Full Breakdown
Sabotage Halts Gas Flow in Eastern Syria
By Drooid · · How we work
Background and Recent Attacks
Eastern Syria’s Deir Ezzor province, which contains the country’s main oil and gas fields, has faced a series of attacks on energy infrastructure since the defeat of the Islamic State’s territorial control in 2019. The Syrian state news agency SANA reported that a gas pipeline at the same facility was struck on August 18, an incident also described as deliberate sabotage. These assaults have intensified amid rising public discontent over fuel prices and shortages.
Explosion and Immediate Effects
Late on Monday, an isolation valve exploded on a gas pipeline between the Al-Shoula area and Deir Ezzor, igniting a fire that forced crews to isolate the line on both sides. SANA, citing the Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC), said the blast halted gas flow from the Al-Jabsah (also referred to as Jbeissa) gas plant to power-generation stations.
Impact on National Gas Supply
Before the 2011-2024 civil war, Syria produced roughly 30 million cubic metres (mcm) of gas per day for electricity generation. Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir now reports production at 8.5 mcm per day, while demand is estimated between 22 mcm and 25 mcm. A separate source estimates current output at about 7 mcm per day, indicating a discrepancy in official figures. The loss of flow from the Al-Jabsah plant further widens the gap between supply and demand, exacerbating nationwide fuel shortages.
Official Statements and Responses
The Syrian Petroleum Company confirmed that fire crews began isolating the affected section immediately after the explosion and are working to extinguish the blaze as gas pressure fell. Minister al-Bashir linked rising fuel prices to the ongoing Iran-related conflict and emphasized the government’s effort to attract foreign investment, noting a June 2024 contract with U.S. firm ConocoPhillips to develop the gas sector. Authorities in the coastal province of Tartus announced the arrest of a man suspected of crude-oil theft, underscoring a broader crackdown on pipeline-related crimes.
Conflicting Production Figures
- Minister al-Bashir’s statement: 8.5 mcm of gas produced daily.
- Independent estimate (The National): Approximately 7 mcm of gas produced daily.
The divergence highlights limited transparency on post-war production levels and suggests that official statistics may vary across government and media sources.