“Russia, one of President Bashar Assad’s strongest international backers received its Christmas present from Syria on Wednesday.
Syria’s state news agency reported that Syrian Oil Minister Suleiman Abbas and Syria’s General Petroleum Company have signed a deal with Russian oil and gas company Soyuzneftegaz to explore in the Mediterranean Sea.
Most of Syria’s oil and gas fields are in the north east of the country which is under opposition control and the country’s oil exports almost have stopped.
Earlier this year, the Syrian Oil Minister discussed with the ambassadors of China and Russia the possibility of exploring for oil and gas off Syria’s Mediterranean coast. ...”
http://www.yalibnan.com/2013/12/25/syria-rewards-russia-with-an-oil-deal/
From Aug 2013:
Saudis offer Russia secret oil deal if it drops Syria
Saudi Arabia has secretly offered Russia a sweeping deal to control the global oil market and safeguard Russia’s gas contracts, if the Kremlin backs away from the Assad regime in Syria.
The revelations come amid high tension in the Middle East, with US, British, and French warship poised for missile strikes in Syria. Iran has threatened to retaliate. ...”