Syria makes first official oil export in 14 years with 600,000-barrel shipment from Tartus

In 2010, Syria exported about 380,000 barrels per day (bpd) before protests against Bashar al-Assad’s rule escalated into a nearly 14-year conflict that wrecked its economy and oil industry.

Assad was ousted in December last year, and the new administration has pledged to revive the economy.

Riyad al-Joubasi, assistant director for oil and gas at Syria’s energy ministry, said the shipment had been sold to B Serve Energy, a company linked to global trader BB Energy. BB Energy did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The energy ministry confirmed that the cargo was exported aboard the Nissos Christiana tanker.

Joubasi noted the oil had been drawn from multiple Syrian fields but declined to specify which ones.

Most oil fields lie in Syria’s northeast under Kurdish-led authorities, who began supplying crude to Damascus earlier this year. However, relations have since soured over disagreements on inclusivity and minority rights.

During the war, oilfields changed hands several times while US and European sanctions made exports and imports difficult.

Even after Assad’s ouster, sanctions remained in force for several months, stalling energy imports.

In June, US President Donald Trump lifted American sanctions on Syria through an executive order, clearing the way for US-based firms to draft a master plan for oil and gas exploration.

Separately, Syria has signed an $800 million agreement with DP World to develop and manage a multi-purpose terminal at Tartus, after terminating a contract with a Russian firm that operated the port under Assad.