Tunisia may be sitting on a vast, untapped energy reserve — an estimated 620 billion cubic metres of shale gas that, if confirmed and exploited, could cover approximately 100 years of the country’s national production. The striking figure was cited by international energy consultant Ezzeddine Khalfallah during a broadcast on Express FM, based on an international study, though he cautioned that the reserves remain unconfirmed due to the absence of horizontal exploratory drilling.
Khalfallah’s comments came amid a concerning picture for Tunisia’s current energy position. The country’s energy deficit increased by 18% in 2025, driven by a 10% decline in domestic oil and natural gas production. Tunisia was forced to increase natural gas imports from Algeria by 23% to compensate, while the number of active exploration and production permits fell to just 12, compared with 57 operating concessions — only 44 of which are currently producing. No new oil wells were drilled in 2025, and no new discoveries were made to replenish reserves.
The consultant noted that most Tunisian oil fields have reached maturity, leading to structural output decline. He called for aggressive new drilling activity and stressed that the country still holds significant exploration potential. While falling oil prices offered a relatively positive buffer — given that a portion of gas production is tied to oil extraction — the overall trajectory points to growing import dependence unless exploration is urgently revived. The shale gas question, if addressed through targeted horizontal drilling, could fundamentally alter Tunisia’s long-term energy outlook.
SOURCE: africanmanager.com