Tunisia’s Natural Gas Output Falls 11%

Tunisia’s natural gas resources have declined by 11% as of May 2025,totalling 809 kilotonnes of oil equivalent (ktep),according to the latest report from the National Observatory for Energy and Mines.

This includes both domestic output and fiscal royalties from Algerian gas transit. Key gas fields such as Nawara,Hasdrubal,and Miskar experienced sharp declines in production,with Nawara plummeting by 34%. However,a 17% increase in southern Tunisia’s production helped ease the overall decline slightly.

The country responded to the downturn by ramping up gas imports from Algeria by 24%,which increased national supply by 7% to 1,811 ktep. This strategy highlights Tunisia’s growing reliance on Algerian gas amid regional market instability and mounting strain on domestic production. The transit royalty on Algerian gas,a major structural component of Tunisia’s energy portfolio,also fell by 18%,compounding pressure on national resources.

Additionally,the report reveals governance challenges in the allocation of gas royalties. The Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG) received 84% of the transit royalty but exceeded its designated quota in 2024 by 219 million cubic meters,triggering a settlement process. These findings point to a fragile energy framework and emphasize the urgent need for Tunisia to invest in exploration,energy efficiency,and renewable sources to secure long-term energy resilience.