Syrian Minister of Petroleum and mineral resources engineer Sufian Al-Alao discussed with Chinese representatives the possibility of building an oil refinery, which could save Syria billions of dollars in fuel imports, Al Watan daily said.
The minister had discussions with officials of China National Petroleum (CNPC), Sinopec and Sinochem about the prospects for cooperation between his ministry and those firms. The Syrian-Chinese talks dealt with the establishment of a centre for studies and research in Syria, as well as support existing training centres and train a number of engineers and technicians in the fields of oil refineries.
Meanwhile, the Syrian minister added that talks are underway with the Iraqi side to revive the 800km Kirkuk-Banias oil pipeline  and create a new line, noting that the production of more oil will be accompanied with the production of more gas in Iraq.
It is expected that the new refinery will filter oil and gas coming from Iraq to Syria, he also stated.
The rate of oil production in Syria in recent years reached 380,000 bpd, while Syria hopes to exceed this average rate to 388,000 bpd by the end of this year, the Syrian minister noted.
