Tunis, June 17, 2009- A new gas and oil deposit was recently discovered at El Borma’s “407″ oil field. It is estimated to have a capacity of some 10,000 barrels per day.
The number is likely to double following completion of works currently underway. This new discovery has required investments worth 20 million dinars.
According to 2007 figures, Tunisia’s oil production reached 6, 7 million tons per year. In 2004 it represented 3, 4 million tons. This increase is due to the finding of oil reserves in the south of the country, as well as offshore.
Even if the country’s oil production has increased, it remains below domestic consumption. In 2005 domestic consumption reached 53, 7 million barrels as opposed to a production of some 50 million barrels.
However the new finding in addition to other projected ones, is likely to help bring down the deficit generated by oil imports.
Tunisia’s south ensures most of the country’s production. In 2005, the region of Ghedames produced a number of small deposits such as those of “Dalia”, “Nour”, “Hawa” and “Adam” which totalled a production of some 70,000 barrels per day.
In 2006, the offshore site dubbed “Oudna” started production. According to the online economic news website “webmanagercenter”, it should reach a cruising speed of 15,000 barrels per day. “Oudna” which necessitated investments worth 130 million dollars, was attributed respectively to “Lundlin”, a Swedish company and the Chinese “Atantis”. It is the country’s 7 th operational offshore site.
This year the Ministry of industry, energy and small and medium enterprises has decided to increase the number of prospecting (57) and oil drilling (15) permits. Plans are also afoot to build a second oil refinery at Skhira in partnership with a Qatar- based company.
Via [Tunisia Online News]
