Syria to dismantle Homs oil refinery, build modern new plant
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Syria will dismantle the Homs refinery and build a new modern plant 50 km away, as part of a major redevelopment and energy modernization plan.
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A worker operates a makeshift refinery on the outskirts of Qamishli, northeast Syria, Saturday, March 22, 2025, where oil is refined into gasoline and other products like diesel (AP)
The Syrian government has announced plans to dismantle the historic Homs oil refinery, one of the country’s largest and oldest fuel-processing facilities, as part of a sweeping redevelopment and modernization initiative.
According to Syria-TV, the refinery site on the outskirts of Homs will be repurposed into new residential neighborhoods featuring schools, hospitals, and essential public infrastructure. The announcement was made by Yousef Qablawi, CEO of the Syrian Petroleum Company, who said the decision marks the beginning of a new phase of national energy and urban development projects.
New refinery to replace outdated infrastructure
Qablawi revealed that a major strategic package is underway, centered on closing the current Homs refinery and constructing a new, state-of-the-art oil processing facility in partnership with leading international energy firms. The modern refinery will be built roughly 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Homs and is expected to secure Syria’s domestic fuel needs while also creating export opportunities.
“The new refinery will provide Syria with sufficient fuel supplies and enable exports,” Qablawi said, highlighting the plan’s potential to boost the country’s self-sufficiency and energy resilience.
Commissioned in 1959, the Homs refinery has been a cornerstone of Syria’s energy infrastructure for decades. With a capacity of 100,000 barrels per day, it has long served as the main supplier of fuel and petroleum derivatives for domestic consumption. The facility is slightly smaller than Syria’s largest refinery in Baniyas, which processes around 135,000 barrels daily.
