The Assembly of People’s Representatives (ARP) adopted Bill No. 2023/53 approving the agreement on the hydrocarbon exploitation concession “Sidi El Kilani” in the governor of Mahdia and its annexes, signed on February 6, 2023, between the Tunisian State and the Tunisian Society of Petroleum Activities (Etap).
The bill was adopted yesterday, Wednesday, February 21, 2024, in plenary session, by 120 votes for and 2 against.
The Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy decided to renew the concession with Etap after its expiration on December 24, 2022, given its performance and to maintain and develop the country’s hydrocarbon production.
Economic studies have shown that the net profitability of this concession is estimated at $26.4 million and the recoverable production is estimated at approximately 2.061 million barrels of oil.
Fatma Thabet Chiboub, Minister of Industry, Energy and Mines, responded to the remarks of the deputies by emphasizing that the sectors falling under her ministry represent two-thirds of the GDP, adding that the State attaches as much importance to the public sector as well as to the private sector.
Referring to the desire to attract more foreign investment, she stressed that the ministry is currently working on improving the legal framework for the energy and mining sectors, as well as revising the investment law.
The Ministry of Industry also seeks to rationalize energy use, promote alternative energy, and ensure the country’s energy security, she said.
“The objective is to guarantee 60 or even 80% of the country’s energy needs through the use of alternative energies (renewable energies, green hydrogen, etc.),” she added, emphasizing the importance of leveraging lessons from the experiences of other countries in this area.
It should be remembered in this regard that the share of renewable energies in electricity production in Tunisia is only 4.1% ( Source: Energy report 2021 ) and that their share in the national energy mix is 3%. Regarding the national strategy aimed at guaranteeing energy independence and achieving carbon neutrality, the minister stressed that the objective is to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 46%.
