For the first time since 1960, no hydrocarbon exploration drilling was recorded in Tunisia in 2022, a year during which hydrocarbon production fell by 11%, according to the annual report, "The Annals of Energy 2022", published by the Tunisian Oil and Gas Association (ATPG). However, the year 2022 was marked by the award of two exploration licences and one hydrocarbon drilling concession, at a time when hydrocarbon production is steadily declining. In fact, hydrocarbon production was 3.62 million tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) in 2022, 11% lower than in 2021, 29% lower than in 2015 and 50% lower than in 2010. The report also pointed out that national consumption of petroleum products stood at 4.54 million tonnes (MTO), while production by the Société tunisienne des industries de raffinage (STIR) fell by 12.4%, to 1.43 MTO, compared with 2021. To meet domestic demand, STIR imported 3.38 MTO of petroleum products. Difficulties in supplying the domestic market led to fuel rationing in August and October 2022 and recourse to security stocks. In addition, five price adjustments were made in February, March, April, September and November 2022, resulting in a cumulative annual increase of 23.7% in the price of ordinary diesel and 20.4% in the price of unleaded petrol. The energy trade balance deficit has widened by 72% in 2022 compared with 2021, reaching 9667 million dinars, according to the monthly bulletin of the National Energy and Mines Observatory. Exports have increased in value by 59%, while imports have risen by 67%, particularly imports of natural gas. National oil production fell by 13% in 2022, to just over 1.7 million toe.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse