December 3, 2015
UK launches first Syria air strikes. RAF Tornado jets have carried out their first air strikes against so-called Islamic State in Syria, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. Four Tornados from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus took part in the operation soon after MPs voted to approve bombing. The strikes targeted the Omar oil fields in eastern Syria, which is under IS control, and were "successful", Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said.
The Omar field is the largest field in the portfolio of Al Furat Petroleum Company (AFPC) and is located in the north-east of the country, 45 kilometres south-east of Deir Ez Zour. The field was discovered in 1987. Originally the field produced at a peak of some 80,000 barrels per day (bpd) but production declined rapidly due to the lack of any pressure support. From 1991 onwards water injection was used at the site and between 1994-7 a plateau production level of 60-70,000 bpd was reached. As of 2008 the production rate had declined to 20,000 bpd.
Along with the Souedieh field, Omar is one of the primary sources of associated gas in Syria.