International oil companies (IOCs) operating in Tunisia will hope that a new government spells the end to a bureaucratic deadlock that has slowed development of the country’s energy sector and led to a 30% fall in oil output since 2010.

The aftermath of the 2011 revolution that toppled Ben Ali, saw substantial political instability, as a first government had to make way to a caretaker administration. As a result, exploration rights were not granted, and exploration and production permits not renewed, a serious blow to efforts to keep national output steady. (CONTINUED - 351 WORDS)