Petroleum Ministry: Northern central area gas project to begin production in mid August

Damascus, SANA – The Petroleum Ministry estimated that the northern central area has project will be completed and begin production in mid August, reaching full output by the end of the year.

During a meeting for following up on the plans of the ministry’s companies, caretaker Petroleum Minister Sleiman al-Abbas said that most oil fields and light and crude oil and derivatives transportation pipelines were damaged by terrorist attacks as well as gas pipelines.

He estimated the cost of the direct damage to the petroleum sector caused by the current situation in Syria at SYP 570 billion, which covers stolen and wasted petroleum and gas, and damaged infrastructure, facilities, pipelines, equipment, and machinery, in addition to SYP 2.954 trillion in indirect damage.

Al-Abbas stressed the need to focus on training to improve workers’ skills, limiting expenditures and wastage, and improving the infrastructure.

According to reports discussed during the meeting, the total of petroleum produced in Syria during the first half of 2014 is around 3.164 million barrels, with an average of 17,000 barrels per day, marking a drop of 11,000 barrels per day from the first half of 2013, while gas production was at 2.971 billion cubic meter at a daily average of 16.36 million cubic meters.

During the same period, 3.111 million tons of refined oil was produced in Homs and Banyas refinery, in addition to 3.08 million tons of petroleum products.

Sales of petroleum products amounted to SYP 197.91 billion, while purchases amounted to SYP 272.296 billion, with the subsidies for petroleum products amounting to SYP 81.94 billion.

H. Sabbagh