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El Borma Oil Field

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Weather…

The El Borma oil field is Tunisia's most significant and largest petroleum deposit, located deep in the Sahara Desert near the border with Algeria. It was discovered in 1964 by the Italian-Tunisian company SITEP, marking the beginning of commercial oil production in the country. Production began in 1966 and reached its peak in the 1970s, briefly making Tunisia a net exporter of energy. The field is connected to the Skhira terminal on the Mediterranean coast via a 775-kilometer-long pipeline. Despite the natural decline in production volumes, El Borma remains an indispensable part of the national energy infrastructure due to modern extraction techniques and the discovery of deeper gas deposits. Its isolated desert location necessitated the construction of a complete infrastructure, including its own airport and residential settlements for workers. Today, El Borma stands as a symbol of the Tunisian energy sector and its long-standing partnership with international energy corporations.

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

El Borma Oil Field is a significant oil field on the border with Tunisia, contributing to Algeria's oil production. It plays an important role in Algeria's energy industry, supplying national refining capacity.

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Visiting

The oil field is a secured industrial facility with safety zones and not open to the public. However, the extraction equipment and flares are visible from the nearby border road between Algeria and Tunisia.

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Where to view it

The best viewpoint is the road following the border line, from where the drilling rigs and tanks can be seen in the flat desert landscape. In clear weather, the surrounding dunes offer an elevated perspective over the entire field.

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Local products

Crude oil is not a direct consumer good, but travellers can purchase handicrafts and dates in nearby oasis towns like El Borma. Local markets also offer Berber carpets and traditional pottery from the region.

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Active season

Oil extraction runs continuously throughout the year to meet global demand. Maintenance works typically occur in spring, which may cause a slight reduction in production.

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Nearby

Combine a visit with the oasis town El Oued, known for its date palm groves and traditional architecture. Also consider the nearby Tunisian town of Tozeur with its old souk and salt lakes.

Geography

Coordinates

31.50000, 9.25000

Facts

The El Borma field was officially discovered in May 1964.
The operating company SITEP is a joint venture between Tunisia and Italy (ENI).
Commercial oil production began in 1966.
The field is located approximately 800 kilometers south of Tunis.
The pipeline to the Port of Skhira has a length of 775 kilometers.
It is the largest Tunisian oil field with the historically highest production rates.