Dana Gas, one of the Middle East’s leading regional natural gas companies, has signed a preliminary agreement with the Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC) to explore the redevelopment of several key natural gas fields in central Syria. The move marks a potentially significant step in Syria’s long-term energy recovery efforts and highlights growing regional interest in rehabilitating the country’s damaged energy infrastructure after years of conflict.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlines Dana Gas’s role in carrying out a detailed technical assessment of the selected gas fields, including Abu Rabah one of Syria’s largest and most strategically important gas discoveries. The company will evaluate the remaining reserves, the condition of existing wells and facilities, and the volume of investment required to restore production. Based on the findings, Dana Gas may submit a comprehensive redevelopment plan for approval, although the MoU itself is non-binding and does not guarantee immediate investment.
For Syria, where natural gas output has sharply declined since 2011, the potential redevelopment of these fields carries major economic and strategic value. Years of instability, infrastructure damage, and limited access to international technology have reduced the country’s gas production to a fraction of its pre-war level. Reviving these assets could support electricity generation, reduce reliance on imported fuels, and provide much-needed energy for industries and local communities.
For Dana Gas, the agreement represents an opportunity to apply its regional expertise to a new market. The company has stressed that its experience operating in challenging environments especially through major projects in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq equips it with the technical and logistical discipline needed for work in Syria. Previous projects have reportedly enhanced the company’s capabilities in cost control, complex field rehabilitation, and fast-tracked infrastructure deployment, all of which are relevant to Syria’s reconstruction needs.
However, the path forward is not without hurdles. The redevelopment of Syrian energy assets poses significant operational challenges, including the condition of pipelines and processing plants, security risks in certain regions, and the need for modern equipment. Additionally, although recent adjustments in international sanctions have created limited openings for energy-sector cooperation, companies must navigate strict compliance rules and ensure their operations remain within approved humanitarian and economic frameworks.
Despite these challenges, the agreement signals a cautious but meaningful shift in regional engagement with Syria’s reconstruction. It reflects a broader trend of Middle Eastern companies assessing opportunities in sectors essential to stabilizing the country’s basic infrastructure. For the UAE, whose companies have been increasingly active in post-conflict recovery efforts across the region, the MoU aligns with its growing interest in supporting energy and economic resilience in neighboring states.
The next steps involve Dana Gas completing its technical studies over the coming months. If the fields are deemed commercially and logistically viable, the company and SPC will engage in deeper negotiations to finalize a development program. While still in early stages, the agreement carries the potential to become a landmark project for both Syria’s energy revival and Dana Gas’s long-term regional expansion.
