The CEO of the Syrian Petroleum Company, Youssef Qablawi, said oil production at al-Omar field in Deir Ezzor Governorate fell from around 50,000 barrels per day in previous years to less than 5,000 barrels per day currently, due to damage to the wells and the lack of rehabilitation in past periods.
Qablawi made the remarks during a press conference held by the Syrian Petroleum Company at al-Omar field on Monday, 19 January, attended by Enab Baladi. He explained that the field had previously been operated as a joint venture between the Syrian Petroleum Company and the global company Shell. He noted that Shell requested a full withdrawal and that work is underway to finalize a financial settlement in preparation for transferring full ownership of the field to the state.
Qablawi added that the sharp decline in production is linked to what he described as “primitive and unhealthy methods” of oil extraction, which caused direct damage to the wells and reduced their output capacity. He stressed that the wells now require comprehensive rehabilitation.
He said the Syrian Petroleum Company intends to carry out well rehabilitation operations relying on local engineers and technicians, with the participation of local and foreign companies, with the aim of raising the field’s production capacity to between 40,000 and 50,000 barrels per day, without specifying a timeline.
Qablawi linked the rehabilitation of al-Omar field to the Syrian Petroleum Company’s role in supporting the local economy and reconstruction, considering that increased oil output would have a positive impact on citizens’ economic and living conditions.
Regaining control
The Syrian army regained control of the most prominent oil and gas fields east of the Euphrates on Sunday, 18 January 2026, including al-Omar field, the largest oil field east of the Euphrates, as well as gas fields such as Conoco and other fields within the national production system.
The Syrian Petroleum Company announced it had taken over Rasafa and Sufyan fields and the strategic al-Thawra oil complex, and launched an emergency operations room to ensure continued production and protect infrastructure, following the withdrawal of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) elements from the area. This enables the state to manage its oil and gas resources directly and strengthens the national economy.
Before 2011, oil was the backbone of Syria’s economy, with daily production of around 400,000 barrels. However, the Syrian Democratic Forces’ control over key fields in the east after the outbreak of the revolution led to a sharp collapse in production and revenues.
With the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024, the new government began gradually restoring management of the fields. Signs of a revival in production and exports have started to emerge, including the first official shipment via Tartus in more than ten years.
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