Dimasheq News Platform
The Central Inspection Authority announced the findings of a field inspection tour conducted by the head of the Authority, Engineer Amer Al-Ali, at a number of oil fields in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, following nearly three months of monitoring and investigative work. The inspection involved 22 inspectors and was carried out in coordination with the Governor of Deir ez-Zor and the Minister of Energy.
The Authority said that the inspection uncovered violations and irregularities involving oil production, transportation and measurement operations, as well as maintenance works and contracting procedures. It also identified shortcomings in oversight mechanisms, noting preliminary indications of damage to public funds exceeding $8 million, resulting from contracts, maintenance works and mismanagement, particularly in the Deir ez-Zor oil fields.
The Authority added that the investigations also covered contracts for transporting crude oil between the Central Region Administration and transportation companies. According to the preliminary findings, these contracts resulted in damage to public funds caused by price differences estimated at approximately $20 million.
A comparison between the investigation findings and the situation on the ground revealed, according to the Authority, significant observations concerning the management and production of certain wells, oil transportation operations, the implementation of maintenance works and contracting procedures. This prompted the identification of responsibilities and the initiation of legal measures.
Based on the preliminary investigation findings, the Authority issued decisions to suspend nine officials from their duties in the Deir ez-Zor oil fields and refer them to the judiciary to complete the investigations and legal procedures. They are:
Director of the Deir ez-Zor Oil Fields.
Director of Oil Transportation and Distribution in the Central Region.
Transportation Supervisor in the Deir ez-Zor Oil Fields.
Supervisor of the Al-Omar Oil Field.
Head of the Production Department at the Al-Omar Oil Field.
Head of the Well Services Department at the Al-Omar Oil Field.
Well Services Engineer at the Al-Omar Oil Field.
Contract Supervisor and Head of the Supervisory Committee at the Al-Taym Oil Field.
Head of the Production Department at the Al-Tanak Oil Field.
The measures also included instructions to terminate the contracts of a number of companies, contractors and parties working with the oil sector, following violations and shortcomings identified by the inspection, including failures in carrying out works and breaches of integrity and contractual compliance requirements.
The Authority also recommended imposing precautionary seizure on the assets of those involved and taking other legal measures in accordance with applicable procedures, while expanding the investigation into a number of files and incidents uncovered during the inspection.
The Authority stressed that the measures taken fall within its responsibility to protect public funds, address shortcomings and improve the efficiency of public institutions. It emphasized that the violations under investigation are linked to specific individuals and do not represent the performance of the oil-sector institutions or their employees as a whole.
It further noted that oversight efforts will continue to follow up on the relevant files, determine responsibilities and take legal action against anyone found to be responsible. The Authority affirmed that protecting public funds and state institutions, particularly the oil sector as one of the strategic sectors, will remain among the priorities of government and oversight efforts.
