Damascus, Sept. 14 (SANA)A sharp rise in the global cost of petroleum products and a two-month overhaul of Baniyas Refinery have driven Syria’s temporaryfuel priceincrease, theEnergy Ministrysaid, as reduced domestic refining capacity forces the country to rely more heavily on costly imports.

The ministry said the increase was needed to bridge a temporary gap between the cost of securingpetroleum productsand their domestic selling prices, allowing authorities to finance successive shipments and maintain supplies to the local market.

Global prices for refined fuels have come under pressure from tighter supplies, disruptions to refining capacity and higher transport, shipping and insurance costs, meaning the increase is not solely linked to crude oil prices, the ministry said.

According to prices monitored by the ministry, diesel has approached $1,400 per ton and gasoline $1,350 per ton, while Brent crude opened the week at around $108 a barrel.

Refinery overhaul increases import needs

TheBaniyas Refineryhas entered a comprehensive overhaul expected to last about two months, temporarily reducing Syria’s domestic refining capacity and increasing the need to purchase finished petroleum products from international markets.

Syria currently requires about 300,000 barrels per day of crude oil and petroleum products, compared with domestic crude production of around 100,000 barrels per day, leaving part of the country’s demand to be met through imports.

The ministry said domestic crude production cannot be directly translated into equivalent supplies of gasoline and diesel because some Syrian crude is heavy and does not fully match the specifications and capabilities of available refining facilities.

Daily diesel demand stands at about 7.72 million liters, including 3.09 million liters produced locally and 4.63 million liters imported, meaning imports account for around 60% of supply.

Average gasoline supply is about 2.32 million liters per day, including 1.54 million liters of domestic production and around 775,000 liters of imports. Household gas supplies average about 912 tons per day, with a significant share also dependent on imports.

The ministry said the price adjustment was intended to maintain the financing cycle for fuel imports — from purchasing and distributing one shipment to securing the funds needed for the next — and prevent higher procurement costs from leading to shortages.

It also cited broader financial pressures in the energy sector, saying the Syrian Petroleum Company was owed about $1.7 billion by the Syrian Electricity Company in 2026 for gas and other energy supplies.

Price increase described as temporary

The Energy Ministry stressed that the increase was temporary and linked to exceptional market and refining conditions. It said prices and costs would remain under review in line with global market developments and the restoration of domestic refining capacity once the Baniyas Refinery overhaul is completed.

The new prices, which took effect on Sunday, prompted protests in several provinces, with demonstrators calling for the increase to be revised or reversed.

Protests were reported in Hama and Daraa, while demonstrations in Idlib included the blocking of sections of the Damascus-Aleppo international highway. Gatherings were also reported in parts of Aleppo countryside.

Raqqa saw protests and some road closures alongside a strike by public transport drivers, while demonstrators in Deir Ezzor called for lower fuel prices, with tires burned and roads blocked during some protests.

The ministry said reducing Syria’s reliance on foreign supplies over the longer term would require increasing domestic oil and gas production, rehabilitating fields and wells, expanding refining capacity and upgrading refineries, pipelines and strategic facilities.

It also stressed the need to strengthen storage and supply security, diversify supply sources and attract investment and partnerships in the oil and gas sector.

Tags: Fuel prices, Baniyas Refinery, Energy Ministry, petroleum imports, refining capacity