Ashtart Oil Field to Reach Peak Profitability by 2031
According to an analysis published by a Washington-based energy market research firm, as reported by the TAP agency, the Ashtart oil field, located in the Gulf of Gabès, is expected to reach its highest level of profitability by 2031. This milestone marks a significant step for one of the country's oldest and most important oil fields.
Source: SEREPT
In practical terms, this deadline corresponds to the moment when the difference between the revenue generated by oil production and operating costs will be most favorable. In other words, the field is expected to offer its best economic return before entering a phase where maintaining production may become more complex and costly.
The Ashtart oil field, which was put into production in 1974 after its discovery in the early 1970s, remains a strategic asset for the Tunisian energy sector today. The field currently produces around 5,000 barrels per day, accounting for approximately 14% of the country's national oil production. This contribution allows it to maintain an important place in a context marked by the natural decline of several of the country's historic fields.
The importance of Ashtart extends beyond its current production. The field has also played a major role in Tunisia's oil history. In the early 1980s, in association with the El Borma field, it contributed to the most productive period of the national sector, when the country's oil production reached record levels.
The field is operated by the Société de recherche et d'exploitation des pétroles en Tunisie (SEREPT), which is jointly owned by the Entreprise tunisienne d'activités pétrolières (ETAP) and the Perenco company. The latter became a co-owner of the field after acquiring, in 2018, the stake previously held by the OMV group.
Beyond economic indicators, the report highlights several technical challenges. The characteristics of the reservoir, the depth of the wells, and certain constraints related to pressure are all factors that influence production performance. The field relies on a single reservoir and uses a system of seawater injection to maintain the necessary pressure for oil extraction.
These elements illustrate the challenges faced by mature oil fields. While Ashtart continues to play a central role in national production, the coming years will be crucial in extending its exploitation under economically viable conditions.
In a country where hydrocarbons remain an important component of the energy supply, the evolution of this historic field will be closely monitored. Its trajectory reflects the broader challenges facing the Tunisian oil industry: maintaining production from existing fields while seeking new sources of growth.
