Petrofac says the first commercial gas, which began flowing on 8 August, is to be sold to Tunisia’s state power company Societe Tunisienne de l’Electricite & du Gaz (Steg) under Etap’s existing gas-pricing formula.

The field’s central production facility will initially handle 20 million cubic feet a day (cf/d) from two wells, with a 57-kilometre pipeline to tie in to Steg’s facilities at Ain Turkia near Sfax, which is on its main pipeline to Tunis.

Production rates of 20 million cf/d are expected for at least four years, although Petrofac claims future potential gas development opportunities may extend output and the ultimate life of the field.

Petrofac has a 45 per cent stake in the venture, with Etap holding the remainder.