Sonatrach Expertise Put Forward In Talks On Reviving Syria’s Energy Sector

Algiers — Minister of State for Hydrocarbons Mohamed Arkab has received Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani for talks focused on prospects for renewed energy cooperation between Algeria and Syria, with particular emphasis on potential partnerships involving Sonatrach and Syrian oil institutions.

The meeting, held in the presence of Sonatrach Chief Executive Noureddine Daoudi and senior officials from both countries, reviewed avenues of cooperation across the hydrocarbons value chain, including exploration and production, drilling services, field development, refining, petrochemicals, and downstream distribution.

Both sides also discussed potential collaboration in geological and geophysical studies, energy infrastructure development and maintenance, as well as capacity-building programmes aimed at strengthening technical and managerial skills within Syria’s energy sector.

According to officials, discussions further covered the rehabilitation and modernisation of refining and transformation facilities, with Algeria’s Sonatrach positioned as a potential technical partner in supporting efforts to restore and restructure Syria’s oil and gas industry. The Syrian delegation expressed particular interest in Algerian expertise across upstream and downstream operations, as well as in training and professional development for engineers and technicians.

Arkab reaffirmed Algeria’s readiness, in line with presidential guidance, to support cooperation with Syria through the transfer of expertise accumulated across the national hydrocarbons sector, describing the initiative as part of longstanding ties of solidarity and political affinity between the two countries.

He also highlighted the role of Sonatrach training structures — including the Algerian Petroleum Institute (IAP) and the Sonatrach Management Academy — in delivering specialised training programmes for Syrian personnel, aimed at reinforcing technical competencies and facilitating knowledge transfer in core energy disciplines.

The talks come as Damascus seeks to rebuild and modernise its energy infrastructure, with Algeria positioning itself as a potential technical and institutional partner in the process.