Türkiye’s state oil company, Turkiye Petrolleri AO (TPAO), along with private firms, is set to begin seismic surveys and oil and gas exploration in Syria as Damascus looks to attract foreign capital for its battered energy sector. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said TPAO has the capacity to begin operations immediately across onshore and offshore blocks. Mr Bayraktar made the remarks at a joint press conference in Damascus on 19th August 2026, where he also signed several energy agreements with Syrian counterpart Mohamed Al Bashir. The agreements mark a significant step in Türkiye’s involvement in Syria’s energy sector, with oil and gas exploration forming part of the wider cooperation between the two countries.
Ankara Deepens Energy Role in Syria
The agreements reflect Ankara’s ambition to become a leading partner in Syria’s reconstruction, building on its close relationship with the government that replaced Bashar Al Assad. Since Mr Al Assad was deposed in December 2024, Turkish officials have maintained more extensive engagement with Damascus than any other foreign government. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also developed close ties with Syria’s new President, Ahmad Al Shara, placing Ankara in a dominant position as Syria moves through its economic and political transition.
The latest plans add Syria to an expanding list of overseas frontiers for Türkiye’s state oil driller. TPAO is currently developing an exploration well off the coast of Somalia and earlier this year secured a licence for offshore blocks in Libya. Ankara has expanded its deep-sea drilling fleet as it works to secure energy resources overseas, while its planned activity in Syria further broadens its oil and gas exploration footprint.
Syria Seeks Investment to Rebuild Energy Sector
Syria was previously a significant oil and gas producer in the eastern Mediterranean, according to the US Energy Information Administration, but 14 years of civil war severely damaged the industry. Oil output has fallen by about 80 per cent from a prewar peak of 380,000 barrels a day. The Syrian Energy Ministry said crude production reached 14.8 million barrels in the first half of 2026, equal to about 82,000 barrels a day, according to the state-run Sana news agency on Tuesday. The government has estimated that more than $30 billion is required to rehabilitate the sector, presenting a potentially significant opportunity for foreign energy companies and increasing interest in oil and gas exploration.
Gulf Companies Also Target Syrian Energy Opportunities
Gulf energy companies are likewise assessing opportunities in Syria. The Abu Dhabi-listed Adnoc Drilling identified Syria as a growth market alongside Egypt and Iraq. Damascus has also secured an agreement with ConocoPhillips in partnership with Novaterra, a venture linked to Syrian-British billionaire Ayman Al Asfari. In addition, Syria reached a deal with the UAE’s Dana Gas following the lifting of US sanctions late last year. Gulf states pledged $28 billion in investment across the Syrian economy in 2025 alone. Türkiye and Syria are also expected to commission new infrastructure over the coming weeks that will triple electricity transmission capacity between the two countries to more than 800 megawatts, Mr Bayraktar said.
