$34 million oil losses after earthquake – Syrian Ministry of Oil
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Ministry of Oil and Mineral Resources estimated, on Sunday, the oil losses at $34 million following Feb. 6 earthquake.
Khaled al-Alij, Assistant Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources for Oil and Gas Affairs, stated to the pro-government al-Watan newspaper that most of the damages occurred in Baniyas oil refinery, which sustained damages and cracks in the outer cement lining, cracks in warehouses, residential units and collapse of the upper outer brick lining of the power unit chimney.
The direct damage losses are worth $21 million, he added.
The newspaper reported that, on Saturday, Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources, Bassam Tohme, checked the repair work in Baniyas and “observed the major efforts conducted by the refinery’s staff to address the damages and large cracks that occurred in pipes, which were successfully replaced and the refinery has resumed operation.”
On Feb. 6, the ministry shut down the Baniyas oil refinery due to damage sustained after the earthquake.