change when Bashar al-Assad, the country's leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia last December, marking the end of the Baath Party regime that had been in power since 1963. A new administration led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa was formed in January.