Total in Tunisia

Upstream

• 1948, The first gas indications are discovered at Cap Bon.

• 1949, the “Syndicat d’études et de recherches en Tunisie » is transformed into a society, SEREPT. The CFP takes 12% and the BRP 58%. The new company receives a widespread concession of 40,000 km2.

• 1951, the SEREPT confirms the discovery of Cap Bon, and supplies Tunis.

• 1954, the production of the Cap Bon gas field, which supplies the city of Tunis with a gas pipeline, begins.

Downstream 

• 1948, “L'Omnium français de pétrole” creates a subsidiary in the country, as well as the SAPM (Algerian Oil Company of Mory). In 1947 Petrofina set up a marketing subsidiary. All this will result in the construction of an oil depot in Sfax.

• 1949, The Tunisian Petroleum Products Society launches the construction of the La Goulette depot. The products are sold under the Purfina brand, which took over the business in 1956.

• 1951, Creation of the Tunisian Petroleum Products Society, constituted by Petronaphte, Fina side.

• In 1955, the CFP created in Tunis one of its subsidiaries, Air Total, for the supply of aviation fuel.

Upstream

• 1960, opening of the In Amenas la Skhira pipe, of which SNPA is the main shareholder.

• 1963, SNPA applies for two permits (Gages and Hammamet), followed by another in 1964

• 1965, the SNPA creates a subsidiary, Aquitaine-Tunisia who discovers the Douleb field in 1966, put into production in 1968 (5 kbj).

• 1970, discovery of the Ashtart field by Aquitaine-Tunisia.

• 1971 – 1972, The CFTP (Compagnie franco-tunisienne des pétroles) that Total has formed pursuant to an agreement with the State, discovers the fields of Sidi al Itayem then Sidi Behara.

• 1972, Creation of SEPEG (Société d'exploitation pétrolière de Gabes oriental) in Tunisia with Aquitaine Tunisia (30% op.), Erap (30%), CFP (20%) and AGIP (20%). It gets an offshore license.

• 1973, Ashtart is put into production and in two years the production of the SNPA goes from 3 to 25 kbj own (the CFP: 4.3 in 1975).

• 1977, Petrofina enters a new permit in Tunisia. Elf develops the Miskar field.

• 1978, Total launches a new exploration campaign in Tunisia and reassesses Sidi al Itayem’s reserves.

Downstream

• 1960, Purfina Tunisia and the Tunisian Omnium of petroleum join forces through a protocol of exchange and participation by creating for the management of these companies an organization common to the two groups: Total Tunisie.

Upstream

• 1980, Elf obtains new permits in Tunisia and the CFP obtains the licence of Cap Bon Kelibia and discovers the fields of Ras Shukheir.

• 1980, Small discoveries of interest for Petrofina in Tunisia

• 1982, Discovery of the Jugurtha gas field by Elf-Aquitaine.

• 1982, Total discontinues the operation of the Cap Bon Hamamet licence in Tunisia as a result of disappointing exploration drilling.

• 1983, Elf obtains the Kairouan Nord licence in Tunisia and discovers Cosmos Sud 1 (oil, offshore).

• 1985, Total gives up licences in Tunisia.

• 1986, Elf Aquitaine reduces its stake in Trapsa, the company that operates the oil pipeline to La Skirra in Tunisia, from 65% to 50%.

• 1987, Elf conducted four exploration drilling operations and reduces its participation in Trapsa from 50% to 35%.

• 1988, Elf-Aquitaine discovers the Essaouia field.

• 1989, The production of the Ashtart field (Elf) increases through the commissioning of new wells.

Downstream

• 1980, Business is growing, the whole holds 15.6% of the gasoline market share, 12.8 for diesel and owns 127 gas stations.

• 1987, Elf signs a study contract with the Société tunisienne des industries du raffinage for the reorganization of the technical and management services of the Bizerte refinery.

Upstream 

• 1990, production of the Essaouira field (Elf 9%). Elf is awarded the Yasmin concession (Cap Bon permit) for three years.

• 1997, Elf Aquitaine divests its subsidiary as part of the rationalization of its assets. Total and Petrofina (who participated in some permits) are already out.

• 2018, Total Tunisia celebrates 70 years