Summary:

On 2 September 2024, the Tunisian Company of Petroleum Activities (ETAP) published energy production indicators showing a decrease of 11.3% in Tunisian oil production during the first semester of 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023.   

Production fell from 781,900 tons during the first semester of 2023 to 693,600 tons during the first semester of 2024.  

The stats shared by ETAP also show a decrease of 28.6% in gas production from 962,100 tons during the first 6 months of 2023 to 686,900 tons during the same period of 2024.  

The Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy blamed production decreases on the fluctuation of oil prices in the global market, the repercussions of the Covid-19 virus, and fallout from the Russian-Ukrainian war. The Ministry also stated that the decrease of energy production is especially due to social movements and strikes.  

Meanwhile, the workers from South Services Company employed at an Italian-Tunisian Oil Exploitation Company (SITEP) site in Tataouine have been on strike since Monday evening, 2 September, in an effort to highlight the deterioration of their working and living conditions.  

Outlook: 

Tunisia is struggling to renew its exploration and extraction infrastructure, while lacking exploration and production authorizations as these decreased from 52 in 2010 to only 16 in 2024.  

Tunisia will need to authorize new exploration to reduce its energy imports. New exploration is especially important as the green transition to renewable energies will likely take another decade to bear significant economic fruit.  

While social unrest and sit-ins at energy production and transportation sites remain common, Tunisia is unlikely to resolve its energy deficit any time soon and supplemental imports will continue to be a strain on the national budget.  

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