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Dana Gas PJSC, the Middle East’s largest regional private sector natural gas company, has signed an agreement with the Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC) to explore the potential for the redevelopment and expansion of several natural gas fields across central Syria

The fields include the Abu Rabah gas field – one of the largest gas discoveries in Syria – as well as other SPC gas fields.

Dana Gas is the first developer to sign such an agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Dana Gas will conduct a comprehensive technical assessment of the identified fields and propose a development plan aimed at significantly increasing total gas production if the evaluation is successful and both parties reach a final agreement. The initiative aims to support the government’s ambition to significantly boost national gas production, supporting Syria’s power generation and energy recovery.

Richard Hall, CEO of Dana Gas, said, “This agreement marks an important first step in evaluating opportunities to redevelop Syria’s gas infrastructure and unlock the potential that exists within its gas sector. The fields identified under this MoU could make a real difference to domestic gas production, strengthening Syria’s energy security and supporting local communities.

“Our confidence in taking on this challenge is two-fold: first, the professionalism and technical strength of the Syrian Petroleum team and second, our own proven development and operational expertise, most recently demonstrated through the early completion of the KM250 expansion project in Iraq alongside our joint operating partner. The lessons and capabilities we developed there are directly transferable to projects such as this, where hands-on execution, technical and financial discipline, and regional understanding are key to delivery. We are grateful to our Syrian counterparts for their trust and partnership as we embark on this effort.”

Dana Gas has exploration and production assets in Egypt, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and UAE, with 2P reserves exceeding one billion boe and average production of 55,000 boepd in 2024. With sizeable assets in KRI and Egypt, and further plans for expansion, Dana Gas is playing an important role in the rapidly growing natural gas sector of the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region.

Syria has the potential to significantly increase its oil and natural gas production. Before the civil war in 2011, it was self-sufficient in energy production, producing around 380,000-400,000 bpd of crude and 9 bcm of gas, with oil and gas sales accounting for around 20% of total revenues. However its infrastructure and refineries were damaged in the war, and the imposition of western sanctions, now partially lifted, along with the exit of oil majors from the country also took a toll on its production and refining capabilities. Crude production now stands at around 80,000-100,000 bpd.

Oil Review Middle East caught up with Noritsugu Mifune, CEO of Al Gharbia Pipe Company LLC at ADIPEC, where he highlighted the company’s encouraging growth prospects

Abu Dhabi-based Al Gharbia Pipe Company (AGPC) is one of the most technologically advanced Longitudinally Submerged Arc Welded (LSAW) Pipe manufacturers in the world, and one of the first large scale manufacturers to embrace Industry 4.0. Established in 2015, it is a joint venture between three partners: ADQ, Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company; Japan’s JFE Steel, the 13th largest steel manufacturer in the world, and Japan’s Marubeni Itochu Steel, provider of commercial and logistical support to some of the world’s largest oil and gas companies.

Noritsugu Mifune notes that the company in October recorded the production milestone of 700,000 MT of steel pipes, of which almost 500,000 tonnes was produced in 2024-2025 alone. Production is mainly destined for the UAE market, which Mifune describes as a “very good and promising market”. He forecasts continuing strong demand given the high level of activity in both the onshore and offshore sector.
Mifune stresses the company’s ability to meet even the most challenging customer requirements, thanks to the deployment of cutting-edge technology and the expertise of its Japanese shareholders. The plant is equipped with the most advanced production and testing technology from Europe and Japan, including a state-of-the-art automated pipe manufacturing line, a 2nd generation JCO pipe forming press, and a Manufacturing Execution System (MES). The company can produce pipes for the harshest environments, such as sour service pipes for H2S, and deep-sea pipes that can withstand depths of up to 3,000m.

The main challenges for the company are cost and delivery, given the current tough international market conditions, with materials needed to be imported from abroad. However, the UAE’s strategic position as a trading hub with excellent port and logistics facilities facilitates trade. Located in KEZAD, Al Gharbia benefits from competitive utility rates, along with good infrastructure and logistics.

“It is a very good place for our business,” Mifune says. “It gives us peace of mind.”

