US maintains Syrian oilfield presence
The US government has reiterated its commitment to defeating so-called Islamic State in Syria and says it is merely protecting the country’s oil from falling into the ‘wrong’ hands
US oil firm Delta Crescent Energy (DCE) announced in August last year that it had secured a contract from the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (Rojava) for the modernisation and development of oilfields. With sanctions imposed on Syria by western governments remaining in place, the move required approval for a waiver from the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC), which administers Washington’s sanctions lists, leading to speculation around state involvement. The Pentagon sought in mid-February to dispel reports that the US military was providing cover for DCE to work on oilfields following criticism of US expropriation of Syrian oil under a contrac
Also in this section
10 March 2026
From Venezuela to Hormuz, the US—backed by the most powerful military force ever assembled—is redrawing not only oil and gas flows but also the global balance of energy power
10 March 2026
By shutting the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has cut exports of distillate-rich Middle Eastern crude, jet fuel and diesel, and is holding the energy market hostage
10 March 2026
Eni’s director for global gas and LNG portfolio, Cristian Signoretto, discusses how demand will respond to rising LNG supply, and how the company is expanding its own gas and LNG operations through disciplined, capital-efficient investments
9 March 2026
Petroleum Economist analysis sees increases in output from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Kazakhstan among others before region’s murky descent
