Tunisia can be divided into five tectonic provinces: (1) La Galite-Numidian zone, (2) zone of diapirs-Zaghouan fault, (3) Kasserine Island, (4) Gabes basin-Cretaceous platform-Offshore, and (5) Djefarra-Paleozoic complex. Thin-skin tectonics dominate the La Galite-Numidian zone. Perhaps as much as 20 km of shortening indicates that the best petroleum prospects may lie beneath the thrusts. Oil and gas seeps in Algeria suggest that lower Numidian clastics induce favorable hydrocarbon generating environments. In the Kasserine Island area, as much as 5 km of late Miocene shortening complicates earlier extensional structures. Basement involvement in early extension and its possible influence on later compressive events could generate significant hydrocarbon accumulations. The ection beneath the decollement also may have significant petroleum potential.

The zone of diapirs-Zaghouan fault, intermediate between the allochthonous Numidian-La Galite complex and the Kasserine Island may have potential beneath a possible decollement. Of particular interest are favorable autochthonous Jurassic facies. These prospects must have been generated during Early Cretaceous time with the subsequent trap improved during the Miocene orogeny. The Gabes basin-Cretaceous platform-Offshore province has well-developed extensional structures. Hydrocarbon source and maturation appear to be sufficient, as seen in the Isis and Ashtart fields. Reservoir quality is the major problem. The Paleozoic tectonic province has favorable extensional structures in the Djefarra complex, but source problems and tilting may have a negative effect. Paleozoic truncation plays outh of the Djefarra are possible. However, large structures and thick reservoirs have not been found. The petroleum potential of Tunisia must be rated high, but only sophisticated and imaginative exploration programs will realize this potential.

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