Syria's Oil Revival Challenges Russian Influence in the Region

Syria's oil production is slowly making a comeback after years of decline. The Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC) has taken control of several key oil fields in the northeastern provinces of Deir ez-Zor and Hasakah, which were previously controlled by Kurdish-led forces.

In January, Damascus launched a military offensive against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), regaining access to major oil assets such as Omar, Tanak, and Conoco. The SPC has since restarted crude production at these fields, with transfers resuming to the Baniyas refinery.

The recovery of oil production is also underway in Hasakah, where the SPC took control of Rmeilan and Sweidiya in February. Crude from these fields began flowing to refineries in Homs and Baniyas in March, with operations expected to reach full capacity by June.

ConocoPhillips has also returned to Syria, signing an agreement with the SPC and Novaterra Energy to rehabilitate existing onshore gas fields and develop new production. The partnership aims to increase gas output by 4-5 million cubic meters per day within the first year, equivalent to around 140-170 million cubic feet per day.