The majority of Tunisias Natural Gas output comes from Miskar field, located about 80 miles offshore in the Gulf of Gabes. The field was discovered in 1975 by Elf, but is now fully owned and operated by British Gas (BG), the largest investor in Tunisias energy sector. According to BG, the field contains 1.5 Tcf of natural gas reserves. In 2005, Miskar field achieved record production levels of 200 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) of natural gas, which supplied more than 50 percent of Tunisias total natural gas demand. In collaboration with the Tunisian government, BG has installed new offshore compression equipment in order to expand the output of the Miskar field. BG has a Miskar natural gas sales contract with STEG, giving it the right to supply at least 230 MMcf/d on a long-term basis.
BG also holds the Amilcar and Ulysse exploration permits in the Gulf of Gabes. BG is looking to develop the Hasdrubal Oil and natural gas field, which is located in the Amilcar permit. The company has indicated that the Tunisian government is close to finalizing a $600 million plan to develop the Hasdrubal field. BG is planning on bringing the Hasdrubal natural gas and gas condensate field onstream by 2009, with gross output of 30,000 bbl/d of oil equivalent. In 2007, BG intends to complete a drilling program in the Ulysse exploration permit area, also located in the Gulf of Gabes.
Tunisia has four other producing natural gas fields (El Franning, El Borma, Baguel, and Zinnia). Together, these fields account for most of the remaining domestic natural gas production.