Tunisia’s Nawara natural gas field started production on February 5, according to a Reuters report.

Tunisia’s Prime Minister Youssef Chahed said that production is expected to increase natural gas output by 50% and reduce the country’s energy deficit by 25%.

Investment cost of approximately $1.25 billion was poured into the Nawara field project, which is co-owned between the Austrian Mineral Oil Administration (OMV) and Tunisia’s National Oil Company (ETAP).

Chahed added that the field is set to increase capacity production of 2.7 million cubic meters of gas per day (mmcb/d), and to boost economic growth by 1%. Additionally, Tunisia is expected to raise production of natural gas to about 65,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (bboe/d).

ETAP’s mission is to promote Tunisia’s hydrocarbon sector stated by the country’s laws n° 72-22 of10th March 1972. The company mainly focuses on actively and directly provide interventions in all hydrocarbon operations.