{
  "id": 8701009,
  "title": "Syria aims for oil self-sufficiency by 2028, says energy minister",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/syria-aims-for-oil-self-sufficiency-by-2028-says-energy-minister",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-20T13:39:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ajel English",
    "slug": "ajel-english",
    "url": "https://english.ajel.sa/world/g4v82ubgm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Syria's energy minister, Mohammed Al-Bashir, revealed ambitious plans to achieve oil self-sufficiency by 2028 and satisfactory gas output within seven years. The country currently imports 200,000 barrels of oil daily, with domestic production at 112,000 barrels per day. Al-Bashir stated that the Syrian government is seeking to sign contracts with friendly oil-producing nations to bridge the gap. The nation requires $831 million monthly to cover crude oil and petroleum product imports, a burden exacerbated by the global energy crisis. Despite this, electricity remains subsidized for households, industry, and commerce, with subsidies covering 75% for the first tier, 42% for the second, 30% for exempted lines, and 26% for industrial and high-voltage users. For gas, Syria currently imports 6.3 million cubic meters daily—valued at $140 million per month—from Azerbaijan and a vessel docked at Jordan's Aqaba port. The energy minister disclosed that the ministry has signed a memorandum of understanding with an international consortium of companies to replace the Kirkuk–Baniyas pipeline in conjunction with Iraq.",
  "summary": "Syria's energy minister says the country expects to achieve oil self-sufficiency by 2028 and reach satisfactory gas output levels within seven years.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}