Blast targets gas pipeline in Syria, causing losses

A blast targeted a gas pipeline stretching between eastern and central Syria, causing fire and halt of gas pumping, the official SANA news agency reported Sunday. The targeted pipeline, producing 3.4 million cubic meter of gas on daily basis, stretches between the eastern province of Deir al- Zour and the central Palmyra, said SANA, adding that the explosion hit the line at the Taim area, south of Deir al-Zour. About 2.5 million cubic meters have been leaked out of the targeted line, said SANA, estimating the total losses of the blast at 200 million Syrian pound. Citing sources at the Ministry of Oil, SANA said the maintenance workers have started isolating the damaged part to repair the pipeline quickly. It noted that the attack would decrease the gas needed to generate electricity. According to a recent statement made by the Syrian Oil Minister Suleiman al-Abbas, oil production fell recently by about 96 percent compared to that before the crisis. Before the outbreak of the crisis, Syria produced about 380,000 barrels and exporting around 130,000 barrels a day, while using the surplus for domestic use.