Two Syrian pipelines damaged amid spate of attacks on energy infrastructure

Recent reports indicate that two pipelines transporting oil and gas in Syria were damaged in separate incidents, representing a continuation of disruptions to the nation’s energy infrastructure amid a series of suspected sabotage efforts.

The Syrian Petroleum Company, a state-owned entity, disclosed the damage on Thursday through the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). These incidents contribute to a rising trend of attacks on Syria’s oil and gas infrastructure, complicating the government's ongoing attempts to stabilize and revitalize the sector.

In the late afternoon, an explosion occurred along the Jbessa gas pipeline located in southern Hasakah province. This event followed shortly after damage was reported to an oil pipeline that conveys products from the coastal city of Baniyas to Homs, which resulted in a significant fuel leak.

According to SANA, the company has attributed the damage to a "sabotage attack," although neither the agency nor the company have named any perpetrators or factions responsible for these attacks.

Repairs under way

Oday al-Satouf, the media office head of the petroleum company, informed SANA that a breach was detected in the Baniyas-Homs pipeline within the Hadida region, situated to the west of Homs. Repair crews have sealed off the affected section and established a secure perimeter, with valves on both sides of the damaged pipeline now closed. Repair operations have commenced, and safety teams are monitoring the area. State media also indicated that the leakage is suspected to be connected to an attempted fuel theft.

Al-Satouf assured that gas supplies would remain available for power stations through alternative channels and noted that domestic gas provisions would not be impacted, as reported by SANA.

A string of incidents

Notably, just over a week prior, the petroleum company reported damage to an oil pipeline near Tal Hamis in the northeastern Hasakah province, which was also attributed to a sabotage attack. Authorities have reportedly apprehended individuals linked to this incident.

In late September, a fire erupted along a gas pipeline between al-Shoula and Deir Az Zor in eastern Syria, disrupting gas deliveries from the Jbessa facility to power stations. Hisham al-Saleh, a gas sector official with the company, stated that gas pressure in the region had diminished as emergency crews responded to extinguish the flames.

In an effort to restore its energy infrastructure and boost local oil production, Syria is actively working to resume operations at oil fields in Hasakah, which are crucial for supplying refineries in Homs and Baniyas. Earlier this year, the petroleum company announced initiatives to transport crude oil from recently regained fields to these refineries as part of broader revitalization efforts within the sector.