Syrian offshore gas exploration will begin in early 2019, the country’s oil minister said, Syrian newspaper al-Watan reported on Dec. 13.
Oil and mineral resources Minister Ali Ghanem said contracts for five offshore blocks had been signed with “friendly countries”. The report did not say which countries or companies were involved.
He also said Syria has an estimated 1,250 billion cubic meters of offshore gas reserves. The report did not say when or how the Syrian government had appraised the reserves.
In 2013, Russian energy firm Soyuzneftegaz signed the first offshore exploration contract with Syria for Block 2. But in 2015, it said it would not go ahead with the project because of Syria’s conflict—now in its seventh year.
In comments made to the Syrian parliament on Dec. 12 and reported by al-Watan on Dec. 13, Ghanem said Syria aims to produce 19 million cubic meters a day (cu. m/d) of gas by the end of 2018 and 24.5 million cu. m/d by the end of 2019.
He also said Syria aims to produce 70,000 barrels per day (bbl/d) of oil by the end of 2018 and 219,000 bbl/d by the end of 2019.
The war in Syria meant the government lost control of the majority of Syria’s onshore oil and gas fields, but many have been recaptured as a result of advances made against Islamic State in recent months.
This has enabled the government to produce more power.
Recommended Reading
ShearFRAC, Drill2Frac, Corva Collaborating on Fracs
2024-03-05 - Collaboration aims to standardize decision-making for frac operations.
Chevron Hunts Upside for Oil Recovery, D&C Savings with Permian Pilots
2024-02-06 - New techniques and technologies being piloted by Chevron in the Permian Basin are improving drilling and completed cycle times. Executives at the California-based major hope to eventually improve overall resource recovery from its shale portfolio.
Cronos Appraisal Confirms Discovery Offshore Cyprus
2024-02-15 - Eni-operated block partner TotalEnergies says appraisal confirms the presence of significant resources and production potential in the block.
Sinopec Brings West Sichuan Gas Field Onstream
2024-03-14 - The 100 Bcm sour gas onshore field, West Sichuan Gas Field, is expected to produce 2 Bcm per year.
Proven Volumes at Aramco’s Jafurah Field Jump on New Booking Approach
2024-02-27 - Aramco’s addition of 15 Tcf of gas and 2 Bbbl of condensate brings Jafurah’s proven reserves up to 229 Tcf of gas and 75 Bbbl of condensate.