Special to WorldTribune.com

LONDON — A Western energy major has suspended operations in Syria.

France’s Total said it halted operations in Syria in wake of European
Union sanctions on the regime of President Bashar Assad. The sanctions
included that of Syria’s state-owned General Petroleum Corp., which owns 50
percent of Total’s partner in the Arab state.

“We have informed the Syrian authorities of our decision to halt our
operations with GPC in order to comply with sanctions,” Total said.

Total was contracted to help develop an energy field at Dir Al Zour,
which totaled 39,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. The French company
also was contracted to help Syria’s Tabiyeh Gas.

  Dir Al Zour, French firm halts energy operations in Syria, General Petroleum Corp., Tabiyeh Gas, Total