Tunisia significantly increased its imports of Algerian natural gas in the first quarter of 2026, driven by a rise in domestic electricity demand. Tunisian gas imports grew by 8%, reaching approximately 694 thousand equivalent tons (4.93 million barrels) during this period. The 8% increase in imports of Algerian gas was recorded specifically during the first quarter of 2026. These imports reached approximately 694 thousand equivalent tons, which translates to 4.93 million barrels, in the first three months of 2026. Concurrently, electricity production in Tunisia rose by approximately 7% to 4493 gigawatt/hours in Q1 2026. The country's electricity sector relies heavily on natural gas, which accounts for nearly 93% of its generation capacity. This substantial reliance shows the critical role of natural gas in meeting Tunisia's energy needs.
Energy Sector Performance
Gas consumption in Tunisia for electricity generation and heating increased in 2025. This growth in gas consumption was observed across both electricity generation and heating applications throughout the year. This consumption reached approximately 3.365 billion cubic meters during the first ten months of 2025. The total gas consumption for these purposes during the January to October 2025 period was about 3.365 billion cubic meters. In comparison, gas consumption for the same period in 2024 stood at 3.039 billion cubic meters. The consumption figure for the first ten months of 2024 was 3.039 billion cubic meters, indicating a notable rise in demand year-on-year.
Concurrently, Tunisia experienced a decline in its domestic gas production during 2025. Domestic gas production decreased by 12.2% over the year. This 12.2% reduction in domestic gas output impacted the overall energy supply landscape. Between January and October 2025, Tunisia's domestic gas production totaled 1.001 billion cubic meters. The production volume for this ten-month period in 2025 was 1.001 billion cubic meters. This figure represents a drop from the 1.14 billion cubic meters produced during the equivalent period in 2024. In the corresponding period of 2024, domestic gas production had been higher, at 1.14 billion cubic meters. The decrease in domestic production further notes the country's increasing reliance on imported natural gas to meet its growing energy demands.
Declining Domestic Production
Tunisia's oil production experienced a 13% decrease in the first three months of 2026. This decline in oil production was recorded specifically during the first quarter of the year. Oil production for the first quarter of 2026 totaled approximately 0.29 million equivalent tons, or 2.06 million barrels. The total oil output for Q1 2026 reached about 0.29 million equivalent tons, which is equivalent to 2.06 million barrels. This figure represents a decline from the 0.33 million tons (2.34 million barrels) produced during the same period in 2025. In the first quarter of 2025, oil production stood at 0.33 million tons, or 2.34 million barrels, showing a significant reduction in output.
Conversely, the production of gas liquids in Tunisia saw a slight increase of 1% in the first quarter of 2026. This modest rise marked a positive trend in gas liquids output. Gas liquids production reached 32 thousand equivalent tons (227.2 thousand barrels) in Q1 2026. The total production of gas liquids for the first three months of 2026 was 32 thousand equivalent tons, amounting to 227.2 thousand barrels. This is up from 31 thousand tons (220.1 thousand barrels) recorded in the first quarter of 2025. In comparison, the first quarter of 2025 saw gas liquids production at 31 thousand tons, or 220.1 thousand barrels.
Impact on Royalties and Revenue
Tunisia's total royalty quantities experienced an 18% decrease by the end of March 2026. This reduction in royalty quantities was evident by the close of the first quarter. This decline resulted in approximately 151 thousand equivalent tons, or 1.07 million barrels, recorded for the period. The total royalty quantities recorded by the end of March 2026 amounted to about 151 thousand equivalent tons, which is 1.07 million barrels. In the corresponding period of the previous year, March 2025, total royalty quantities stood at 184 thousand tons, or 1.31 million barrels. This represents a decrease from the 184 thousand tons, or 1.31 million barrels, recorded by the end of March 2025, reflecting the broader challenges in domestic energy production.
