Syria Drills First Gas Well Near Damascus, Aims for Production in Five Months

Syria has begun drilling its first exploratory gas well near its capital, Damascus. The state-owned Syrian Petroleum Company is conducting the operation. The well is located in the al-Tuwani area of the Damascus countryside. Company CEO Youssef Qablawi announced that drilling has already reached a depth of nearly 4,000 meters. He stated that gas production from the well is expected to begin in approximately five months. The project is notable for using a fully Syrian workforce. This marks Syria's first domestic gas exploration effort in this region. The country's energy infrastructure has been heavily damaged during more than a decade of conflict.