(Ecofin Agency) - The Tunisian Ministry of Energy and Mining has revealed that as at July 20, 2016, oil production dropped from 8.6% to 9.48 million barrels, while that of natural gas dropped from 12.8% to 1,202. 5 million m3.

These declines were as a result of the shutting down of production for technical reasons, social movements and natural regression of most fields.

The Chargui gas field in Kerkennah was shut down from January 19 to April 6, 2016, and again from April 22 till present due to protests of the unemployed in the region.

Statistics from the Department of Energy and Mining show that oil production will drop from 10% by the end of this year, compared to that of 2015. Production capacity will amount to 2.14 million tons of oil equivalent as against the 2.37 million tons of oil equivalent (toe) in 2015.

Meanwhile, the demand for primary energy dropped by 4% to nearly 4.5 million toe in late June 2016 while gas consumption fell by 6% in most sectors, excluding the power sector.

Demand for petroleum products decreased by 11% since the fuel was not used in the production of electricity in the first six months of 2016.

According to the Department of Energy, the balance of primary energy witnessed a shortfall of 1.85 million toe at the end of June 2016, compared to the shortfall of 1.98 million toe the same period last year, (a 7% improvement), TAP news reports.

Anita Fatunji