Mohammed al-Bashir: Several types of diesel fuel to be offered at different prices and specifications
ARK News.. The Syrian Minister of Energy announced that several types of diesel fuel will be offered at different prices and specifications to ease the cost-of-living burden on citizens, noting that several local electric refineries will be brought back into operation with a capacity of up to 35,000 barrels of crude oil per day, under the management and supervision of the Syrian Petroleum Company.
Mohammed al-Bashir, Syria’s Minister of Energy, said at a press conference on Thursday, Sep. 17, 2026: “We met with President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and a range of practical alternatives were discussed. A proposal was approved to introduce multiple types of diesel fuel with different specifications and prices according to the nature of use, instead of limiting the market to a single product with high specifications and cost.”
The energy minister also explained that it had been decided to restart some local electric refineries with a capacity of up to 35,000 barrels of crude oil per day, under the management and supervision of the Syrian Petroleum Company, in accordance with regulations ensuring operational safety, product quality, and the reduction of environmental impacts.
The Syrian Energy Minister stated that the entire diesel production of these refineries would be allocated to provide a subsidized type priced at 115 liras per liter, intended for heating, agriculture, and eligible groups. Its distribution will be organized in coordination between the Syrian Petroleum Company, the provinces, and the relevant authorities to ensure that it reaches those entitled to it.
Mohammed al-Bashir added: “In cooperation with brotherly countries, we secured a type of diesel fuel priced at 150 liras per liter, designated for certain productive and service uses, as well as engineering and heavy machinery, while continuing to provide diesel fuel meeting standard specifications at 175 liras per liter.”
Al-Bashir affirmed that work would continue to provide multiple options in the market, with specifications and prices suited to the nature of each use, thereby reducing costs for broad segments of consumers and productive sectors.
The Syrian Energy Minister noted that the circumstances of rising global energy prices coincided with the Baniyas Refinery entering a comprehensive and necessary maintenance overhaul imposed by its technical condition after years of operation. The overhaul includes rehabilitating and replacing key units and equipment, which will increase the refinery’s efficiency and refining capacity to approximately 130,000 barrels per day.
Al-Bashir affirmed that once the Baniyas Refinery resumes operations and local refining capacity increases, any decline in global prices or shipping and insurance costs will be reflected in domestic prices through the Price-Setting Committee, which will review them according to actual data.
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