TUNIS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Oil and gas productions in the fields of Tataouine, southwest of Tunisia and Kebili, southeast of Tunisia, have been completely interrupted due to protests in both provinces since two months ago, announced on Thursday night the Tunisian Ministry of Energy and Mines.
"Having a direct negative impact on the national economy, these sit-ins lead to a halt in production, hence the worsening trade deficit due to a shortfall of 24 million dinars (9.88 million U.S. dollars) per week," said the Ministry in a press release.
According to the release, the oil fields located in the two provinces provide 46 percent of the national oil production and 27 percent of gas production.
The oil field "Naouara," which crosses southern Tunisia, will provide in 2018 not less than 2.7 million cubic meters of gas daily, about 17 percent of the national production.
In this sense, the ministry warns that the halt of works in the oil and gas fields of Tataouine and Kebili caused the firing of 700 workers besides an invoice of 20 million dinars to pay monthly to cover late fees.
Recently, the Tunisian Minister of Employment Imed Hammami, in charge of negotiations with Al-Kamour protesters, alerted that "the government may be forced to increase fuel prices following the halt of production at Tataouine."
According to the Tunisian minister, Tataouine supplies 40 percent of the national production. Any suspension will push Tunisia to import oil when the Tunisian dinar records its lowest records against the euro and dollar.
