Syria's state-owned petroleum company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Chevron and a Qatari energy investment company to develop the country's first offshore oil and gas field. The agreement, signed Wednesday in Damascus, involves the U.S. energy giant and Qatar-based Power International Holding. Syria's state news agency SANA said the deal aims to strengthen strategic partnerships in the energy sector and covers offshore exploration and the development of oil and gas resources in Syria’s territorial waters. It marks Syria’s first formal step toward offshore energy exploration as the government seeks to expand hydrocarbon production and attract foreign partners.