Tunisia’s crude oil production reportedly decreased by 11%, and commercial gas production dropped by 13% in April 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, according to the latest report from Tunisia’s Energy Observatory,
The report revealed that Tunisia’s total equivalent oil production was 0.53 million tons at the end of April 2023, compared to 0.59 million tons during the same period in 2022.
It also further highlighted that the total volume of gas liquids – inclusive of Gabes plant’s production – was approximately 45,000 tons of oil equivalent at the end of April 2023. This marked a 33% increase from 34,000 tons during the equivalent period in 2022.
Tunisia’s exploration and production sector has faced challenges since 2020, due to a slump in oil prices, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing social movements. To address these issues, Tunisia initiated drilling operations in two exploratory wells under the Arifah and Burg al-Khudra permits in June 2023.
However, many of Tunisia’s oil and gas fields suffer from declining production. The “Miskar” field lost 10% of its productive capacity, commercial gas in the south was down by 44%, Eastern gas fell by 15%, and the Sadr Bal 1, Mamura and Barka fields fell by 146%. Meanwhile, the Nawara field accounts for 31% of national production.
The total production volumes for Tunisians remained relatively stable at the end of April 2023, reaching 334,000 tons of oil. Meanwhile, Tunisia’s purchases of Algerian gas decreased by 2%, amounting to 723,000 tons of oil. It should be noted that these purchases from Algeria account for nearly 48.6% of Tunisia’s gas supply operations.
