Plizio Visual Lab

Al-Thaim Oil Field

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

energy

Weather…

The Al-Thaim oil field is located in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate in eastern Syria, part of the productive Euphrates oil basin. It was discovered in 1986 by Pecten, a subsidiary of Shell, in partnership with the state-owned Syrian Petroleum Company. This discovery was a milestone for the Syrian oil industry as Al-Thaim produces high-quality light crude oil, which is highly sought after in international markets. The field is operated by the Al-Furat Petroleum Company (AFPC), a joint venture that was long considered the backbone of Syria's energy production. Al-Thaim is connected via pipelines to refineries in Homs and Baniyas, highlighting its strategic importance for national energy security. Over the past decades, the field has been at the center of geopolitical tensions and has suffered physical damage due to conflict. Despite these challenges, it remains a critical asset in plans to restore Syrian control over its natural resources and stabilize the local economy in the Deir ez-Zor region.

Location: Syria
Nearby: Deir ez-Zor (18 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, May, Oct.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	6	9	14	19	25	30	33	32	28	23	14	8
Rain mm	21	18	16	13	8	0	0	0	0	11	14	19

📋 Practical info

🏭

What is this place?

The Al-Thaim Oil Field is a cornerstone of regional energy production, situated just south of Deir ez-Zor in the vast Syrian desert. It plays a monumental role in extracting crude oil resources critical to the national energy infrastructure and local economy.

🚪

Visiting

Due to its nature as a critical and hazardous industrial energy site, public access or casual sightseeing is entirely strictly prohibited. The perimeter is heavily secured, and only specialized engineers, workers, and authorized personnel may enter the premises.

👀

Where to view it

While close-up views are impossible, the towering flare stacks and industrial infrastructure can often be seen illuminating the desert sky at night from miles away. The highway connecting Deir ez-Zor to other regional hubs may offer distant glimpses of the facilities.

🧺

Local products

There are naturally no consumer goods available directly at the oil field. However, the presence of the workforce fuels the nearby urban centers like Deir ez-Zor, where traditional markets sell local dates, agricultural produce, and typical Syrian culinary specialties.

📆

Active season

Oil extraction operates continuously around the clock, without interruption for holidays or seasons. For external observation from a distance, nighttime features the most striking visual impact due to the gas flares, while the cooler months remain safest for regional travel.

➕

Nearby

Any transit near this industrial zone is usually part of a broader journey along the Euphrates River valley. When regional stability permits, visitors can contrast this stark modernity with ancient Mesopotamian historical sites and the fertile agricultural strips along the river.