Jordan-Lebanon Gas Deal Via Syria Sparks Revenue Talk

Jordan has agreed to supply Lebanon with natural gas through Syrian territory, sourced from the floating gas unit at Aqaba port, a step that returns attention to the Arab Gas Pipeline and to Syria's infrastructure and its potential role in regional energy transport.

The Route of the Agreement

The Arab Gas Pipeline links Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, originally built to carry Egyptian gas to these countries. The new Jordan-Lebanon agreement raises economic questions about what Syria could gain from gas passing through its territory.

Transit Fees as a Potential Resource

Financial strategy and risk expert Dr. Saleh Ashram said the most important gain for Syria would be reviving and operating the Arab Gas Pipeline, noting that Syria could benefit from transit fees, which depend mainly on gas volume, contract duration and tariff, similar to the transit fees of the Kirkuk-Banias line.

Ashram explained that the core idea is for this route to generate sustainable revenue for Syria rather than incidental income, something that would depend on the specific contract terms. Syria could also benefit from fees for using its infrastructure and associated services such as pumping and storage, though he cautioned it is premature to consider this a confirmed source of treasury revenue.

A Potential Energy Corridor

Ashram added that an important consideration is the possibility of this line becoming an energy corridor from the Gulf to Europe, stressing that the most important factor remains sustainability and continuity.

Conditions for Economic Benefit

He confirmed that restoring Syria's role as a regional energy transit corridor is possible but not straightforward, explaining that the Arab Gas Pipeline requires a technical assessment of pumping stations and rehabilitation of damaged sections to ensure safe operation.

• A clear transit tariff
• A long-term contract to ensure sustainable revenue
• Clear multilateral agreements among pipeline partners
• Security arrangements to protect the pipeline from any encroachment

Ashram noted that any disruption on these fronts could cause revenue fluctuations, or even a halt, due to political disputes or tariff disagreements, making sustainability and continuity a basic condition for turning gas transit through Syrian territory into a viable economic resource.