These factors, along with the UAE’s supportive business environment, attractive labour market and strategic location with easy access to Europe, Africa and Asia have contributed to the company’s success, he adds.

While local demand continues to be strong, Al Gharbia is also looking to grow its exports to Europe, Asia and Africa. Last year the company exported 60,000 tonnes to Iraq. It is looking to further grow its capacity, which now stands at up to 360,000 tonnes a year, with production of approximately two kilometres of pipe a day.

Industry 4.0 Digital Leader

Mifune highlights the company’s commitment to innovation and continual development, noting how it leverages Industry 4.0 technologies to improve quality, safety and production. All plant processes are connected through Smart Manufacturing Execution System (MES 4.0) that executes, monitors, tracks and reports operations on the plant floor in real-time. Pipe traceability and real-time data are collected by fully automated Smart Devices using artificial intelligence and machine learning, guaranteeing total quality control and traceability throughout all steps of the manufacturing process.

The company’s efforts have been recognised by the UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, which has certified the company as an Industry 4.0 Digital Leader.

Mifune points out that while oil and gas is currently the focus of production, the company is looking to the future and is already prepared for the production of pipes for hydrogen and CO2, developed with JFE Steel, which are likely to become increasingly important.

Mifune highlights the company’s strong commitment to Emiratisation, as illustrated by its initiatives for the training and development of local talent. The company is involved in training young graduates from local universities and facilitates education exchanges with Japan and other countries. It is something which Mifune is passionate about; he himself has a personal involvement in the company’s training programmes. 

Aramco, Honeywell and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) are collaborating to scale up the development of Crude-to-Chemicals (CTC) technology in a bid to maximise the value of crude oil and reduce costs associated with CTC conversion 

The new CTC pathway will entail converting crude oil directly into light olefins and other high-demand chemicals, resulting in improved fuel efficiency, carbon utilisation, and process economics—allowing for more efficient and cost-effective production at scale.

The collaboration aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by helping to advance economic diversification, build national research and technology capabilities, and strengthen the Kingdom’s position in the global chemicals market, combining academia and industry expertise to accelerate technology development and national capabilities.

Dr. Ali A. Al-Meshari, Aramco senior vice president of technology oversight & coordination, said, “This collaboration with Honeywell UOP and KAUST furthers Aramco's efforts to drive innovation and shape the future of petrochemicals. By harnessing the power of cutting-edge technologies, we aim to enhance energy efficiency and unlock increased value from every barrel of crude. This novel Crude-to-Chemicals process is aligned with our vision of supporting the global transition towards cleaner, high-performance chemical production. Moreover, this initiative demonstrates our focus on contributing to the growth of a vibrant ecosystem, where the deployment of innovative technologies can create lasting value for our stakeholders, our communities, and the environment.”

Rajesh Gattupalli, Honeywell UOP president, added, “This agreement marks a defining moment in our strategic collaboration with Aramco and KAUST – and in the global evolution of Crude-to-Chemicals technology. With Honeywell UOP’s deep expertise in catalytic process design and commercial scale-up, we’re well positioned to drive this innovation forward.”

Panametrics offers a safe, cost-effective and reliable ultrasonic transit time solution for hydrocarbon liquid tank dewatering

This non-intrusive technology uses the velocity of sound in the fluid and the meter signal strength standard deviation to ensure accurate and efficient performance.

Storage tanks for liquid hydrocarbons may contain residual (sometimes salty) water, originating from crude oil that has not been fully separated. Additionally, other liquid hydrocarbons may become contaminated due to improper venting or leaks from the floating roof, a damaged rainwater hose, or various other reasons.

Since water and liquid hydrocarbons have different densities and velocities of sound, water will settle at the bottom of the tank, often accompanied by bacterial decomposition of the petroleum product. To maintain product specifications, water must be avoided during further processing or in finished products.

Tank dewatering at the outlet is essential to detect the water and liquid interface. To achieve this, various methods are available, including: conductivity (the most common solution), capacity, microwave or gamma source techniques. However, most of these solutions require protrusion making them susceptible to probe build-up which can lead to reliability issues and frequent, costly maintenance or safety hazards when using gamma source.

