the Wests interest in Syria

[Flecktarn Profile]

Syria Petroleum And Natural Gas

Syria Petroleum and natural gas are one of Syria's most vital natural resources. Some other natural resources include phosphate rock, asphalt, and salt and are the main minerals found in sufficiently large quantities for commercial exploitation.

The majority of Syria’s oil fields are located on the Euphrates Graben which runs across the north-eastern region of the country. The discovery of large light crude fields, (most importantly those around Deir Ezzor,) in the mid-1980s boosted the role that oil plays in the Syrian economy. Since this time, output has expanded rapidly, producing approximately 600,000 barrels per day (bpd). In 1994, oil exports of $2.06 billion accounted for nearly 60% of Syria’s total exports. The discovery in 1984 attracted international interest and several consortiums were formed. The largest of these is the Shell Consortium made-up of Pecten, Shell, and Deminex. In 1985, the Shell Consortium entered into a joint venture with the Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC) to create the Al-Furat Petroleum Company. This joint venture produces approximately two-thirds of Syria’s oil output.

Efforts to develop Syria’s considerable gas reserves for industrial and commercial purposes is one of the government’s priorities. Gas reserves have been estimated to be around 220 billion cubic meters. Associated gas is found primarily in the Suwaidiyeh and Omar fields and is operated by the SPC and Al Furat respectively. The development of gas associated with the oil production near Deir Ezzor in central Syria is expected soon. Non-associated gas reserves are found in the central fields of the Palmyra region. To preserve oil for export, power stations are being converted to run on natural gas.

the general plan has been to use pressure on asad to stand down ,trying to make it look like a popular uprising ,while british and U S secret service operators are in country assisting the rebels behind the scenes and the west is already negotiating with the rebels over oil and minerals and military aid ,just like in libya ,there is no air support at the moment due to the Russians being left out of the negotiating with the rebels and the rebels being pro western