With focus on sustaining positive climate change action, Italian oil company ENI has departed from Tunisia to stop its fossil fuel exploitation activities and actively invest in clean energy. This was disclosed on Thursday, April 1, 2021, in Tunis by the Director-General of hydrocarbons at the Ministry of Industry and Energy, Rachid Ben Dali.
Speaking at a conference, the government official explained that the Italian oil group’s decision to leave Tunisia is part of its approach to investing in more profitable fields around the world, such as Egypt and Mozambique, pointing out that certain agreements, concluded between Tunisia and ENI, guarantee the latter the right to sell its shares to another party that is at the same financial and technical level.
According to the DG, so far no other company has applied for this, as he mentioned that the file is managed by the Consultative Committee of Hydrocarbons. He addressed rumours surrounding the departure of Anglo-Dutch giant, Shell, noting that the oil company has no intention of giving up its activities in the country.
Also, the DG explained that the resumption of oil activities in Tunisia remains dependent on a favourable investment climate and a stable social situation which will largely benefit the country, with a remarkable 50% drop-in oil activities in the country compared to 2010.
The national production of hydrocarbons over the years went from 7 million tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) in 2010, to less than 4.5 million tonnes in 2020.