Using the Panametrics ultrasonic transit-time method, operators can detect the fluid changes by monitoring variations in the fluid’s speed of sound and increases in the signal strength’s standard deviation due to emulsions. This solution is reliable, cost-effective, maintenance-free and highly responsive.

As the transducers are mounted outside the pipe, they are not prone to wear and tear over time. By detecting even the slightest changes in the fluid’s velocity of sound and signal strength, the Panametrics solution feeds control logic to pilot control valves. This guides water and contaminated liquid hydrocarbons to the water treatment and slops units, while directing the liquid hydrocarbon to the treatment unit or plant outlet (ships, trains, trucks, pipelines) without wasting time and money due to contaminated products.

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The fossil-fuel sector offers the largest and most cost-effective opportunity for rapid methane abatement, according to the newly released Global Methane Status Report, launched on the sidelines of COP30 in Belém

Produced by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), the Global Methane Status Report assesses progress and remaining gaps in efforts to cut methane - a potent greenhouse gas responsible for nearly a third of current warming.

The report shows that although methane emissions are still rising, projected 2030 emissions under current legislation are already lower than earlier forecasts due to a mix of national policies, sectoral regulations, and market shifts. However, the report warns that only full-scale implementation of proven and available control measures will close the gap to the Global Methane Pledge’s target of a 30% cut from 2020 levels by 2030.

Urging decisive methane action to deliver the Global Methane Pledge, ministers attending the Global Methane Pledge Ministerial stressed that the policies, technologies, and partnerships needed to meet the target are available, but require rapid scale-up across the energy, agriculture, and waste sectors. Ministers also called for increased transparency from countries on ambition and action to track progress.

Julie Dabrusin, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Co-Convener of the Global Methane Pledge, said, “This report is a crucial assessment of our progress and a key indicator of the work that’s required to meet the Global Methane Pledge goal. In just four years, we have made improvements, but we must continue to drive faster, deeper methane cuts. Every tonne reduced brings us closer to cleaner air, more resilient communities, and a thriving global economy. It is important for all countries that have agreed to the Global Methane Pledge to continue to work closely together to drive momentum on methane mitigation, turning ambition into tangible benefits for the planet.”

The fossil-fuel sector is the second largest source of anthropogenic methane emissions, responsible for approximately one third of the global total. Under current legislation, emissions from the sector are expected to rise by 8% in 2050 compared to 2020. This sector presents the single greatest potential for rapid, cost-effective methane abatement, according to the report. These reductions could be achieved through readily available technologies and practices, often at low cost.

Since the launch of the GMP, methane abatement policies in the oil and gas sector have become more innovative and widespread, while voluntary initiatives such as the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) 2.0 now cover up to 45% of global oil and gas production.

The rate of policy development and country participation, however, still fall short of what is needed to achieve the 2030 targets. Implementation and enforcement must also be strengthened.

The recent adoption of novel approaches, such as the European Union import standard, offers the potential to use the market to mitigate methane in oil and gas sector more rapidly at the global scale.

Bridging the methane policy gap in the fossil fuel sector calls for strong implementation of existing policies, continuous capacity building, increased ambition from additional producing countries, ramped up technical support and innovative financial mechanisms to facilitate mitigation in developing countries.

Key measures recommended include:

• enhancing monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) systems across all fossil fuel operations
• expanding the use of direct measurement protocols and corroborated satellite data which could improve the accuracy and transparency of inventories
• expanding leak detection and repair (LDAR) programmes in oil and gas, which not only help reduce leaks but also enhance data quality for inventories and enhance workplace safety and asset integrity;
• ensuring proper sealing techniques during well closure, given methane emissions from abandoned wells can continue for decades after activities cease;
• strengthening enforcement mechanisms with the establishment of clear accountability structures, penalties for non-compliance and independent oversight;
• facilitating access to finance and capacity building;
• harnessing import standards as market leverage, creating a clear incentive for producing countries to adopt stronger mitigation practices; and
• leveraging international and bilateral frameworks for capacity and alignment.