Government committees are prepared to receive the Syrian oil wells from Qasd economy

Damascus – In a detailed move that may reflect positively on the economic and living reality in the country, the Syrian government began forming specialized committees to receive wells and oil fields from the “Syrian Democratic Forces” (SDF), according to a recent agreement between the two parties, in preparation for the integration of the Civil and Military institutions into the state institutions.

The oil crisis is one of the most complicated files since the current government has come to power about 4 months ago, as it is one of the most prominent keys to economic recovery and improving the basic services of citizens who have been burdened by the war years.

After the arrival of the Military Operations Department to Damascus, the leader of the SDF met Mazloum Abdi, President Ahmed Al -Shara at the Al -Dameer Military Airport in Damascus countryside, after he came to an American helicopter, without disclosing the details of the meeting. However, the second meeting in Damascus, specifically in the presidential palace between the two sides, resulted in the signing of an agreement that summarizes the features of the next stage in the relationship between the Syrian government and SDF.

The oil file is one of the most important tributaries of the Syrian economy, and the government seeks, through the agreement, to receive its entire administration through joint organizational committees.

Committees to receive oil

In a special statement to Al -Jazeera Net, the director of public relations at the Syrian Ministry of Oil and Mineral Resources, Ahmed Al -Suleiman, said that the agreement signed between the Sharia and Abdi stipulates “the integration of all civil and military institutions affiliated with Qasd within the Syrian state.”

He added: “Specialized committees have been formed to oversee the receipt of oil fields and wells, and to prepare comprehensive reports on their readiness, technical condition, and fully follow -up equipment and equipment.”

The date for delivering wells to the government

One of the prominent challenges facing the Syrian government is to accelerate the implementation of the terms of the agreement, especially with regard to the delivery of oil wells, which has always been a negotiating pressure card in the hands of Qasd.

In this context, Al -Sulaiman told Al -Jazeera Net: “We hope that the oil wells and fields will be received soon, as the date is related to the extent of completion of the work of the specialized committees formed between the two parties, to which this task was entrusted.”

For his part, a source familiar with Al -Jazeera Net revealed – asking not to be named – that “the beginning of next April is the expected date for the start of the delivery of oil wells from Qasd to the Syrian government,” without providing additional details.

It is noteworthy that Syria is one of the oil -producing countries, as commercial extraction began since the mid -seventies of the last century, and before 2011 production reached about 385 thousand barrels per day, of which 238 thousand barrels are repeated locally, while the remaining amount was exported with an annual return of approximately 3 billion dollars.

However, with the outbreak of the revolution and the change of control of the fields from the regime to the opposition factions, then to the Islamic State, and finally to SDF, production decreased significantly, reaching 140 thousand barrels per day on average.

Transfer oil to the Syrian government regions

Oil is currently transporting from the east of the country – specifically in the Syrian island region – to the regions under government control through huge trucks known locally as “whale”, where it is repeated in Homs and Banias’s refineries, which suffer from worn out in their artistic structure as a result of negligence and lack of development for years.

In his interview with Al -Jazeera Net, Al -Sulaiman pointed out that “there is an agreement to transfer a quantity of oil from the fields to the rest of Syria through custom tanks, in addition to a network of transport lines connected to refineries, with the possibility of truck transport according to field conditions.”

He stressed the continuation of “a previous agreement to rent oil from the areas of Qasd control,” noting that the Ministry of Oil “is making great efforts to provide fuel to citizens despite the logistical challenges.”

The impact of oil on the Syrian economy

Hayyan Hababa, the economic researcher, believes in his interview with Al -Jazeera Net, that “the Syrian government restores control of about 95% of the oil wells in the areas of Qasd will contribute to resolving many economic crises, especially with regard to electricity and energy.”

He added: “The government’s possession of energy sources will enhance the state’s revenues, support the various government sectors, and also provides fuel for factories and farms, which contributes to reducing operating costs and stimulating the production wheel.”

Hababa pointed out that one of the most prominent positive repercussions will be “improving the availability of gas and fuel and creating new job opportunities, which contributes to reducing unemployment rates and reviving the local economy.”

A need for investment

A number of economic experts believe that the next stage requires the Syrian government to open the way for investment in the oil and energy sector, whether for Arab or foreign companies, for various reasons, most notably:

• Securing the local market needs of oil, which currently depends on import.
• Providing the gas needed to generate electricity, especially after increasing feeding hours in some areas with Qatari support.
• Create job opportunities for Syrians, and contribute to reducing unemployment rates.
• Supporting reconstruction in the country.

According to a report published by Al -Jazeera Net, the new administration of the oil sector seeks to “convert oil revenues into development projects that enhance efforts to reconstruct Syria.”

“Intensive meetings are currently being held between local and expert cadres, with the aim of developing comprehensive plans to rehabilitate the sector, with a focus on contracting with foreign companies specialized in drilling and excavation.”

Al -Hajar added: “There is a tendency to improve the exploitation of oil resources to better meet the needs of the Syrian people, and to transform returns into sustainable development projects, which contribute to building a balanced economy for post -war.”