Syria has resumed crude oil exports for the first time in 14 years, shipping 600,000 barrels of heavy crude from the port of Tartus aboard the tanker Nissos Christiana. The deal with B Serve Energy, affiliated with BB Energy, marks a re-entry into global markets after years of conflict and sanctions that decimated the country’s oil industry. Officials described the shipment as part of a broader effort to revive a sector once central to government revenues.

A Return To International Markets

Before the war erupted in 2011, Syria exported nearly 380,000 barrels per day, primarily to European destinations. The conflict and subsequent sanctions halted official sales, while oilfields in the northeast fell under shifting control. Officials confirmed the new shipment was sourced from multiple fields but withheld further details. The resumption underscores Damascus’ attempt to restore its position in the regional energy trade, though production capacity remains limited.

Sanctions Relief And Investor Interest

The lifting of U.S. sanctions in June paved the way for international companies to re-engage with Syria’s energy sector. Energy executives argue that easing restrictions could attract outside investment, bringing much-needed capital and expertise to rebuild damaged infrastructure. Authorities have promoted opportunities in exploration and development as part of a wider effort to stabilize the economy and expand revenues.

Infrastructure And Port Development

Alongside the export restart, Syria signed an $800 million memorandum with a major global ports operator to redevelop Tartus. The agreement, which replaced an earlier Russian contract, is intended to expand the port’s capacity for oil exports and general trade. Parallel discussions with Iraq on reviving the Kirkuk–Baniyas pipeline could restore a route that once carried crude to European markets, strengthening regional energy cooperation.

Production Capacity Still Limited

Despite the symbolic breakthrough, Syria’s oil production remains far below its pre-war levels. Current output is estimated at around 80,000 barrels per day, a fraction of what the country produced in 2010. Years of conflict left oilfields, pipelines, and refineries heavily damaged, and rebuilding them will require significant long-term investment.