The Sabria Field in central Tunisia has been shut-in due to local protests that blocked roads to the central processing facility (CPF), Serinus Energy Inc. said in a news release.

Serinus, through its wholly owned subsidiary Winstar Tunisia B.V., holds a 45% working interest in Sabria and is the operator. The remaining 55% is held by Entreprise Tunisienne d'Activités Pétrolières (ETAP), the state owned oil company. Prior to the shut-down, the Sabria Field was producing about 700 boe/d net to Serinus (1,550 boe/d gross).

The protests initially targeted the El Franig Field immediately to the northwest of Sabria, operated by another company, according to the release. While the protesters concentrated on shutting down and evacuating El Franig, Serinus said Winstar staff were able to safely shut-in the wells and facilities at Sabria, preventing the potential damage that may have occurred had the shut down been effected in an uncontrolled manner. The protesters then moved on to the Sabria property and insisted that most Winstar personnel stop work and leave the CPF. After discussion with the protestors, most staff were evacuated from the CPF, leaving three company employees to maintain watch together with a number of Tunisian military personnel, the release said.

Serinus said the protests are against the lack of development, investment and job creation in the area and not specifically directed at the company. Winstar has appealed to the ministers of industry, the interior and defense departments as well as the governor of Kebili province, the chairman of ETAP, the Direction Generale de l'Energie and the Tunisian prime minister requesting their assistance so that the Sabria Field can be restarted.

At this time, the company said it is not able to provide guidance about when production may resume at the Sabria Field.