The Tunisian Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy has officially annulled the hydrocarbon exploitation permit for the Birsa oil field, marking the end of more than forty years of production at one of the country’s historic energy sites.
This decision, published in Official Gazette No. 59 of 2025, terminates the rights previously granted to the Tunisian Petroleum Activities Company (Etap) and Top Energy Investment Company. The original permit had been issued by the Ministry of National Economy on September 30, 1980, and its revocation underscores a pivotal shift in Tunisia’s approach to resource management and regulatory enforcement.
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Procedural steps
The move follows a series of procedural steps and prior notifications. A significant milestone in the permit’s history occurred in 2017, when a ministerial decree authorized the transfer of shares from Atlantis Tunisia Ltd to Top Energy Investment Company. However, repeated warnings and non-compliance with operational requirements prompted the authorities to take action. The Hydrocarbons Consultative Commission addressed the issue in its 135th, 136th, and 138th sessions, held in late 2022 and early 2024. Formal reminders were also issued to the concessionaires in April and November 2022.
The General Directorate of Hydrocarbons issued an official notice instructing the operators to cease all activities and begin the technical and legal procedures necessary for the complete abandonment of the field.
As part of the termination, the companies are now obligated to restore the affected environment in accordance with Tunisian law, international agreements, and current environmental regulations. This closure not only marks the end of an era for the Birsa field but also highlights the government’s commitment to responsible resource management and environmental protection.
